The Damascus Road Experience

April 14

(Acts 9:3-5 NIV) ““As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. {4} He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" {5} "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.””

(Acts 26:9-15 NIV) ““I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. {10} And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. {11} Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. {12} "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. {13} About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. {14} We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' {15} "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.””

Saul had been busy beating up on the Bride of Christ, but as he headed down that desert road to Damascus, he met the Groom -- and the Groom was not happy. He knocked Saul to the ground, giving him a taste of his own medicine. Saul had the good sense to address this forceful light as “Lord”, asking “Lord, who are you?” His heart skipped a beat, and his breath left him, as he heard a voice say, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul was not only leveled that day, he was humbled. He not only ended up eating dust -- he ended up eating his words. He certainly must have feared for his life. Jesus had Saul’s attention, and Saul was now listening. What will it take to get your attention? Will it take a Damascus Road Experience? Will you have to be knocked flat on your back before you look up and finally listen? Maybe today, God is saying to you, “Don’t make me come down there.” Listen! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Misdirected Zeal

April 13

(Acts 9:1-3 NIV) "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest {2} and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”

(Philippians 3:4-6 NIV) "If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: {5} circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; {6} as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless."

Saul was one of the most religious men in Israel. He was a Pharisee. He believed in a holy and righteous God -- a God so holy that He would never lower himself to become a man as these “Jesus people” were claiming. Saul’s beliefs drove him to try to eradicate this little sect of believers called “The Way”, and to stop their gospel from spreading. He oversaw them being beaten up, imprisoned, and even killed. When Saul heard that some of them had fled to Damascus, he put a team of thugs together and headed that way. What Saul didn’t know was that he was about to get a wakeup call. In his zeal for God, he had actually become an enemy of God. That can happen to us too. We can become so zealous for our particular brand of faith that we discount, criticize, and fight against others who don’t do things like us. Be careful, or like Saul, you can end up fighting against God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Obedience and the Miraculous

April 12

(Acts 8:39-40 NIV) “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. {40} Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.”

(Jeremiah 32:18-20 NIV) “You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the fathers' sins into the laps of their children after them. O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, {19} great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve. {20} You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, both in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours.”

Obedience is a portal for miracles from God. Philip was obedient and went to a desert road, and the Ethiopian was miraculously converted. Philip was then miraculously transported to another place where he continued his obedient service to God. It’s cyclical -- obedience promotes the miraculous, and the miraculous promotes obedience. The one converted was a miracle promoted by obedience. The Ethiopian had traveled a great distance to worship God and was miraculously saved. Don’t forget who he was. He was the Secretary of the Treasury for Ethiopia -- a man of prominence. He probably took news of this miracle back to his queen and his nation. Very likely, God used him to spread the gospel throughout Ethiopia. God wants to use believers in the same way today. When we walk in obedience, God can work miracles in us, around us, and through us. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Seeker is Saved

April 11

(Acts 8:32-38 NIV) ““The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. {33} In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." {34} The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" {35} Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. {36} As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" {37} “If you believe with all your heart, you may”. The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”. {38} And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.””

(Romans 10:8-15 NIV) ““But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." {14} How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? {15} And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

As the Ethiopian rode in his chariot, he was reading from the prophet Isaiah, but didn’t fully understand it. He asked Philip to explain it, and Philip began with the verses in question and shared the gospel with the Ethiopian. The Ethiopian believed and was baptized, and entered the ranks of those whose names are written in the Book of Life. But it all started with the Scriptures. Christians, we should know how to lead people to Jesus using the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit will put the hunger in their heart, but we should have the knowledge to help them across the line. Philip had obviously studied the Scriptures -- we should too. We have no excuse for not doing so. We have at our fingertips what some have been willing to die for: the Bible. Read it, study it, and use it -- not to condemn people, but to lead seekers to salvation through a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

Getting Close Enough to Listen

April 10

(Acts 8:29-30 NIV) “The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." {30} Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.”

(John 15:13 NIV) “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

(Proverbs 18:24 NIV) “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

God wanted the Ethiopian to hear about Jesus, so he told Philip to stay near the man’s chariot. Philip had to get close enough to listen. When he got close, he heard the Ethiopian reading about Jesus from the book of Isaiah. He also heard the questions of the Ethiopian’s heart. Philip now had a bridge to share Christ with the man. That could not have happened if Philip hadn’t gotten close enough to listen. We have to get close enough to people to listen to them. Too many Christians today are busy answering questions that no one is asking. We spend more time lecturing than listening. We stand at a safe distance and spout directions, when what people need is someone who will draw near to them and listen to their heart. If we’re going to be effective at introducing others to the best thing that ever happened in our lives, we will have to get close enough to listen. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Lost Believers

April 9

(Acts 8:27-28 NIV) “…he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, {28} and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.”

(Acts 8:30-31 NIV) ““Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. {31} "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?””

(Acts 8:34 NIV) ““The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?””

(James 2:19 NIV) “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.”

God sent Philip to an Ethiopian who worshipped the God of the Jews, but who hadn’t met the King of the Jews. He believed in God, but didn’t know Christ. He was a “lost believer”. Otherwise, God would not have sent Philip. Believing in God does not save people -- only faith in Christ can save people. People can worship God, but not know Jesus. This means that your neighbor, who is surrounded by churches, could be just as lost as that remote tribe in Brazil. It doesn’t matter how religious people are -- what matters is if they know Jesus. A lost person is a lost person whether they live in the 10-40 window, or in the house across the street. It doesn’t matter if we believe in the God of Moses or worship cows, until we meet Jesus we are all destined for the same godless eternity. That’s why God placed Philip on that road to Gaza, and that’s why God has you where you are. Share Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Obedience to the Spirit

April 8

(Acts 8:26-30 NIV) ““Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." {27} So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, {28} and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. {29} The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." {30} Then Philip ran up to the chariot…””

(2 Corinthians 9:13 NIV) “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.”

(2 John 1:6 NIV) “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

It pays to be obedient to the Spirit of God. Philip was committed to undying obedience, and so when the call came for Philip to go south to a desert road, he went. He didn’t know where he would end up, he just went. He didn’t know everything that might lie ahead, but he went anyway. That’s obedience. And when the call got more specific, (stay near that chariot), that’s what Philip did. The angel told Philip to go up to a stranger and stay close. He obeyed, and it changed someone’s eternity. We should do the same. Listen for God -- and when God speaks, there’s only one correct answer: “Yes”. We don’t give our children medals for obeying us just 60% of the time! With God, “selective obedience” is an oxymoron. The Lord can do amazing things through us when we obey. Our work can last for eternity when we listen and obey. Souls are at stake. Be obedient to the Spirit. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Right Before God

April 7

(Acts 8:21-24 NIV) ““Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! {21} You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. {22} Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. {23} For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." {24} Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.””

(Luke 16:13-15 NIV) ““No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." {14} The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. {15} He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.””

Simon the sorcerer had believed and had been baptized, but his heart was not right before God. He had impure motives as he tried to buy the gift of God. He wanted God’s power so that he could be popular and wealthy. Glorifying the Lord had not crossed his mind. Peter chastised Simon, warning him that such disrespect could end in his death. Peter looked into Simon’s heart and saw a man who was still captive to his sin, and full of bitterness. This goes to show that we can believe, but still be really messed up in our thinking about God. We can believe, but still have wicked thoughts. We can believe, but still be bitter. We can believe, but still be captive to sin, and ill prepared for ministry. We are saved to bring glory to God. Is that your life’s purpose? The self-centered, self-serving disciple is no disciple at all. Beware of Money’s power, and work at keeping your heart right before God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Trying to Buy God

April 6

(Acts 8:18-24 NIV) “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money {19} and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." {20} Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

(Micah 3:7-12 NIV) ““The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God." {8} But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. {9} Hear this, you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; {10} who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. {11} Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the Lord and say, "Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us." {12} Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.””

(1 Timothy 6:10-11 NIV) "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. {11} But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

Simon tried to buy God. He could make a lot of money with the kind of power the apostles had -- and so he offered Peter money for it. Simon had a baptized head, but a worldly heart, and it came close to costing him his life. He tried to buy God, but God is not for sale. What Simon got instead was a dose of prophetic ministry. Peter was not in his “seeker friendly” mode. He called Simon out and told him that his life was in danger. We can make the same mistake as Simon. We can come to God for the “goodies”, but fail to give him all our goods. We can have an “experience”, but never gain spiritual understanding. Our theology can become skewed. Many believers today study the owner’s manual for their car and their big screen TV, more than they study the owner’s manual for their soul… the Bible. We need to get back to the basics. Don’t try to buy God -- instead, sell out to him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Savior for Samaria

April 5

(Acts 8:14-15, 25 NIV) “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. {15} When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, {16} because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. {17} Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. - {25} When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.”

(John 4:3-10 NIV) ““When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. {4} Now he had to go through Samaria. {5} So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. {6} Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. {7} When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" {8} (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) {9} The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) {10} Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.””

(1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV) “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- {2} for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. {3} This is good, and pleases God our Savior, {4} who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

News of what Philip was doing in Samaria reached Jerusalem, and Peter and John went to see what was happening. It wasn’t the miracles that impressed them; it was where the miracles were happening. The Jews looked down on Samaritans and considered them second-class citizens. Along with lepers and harlots, they were the “undesirables”, unacceptable to those in good and proper Christian society. They were certainly undeserving of God’s grace. But the Holy Spirit was working powerfully among them. The Lord was making it known that Christ is a Savior for all people. God so loved the world! The Lord has not changed His mind. Jesus wants all people “to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” Churches that install filters on their front doors (visible or invisible) are not walking in God’s will. The gospel is for all people. Find your “Samaria” and go there. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Apostle Meets Huckster

April 4

(Acts 8:9-13 NIV) ““Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, {10} and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." {11} They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. {12} But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. {13} Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.””

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15 NIV) "And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. {13} For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. {14} And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. {15} It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."

(2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV) "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. {3} In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."

As Philip preached in Samaria, he ran into a man named Simon. Simon was a guru/charlatan -- a religious huckster. He did magic and sorcery and was quite a celebrity in Samaria. People even said he had the Great Power, and treated him like a god. Simon ate it up, and boasted of his greatness to all who would listen. But when Philip came to town, Simon saw genuine power, and he was attracted. He “believed and was baptized”, but for the wrong reasons. He was more interested in the miracles than in the Messiah. Every generation has gurus, shysters, and charlatans, whose followers swoon over their power and charisma. The cash flows in, as people buy their books, diets, and videos. How do you tell the difference between a religious huckster and an apostle? The genuine apostle will never offer you a bag of tricks -- they will offer you a cross. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Portable Joy

April 3

(Acts 8:8 NIV) “So there was great joy in that city."

(1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV) “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, {9} for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

When persecution scattered the early church, the disciples took the joy of the Lord with them wherever they went. As Philip moved through Samaria, joy followed in his wake. One would expect bitterness to dominate the spirit of a people who were driven from their homes. But joy followed those who had been displaced because of Jesus, and as more and more came to faith in Christ, Saul and his henchmen could not stifle this fruit of the Holy Spirit. That’s what you call “living beyond your means”. Christians, Jesus expects us to do more than just what we can do on our own. If we only do what we can do on our own, where is the glory for God in that kind of living? We are called to live in a way that brings positive attention to Jesus. With faith and hope, we are called to embody the joy of the Lord as we walk through persecution and opposition. What city will you bring joy to today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Philip: the Antidote for Saul

April 2

(Acts 8:5-7 NIV) “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. {6} When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. {7} With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.”

(Romans 12:21 NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

For every Saul, there is a Philip. Saul was into destruction -- Philip was into deliverance. Saul was into mayhem -- Philip was into miracles. Saul was into hurting people -- Philip was into healing people. Saul was into persecuting Christians -- Philip was into preaching Christ. For every tyrant like Saul, there is a saint like Philip. For every Christian intimidated into silence, there are others who will speak up for Jesus. They will confront evil, heal the sick, and take the gospel to the “Samaritans” of this world. You can kill these “Philips”, but more will rise up to take their place. The Jesus “genie” is out of the bottle, and the “Sauls” of this world cannot put Him back in. The only question left is, “Will you be a Philip?” Will you take God’s power with you, wherever the trials of life send you, and help people receive healing and freedom? For every Saul there is a Philip. Will you be a Philip? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Amplifying the Gospel

April 1

(Acts 8:4-5 NIV) “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. {5} Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.”

(Joshua 1:9 NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

When the church was scattered under the persecution of Saul, it was as if the volume knob of the gospel had been turned all the way up. Many who could never hear before, could now listen to the greatest story ever told. The scattered believers became a “road show” for Jesus. Wherever they went, the call to be His witnesses remained strong. Their salvation became more important than their survival. Their calling became more important than their comfort. Their Lord became more important than their lives. We should be challenged by their courage and stamina. As the circumstances of life scatter us, let us be among those enduring disciples who share our faith with vigor. As we step out of our church doors each week, may the volume of the gospel increase. And when we stand before God, may it be said of us, “They preached the word wherever they went!” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Scattered For His Glory

March 31

(Acts 8:1-4 NIV) “And Saul was there, giving approval to (Stephen’s) his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. {2} Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. {3} But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. {4} Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”  

(Acts 1:8 NIV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus told His disciples that they would be His witnesses to the ends of the Earth. Little did they know that it would be a violent persecution that scattered them like seed in the wind. The infant church had no grand world missions program. It started as simply a matter of survival. As Saul and his cohorts began to intimidate and destroy those of the faith, many were forced to flee for their lives. But Saul’s strategy failed. In fact, it actually served to multiply and amplify the message. No one can silence Christianity. One cannot put a bridle and bit on the power of God. Everywhere the new disciples went they shared the gospel and the story of the resurrection. The gospel spread throughout the region because of those scattered disciples. Think about this the next time you end up in a place where you don’t want to be, under less than favorable conditions. Perhaps God has you there for a reason. – Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

You Never Know Who’s Watching

March 30

(Acts 7:57-8:1 NIV) ““At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, {58} dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. {59} While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." {60} Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. {8:1a} And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.””

(Luke 23:33-34 NIV) ““When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. {34} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.””

(Luke 23:46 NIV) ““Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.””

Stephen looked into the eyes of the most powerful religious leaders in Israel and spoke the truth of God. It wasn’t just a slap upside the head -- it was blunt force trauma. He had to have known what would happen. Stiff necked people, with hardened hearts, who resist the Holy Spirit, will kill you. But speaking the truth in love is one of the ways we let our lights shine. You never know who is watching and listening. On this day it was Saul. He saw the angelic face, and heard the voice of forgiveness and mercy. A seed of glory was planted in this future apostle of grace, and he could not uproot it. Stephen let his light shine and Saul couldn’t get the light to turn off. Later on that narrow road to Damascus, Saul met the genuine Light of the world. Then he understood Stephen’s light. Speak the truth in love. Let your light shine. You never know who’s listening and watching. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Truth and Martyrs

March 29

(Acts 7:51-58 NIV) ""You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! {52} Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- {53} you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." {54} When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. {55} But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. {56} "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." {57} At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, {58} dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.""

(Matthew 23:25-39 NIV) ""Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. {26} Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. {27} "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. {28} In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. {29} "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. {30} And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' {31} So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. {32} Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! {33} "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? {34} Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. {35} And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. {36} I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. {37} "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. {38} Look, your house is left to you desolate. {39} For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'""

Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes it can even get you killed. Ask Stephen. Ask the millions of Christians who have been martyred since Christ walked this Earth. After Stephen’s brief history lesson, he unloaded on the Sanhedrin. They and their ilk had persecuted and killed many a prophet down through the years. Now they had murdered the Son of God. They had been entrusted with God’s Law, but they did not obey it. Stephen held nothing back. Full of God’s Spirit, he looked to heaven and declared that Jesus was alive and standing at the right hand of God. He was saying that Jesus is Lord -- Jesus is God. The Sanhedrin went ballistic. They struck back -- not with arguments, but with violence. They stoned Stephen to death and Christianity had its first martyr. Sometimes the truth hurts. It can hurt those who hear it, and it can hurt those who speak it. Speak it anyway. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A House for the Creator

March 28

(Acts 7:44-50 NIV) ""Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. {45} Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, {46} who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. {47} But it was Solomon who built the house for him. {48} "However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: {49} "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? {50} Has not my hand made all these things?'"

(Psalms 139:7-16 NIV) ““Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? {8} If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. {9} If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, {10} even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. {11} If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," {12} even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. {13} For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. {14} I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. {15} My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, {16} your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.””

(1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV) "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

How do you build a house for a God who is omnipresent? How can a structure made by human hands possibly hold the Creator of those hands? No temple made by man can contain God. The religionists that Stephen addressed had become proud and arrogant. They thought their theology could contain the God of the universe. They believed their laws were the summation of God’s nature, and that their piety made them godlike. They should have known that, even though God instructed Moses in the building of the tabernacle, and Solomon in the construction of the temple, no man made structure can contain a God who is infinite and eternal. The only temple that God lives in is one that He made. God lives in His creation -- in you and me. When we come to faith, Christ comes to live in us. If we believe God, we become God’s temple. Take care of that temple. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Take Me Back to Egypt

March 27

(Acts 7:36-43 NIV) ““He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert. {37} "This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.' {38} He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. {39} "But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. {40} They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt--we don't know what has happened to him!' {41} That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made. {42} But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: "'Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? {43} You have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon.””

(Deuteronomy 6:10-15 NIV)  "When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you--a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, {11} houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, {12} be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. {13} Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. {14} Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; {15} for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land."

(Luke 4:5-8 NIV) ““The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. {6} And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. {7} So if you worship me, it will all be yours." {8} Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.””

Moses was sent back to Egypt to free God’s people. But after they were set free, they rejected the leadership of Moses. Their bodies had left Egypt, but their hearts had not. Instead of stepping out in faith, they wanted to go back. Being sent back to Egypt by God and desiring Egypt’s comforts are two completely different things. As Moses was on the mountain receiving the words of God, the people built a golden calf to worship. Later they chased after false gods like Molech and Rephan, and the Lord gave them over to captivity and exile among the Babylonians and the Assyrians. Stephen’s message is clear. When we put our personal Egypt and our idols ahead of God, we surrender our freedom. When our hearts do not fully belong to God, we will eventually enter into exile and captivity. “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Full Circle

March 26

(Acts 7:17-35 NIV) ""As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. {18} Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. {19} He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. {20} "At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. {21} When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. {22} Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. {23} "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. {24} He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. {25} Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. {26} The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' {27} "But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? {28} Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' {29} When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. {30} After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. {31} When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: {32} 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. {33} "Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. {34} I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.' {35} "This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.””

Stephen’s history lesson continues with Moses. God’s people were enslaved in Egypt, but began to outnumber the Egyptians. Pharaoh began a forced infanticide, but baby Moses was placed in a basket, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, and raised as an Egyptian. At age forty, Moses killed an Egyptian in defense of his people, and fled to Midian. After forty years there, God spoke to him out of a burning bush, commanding him to return to Egypt and become their deliverer and ruler. Moses obeyed. He had come full circle. There are two lessons here. First, when God wants a job done, He prepares His ministers, and waits for the right time to send them. Hurry and haste are not godly traits. Second, when God wants a job done, He often sends someone who has “been there, done that”. Don’t be hasty in returning to your “Egypt” -- God may send you full circle in His time. Wait on the Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

 

Faith of Our Fathers

March 25

(Acts 7:1-16 NIV)  "Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?" {2} To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. {3} 'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.' {4} "So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. {5} He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. {6} God spoke to him in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. {7} But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.' {8} Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. {9} "Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him {10} and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. {11} "Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food. {12} When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. {13} On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. {14} After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. {15} Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. {16} Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money."

Stephen lifts up the early fathers of faith found in Genesis. Abraham believed God and went where he was told to go. Faith and obedience go hand in hand. His son Isaac became a child of the promise after years of waiting. Isaac’s son Jacob, was drawn out of his deceit and into faith, and was given a new name. Jacob’s twelve sons eventually grew into that new name, becoming the twelve tribes of Israel. One of them, Joseph, was despised and rejected by his brothers. Sold into slavery, but blessed by God, he rose to become a great leader, and with grace, provided a salvation for the very brothers who had tried to kill him. Believing God; faith and obedience; becoming a child of the promise; getting a new name; finding grace and salvation in one who was thought dead… all these are pictures of faith in Christ. It’s a faith we are called to emulate today -- the faith of our fathers. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Full of God’s Grace and Power

March 24

(Acts 6:8-15 NIV) "Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. {9} Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, {10} but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. {11} Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God." {12} So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. {13} They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. {14} For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." {15} All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."

Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to help oversee the distribution of food for those in need. He also had prophetic gifts and began to preach the word of God with authority. He is described as a man who was “full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” -- “a man full of God's grace and power”, who “did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people”. The religious experts “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke”. When Stephen spoke, “his face was like the face of an angel”. Today we would call Stephen a “superstar”. Being a superstar for God will get you noticed, especially by those who oppose the name of Jesus. Stephen faced his persecutors and never flinched. Are you full of God’s grace, wisdom, faith, and power? You will face opposition and persecution. Take it as a compliment and shine! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shared Ministry = Church Growth

March 23

(Acts 6:5-7 NIV) "This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. {6} They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. {7} So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

(Romans 12:4-8 NIV) “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, {5} so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. {6} We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. {7} If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; {8} if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

New workers were chosen to lighten the load on the apostles, and the church grew rapidly. Ministry works best when it is shared. No one can effectively do everything. Spirit filled ministry is a team effort. Growth happens when team members concentrate on their areas of calling and gifting. The church must find ways to help people do what they do best. When leaders wear too many hats, their knees will eventually buckle, and the church will lack vitality. But the church needs more than just workers -- she needs workers who are Spirit-filled Jesus lovers, because Christ is the most important commodity we have to share. We must do more than just fill stomachs to obey the great commission. Compassion that is void of Christ may satisfy our humanity, but it will not glorify God. If we give people food, but fail to give them Jesus, we have failed to be the church. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Delegating Ministry

March 22

(Acts 6:2-4 NIV) ““So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. {3} Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them {4} and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””

(1 Corinthians 12:4-12 NIV) “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  {5} There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. {6}There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. {7} Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. {8} To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, {9} to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, {10} to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. {11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. {12} The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.”  

(Ephesians 4:7-11 NIV) ““But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. {8} This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." {9} (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? {10} He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) {11} It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…””

As the church grew, needs multiplied. To meet those needs, the apostles delegated the hands- on caring ministry to other gifted and mature believers. They would not be sidetracked from preaching the gospel. This may sound like a lack of compassion to us, but their compassion was in their delegation. They recognized a legitimate need, but personally meeting that need was not their primary calling. They had not been called to run a feeding program for the hungry. Their commission was to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey the Lord. There was no written gospel at that time. The words of Christ were in their hearts and needed to be shared while they were still alive. Their calling was to prayer and to the ministry of God’s word. They demonstrated compassion and wisdom by delegating the ministries that were outside of their calling. We would be wise to do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Church Growth and Factions

March 21

(Acts 6:1 NIV) “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”

(James 1:27-2:1 NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”  

The rapid growth of the early church brought with it some problems. The church was called to compassion, and began to provide food for widows who had no other source of income. But in the distribution of that food, some widows were being favored over others, based on their nationality. And so we see, that from the very beginning, the church has struggled with favoritism and factions -- factions which place the emphasis on what group you belong to, rather than on what Lord you belong to. Favoritism is not a product of our times, but of our human nature -- and God calls it a sin. The apostles did not ignore this complaint, but took positive and creative action to see that legitimate needs were met. If the church today is to grow biblically, it must not show favoritism for one group over another. In fact, factions are usually a key factor in the slow death of churches. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Day After Day

March 20

(Acts 5:42 NIV) "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."

(Psalm 61:8 NIV) “Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”

(Psalm 96:2 NIV) “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.”

The apostles were beaten, threatened with death, and publicly disgraced, but they went right back out the next day and witnessed to the power of the gospel. Day after day, they shared the good news. Day after day, they sang the praises of Jesus. Day after day, they proclaimed His salvation in their church, and from house to house. Day after day, they put the cause of Christ above their personal well being. This is our calling as His disciples. Never stop telling the story that God has come to Earth. The Creator stepped into His creation. His name is Jesus, and He came to redeem our lives and save our souls. Healing and wholeness are found in His name. Forgiveness flows from His grace. His mercy and love are available to all who believe God, and confess that Jesus is Lord. Day after day, the apostles never stopped proclaiming this message. Neither should we! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Found Worthy

March 19

(Acts 5:41 NIV) "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

(James 1:2-4 NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, {3} because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. {4} Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

(1 Peter 4:12-16 NIV) "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. {13} But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. {14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. {15} If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. {16} However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."

If we were flogged for sharing our faith, most of us would probably file a police report and a lawsuit. The apostles didn’t do that. They rejoiced that they had been “counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” They were beaten for preaching the gospel, and praised God for the honor. Being publicly disgraced was acceptable to them, as long as it was disgrace for the Name of Jesus. Many times today, we are disgraced for bad behavior. There is no cause for joy in that. Don’t confuse the trouble you go through because of foolish disobedience, for the persecution of the faithful. But we are blessed if we suffer ridicule and disgrace for our witness to the Name of Jesus. So if you have been verbally flogged and ridiculed of late, stop whining and start praising God. You have been found “worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” You have made the Lord’s Honor Roll. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Fighting Against God

March 18

(Acts 5:34-39 NIV) ““But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. {35} Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. {36} Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. {37} After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. {38} Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. {39} But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.””

(Proverbs 21:30 NIV) "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."

As Gamaliel spoke to the Sanhedrin, he said something profound. He urged his colleagues not to kill the apostles, because if the gospel they were preaching was from the Lord, the Sanhedrin would end up “fighting against God”. The apostles could be flogged, disgraced, hounded, persecuted, and even killed… but if their message was from God, it could not be stopped. Those who fight against God never win in the end. Christians, we need to receive this prophetic statement from Gamaliel as an admonition to us. We have been commissioned to deliver the gospel, God’s message of truth, grace, hope, and love. It cannot be stopped. When people try to silence the gospel, they are fighting against God. Do not be intimidated or afraid. We may suffer, but the gospel will be victorious. No one can succeed when they fight against God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Hostility Toward the Name

March 17

(Acts 5:33 NIV) "When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

(Acts 5:40-42 NIV) “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. {41} The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. {42} Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

Throughout the church’s history, Christians have been persecuted and killed for witnessing about Jesus. Christ threatened the religious system of His day, and the response of religion is often to eliminate the competition. We see it happening in our world today. On this particular day, in an attempt to silence them, the Sanhedrin had the apostles flogged for preaching the truth. It didn’t work. The apostles rejoiced in being found worthy of “suffering disgrace for the Name”, and they kept preaching. Will you? The goal of many today is to silence Christians, and eliminate the name of Jesus from the public arena. You can talk profane trash in public, but do not talk about Jesus or you will be flogged. It may be a verbal or emotional flogging, but it may even become physical. If you persist in speaking “the Name”, there will be an attempt to disgrace you. Will you wilt, or will you rejoice in being found worthy? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Passion for the Gospel

March 16

(Acts 5:30-31 NIV) “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. {31} God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. {32} We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

(Romans 1:8-17 NIV) "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. {9} God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you {10} in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. {11} I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- {12} that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. {13} I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. {14} I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. {15} That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. {16} I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.""

When Christ rules in our life, zeal to tell our story begins to grow, along with a passion for the gospel message itself. The apostles not only shared their story with the Sanhedrin, they also shared the gospel. With passion they declared, “This Jesus you crucified really came to die for your sins and ours. But God raised him up and offers forgiveness and mercy to those who will repent and acknowledge Him as Lord.” In a couple of sentences they shared the gospel along with their personal witness. Could you share the gospel with someone in a couple of sentences? Are you passionate about the gospel? Our lifestyle and personal testimony are only designed to light the way to Jesus. They are like an appetizer. They cannot save people. Without a passion for sharing the gospel, our stories can sound like simple self-glorification. Ask God to give you a passion for the gospel. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Dangerous Obedience

March 15

(Acts 5:29 NIV) ““Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!””

(Acts 4:19-20 NIV) "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. {20} For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.""

(Exodus 1:15-21 NIV) "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, {16} "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." {17} The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. {18} Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?" {19} The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." {20} So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. {21} And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."

Acts 5:29 is a dangerous verse. It can make you unpopular, get you arrested, or even get you killed. When we begin to seriously follow Jesus, there will be times when the decrees of our government, or even our church, do not match up with His commands. In those times we have a choice to make -- we can obey man or we can obey God. The Hebrew midwives chose to obey God rather than the king of Egypt. That was dangerous. The apostles declared to the religious authorities that they would obey God rather than man. It was a dangerous obedience. These were the same religious authorities who had killed Jesus. Obeying God rather than man is risky business. It will usually cost us or our family something. We may lose status, friends, money, jobs, or in some instances, even our lives. But in the end, it will be worth the price. Seek God’s approval rather than man’s. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

With Power Comes Responsibility

March 14

(Acts 5:26-28 NIV) ““At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. {27} Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. {28} "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.””

(Matthew 27:15-26 NIV) ““Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. {16} At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. {17} So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" {18} For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. {19} While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." {20} But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. {21} "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. {22} "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" {23} "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" {24} When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" {25} All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" {26} Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.””

With power comes responsibility. The religious authorities in our Scripture verses today didn’t want Christ’s name and teaching to spread. They feared they would lose power. If people began following Jesus, they would likely stop obeying the religious big shots in Jerusalem. But while the religious authorities were guarding their power and coveting more of it, they were also denying any responsibility for the death of Jesus -- even though it was their exertion of power that brought about His crucifixion. Christ’s blood was on their hands, and on Pilate’s. He tried to wash his hands of it, but blood does not come off that easily. An unholy alliance of religion and state had nailed an innocent man to a cross and there was no escaping that truth. Corrupt power always brings death. We would all do well to learn this lesson, because like it or not, with power comes responsibility. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Dollar Short and a Day Late

March 13

(Acts 5:21b-25 NIV) ““When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin--the full assembly of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for the apostles. {22} But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, {23} "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." {24} On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. {25} Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.””

(Isaiah 42:16-25 NIV) ““I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. {17} But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame. {18} "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! {19} Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD? {20} You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing." {21} It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. {22} But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back." {23} Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come? {24} Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law. {25} So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.””

Religion ruled the lives of those who opposed the apostles -- and when religion rules our lives, we will always be a dollar short and a day late when it comes to the movement of God’s Spirit. Focusing on the rules of religion, rather than on their relationship with the Ruler, caused them to be unaware of what God was doing in their time. They didn’t get it, and were “puzzled” by God’s miraculous delivery of the apostles. Religion blinded them to the workings of God, and deafened them to the gospel. They were more concerned with being in control of the situation, than with being conscious of the Spirit. One of the keys to successful ministry is finding out where God is moving and then going there. We can’t do that when we focus on the wrong stuff. When we follow a religion rather than Jesus, we will always be a dollar short and a day late when it comes to sensing the Spirit’s moving. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Zealous Disciple

March 12

(Acts 5:21 NIV) "At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.”

(Romans 12:11 NIV) "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

(Psalms 69:8-9 NIV) "I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; {9} for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me."

The apostles had been jailed for preaching Christ and warned not to teach again in His name. But when the angel freed them, they went right back out and began preaching again. This is zeal for the Lord. Their zeal for obeying God and telling others about Jesus overpowered their natural fear of being chastised, imprisoned, or even killed. Their calling became more important than their personal safety or their personal agenda. When Christ rules in our lives, our zeal for witness grows, and our concern for personal prestige wanes. Our zeal for sharing his name with others multiplies to the point that we can’t hold it in any more. Is your zeal increasing or waning? Have you committed your life to being a witness for Christ, or are you more committed to being popular? Was it the “In crowd” who saved you? Or was it Jesus? Allow zeal for Christ to consume you. Become a zealous disciple. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Full Message

March 11

(Acts 5:19-20 NIV) ““But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. {20} "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life.””

(Romans 10:17 NIV) "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

(2 Timothy 4:17 NIV) "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth."

The angel commanded the apostles to tell people “the full message”. The “full message” goes like this. We were created to be with God, but we have all sinned, and our sin separates us from Him. We have all gone astray, but the Lord came looking for us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He loved us so much that He paid for all our sins by dying on a cross. To prove that His payment was sufficient, God raised Jesus from the dead. He lives today, and calls us to become His followers. To be saved, we must believe God, and believe that what Jesus did was sufficient. We must put our faith in God’s grace and provision. When we believe, we are born again and given a new life. We are called to be Christ’s disciples -- to witness to His grace with our changed life. God works through us to call people to Him. This is the “full message” in a nutshell. Have you believed this message? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

High Risk Preaching

March 10

(Acts 5:17-21 NIV) "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. {18} They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. {19} But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. {20} "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." {21} At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people."

(Matthew 10:16-20 NIV) "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. {17} "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. {18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. {19} But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, {20} for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

The apostles preached and many came to faith in Christ, but not everyone was happy. The Sadducees were jealous, and had the disciples arrested and jailed. But that did not stop these pioneer Christians. An angel freed them and told them to keep preaching. The disciples had a choice: would they leave town and protect their lives, or would they return to preach and face great danger? They chose to obey the angel and continued to witness and teach in Christ’s name. This was high risk preaching. Today we worry that people might criticize us or leave the church if we preach the hard stuff. Many a sermon has been “softened” up so as not to offend anyone. Tickling ears is much safer than cutting to the heart. But while we worry about our popularity and jobs, we see the apostles, like sheep among wolves, risking their lives to share the gospel. We would do well to follow their example. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Shadows of Our Faith

March 9

(Acts 5:12-16 NIV) “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. {13} No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. {14} Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. {15} As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. {16} Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.”

(Psalms 36:7 NIV) "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."

(Isaiah 32:2-4 NIV) "Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. {3} Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. {4} The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear."

Many of us grew up hoping we could change the world somehow. We dreamed that our lives would make a difference. God, in his grace, has given us a way to do that. When we dare to walk by faith, people around us will be affected. When the Holy Spirit fills us, our presence in this world will be felt. Just being in Peter’s shadow could change someone’s life. Think on that for a bit -- living a life so reflective of Jesus that just being in our shadow could bring the healing of God. What kind of shade are you producing? Do others find healing in your shadow? The early Christians had a significant impact on their communities. People were healed, lives were changed, and their numbers grew daily. Is your church producing shade where people can find shelter from the heat and hostility of this world? If not, churches can be changed just like the world is changed -- one life at a time. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Living in Awe of God

March 8

(Acts 5:4-11 NIV) ““Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." {5} When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. {6} Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. {7} About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. {8} Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." {9} Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." {10} At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. {11} Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.””

(Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV) ““Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, {29} for our "God is a consuming fire.””

(Habakkuk 3:2 NIV) "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."

Ananias and his wife Sapphira lied to God. It is never wise to lie to God. We can deceive people, but we cannot deceive the Lord. What is wise is to live in awe of God’s knowledge, power, judgment, and mercy. Do you live in awe of God? Does your giving reflect that awe? Does your service glorify His name? Ananias thought he could lie to God and get away with it. It cost him his life. When we lie to God, we also lose. Our spirits weaken. We become man-pleasers rather than God-pleasers. We withhold more and more from God as time goes by. We may even begin to tell God, “I just don’t have it to give right now. I’m giving as much as I can.” But God will know better. We cannot thrive spiritually when we lie to God, and Christ’s Bride, the Church, suffers when Christians hold back more than they really need for themselves. Live in awe of God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Holding Back

March 7

(Acts 4:3 NIV) “Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”

(Mark 12:30 NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

(Proverbs 11:24 NIV) “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”

God was not pleased with what Ananias offered. God’s problem was not with the amount, but with the man. Peter spoke for God, saying: “Satan has filled your heart. You have lied to God and held back money from Him.” Ananias appeared generous, but greed had claimed his heart. He didn’t trust God to care for his needs, and he held back from God. Many in the church today hold back from God. They hold back on ministry, and others must work harder to get the job done. They hold back on giving, and others must give more to meet the church’s needs. They hold back their obedience, and others must go to accomplish the mission. When we stand in front of God, one of His questions might be, “Why did you hold back? I gave you 100%. I gave my all for you. Why did you hold back on me?” How would you answer that question? By the way, there is no good answer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

More Than a Tithe

March 6

(Acts 5:1-2 NIV) “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. {2} With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.”

(Acts 4:36 NIV) “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), {37} sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.”

(Luke 21:1-4 NIV) ““As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. {2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. {3} "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. {4} All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””

Spirit filled giving is more than tithing. God blesses the person who tithes, but it is not His intent that we stop there. When God pours out his blessing into our lives he doesn’t stop at 10%. You didn’t get 10% of God’s grace when you came to him for forgiveness -- you got 100% of God’s grace. Barnabas gave 100%. The poor widow in Luke’s gospel gave 100%. But Ananias withheld part of his offering for himself, and as we will see, the consequences were severe. The amount we give is not important. It’s not even really about the percentage. It’s our heart that matters. It’s the sacrifice that matters. God’s intent is that as our walk with the Lord grows stronger, and as we trust Him more and more, we will grow in our willingness to give. As our love for Jesus grows, so will our love of giving. We really will come to believe that we cannot “out give” God, and our actions will prove it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day