I need focused options for my quiet times with Jesus. As I have mentioned before, I am memorizing Scripture, journaling, and reading the Book of Acts - though not all on the same day. My pastor also provides study questions with his sermons each week - I really enjoy working through the questions. With the Book of Acts, I am slowing making my way through the Life Application Bible Commentary. I prefer to purely read the Bible first seeking how the Holy Spirit is teaching me, so reading the commentary is usually secondary.
Going back to the beginning of Act, there are several notes from the Life Application Bible Commentary I want to highlight. The Book of Acts introduces two Truths: 1) Christ's resurrection is fact, and 2) the presence of the Holy Spirit is real (p. 1). Believing in Christ has several privileges including: the Holy Spirit as teacher/revealer of The Word, the power to be inwardly transformed, and the opportunity to join Christ in His work on earth (p. 6). In the culture of Jesus' life on earth, the Jews were awaiting the Messiah to bring an earthly kingdom of wealth and power. The actual kingdom Christ brought to earth was, and continues to be, a Spiritual kingdom within the hearts and lives of Believers. We are still awaiting the earthly kingdom promised upon Christ's return.
As I read of how the Jews and the disciples struggled with the political rulers of their day, I relate at some level - I am not satisfied with the politics of our day. I am drawn to reading Acts because I want to understand how Jesus taught the disciples to live in their day so that I might know how to live a God-glorifying life in 2009. "History is not haphazard or cyclical; it is moving toward a specific point - the return of Jesus to judge and rule over the earth. We should be ready for his sudden return" (p. 11).
Jesus' last recorded words on earth were:
"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 1:8, NIV).
The Bible commentary goes on to say that our experience of Christ is "like ripples caused by a pebble thrown into a pond, not stopping at just your city or state but moving beyond regional influences to the very 'ends' of the earth" (p. 10). This is where my purpose for the blog originated. The Book of Acts, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, is guiding me to start where I currently am and allow my experience with Christ to be made known and shared. You, my friends and bloggy readers, are a part of the ripples and circles made from the pebble of Christ made known through each of us, His children. My litmus test is: Does (fill-in-the-blank) please God? If the answer is "yes," then go for it believing He will guide each step.
Those of you who have made yourselves known to me are in my prayers by name. For those who have not made themselves know to me, you are still in my prayers - God knows your names. We are sisters in Christ, we are divinely loved, and we have an exciting purpose on this earth.
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Your blog just keeps getting better and better. I for one am tremendously impacted by the housing market and by government attempts to solve the problem. I believe that God has placed me in the Real Estate industry for just such a time as this. There are times when my sensitivity to the needs of others is very spiritually draining and your comments are a breath of fresh air and a real encouragement to me. Thanks for responding in obedience to the call of God upon your life.
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