The Savior Jesus

June 24

(Acts 13:23-26 NIV) ““From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. {24} Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. {25} As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' {26} "Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.””

(Luke 2:11 NIV) “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

(Matthew 4:17 NIV) ““From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.””

(Acts 2:38 NIV) ““Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.””

God has sent us a Savior -- the Savior Jesus. God’s grace-filled salvation message came to Earth in person as angels declared, “Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.” John preached that Christ was coming and that people should repent and be baptized. When Jesus came, He too called people to repentance. And after Christ’s resurrection, Peter preached repentance unto salvation, calling people to turn to God and be baptized. The gospel message is consistent. God sent us a Savior. We are not worthy to untie the sandals of this Savior, yet He declared with His life that we are worth being saved. The gift of salvation has been sent to the children of Abraham and all God-fearing Gentiles. How can we not accept such a spectacular gift of love from our Creator? Believe, repent, and receive the Savior Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Guide and Provider

June 23

(Acts 13:16-22 NIV) ““Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! {17} The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, {18} he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, {19} he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. {20} All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. {21} Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. {22} After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.””

(Nehemiah 9:19-21 NIV) “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. {20} You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. {21} For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.”

If we listen to God, He will guide us and provide for us, even in the deserts of life. God is real and wants a relationship with us. In the past He freed His people from bondage in Egypt, and led them through the desert to the Promised Land. He provided food and water for them every day. He provided light to guide them at night. In these last days, God has sent His Son as a light, and He calls people to follow Him. Those who have listened and believed have become His church. Christ not only sees them as followers, He calls them His Bride. If you are reading these words today as a believer, you are the Bride of Christ. He wants to be your guide and provider. Are you following Him? Are you faithful to him? If you are not a follower of Jesus, He is calling you. God is real and wants to have a relationship with you. Jesus will guide you and provide for you. He will light up your darkness. Answer His call. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Transformed to Preach

June 22

(Acts 13:13-16 NIV) ““From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. {14} From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. {15} After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." {16} Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said:””

(1 Corinthians 9:16-23 NIV) “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! {17} If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. {18} What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. {19} Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. {20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. {21} To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. {22} To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. {23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

When Paul and Barnabas reached Pisidian Antioch, Paul got a request that every preacher loves to hear: “If you have a message, please speak.” Saul the persecutor has become Paul the preacher. When Jesus takes hold of our life, He changes us so much that our old names don’t fit anymore. Paul had experienced the transforming power of Jesus and was determined that the world should hear the gospel message. When he heard about Christ’s call to “go and make disciples”, he believed God and set out to intentionally evangelize as many as he could. And so Saul the murderer became Paul the missionary. Has Jesus transformed your life? He doesn’t change us just so our life will be better… He changes us so that we can preach the gospel in some way to someone. We may never step behind a pulpit, but we are all called to share the gospel somewhere. Go! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

He Believed

June 21

(Acts 13:12 NIV) "When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord."

(Galatians 3:5-9 NIV) "Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? {6} Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." {7} Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. {8} The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." {9} So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

When God opened the proconsul’s eyes to see the works of the Lord, he was amazed at Paul’s teaching, and he believed. “He believed!” -- two of the most beautiful words in Scripture. Paul was bold in his proclamation and it opened the way for the proconsul to believe. This is still our calling today -- to open the way for people to believe God. We are called to witness to God’s glory in our worship, our giving, our testimony, our love, our prayers, and our service. When we live this way on a daily basis, a way is opened up for people to believe. Those with eyes to see, come to faith and see Jesus. We can partner with the Lord. Does your life’s witness open the way for people to come to Jesus, or does it close the door in their faces? Strive to live in a way that blesses others and opens the way to God. Pray that you get to hear those two most beautiful words: “He (or she) believed.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Name Change

June 20

(Acts 13:9 NIV) “Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…”

(Acts 13:13 NIV) “From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.”

(Philippians 2:4-7 NIV) “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. {5} Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

In Acts 13:9, a name change occurs. From now on, we no longer read of Saul. He has become Paul. We have seen this before in Scripture, and it usually has significance. In those days, names had meaning that often reflected the personality of the one bearing the name. Saul was born a Jew and given a Hebrew name by his parents -- a name with kingly roots. But his father was a Roman citizen, and he was also given the Latin name, Paul, or Paulus, which means “small”. In the years when he identified as the Pharisee of Pharisees, Saul seemed like an appropriate name. But now his identity had changed -- he was now the Apostle to the Gentiles. The man who had wanted to be everything, now made himself nothing, just as his Lord and Savior had done. Saul had been transformed from “kingly” to “small”. He was now and forevermore, the servant Paul. Let Jesus change your name. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Blinded By Darkness

June 19

(Acts 13:9-11 NIV) ““But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. {9} Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, {10} "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? {11} Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.””

(John 3:18-21 NIV) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. {19} This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. {20} Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. {21} But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

(Matthew 15:14 NIV) “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Not only are there prophets and teachers in the church, there are also false prophets and teachers. Elymas was one of those false teachers. He was a sorcerer who tried to turn the proconsul away from believing in Christ. But Paul would have none of it, and confronted the powers of darkness. He silenced Elymas by calling down blindness upon him. The voice of darkness was silenced by being blinded. The mouth seldom boasts of what the eyes cannot see. False prophets operate in the spirit of darkness, and turn people away from the light of Jesus. They emit an aura of wisdom, but they are blind guides who end up groping and stumbling in the darkness. Do not join them in their blindness. Confront them when you find them. They will put up a fight, but never forget, the Spirit of the Lord is stronger. No sorcery can defeat the power of God. Take the fight to them. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Intelligent Man

June 18

(Acts 13:6-7 NIV) "They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, {7} who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God."

(1 Corinthians 1:18-25 NIV) ““For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. {19} For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." {20} Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? {21} For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. {22} Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, {23} but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, {24} but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. {25} For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.””

After sailing to the island of Cyprus, Saul and Barnabas preached in the city of Salamis. Then they traveled to Paphos where they met a sorcerer and a seeker. The sorcerer was a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus Elymas. The seeker’s name was Sergius Paulus. He was a proconsul, which means he was a man of power. Luke describes him as an intelligent man who invited Saul and Barnabas to his house because he wanted to hear the word of God. Truly intelligent people still want to hear the word of God. Christianity is often derided as a religion for the gullible and the unsophisticated, but the opposite is really true. Intelligence and seeking God go together. One could even say that the essence of true intelligence is seeking God. The traditional Christmas time phrase, “Wise Men Still Seek Him”, is an intelligent statement year round. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Training the Next Generation

June 17

(Acts 13:5b NIV) “John was with them as their helper.”

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV) "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. {7} Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

(Judges 2:10 NIV) "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel."

When Saul and Barnabas set off on their first missionary journey, they took a young man by the name of John Mark with them as an intern. Their ministry team was intergenerational. Saul later did the same thing with Timothy. He was always training up someone younger. We should also be training up the next generation, and whether we know it or not, we already are. We all have a John Mark of some kind watching us -- a teen, or a child, or a grandchild. As they follow you around today and observe your walk, will they be inspired to follow Jesus? Who will be serving the Lord in the next generation because you modeled faith for them and made a difference in their lives? Someone has said that the church is always only one generation away from extinction. Do your part to prevent that from happening. Make disciples in the generations that follow in your footsteps. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Proclamation

June 16

(Acts 13:4-5 NIV) "The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. {5} When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues."

(Colossians 1:25-29 NIV) "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- {26} the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. {27} To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. {28} We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. {29} To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."

(1 John 1:1-3 NIV) "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. {2} The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. {3} We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."

(John 12:32 NIV) "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.""

When Saul and Barnabas arrived at Salamis, their mission’s purpose immediately became clear. They had come to proclaim the word of God. They preached the good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of all who would repent and believe. As individuals and churches, we may use various methods to share the love of Jesus, and point people to the Lord… feeding programs, big events, great music, or children’s programs. We find ways to love people and give glory to God, but our highest calling is to share the gospel -- to proclaim the word of God. If we fail at this, we have failed our mission. Whatever it takes, we must proclaim it. We tell people about Jesus. We don’t save people -- only Jesus does that. But we lift Him up, because if we lift Him up, He will draw people unto himself. That’s our calling. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Called, Affirmed, Sent Out

June 15

(Acts 13:3 NIV) "So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

(Luke 9:1-2 NIV) "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, {2} and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

(John 17:13-18 NIV) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. {14} I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. {15} My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. {16} They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. {17} Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. {18} As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

There is a sense in which all who follow Jesus are “sent”. The call to “go and make disciples” in Matthew 28, and the call “be my witnesses” in Acts 1, are standing orders for all who believe that Jesus is Lord. All Christians have been “sent” in some way, to someone, somewhere. But the Holy Spirit led the church in Antioch to bless Saul and Barnabas for a special mission. They were sent out as traveling evangelists and church planters. They were called, affirmed and sent out by a local church just like yours and mine. God’s blessing came through the church where they were serving. Today, we have too many “lone rangers” who see gifts in themselves and call themselves. They seek counsel from no one, and have little, if any accountability. But the pattern set by the early church is for those who feel a call to seek the counsel and blessing of their church. That’s still a good plan. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Set Apart and Called

June 14

(Acts 13:2 NIV) "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

(Romans 1:1-4 NIV) "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- {2} the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures {3} regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, {4} and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

Saul and Barnabas were “set apart” and “called” by God. Is this still important? Many churches today look for a leader with a higher education, rather than a leader with a higher calling. Too many see ministry as a profession rather than a calling. To be truly effective for God’s Kingdom, a call is essential. Without a calling, we may become good employees of a church, but seldom excel as great servants of Jesus Christ. Without a calling, we are doomed to being duty- bound workers rather than Spirit-filled laborers. Without a calling, we will lack the stamina and zeal necessary to complete the difficult missions set before us. Barnabas and Saul would need that sense of calling to carry them through lonely nights when they’d been rejected, beaten, and jailed for disturbing the peace. Being called and set apart would keep them going when others were giving up. It still works that way. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Gifted Prophets and Teachers

June 13

(Acts 13:1 NIV)  "In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.”

(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."

The church at Antioch was blessed with gifted prophets and teachers. Among them were Barnabas and Saul. The Holy Spirit had gifted them to preach the word and teach the great truths of Jesus. These gifts of the Spirit helped them grow the church in Antioch, and qualified them to be the first formally commissioned missionaries. The church at Antioch eventually sent Saul and Barnabas out to evangelize and plant churches in other places. Those with prophetic gifting speak the truth of God boldly into their cultures, even when that truth is difficult. Prophetic teaching is not always positive. It disturbs our peace, and calls us to change. But prophets preach and teach God’s word regardless of the consequences. You too have been given a gift to use for Christ’s glory -- perhaps even more than one. Discover it, and use it to grow God’s Kingdom. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Labeled a Quitter

June 12

(Acts 12:25 NIV) "When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark."

(Acts 13:13 NIV) "From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem."

(Acts 15:36-40 NIV) "Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." {37} Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, {38} but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. {39} They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, {40} but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord."

(Colossians 4:10 NIV) "My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)"

(2 Timothy 4:11 NIV) "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

John Mark had some ups and downs in his ministry. He eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark, but not before he was labeled a “quitter” and caused a deep disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. They took Mark on a missionary journey, but he left the team and went back home. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on a subsequent trip, Paul said no. He saw Mark as unreliable. They disagreed so strongly that they parted ways. But later in Paul’s letters, we see that Mark once again became a trusted companion. Most of us go through times in our faith when we fail to follow through or complete our mission. All of Christ’s disciples failed Him at some point. But with Jesus, failure is never final -- the “quitter” label need not stick forever. Our God is a God of second chances. Accept His offer of grace and get back in the game. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

God’s Sovereignty - Our Free Will

June 11

(Acts 12:24 NIV) “But the word of God continued to increase and spread.”

(Isaiah 49:22 NIV) ““This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.””

(Isaiah 30:15 NIV) ““This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.””

God is sovereign, and all the Herods, Hitlers, and Ayatollahs of this world will never stop the steady march of the gospel through time. It will continue to “increase and spread” in the best of times, and in the worst of times. Today, you are either a miracle of God, or a miracle in waiting. We are carried to Christ on the shoulders of those who give their lives to glorify God. That mother or grandmother who prayed helped beckon you. That friend or neighbor who shared Jesus and invited you to church lifted the banner. But although God is sovereign, in this lifetime we have choices. God allows us to choose Him or reject Him. We have free will. Salvation is in Christ, repentance, and resting in faith, but many will have none of it. God is sovereign, but lets us choose. What will you choose? Will you be among those who have none of it, or among those who trust in the Lord? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Eaten By Worms

June 10

(Acts 12:18-23 NIV) ““In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. {19} After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. {20} He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. {21} On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. {22} They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." {23} Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.””

(Acts 14:8-18 NIV) ““In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. {9} He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed {10} and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. {11} When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" {12} Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. {13} The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. {14} But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: {15} "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. {16} In the past, he let all nations go their own way. {17} Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." {18} Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.””

The main difference between the disciples and Herod was who they sought to glorify with their lives. The disciples sought to glorify God. Herod sought to glorify himself. But God’s patience with Herod finally ran out. When the people praised Herod as a god, instead of correcting them, he accepted it and soaked it up. For his sin, he was struck down and “eaten by worms”. Herod thought of himself as a god, and it cost him his life. It still costs us our lives when we think of ourselves as gods. We mock God when we serve ourselves rather than the Lord -- when we are absorbed with self-glorification rather than glorifying Christ. We walk with Herod when we advance ourselves rather than advancing the gospel. We worship ourselves when we rationalize our sin and excuse behavior that is offensive to the God of Heaven. This is the basic flaw of humanity. Never fail to give glory to God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Doubting God’s Miracles

June 9

(Acts 12:11-16 NIV) “Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating. {12}  When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. {13} Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. {14} When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" {15} "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." {16} But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.”

(Matthew 14:25-31 NIV) ““During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. {26} When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. {27} But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." {28} "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." {29} "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. {30} But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" {31} Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?””

The church was praying for Peter’s deliverance, but when God answered their prayers, they doubted and were astonished that he showed up at their door. They were surprised by God’s miracle. We should never doubt God’s ability to do miracles. Our God can provide astonishing answers to prayer. However, we must be careful how we define the word “miracle”. Things don’t have to go our way for miracles to occur. They can happen, even when we don’t get what we want. We must abandon our self-centered approach to the miraculous. Miracles often go far beyond the limited scope of our personal benefit. An examination of Scripture will show that God’s miracles do not always include our personal well-being, or the well-being of those we love. Never doubt the ability of God to do miracles! Just be sure you don’t define “miracle” so narrowly that God cannot succeed. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God’s Intervention

June 8

(Acts 12:6-11 NIV) “The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. {7} Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. {8} Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. {9} Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. {10} They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. {11} Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

(Job 1:18-22 NIV) ““While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, {19} when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" {20} At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship {21} and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." {22} In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.””

God is sovereign, and sometimes chooses to interject Himself into human history. James was killed by Herod, but Peter was spared by an angelic visitation. We may question God’s fairness and sit in judgment of Him, but we do not view history from eternity. Why do we make deliverance from physical death the measuring stick of God’s power and love? Is personal survival really the only definition of God’s mercy? Is life here on earth really better than eternity in heaven? When we say at funerals, “They’re in a better place”… do we not really mean it? Perhaps James, not Peter, received the greater miracle here. When God intervenes and we survive, we should praise Him -- and when God doesn’t appear to come through, we should praise Him. God is sovereign, and we who believe are blessed, whether the angel comes to save us, or to take us home. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Earnest Prayer

June 7

(Acts12:5 NIV) “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”

(Psalm 107:28-30 NIV) "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. {29} He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. {30} They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."

(James 5:16 NIV) "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

If one takes enough Scripture out of context, they can come up with a guaranteed formula for achieving answered prayer. Prayer is often taught as if it were a matter of pushing the right buttons; after which God is obligated to grant our requests. This is a distorted picture of prayer. There is no guaranteed formula, but God does point to earnestness as a factor in powerful prayer. The church was praying earnestly for Peter, and God sent an angel to set him free. Does that mean that the church was less earnest in their prayers for James? No! God answers prayer in His way, in His time, and for His glory. We pray because God tells us to pray, and we want to be obedient. We pray because it makes a difference. There are too many great personal testimonies that point to the power of prayer for us to ignore. Never underestimate the power of earnest prayer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Guarantee of Safety

June 6

(Acts 12:1-4 NIV) “It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. {2} He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. {3} When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. {4} After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.”

(Luke 14:25-33 NIV) ““Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: {26} "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. {27} And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. {28} "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? {29} For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, {30} saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' {31} "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? {32} If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. {33} In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.””

(Luke 21:10-19 NIV) ““Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. {11} There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. {12} "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. {13} This will result in your being witnesses to them. {14} But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. {15} For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. {16} You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. {17} All men will hate you because of me. {18} But not a hair of your head will perish. {19} By standing firm you will gain life.””

Righteousness is no guarantee of safety. James was arrested and quickly executed by Herod for his faith. Peter appeared headed for the same fate. The disciples had no guarantee of safety. Thousands of believers in the book of Acts shared the gospel at the risk of their lives. Obedience, not personal safety, was the primary concern of the disciples. When Jesus said you must lay down your life for the gospel, He meant it. Today, many Christians want a guarantee of safety before they step out in faith. Forget about our lives, we are reluctant to sacrifice even our popularity. We must abandon the false teaching that our prosperity and popularity are God’s number one concern. Lost souls are His chief concern. He gave the life of his Son for them. Do we really think our lives are more important than that?  Being a disciple has no guarantee of safety. Be a disciple anyway. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Christian = Generous

June 5

(Acts 11:27-30 NIV) "During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. {28} One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) {29} The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. {30} This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul."

(2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NIV) "And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. {2} Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. {3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, {4} they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. {5} And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. {6} So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. {7} But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

(2 Corinthians 9:12-15 NIV) "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. {13} 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. {14} And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. {15} Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

The believers in Antioch, derisively labeled as “Christians” because of their faith in a risen Lord, demonstrated what it means to follow Jesus. They not only supported one another in times of need, they modeled generous giving, sending money to help people they didn’t even know. This is what happens when self-preservation ceases to be our goal in life. It happens when we get outside ourselves -- our wants and our needs. It happens when we see that what we have is a gift from God, given to us to share with others. It happens when we have faith that God will take care of us even when we give our stuff away. These people were not wealthy by the world’s standards, but they were rich in grace and mercy, and they became a legend in their own time. They earned the name “Christian” -- a curse word that eventually evolved into a badge of honor. Are you growing into the name? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Teachable Disciples

June 4

(Acts 11:25-26 NIV) "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, {26} and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

(Acts 18:11 NIV) "So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God."

(Mark 6:34 NIV) "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."

One of the traits that marked the early disciples and earned them the label “Christian” was their teachability. Like sponges, the believers in Antioch soaked up the teaching of Saul and Barnabas for a whole year. With diligence and determination, they sacrificed their time to learn. Today, many who identify as Christians have lost that spirit. Far too many are just “Sunday morning Christians”. They seldom read the Bible for themselves, study Scripture together, or spend time in prayer. Becoming a mature disciple does not happen automatically. There is no magic pill. It takes discipline, and requires a teachable spirit, which is a choice. One of the greatest weaknesses of the church today is the lack of teachable disciples. Apathy, busyness, indifference, and arrogance define many believers, and these attitudes hinder discipleship. Don’t be one of the unteachables. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Full of It

June 3

(Acts 11:24 NIV) “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

(John 1:14 NIV) “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

(Acts 6:8 NIV) “Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.”

(Luke 11:39 NIV) ““Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.””

You may have heard the expression, “He’s full of it.” It is not usually meant as a compliment. When Luke speaks of Barnabas being sent to Antioch, he tells us that Barnabas was a man “full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” When John speaks of Jesus, he describes the Lord as “full of grace and truth.” Stephen, the church’s first recorded martyr, is described as “a man full of grace and power.” Conversely, Jesus described the Pharisees as “full of greed and wickedness.” How would God describe you? If the Lord described you as “full of it”, what would he be talking about? What a glorious epitaph for our tombstones, if it could honestly be said of us, “He (she) was a good man (woman), full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and he (she) brought a great number of people to the Lord.” If we’re going to be described as being full of something, let’s work at making it “the Holy Spirit and faith.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Evidence of Grace

June 2

(Acts 11:23 NIV) "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."

(Acts 26:20 NIV) "First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

(1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NIV) "So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. {2} Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

When Barnabas looked at the lives of the new Christians at Antioch, he saw evidence of God’s grace. They were becoming a reflection of Jesus. The evidence of grace is a changed life -- a life that causes others to say, “There’s something different about you. What is it?” The change starts when we believe the truth about Jesus. This lights a fire, and the grace of God begins to percolate in us. As we feed on God’s word and spend time with God in prayer, the way we live begins to change, and we begin to produce the evidence of grace. If we see salvation as just a momentary decision that supplies us with a “get out of hell free” card, this likely won’t happen. God calls us to more than just a day of salvation. He calls us to a lifetime of discipleship. As the evidence of grace grows in our lives, others will be drawn to the glow of the gospel. Is your life producing evidence of grace? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Making News for Jesus

June 1

(Acts 11:22 NIV) "News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch."

(Matthew 4:24 NIV) "News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."

(Luke 7:15-17 NIV) "The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. {16} They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." {17} This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country."

Good news travels slower than bad news, but it does travel. When faith is genuine, it becomes newsworthy. If we love consistently, we make news for Jesus that goes beyond the token church page in the local newspaper. If the only news we generate is soup suppers, car washes, pancake feeds, and Vacation Bible Schools, we haven’t really done much for Jesus. If the only time people know we belong to a church is when they read our obituary in the newspaper, we have failed our calling. Live a life that produces good news -- news that reaches the ears of unbelievers and skeptics. Surprise the world with love, grace, compassion, and generosity. Show your neighbors who Jesus is with your life. Use every opportunity God provides to speak of the changes Christ has brought to your life. When the church does this, the label “Christian” will become admirable again. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

May 31

(Acts 11:21 NIV) "The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."

(Luke 1:65-66 NIV) "The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. {66} Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him."

(Ezekiel 1:3 NIV) "The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was upon him."

Being a Christian is a bit like being a tire on a car. When the Lord’s hand is with us, we are on the move, but every time we move, some of the tire’s surface is worn off. The only way for the tread to remain fully intact is to never move the vehicle. But we can’t go anywhere unless the tires turn. Unless we’re willing to accept some wear and tear and to experience some tread loss, we will never fulfill our purpose, which is to move our gospel vehicle down the road. Even if tires just sit on the shelf and never touch the ground, the rubber eventually ages and gets weak. So if we just sit around and never take our faith to the place where the rubber meets the road, we will die of old age, never having been used for the purpose God intended. When God’s hand is on us, we will be moving. Submit to the wear and tear of the road, and if God’s hand is with us, we will be restored as we move along. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Good News for Everyone

May 30

(Acts 11:20 NIV) "Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus."

(Romans 1:16-17 NIV) "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.""

(Romans 10:11-13 NIV) "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.""

Not everyone scattered by persecution shared the good news. Some shared only with those who were just like them. But others told the gospel to non-Jewish people. They shared the good news with everyone, and many Greeks in Antioch came to faith in Christ. The church opened its doors to those who had previously been excluded, and they came in. We honor God by sharing our faith with everyone around us. Ask the Spirit to free your muted tongue. Tell your story to everyone who will listen. Stop trying to be like everyone else and start being who you’ve been called to be. Stop trying to be liked by everyone and begin loving others enough to tell them the truth. Open your church to those who wouldn’t be welcomed in other places. Share the gospel with those that others consider undesirable. That’s what the castaway Christians did in Antioch. We can do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sent Out By Force

May 29

(Acts 11:19 NIV) "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews."

(Acts 8:1-4 NIV) "And Saul was there, giving approval to 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."

It wasn’t always a mystical missionary spirit that carried the name of Jesus abroad. The seeds of the gospel were often spread by the winds of persecution. But as people fled from the death threats and the beatings, they continued to share the gospel story. What was designed to silence the message of Christ ended up amplifying it to the point that it became un-stoppable. God took what was intended for evil, and used it for good. Sometimes the pain, suffering, and persecution of this life produce the sweetest fruit for the kingdom of God. Trials and troubles often force us out of our comfort zones and into situations where our lights can shine brightly. We can be pushed into doing heroic things that we would not have ordinarily done, and taken to places where the name of Christ has not yet been spoken. Wherever life takes you, share Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Earning the Title

May 28

(Acts 11:26b NIV) “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

(Acts 26:28 NIV) ““Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?””

(1 Peter 4:16 NIV) “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

As the news about Jesus spread, more and more Gentiles came to faith. In Antioch, Jesus changed some new believers in such a profound way that their faith became legendary. They impressed folks around them so much that they earned a radical new title. People began to call them Christians. They were so different, so much like Jesus, that they were labeled with His name. A new brand name was born in Antioch. At first, the label was derogatory. It was a slur. Antagonists and persecutors used the name to stereotype and ridicule the church. They were seen as a very weird bunch and looked down upon by the intellectuals of their day. The label stuck, and over time it became something of which to be proud. The name that began as a slur became a badge of honor. It became a title to strive for -- a title earned by wholeheartedly living for Jesus. Go for the title! Live for Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Thinking Outside the Box

May 27

(Acts 11:7-12 NIV) ““Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' {8} "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' {9} "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' {10} This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. {11} "Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. {12} The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house.””

(Isaiah 43:19 NIV) "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

God often calls us to do things that we wouldn’t ordinarily do, in ways we’ve never done it before. This is what happened to Peter. One phrase we use today to express this concept is “thinking outside the box”. In Peter’s vision, the Lord called him to think outside the box. God was doing a new thing! The church would need to greatly expand its box. Today, many churches have a box that everyone is expected to fit into, and woe to the person who thinks outside of that particular box. But many people that Jesus wants to save do not fit in the average church’s box. It must grieve the Holy Spirit that while Jesus is building a mansion in glory, His church seems to be consumed with box- making. And while God’s people strain to maintain their precious little boxes, Jesus comes along and says, “Your boxes are way too small.” In these last days, it’s time to think outside the box. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Repentance Unto Life

May 26

(Acts 11:18 NIV) “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.""

(Luke 5:32 NIV) "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.""

(2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV) "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

(Isaiah 30:15 NIV) "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."

The early church soon concluded that even Gentiles had been granted the opportunity to repent and receive new life in Jesus. What does it mean to be granted repentance unto life? It is the combination of God’s sovereign grace and our free will. First, it is a grant. We do not have to pay it back. We cannot pay it back. We have been granted salvation. It is by grace we have been saved. But the grant is for an opportunity. We have been given the opportunity to choose -- to believe in faith that Jesus saves. We can receive God’s gift, or refuse it. We can repent and receive eternal life, or we can decline God’s offer and continue to live in the darkness of death. Repentance unto life means choosing to let God change our life. We abandon our old destructive behavior, and embrace new life- giving behaviors. We are born again into a new life with Christ. Have you repented unto life? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Opposing God

May 25

(Acts 11:16-17 NIV) “Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' {17} So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

(Hebrews 11:7 NIV) “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

(Jonah 1:1-3 NIV) “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: {2} "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." {3} But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.”

When God calls us to go somewhere, and do something for him and we refuse, we end up opposing God. When Jonah refused to go to Nineveh, he was opposing God. If Noah had declined to build an ark, he would have been opposing God. And if Peter had not obeyed the vision and gone to the household of Cornelius, he would have been opposing God. Today, when we will not go where the Lord tells us to go, or do what He calls us to do we also end up opposing God. How foolish can we be? Each one of us has some kind of calling on our life that could reach a household somewhere for Jesus. Maybe it’s a household across the sea. Maybe it’s the household across the street. Maybe it’s even our own household. Go where the Spirit tells you to go, and do what He calls you to do, or join the ranks of those opposing God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sharing Our Story

May 24

(Acts 11:4-15 NIV) ““Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: {5} "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. {6} I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. {7} Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' {8} "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' {9} "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' {10} This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. {11} "Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. {12} The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. {13} He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. {14} He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' {15} "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.””

When Peter retold the story of his vision from heaven, the Bible says he did so “precisely”. He took pains to describe it accurately. Peter likely retold his story many times in his life. Likewise, the story of Paul is told three different times in the book of Acts. Surely he told it many times. When there is a great story, it gets retold again and again. Peter’s vision and Paul’s conversion were acts of God that shaped the direction of the infant church, and broadened the horizons of Christianity. Our stories are much the same. They may not be as dramatic, but they are no less important. Every true story of God’s grace broadens the horizons of Christianity and helps shape the ongoing narrative of the church. Do not hesitate to share your story. There is no need to exaggerate it or embellish it. It has the power to change lives just as it is. Share it often, and share it precisely. God will do the rest. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day       

Eating with Sinners

May 23

(Acts 11:1-3 NIV) "The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. {2} So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him {3} and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."

(Mark 2:15-17 NIV) ""While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. {16} When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" {17} On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.""

Peter experienced a great spiritual breakthrough at the house of Cornelius. God had opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. But when Peter got home, he faced the scrutiny of the religious community because he had gone to the home of “sinners” and ate with them. Instead of being thrilled that lost people had come to Christ, these nitpickers were offended that Peter went to them in the first place. Peter’s consolation was that they had said the same thing about Jesus. Jesus received the same criticism for going where the “sinners” were and ministering to them. He even once said that they were why he came into the world -- He came to save sinners. If God calls us, we should not refuse to minister to those that religionists consider “unclean”. Be certain it is the call of God and not of your flesh, but wherever God sends us, we go. We set a guard upon our hearts and we go. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Basic Gospel 101

May 22

(Acts 10:39-43 NIV) “They killed him by hanging him on a tree, {40} but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. {41} He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. {42} He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. {43} All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

(Luke 24:44-48 NIV) ““He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." {45} Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. {46} He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} You are witnesses of these things.””

The gospel is an amazing gift from God, and we are commanded to share it. It’s not complicated, and its presentation does not have to be perfect. The Holy Spirit does the calling, the persuading, and the saving. Our part is witnessing to its reality in our lives and declaring it. God created us to be in relationship with Him, but we have all sinned and gone our own way. Knowing we were lost, God came to Earth in Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. He was crucified. He died and was buried, but God raised Him from the dead and many saw Him. Christ’s death paid the penalty for our sin. His resurrection proved that God accepted His payment. Everyone who believes and accepts His grace and mercy can receive forgiveness of sins through his name and be saved. Jesus is alive, and we are saved through our relationship with Him. Do you believe this? It’s a yes or no answer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Commanded to Preach and Testify

May 21

(Acts 10:42-43 NIV) "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. {43} All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.""

(2 Timothy 1:8-12 NIV) "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, {9} who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, {10} but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. {11} And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. {12} That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

(2 Timothy 4:2-5 NIV) "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

The reason Peter risked going to the house of Cornelius is that he had been commanded to preach and testify. He had been commanded to speak about the Lord Jesus. He was obedient to the command. The command has not changed. It is a command for all time, to all disciples. Just before Christ ascended, He commanded His disciples to preach and to testify. The command extends out in time to those who follow Him today. We are His disciples, and that makes us His witnesses and preachers. We have been commanded to testify to His grace and mercy. We have been commanded to preach the gospel of Christ’s love -- to speak of His death on the cross for our sin, and of His resurrection. It is a message of eternal hope with Jesus as Lord and Savior, but of eternal judgment without Him. The gospel is for everyone, and the command to preach and testify is for all disciples. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

Chosen Witnesses

May 20

(Acts 10:36-41 NIV) “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. {37} You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- {38} how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. {39} "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, {40} but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. {41} He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”

(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.”

(Acts 2:32 NIV) “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”

Peter thought of himself as a chosen witness. He knew the truth about Jesus, and he was called to share it with others. We who believe today also have a witness, and we have the same calling as Peter to share it. You are a chosen witness. Is that how you see yourself? Part of our witness is the truth about Jesus. Every Christian should know the simple gospel and how to share it. It is unchanging and eternal, but is adaptable to any situation or culture. The other part of our witness is what we have seen, and what Jesus has done in our life. We all have a story of some kind. This part of our story grows and changes. It’s different this year than last year. There is someone who needs to hear your story and witness. As we said yesterday, the gospel is for everyone, and so is the story God has given you. You are His chosen witness! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Favorites

May 19

(Acts 10:33-35 NIV) “So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." {34} Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism {35} but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

(Acts 10:44-48 NIV) “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. {45} The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. {46} For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, {47} "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." {48} So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."

(James 2:1-10 NIV) ““My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. {2} Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. {3} If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” {4} have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? {5} Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? {6} But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? {7} Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? {8} If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. {9} But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. {10} For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.””

Peter received God’s message. God does not show favoritism. The gospel was not just for the Jew, nor was it just for the rich and significant people of the world. The gospel is for everyone. God accepts those who seek Him from every nation and from every walk of life. If Christ does not show favoritism, the Church, the Bride of Christ, should not be found showing favoritism. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. When God looks at people, He sees the soul. He does not see skin color, national origin, or income level. He doesn’t see suits and ties, or sandals and t-shirts. We should not be found doing so in our churches. It should not surprise us when the Spirit and blessing of God falls upon those who don’t look like they belong. The gospel is for everyone. Even you! Jesus died for the sins of the world. Even yours! The gospel is for all who will receive it. God does not show favoritism. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Star Gazing

May 18

(Acts 10:25-26 NIV)  "As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. {26} But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

(Acts 14:8-18 NIV) ““In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. {9} He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed {10} and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. {11} When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” {12} Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. {13} The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. {14} But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: {15} “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. {16} In the past, he let all nations go their own way. {17} Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” {18} Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.””

(Romans 12:2-3 NIV) “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. {3} For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” 

Cornelius wanted to treat Peter like a celebrity. Peter would have none of it. It would have been easy for him to exploit having walked with Jesus. He had been given power to heal the sick and raise the dead. That can certainly be heady stuff. Instead Peter saw himself as just another one of God’s many servants. He was a model of godly humility. Some Christian leaders today have forgotten this apostolic lesson. They spend more time basking in the spotlight, than walking in God’s light. They are encouraged by the fawning celebrity worship of groupie Christians. We flock to where the biggest crowds are. We covet the fame, hoping that some of it will rub off on us if we can just get near enough. We need to get back to humility again. There is only one Messiah, and we all serve under Him. Let’s be done with the hero worship. Let’s stoop to wash feet, more than we seek to gaze at stars. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Relatives and Friends

May 17

(Acts 10:24 NIV) “The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

(Mark 5:18-20 NIV) ““As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. {19} Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  {20} So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.””

(John 1:40-42 NIV) ““Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. {41} The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). {42} And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).””

When Cornelius found out that Peter was coming to his house, he didn’t try to keep it from his friends and neighbors. He put out a press release, put up posters, and phoned everyone he knew. Well, not really, but he did call together his close friends and relatives. Today we have believers who barely mention their church in conversation with friends and relatives. They don’t want to offend anyone. They act as though they were ashamed of Jesus and the church. They keep their faith and the good news to themselves. Not Cornelius! He put the word out. If there had been radio in his day, there would probably have been a commercial with “BE THERE!” at the end. We laugh, but if the gospel really is for everyone, why don’t we act like it? If the message of Jesus really is life changing stuff, why wouldn’t we want to expose our friends and neighbors to it in any way we can? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Taking Risks for the Gospel

May 16

(Acts 10:23 NIV) "Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.”

(Acts 10:28 NIV) ““He (Peter) said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection.””

(2 Corinthians 11:24-28 NIV) "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. {25} Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, {26} I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. {27} I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. {28} Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."

Peter took a great risk by letting Gentiles stay in his home. He took another great risk by going to Cornelius’s house to visit him. It was against Jewish law. Jews were not to enter the houses of Gentiles, let alone stay the night. Christians violating Jewish law were already being killed. Peter could have easily been next. Spiritually and politically, the Romans were despised and hated in Israel. They were usually polytheistic and were considered unclean. Peter was contaminating and condemning himself by going there, but he took the risk. If we are going to be obedient to our calling, and take the gospel with us wherever we go, we are going to have to take some risks. To save lives, we must often risk our own. If we refuse to take risks for the gospel, we are doomed to be sterile believers. We cannot fulfill the commission Christ gave us unless we are willing to take some risks. Will you do that? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Servant Hearts

May 15

(Acts 10:22-23 NIV) ““The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." {23} Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.””

(Colossians 1:3-7 NIV) “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, {4} because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- {5} the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel {6} that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. {7} You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,”

(Titus 1:1 NIV) "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--"

(James 1:1 NIV) "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings."

(2 Peter 1:1 NIV) "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:"

(Jude 1:1 NIV) "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:"

The Church of Jesus Christ would not have grown without those who had a heart to serve the King of kings. People with a servant’s heart went to get Peter for Cornelius. People with a servant’s heart went with Peter to the house of Cornelius. Paul, James Peter, and Jude preached the gospel, discipled new believers, and wrote letters to the churches that have survived to this day… because they had servant’s hearts. Their pay was minimal -- their investment was huge. They and millions of nameless servants down through the ages endured hardships, faced danger, and sacrificed their lives so that we could have a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to pass it on. “Non-serving Christian” is an oxymoron. How are you serving the Lord? In big ways and small ways, find some way to serve the Lord today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day