Acts 2 - “WORTH THE WAIT”

 

“WORTH THE WAIT”

As we meditate Acts 2 today, God is teaching us that, 

“It takes a great vessel to receive a great blessing”

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:4

How great was it they were waiting?

- The Holy Spirit that came from heaven (verses 2-3)

- The Holy spirit who manifest in power through tongues (of different languages)

- The holy spirit who empowered them and gave them boldness to preach the gospel to people from different nations (verses 5-12)

“And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”

Acts 2:7-8 ESV

Truly, the greatest Gift of the Lord for us❤️

- Are we worthy to receive this gift?

We are NOT - but HE made us worthy. For whom should this GIFT be given but to man who needs the Holy Spirit. 

How great were the vessels then?

- They, who bore Christ in their hearts

- They who not only believe but love Christ

- They who keep the promise of God and never abandoned their faith in Christ as they wait for the promise.

- They who were not only able to wait but showed the right attitude and posture of waiting. 

- They, who were not but made worthy to receive the greatest gift because of their faith in Christ. 

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”

Acts 2:1-2 ESV

Let us reflect: 

- Do we also have the faith and love for Jesus through serving Him?

- Do we keep His promises through being diligent in reading His words?

- Do we have the right attitude of waiting through earnest prayers or we complain as we wait?

For if God was able to give us the greatest gift - The Holy spirit. Then what else He cannot give? 

So whatever we ask in prayer, 

WAIT. . . . . . WAIT. . . . . . WAIT. . . . . 

“Great things are worth the wait”

and sometimes . . .

God is not making us wait. . . .

Instead, He is waiting for us to receive it with the proper posture and standing of the heart - Humility, so Him only we will praise. 

“It takes a great vessel to carry a great blessing🎁”

Acts 3 - Newness of Life in Christ

 

Newness of Life in Christ 

There's newness of life to all who encounters Christ. It is a testimony that each Christian have that testifies that God is real & that His words are true.

In Acts chapter 3,

a) from a man who cannot walk & lives his life sitting begging for money to a man who can now walk & praises God 

 Acts 3:9-10 

[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. 

b) from an ordinary fisherman to now preaching Christ enabled with signs & wonders from God

 Acts 3:12 ,16 

[12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, 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? 

[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 completely healed him, as you can all see. 

When we also turned to God, our life has also been changed,

a) from having no hope of forgiveness to being wiped out of sin through Jesus (now having reconciliation and relationship with God as His children)

 Acts 3:19 

[19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 

b) from living a life of sin to a newness of heart able to turn away from old wicked ways  (now can live a new & different life from our old self)

 Acts 3:26 

[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.” 

God truly gave us a newness of life. We have seen Him at work in our lives from the day of our encounter & faith in Jesus until now. Let us continuously remain in Him for the true newness of life is only found in Christ.

 John 8:12 

[12] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

JOhn 16 - OUR FAITHFUL GOD

 

This chapter shows God’s FAITHFULNESS to His disciples.

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. “John 16:1-4 

Jesus giving warning to the disciples so to ready our hearts for whatever difficulties we will face in following Him. Yes, we will be killed, yes, we will be cast out - we will have fewer friends as we cannot join in the alcohol drinking session, in the night out club hopping, in the worldly sessions. Our weekday nights will be filled with bible study, evangelism training, city ministry, equipping, prayer meeting and fellowshipping. Our saturday night is for praise and worship practice. There is no more room to have parties til we drop. 

So you may feel unhappy, you may struggle from choosing if you want to enjoy outside of the church or learn more about Christ.   But God has chosen you and He doesnt want you to fall away. Stay. 

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

God is so Faithful that He didn’t leave us without a reliever, a comforter, the HOLY SPIRIT. Because Jesus knows that we are weak, that we may be in trouble, that we are easily swayed and easy to be sorrowful, so He sends us our guide, our comforter, our companion - So let us not offend and grieve the Holy Spirit.

““A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.””

John 16:16 

Jesus upon seeing His disciples’ sorrow because of His leaving, He comforted them that He will visit them after His resurrection. God is so faithful that He doesnt want us to be sad. He didnt promise us to have an easy life, but He promise that He will remain in us and that He is in us. So in every situation, may we see Christ’s promise that He will be there and He is there, with us.  He will go the Father but He will return (His second coming) for us. He will go to the Father to prepare our place in heaven. How faithful Jesus is, that He wants us to be with Him in eternal life in heaven. So while Jesus is up there , let us be diligent in doing our work here on earth. Let us be in sync with the Father and Jesus’ vision for all mankind. 

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

John 16:23 

God's faithfulness is shown in this promise. How wonderful it is that He will grant all our prayers, whatever we ask in Jesus name. As His disciples, as His followers we have the priviledge to use Jesus’ name. Let us take this authority, let us grab this opportunity, let us ask in Jesus name. Let us use Jesus’ name in healing the sick, in casting out demons, in raising the dead and in every prayer and declarations we utter. 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 

How faithful our God that before leaving He gave us assurance. Let us claim this with our renewed mind. We have peace in whatever circumstances we are in. We are victorious in whatever battle we are in. Because Jesus has overcome the world. With Him we are victorious. 

Let us pray: 

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for your words today. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you Holy Spirit for all the comfort and guidance, giving us truth and reminding us of Gods faithfulness. Thank you Jesus for your powerful name. Thank you for the authority to use your name. Thank you for the assurance of peace, thank you for the assurance of eternal life in heaven, thank you for all the favors, thank you for the victories because we have you Jesus. Amen.

- Sis Mayen -

‘’BIBLICAL LOVE LANGUAGE’’

As we meditate JOHN 12 today, God is showing us how we could express our Love for the Lord in verses 2-3. 

“So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

John 12:2-3 ESV

• Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)

• Jesus was with them even in difficult times, when Lazarus died but He raised him from the dead because He loved them (John 11:43-44). 

• Jesus loved them (John 11: 3,5,35,36)

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

We have seen how much Jesus loved His friends. He comforted, lifted up their down spirits and body (raised from the dead), visited their home, and conversed with them. 

As mutual friends, how do Martha, Mary, and Lazarus show their love towards JESUS?

3 BIBLICAL LOVE LANGUAGES

1. SERVICE

• Martha’s love language: Act of Service (John 12:2).

• Everytime Jesus visits them, Martha would automatically serve Jesus with food and with what He needs (see John 10:40).

• She was so grateful and so happy to serve Jesus. Though at times, she also felt troubled serving as a human being like us. But she was so grateful and so happy to serve Jesus.

Likewise, we have the love language like Martha when:

• We serve without double mindedness, without thinking if we can or cannot do it. 

• We serve without  thinking ‘’Me first’’, without even thinking to sit at the most comfortable or the best seat. 

• We serve Jesus through serving all He loves regardless of their situations and standing in life, great or small, we serve them equally like the tangible person, named Jesus. 

• We serve Jesus through doing even what we think is the least honorable/important task as long as it glorifies God. 

• We serve Jesus and all He loves with cheerfulness in our hearts without expectations of return. 

2. WORDS

• Lazarus’ love language: Words of Affirmations (John 12:2).

• In verse 2, it shows that Lazarus expressed His love for Jesus through words. As he’s the one reclining at the table facing Jesus and conversing with Him. 

• As to what they are talking about? It’s between close friends like them. 

Likewise, we have the love language like Lazarus when:

• When we keep the communication of God alive through prayer and hearing His words in daily devotion. 

• Before others know the story, Jesus was told first. 

• When our mouths are filled with positivity, and words of thanksgiving about everything.  

• We do not skip a day without giving praises of adoration to God. 

• Telling Him everyday that we love Him and make sure that He can feel the sincerity of our hearts. 

3. GIFTS

• Mary’s’ love language: Giving gifts (John 12:3).

• Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard. 

• Spikenard was one of the most expensive perfumes in Yeshua's day. A pound was said to cost an entire year's salary for the average worker.

• It’s Mary who showed how costly, precious, and valued the Lord is to her. 

Likewise, we have the love language like Mary when:

• When we love to give/it’s easy for us to give

• We always want to make Him feel special. 

• When intentionally give Him our precious time to come in worship. 

• When we give up the most valuable things that we have to offer to Him. 

• When we surrender our life as a gift for Christ. 

Reflections:

How about you? 

Do you love Jesus?

What is your love language to Jesus?

Have you desired all these three love languages?

• After all the love we have been receiving from the Lord, it’s time to give back. May we have these three love languages to God. May God also feel loved everyday. May He not only give but receive so much love from His children dearly loved by Him. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Mark 12:30

JOHN 11 - JESUS WEPT

 "JESUS wept." 

(John 11:35 )

Can  our Lord and Savior JESUS relate to us whenever we feel pain, sorrow, hurt, rejection, or disappointment?

Or do we see Him, who is God of the universe and co-Creator of heaven and earth, as a distant God?

In the midst of our life’s struggles and trials, are we personally experiencing His compassionate, caring, and loving nature?

"JESUS wept." These are just two little words but they have an extraordinary meaning .Our Lord JESUS Christ shedding tears demonstrates His loving, compassionate, human nature. 

Knowing that His love is so great, He made our pains His own. And having once been human, we know that our Lord JESUS experienced emotions. 

We should see Him not as a God who is distant but One who can truly relate to us He was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." (Isaiah 53:3)

"JESUS wept" is the shortest verse, yet it brings a word of comfort to us for when we cry… we know that JESUS UNDERSTANDS!

So whatever we are facing right now  let us yielddown in Prayer knowing that Jesus  wept with us.

Thank you Lord Jesus for the love.

-sis joanne-

JOHN 12:1-8 HONORING JESUS

 

JOHN 12:1-8

Let us honor JESUS like Mary of Bethany

 Honoring Jesus with our HEART (v3)

o Giving everything we have with humility without hesitation

o Worship Jesus despite the criticisms

o Serve Him with all our hearts, our might, with all of what we have

o Honoring Him passionately and sincerely

Thus, it is important that we establish our personal relationship with Jesus through reading and meditating His words, to have everyday devotion, attending service and fellowship, willingness to be equipped.

 Honoring Jesus in our HOME (v3)

o Welcome Him in our home

o He is the unseen guest that is always present

o His presence is felt and evident in our relationships

o His love and light fills our home

Thus, it is important that we share Jesus and His love with our family, our relatives, friends and to every person that we meet, every person that goes in and out of our homes.

 Honoring Jesus with the chance given to us AT HAND (v8)

o Our chance to honor and serve Jesus is now 

o This life is given to us to honor and worship Him

o This time is given to us to honor Him by obeying Him

o We are given the privilege to know and serve our living God

Thus, let us use this lifetime to honor Him and this lifetime is NOW for we may not have tomorrow.

Thank you, Lord God, for giving us this life to serve you. We offer our heart, our home and our life to give honor and glory to You alone.

In Jesus glorious name, Amen! 🙏

- sis riva - 

JOHN 10 - THE TRUE SHEEP AND THE TRUE SHEPHERD

 

As we meditate God’s Words today, let us ask ourselves – 

AM I A TRUE SHEEP OF THE LORD?

ARE MY PASTORS TRUE SHEPHERDS OF GOD? 

AM I IN THE TRUE CHURCH?

Jesus showed us the answer to these questions in John 10.

AM I A TRUE SHEEP OF THE LORD?

³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

In verses 3-5 it explains to us that the TRUE SHEEP:

-          Knows the voice of His shepherd

-          when called by name the true sheep follows the shepherd

-          he will never go astray of follow a stranger

-          he flees from strangers

-          he reproduces

Let us reflect:

-          Do I know the voice of Jesus, I claimed I am a Christian but do I know His Words?

-          To truly know the voice of Jesus, we must meditate His words day and night for the Words is Jesus.

-          When I hear Jesus calling me to do something, do I respond with a humble heart and follow Him?

-          Do we sometimes find ourselves doing all the worldly things rather than spending time with the Lord? Where you spend most of the time is your god. You are following a stranger.

-          Do you flee from temptations?

-          Do you reproduce?

ARE MY PASTORS TRUE SHEPHERDS OF GOD?

 ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 

Verses 8-11 answer this question.

-          Are your Pastors feeding you spiritually? Aside from the regular service, do they extend their time teaching you and equipping you?

-          Are your pastors praying for you when you are sick, or when you are missing services and other fellowships – do they look for you?

-          Do they encourage you to join all the fellowshipping activities of the church – soaking, prayer meeting, bible study etc.?

-          Do they bring you blessing or life instead of problems? Are they your burden or they are your comfort?

 

Let us reflect:

If your pastors are feeding you spiritually, protecting you, teaching you and comforting you, praying for you and encouraging you – how do you respond to them?

 

AM I IN THE TRUE CHURCH?

³⁷ If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; ³⁸ but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

Jesus himself explained in verses 37 and 38 that if He is not doing the works of the Father we should not believe Him.

Jesus as the head of our church:

– Is our church doing the works of Jesus?

 -Is our church going out to preach the Gospel, cast out demons, heals the sick and raise the dead?

 

-Is our church equipping the saints and sending them in the field?

 

-Is our church gathering daily to pray and meditate His words?

 

        -          Is our church fulfilling the Great Commission?

 

If WE ARE, then believe that you are in the TRUE CHURCH. If we are NOT, run away.

 

Thank you, Lord, for clarifying to us, what a true sheep, a true shepherd and a true church must be. Thank you for your Word. Amen.