The Eternal Gospel

February 21

(Acts 3:17-26 NIV) ""Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. {18} But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. {19} Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, {20} and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. {21} He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. {22} For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. {23} Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' {24} "Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. {25} And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' {26} When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.""

(Hebrews 8:10-12 NIV) "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. {11} No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. {12} For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Peter used the healed beggar to share the eternal gospel -- a gospel that never changes because it comes from an unchanging and eternal God. He called them to repent and turn to God from their wicked ways. They had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God -- something we have all done. Turning to God would wipe out their sins. The Lord would remember their sins no more. We all need this! Not only would their sins be forgiven, but times of refreshing would come from the Lord. In a dry and weary land, they would have living water. The risen Christ would come to live in them, and their lives would be transformed. Turning to Jesus would not only save them, it would also empower them to be obedient to God and His word. Jesus would become Lord of their lives and they would become Christ-followers. This is the eternal gospel. Have you believed it? Are you living it? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

There’s Power in the Name

February 20

(Acts 3:15-16 NIV) "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. {16} By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."

(Luke 24:45-48 NIV) "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."

Christians serve a risen Savior, and because of the resurrection, there is power in the name of Jesus. As witnesses of the resurrection, the early apostles preached of His lordship, His salvation, and His healing. They proclaimed that there was power in the name of Jesus, and that by faith in His name, people could be healed, delivered, and saved. They preached the gospel of salvation. We are called to the same ministry. We must tell people that sin has crippled them and will kill them. We must tell them that God raised Jesus from the dead, and that we are His witnesses because the risen Christ has changed our lives. We must tell them that there is power in the name of Jesus and call them to repent and put their faith in His name. He is the One who can heal our crippled hearts, deliver us from our demons, and forgive our sins. Jesus saves! There is power in the name of Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

The Forbidden “You” Message

February 19

(Acts 3:13-17 NIV) “You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. {14} You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. {15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead… {17} "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.”

(Matthew 23:27-28 NIV) "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."

(Isaiah 30:10-11 NIV) ““They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. {11} Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!””

Peter preached to the crowd gathered around the healed beggar, and he did something that modern preachers are told never to do -- he preached a “you” message. He pointed his prophetic finger at them and said, “You sinned and you need to change your ways.” Pastors are told not to preach that way today. People want “positive” messages. But Peter threw caution to the wind, and said: “You handed Jesus over to be killed. You disowned him. You asked for a murderer to be spared instead of Christ. You killed the author of life. You acted ignorantly.” WOW! That would empty a church sanctuary today. But what if it’s the truth? What if God wants you to know your sins and wants you to change? In a way, every message from the Holy Spirit is personal. You can’t receive personal salvation and then refuse to receive personal messages. God is speaking to you. Repent! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Pointing People Upward

February 18

(Acts 3:12-13 NIV) ““When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? {13} The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.””

(Acts 14:11-15 NIV) ““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.””

(1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV) "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Human beings are plagued by the tendency to worship other humans instead of God. “Celebrity worship” is rampant, whether it be for politicians, athletes, actors, musicians, or preachers. Some will always worship the miracle worker instead of the Miracle Maker. Peter nipped this attitude in the bud. He let people know that it was the living Christ who had healed this man. Peter and John understood that who gets the credit is a big deal. It’s the difference between being a disciple and becoming an idol. They pointed people to Christ. They wanted God to get the glory. They wanted the name of Jesus to be praised. This was their mission and purpose in life. The same goes for us. We all have opportunities to glorify the Lord. God is still glorifying Jesus Christ through those who choose to give Him glory. Everything believers do should be done to the glory of God. Point people upward! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Hanging On or Hanging Out

February 17

(Acts 3:11 NIV) "While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.”

(Luke 10:38-42 NIV) "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. {39} She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. {40} But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" {41} "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, {42} but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.""

(Luke 19:47-48 NIV) "Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. {48} Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words."

The healed beggar hung on to Peter and John. He had been walking, and jumping, and praising God, so it wasn’t for stability that he hung on to them. Perhaps it was gratitude for the men who had looked him in the eye and reached down to help him up. He wanted everyone to meet these men who had shown him Jesus and given him a second chance. We can learn from him. He was into hanging on, rather than just hanging out. Jesus needs disciples who will hang on to him, not just hang out with him. He needs people who will hang on His words, not just hang out at church. Many people hung out with Jesus, but it was the disciples who hung on to Him. Jesus is looking for Christians who will hang onto him -- believers who won’t forget where they received healing and the words of life -- disciples who will introduce Him to their friends and neighbors. Are you hanging on, or just hanging out? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Running To the Church

February 16

(Acts 3:11 NIV) "While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.”

(Mark 3:7-10 NIV) "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. {8} When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. {9} Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. {10} For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him."

In a day when people are leaving the church in droves, it’s good to see some running to the church in the third chapter of Acts. The same happened to Jesus. The common denominator is the miraculous transformation of lives, and that those who witnessed the deliverance and healing talked it up. This caused many to be astonished and come running to the church. They didn’t all stay, but they could never say they had not seen and heard the truth. The same thing can happen today. When people hear about miraculous transformations, they tend to come running. The miracle of a changed life, whether that change is spiritual or physical, can bring glory to God and draw people to the church. When the church does amazing things, people will come running to see what’s up. But we have to talk it up out in the world where it really counts. We have to get the word out. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Who Gets the Credit

February 15

(Acts 3:11-16 NIV) “While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. {12} When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? {13} The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. {14} You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. {15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. {16} By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”

(John 20:30-31 NIV) "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

After Peter and John brought healing to the crippled man, the crowd began to treat them as superheroes with great power. It was a test for them. They had to decide whether to accept the glory for themselves, or give glory to God. They passed the test. They declared that faith in the name of Jesus caused the miraculous healing. Human beings are interesting. We excel at holding grudges. We blame God for the tragedies, disasters, and calamities in our lives. Some are still angry at God for something that happened decades ago. But when blessing comes our way, or something good happens in our life, we are prone to explaining it away as coincidence, or worse yet, to taking credit for it ourselves. We chalk it up to being godly, or smart, or just plain lucky. In this world, God gets most of the blame, but not much of the credit. Be different, Christian. Give God glory in all things. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Praise and Amazement

February 14

(Acts 3:8-10 NIV) "He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. {9} When all the people saw him walking and praising God, {10} they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

(Matthew 9:33 NIV) "And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.""

(Matthew 15:31 NIV) "The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel."

When we obey God, glory comes down and praise goes up. This ex-cripple was not subtle or sophisticated in his witness. He was ecstatic and out of control. He jumped up and down and danced around, shouting out praises to the Lord. Healed people praise God. Saved people tell of his wonders and mercy. God didn’t heal this man because He felt sorry for him and wanted him to have a better life. He didn’t heal him so Peter and John could rake in money for their ministry. God healed this man to bring glory to His name. God healed him so people would be amazed at the power to be found in the name of the risen Jesus. Dead men can’t heal anyone -- but a risen Lord can. God has come to earth and lives in the changed lives of His people today. He wants us to share our story -- maybe even dance and sing and shout about it. He wants us to give Him glory. How are you doing at that? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Partners with God

February 13

(Acts 3:7 NIV) "Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong."

(Acts 9:17-19 NIV) "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." {18} Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, {19} and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus."

(Psalm 18:16 NIV) “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

Peter reached down and took the crippled beggars hand. This is a potent reminder of how God wants to work through us. God could have just spoken a word and the beggar would have been healed. But God had Peter reach down and take his hand. God has chosen us to be His partners. We are His helping hands. We do the reaching and the preaching. Jesus does the healing. Silver and gold could never have purchased new legs for this man, but Jesus filled his life with healing and dancing because Peter reached down and took his hand. God can do great things through those who will partner with Him by doing small things. Don’t just pray for the hungry -- go work in a soup kitchen. Don’t just pray for the lost -- reach out to them in love and share the gospel with them. We are partners with Jesus. If we expect Him to do it all, we are in a dysfunctional relationship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Giving What We Have

February 12

(Acts 3:6 NIV) "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.""

(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.""

Peter and John had little in the way of earthly riches, but they were willing to give what they had -- and what they had was Jesus. Jesus is better than silver and gold. Silver and gold only last for a while -- Jesus is forever. Money will only buy stuff that breaks and wears out -- Jesus is eternal. The beggar asked for something that would get him by for today -- Peter and John gave him something that would last for eternity. He wanted something to help him survive -- they showed him how to really live. He wanted them to support his way of life -- they gave him a new life. He was looking for a handout -- Peter and John gave him a hand up. Jesus still calls us to give what we have. Do you have Jesus? If you have Jesus, are you giving Him away, or are you hoarding Him? Give what you have. God will take care of the rest. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Looking the Right Direction

February 11

(Acts 3:4-5 NIV) "Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" {5} So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them."

(Matthew 6:22-23 NIV) "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. {23} But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

(Psalms 121:1-2 NIV) "I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? {2} My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

At an early age, infants learn to look into our eyes for information and intimacy. Something spiritual happens when we look people in the eye. So it was with the beggar at the gate. Conditioned by years of shame, he kept his head down and didn’t look up. It was safer for his soul not to make eye contact. His posture portrayed weakness, defeat, and humiliation. But Peter demanded eye contact, because he knew that God wanted to heal more than just this man’s body. Peter and John could have given him a small coin and felt good for helping the poor like many Christians do today. But they wanted to give him more than that. They wanted to give him his life back. They wanted God to heal his soul. So the man looked up and his life was never the same… because when he looked into their eyes, he was looking into the eyes of Christ. The first step to healing is looking up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Asking for the Right Stuff

February 10

(Acts 3:3 NIV) "When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money."

(James 4:1-4 NIV) "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? {2} You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. {3} When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. {4} You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

When Peter and John approached the Temple gate, a beggar, crippled since birth, asked them for money. He was asking for the wrong thing. He asked for money, but what he really needed was healing. It’s hard to blame him -- it’s an old attitude. Most of us have been conditioned to believe that more money will fix our problems and make us happy -- so even today, many of us are still asking God for the wrong stuff. We ask Him for money, when what we really need is healing -- physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We plead for pennies, when God has millions to give. We sit begging at the gate of glory, when we could be walking free with Jesus. We wallow in self pity, when the confidence of Christ is ours for the asking. We spend our days asking God just to get by, when what He wants to do is miraculously amaze the world through us. Are you asking God for the right stuff? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Crippled from Birth

February 9

(Acts 3:2 NIV) "Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts."

(Psalms 51:5 NIV) "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."

(Job 15:14 NIV) "What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous?"

(Isaiah 53:6 NIV) "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Imagine being totally dependent upon others for survival. This needy man, “crippled from birth”, had to be carried to the Temple gate so that he could beg for survival. In a way, this helpless beggar represents us all, for we have all been “crippled from birth” by sin. Sin takes our legs out from under us, and we join those begging at the gate of God, unable to enter on our own. We end up looking to people, instead of God, for our sustenance. We spend our lives in spiritual squalor, sitting in our sin, pleading for the crumbs that the world occasionally gives us. We desperately need the Lord, but continually beg others to give us what we think we need. We plead for handouts instead of healing. We become focused on survival instead of seeking salvation. But we can be changed. We can be born again if we trust the Great Physician. Why beg another day? Take God’s hand and rise up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

A Praying Church

February 8

(Acts 3:1 NIV) "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer -- at three in the afternoon."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV) "Be joyful always; {17} pray continually; {18} give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

(Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV) "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. {16} And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Peter and John were going to a prayer meeting at three o’clock in the afternoon. The desire of the early church was to be God-dependent, not self-sufficient. They prayed continually. Today’s culture worships at the altar of self-sufficiency. This hinders our desire to pray continually. We can obtain much of what we need without asking God for it -- no need for “daily bread” prayers. The majority of our prayers express a desire for personal blessing, rather than the desire to bring glory to God. Trusting God for all things, and in all things, is what set the early Christians apart. When they prayed, they prayed big and wide. They prayed for God to be glorified in their lives, even if it meant persecution. They just wanted more of God. When we begin to pray for God to be glorified in our lives, God will involve us in the miraculous, and give us opportunities to amaze the world, just like He did with the early church. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Growing Church

February 7

(Acts 2:47b NIV) “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

(Matthew 13:18-23 NIV)  ""Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: {19} When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. {20} The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. {21} But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. {22} The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. {23} But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.""

The church grows when people answer God’s call to repent and surrender their lives to the Lordship of Christ. When people stop running from God and turn to Him in repentance, the church grows. In the early church, people didn’t get saved weekly -- they got saved daily. That is what happens in a church devoted to God’s word, to community, and to prayer. That is what happens in a body of believers who concentrate on praise and expressions of devotion and worship. That is what happens when the people of God have a positive attitude about their church and live out their faith in love on a daily basis. That is what happens when the Spirit of God pervades the atmosphere of a church. This is still the kind of church Jesus calls us to be. This is the church that multiplies as the Lord adds daily to their number, producing a crop “a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Positive Christianity

February 6

(Acts 2:46-47 NIV) "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, {47} praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

(Romans 15:13 NIV) "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

(Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV) "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children {2} and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

The new believers were positive people. They were “Praise the Lord!” kind of Christians. They had good things to say about each other and about their neighbors. They were short on gossip and long on encouragement. They built one another up instead of tearing one another down. They loved each other with the love they had received from the Lord. And it was noticed. Scripture says they enjoyed the favor of those around them, and the church grew. Positive people draw crowds. Positive people inspire us. We like to be around positive people. It’s easy to be a negative critic. It takes spiritual maturity to be a positive witness in the face of a negative world. But God can help. Maybe it’s time to change your attitude and become the kind of Christian who draws people to the Lord, instead of fulfilling all the negative stereotypes the world has about the church. It’s a matter of the will. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Rethinking Church

February 5

(Acts 2:46 NIV) “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together…”

(2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV) "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

(Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV) "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

(Hebrews 10:25 NIV) "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Togetherness is the natural result of being “one in Christ”. You can’t really “do” togetherness in an hour on Sunday morning -- it takes more time than that. The early Christians met together every day in the temple courts, and they “broke bread” together in smaller groups in their homes. They prayed together, studied together, worked together, ate together, played together, laughed together, and cried together. They were not only brothers and sisters, they became friends. They unyoked from those who did not believe, and became yoked together with Christ and with one another. For us to do this, we will need to rethink what we mean by “church”. We’ll need to see it less as a building or a meeting, and begin to see it as an existence and an identity. “Church” must become more than just a place or a doctrine. It must become “who we are”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sticking Together

February 4

(Acts 2:44-45 NIV)  "All the believers were together and had everything in common. {45} Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."

(John 13:34-35 NIV)  ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.""

(1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV)  "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."

Jesus brought people together. Those who truly followed Him became like family. They didn’t just get a spiritual buzz on Sunday morning, and then go their separate ways -- they stuck together, and cared for one another. They lived for one another and died for one another. They were generous with one another. Detaching themselves from property and belongings, they sold their personal possessions, and helped those among them who were in need. They considered the needs of others as equal to their own. This was more than a church with a lighted sign, a great band, and a radio show -- this was genuine community. We desperately need this today. In a world of small commitments, broken promises, and a myriad of choices, sticking together is harder than ever before. But there is divine power in it. It’s the Jesus way, and it is the way of the genuine disciple. Stick together! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Wonders and Awe

February 3

(Acts 2:43 NIV) "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles."

(Luke 7:16 NIV) "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.""

(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."

When we become devoted to God’s word, to the church, and to prayer, miracles happen. There may be healings, signs, and wonders, but often the miracle is a changed life. Drunks sober up. Fools become wise. Haters are moved to love. When God moves in a visible way, people will be in awe. Jesus saved you so that someone could be awed by His grace. It starts with us, as we stand in awe of God’s love and mercy in our lives. It spreads to those around us as people begin to see the changes in us, and they are affected by the visible work of Jesus. The response won’t always be positive -- the Gospel is a threat to some. But when God’s people live out their faith in positive ways -- when we put the word of God into practice, love our neighbors, pray with power, and live in Christian community, many will be filled with awe. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Early Prayer

February 2

(Acts 2:42 NIV) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

(Acts 1:14 NIV) "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

(Luke 18:1 NIV) "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

(Philippians 4:6 NIV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

The early church was not just about worship, teaching, miracles, and community -- it was also about prayer. They were devoted to prayer, and prayed constantly. They believed that prayer could change things. They saw it work in the lives of people. They prayed for the dead to be raised, and life returned to corpses. They prayed that their witness would draw others to Christ, and people came to the Lord in droves. They would even be seen praying as their bodies perished in the flames and as they were torn apart by wild beasts. They prayed together, and it changed the world. Prayer still changes things, and is vital to the church. We would be wise not to forsake it. The church has enemies who work against it on a daily basis. Will you be one who prays for the church daily? Will you take the time this week to join with other believers in prayer? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Breaking Bread

February 1

(Acts 2:42 NIV) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread…"

(Acts 2:46 NIV) "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,"

(Romans 12:4-5 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."

(Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV) "There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism; {6} one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

There is a difference of opinion among Bible scholars as to whether the phrase “breaking of bread” speaks of the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or of the practice of eating together in one another’s homes as family would do. Either way, the early church lived in a state of constant communion. Whether they broke bread in the church or in their homes becomes secondary to the fact that they bonded as family around their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They were in a holy communion with one another, and being together in community around a common table became central to the life of the early church. In our fragmented age, where individual agendas take priority over the common good, we could use a dose of this communal thinking. Having a common Lord should move us toward a common life. Christ founded the church to be His body: one Lord, one faith, one body. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day