Acts 5-9

Nikke's thoughts

I love the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. It shows true obedience, evangelism and teaching.


For anyone who may not know the story here it is:

Acts 8:26-40
Philip & the Ethiopian

"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

I can only imagine the look on the Ethiopians face when the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away and he was left in the water all by himself.

However, you know he believed everything he heard and saw because he went on his way rejoicing!

God is so awesome I cannot even describe it!!

Acts 1-4

Nikke's thoughts

So much happens in Acts that it is hard to just pick a couple things to talk about.
A couple things poked out at me that stood out more than others.


Peter after giving this powerful speech about the Lord says,
Acts 2:36
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

and the people's reaction was:
Acts 2:37
"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"


They were cut to the heart! That is some pretty heavy stuff there.
The great thing though is that they ask "what shall we do?"
That is where the amazing life changing events take place with Jesus when we seek out what we should do.
He will guide us and give us direction.

Ask for forgiveness and more important let God forgive our sins.

I think "what shall I do" is a good question to ask God everyday.


Acts 4:12
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

This is just a great verse.
"No other name under heaven given to men"
this means that Buddha, Dahli Llama, Joseph Smith, The Greek Gods, or any idols we may have on earth whether they be actors, singers, or whomever cannot save us or better yet shall I say give us eternal life.
It is Jesus alone who provides us salvation and we should look to no one else.

John 19-21

Nikke's thoughts

I just love Peter. He is so spontaneous!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you are on your way to do something exciting or to see someone that you are so excited and full of expectation that even the fastest car cannot get you there quick enough? It seems that if you get out and run yourself it would be a million times faster!

I think that is how Peter felt in John 21:7-8

"Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards."

For Simon Peter knowing that it was his Lord on shore awaiting him and the others he could not bear to wait to get the boat ashore; he had to jump in the water to get to Jesus even if it was only a few seconds or minutes earlier that the others.

If someone were that excited to see me I think I would feel so loved and special. I wonder if that is how Jesus felt when He saw Simon Peter do this?

A side note from Nikke

So I keep going back to this passage in John 17:20-23 specifically verse 23
Here Jesus is praying for us future believers. He prays:

"My prayer is not for them alone(talking about those currently following Him here).
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Verse 23 keeps coming back into my mind.
The key word for me here is unity. I think about my faith (Christianity) and I see so many denominations, theologies and interpretations that can tear a believing community apart.Over pointless debates.
Things that we may never have an answer to until we arrive in heaven one day.

And here Jesus prays that we the believers who believe the message sent to us by Him would be brought to complete unity so that we (together) can let the world know of His tremendous love for them.

Is it just me or is this pretty powerful?

Lord,
I pray that we (Christians) would unify and work together to do Your will. I pray that we would set minor differences aside and focus on You and You alone.
Amen.

Angie's Thoughts


i completely agree with nikke about peter. i cracked up when I read that.


I find it interesting that when Jesus is resurrected and he shows himself to the disciples and mary that in all occasions at first they didn't recognize him.

20:14 "At this she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus."

21:4 "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus."

Soon after all these occasions Jesus did reveal himself to the people. But i think that this is an example of how when the Lord works in our lives it may not be as we think it is. We may not realize that its Gods work at first but eventually.. it will be inevitable.

21:22 "Jesus answered, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.' " I take this as.. don't measure your walk with me and what I have called you to do to what I have called your neighbor to do. I have a unique plan for you, now follow me.


If we start to measure our purposes to someone else's.. we won't be satisfied with what we are called to do. and then we are no longer putting our own dreams aside for God's will.. but picking them up again.

John 1-8 & 9-18

Angie's Thoughts

John 1-4
1:5 "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." I have a certain perspective on this. Before I really knew the Lord I remember being around my mom's friends that go to church. There were good people and though I didn't know who God was at the time i would say they were Godly people.. and I remember.. there was always something about them.. that drew me to them.. that i loved about them.. that i wanted too. but i never quite got what it was. They had the aroma of Christ and that was evidence that they were walking with him, and though I did not understand the draw i had towards them or why it came from a deep yearning i had within me, one that everyone has whether they realize it or not.

3:16 "God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him." Oh, how I wish more people could understand this.

John 5-8
" 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?' They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, 'If any of you is without sin, let im be the first to throw a stone at her.' Again he stopped down and wrote on the ground. At this those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has on one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.' "

This goes hand in hand with John 3:16. Jesus isn't here to show us what we've done wrong
he came to show us what was right and that we don't have to live the way we've been living and he came to show us why we were put here and how much more there is. we dont have to steal and to cheat and lie to get by. drug addicts have another option. alcoholics do. gang members. gamblers. compulsive liars. thieves. no matter who we are or where we've been we can live a life full of love and a purpose. we are created in the image of God and we all equal in His eyes. he can do miracles and he can clean even the toughest stains. (sounds like a cleaner commercial)



Angie's thoughts

John 9-18


John 12:48 "There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day."

this isn't the jolliest thing that Jesus ever said. but its a truth that needs to be said. A lot of people kind of havent grasped the reality that a person who hasn't accepted the Lord is going to hell. I know a lot of people who don't know the Lord. I know many faces that I won't be seeing when I go to heaven. Quite frankly, that haunts me. When I think about my best friends going to hell. i almost want to panic and to grab everyone i know and force them to go to church and to be saved.


but we all know that doesn't work. at least in my experiences it hasn't. it all starts with christians living as a testament. but we don't have to be perfect. no one likes a perfect goody two shoes.

besides this being a rough awakening to most, its a great reminder of the grace that God has given us that all he has blessed us with and all that we have to share with the unsaved and to rejoice in. also how VITAL it is to love everyone. Jesus commanded us for us to love everyone as we had been loved by him. we don't love so that God can tell us how wonderful we are and how great we are as people. We love because we have a huge debt on our shoulders that we can't pay off and the only other option is to love. love our beating hearts out.



John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

the scripture goes on to say "If you belonged to the world it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world."

John 15:18 is one of my favorite verses. Its in my nature to.. almost try and get a reaction out of people. i've always loved going against the grain and in school being christ-like ..unfortunately.. goes against the grain.

but i love it. i LOVE it when I open the door for someone and they glare at me like i've just done the weirdest thing in the world. when I am open about my faith and someone has a problem with it. i love it because part of being a christian is.. to a certain extent.. not giving a hoot or holler what anyone has to think about you. because if you do you won't follow jesus because you'll be too afraid of what people think. I would rather die hated than loved by the world. Because whether or not I FEEL like its true.. Jesus is working through my life. and i am a testament even when I think that no one is looking. or that no one cares. or even when i think that everyone hates me.

John 4-14

Nikke's thoughts

I am playing catch up here. There is a lot to review.
First, I really just need to say God is so wonderful and amazing!



John 4:23-24 stood out to me.

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

For anyone who may not know what I am like. I love to worship! Even more so I love to jump around and praise God with all I got! At times really rest in his presence too.
Lately, I have felt so hindered in doing this. When I read this God really woke me up!
My worship shows God how much I love Him and need Him.
More so, this showed me that not only at church should I be giving my all in praise to God. It is everywhere.
There is no one place that God is suppose to be worshiped.

I want to be the kind of worshiper the Lord seeks!


John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

This just struck me. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees here.
It amazes me how one can literally have the knowledge of the bible (word of God) and be so blind to what it really says.


John 6:27
"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

God constantly is reminding me of this. I am not working for the material things of this world. My treasure is in Heaven with Him!
God alone can sustain me and I have no need for worldly possessions.
My satisfaction comes from Him who I believe in not in the work I have done.


John 9:1-3
"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.


This really stood out to me on a very personal level. Some may not know this but I was born with only two fingers on my right hand.
When I was younger I struggled with it a bit as I think anyone struggles with the differences they have. Mine is just a little more evident than some.
I have had some say that sin is what caused my hand to be this way.
I personally do not believe that. I believe that I was born this way so that God could be displayed in my life in a mighty way!
Now, if sin were the cause. I still would think the same.
God has taken my struggle with my hand and healed me completely emotionally. You may not see the evidence outwardly of the healing but He has changed my perception tremendously of myself.
Thank you Lord!


Lord,
I pray that you would make your word alive to those who read it!
Continue to mold me and guide me Lord as I am your instrument.
I love you.

Amen.

John 1-3

Nikke's thoughts

There were a few things that stood out to me in these chapters.

First in chapter 1:4-5
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

Who can defeat what they cannot understand?
Nothing and no one.
This just goes to show that the darkness (evil) will never ever put out God's light. The darkness has no victory and never will!!
Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP on that one? =D

Second in chapter 3:19-21
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 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."

So many people myself included are afraid of making their sin known. They are embarrassed or ashamed of what they have done. Or maybe even are afraid of what may be shown in their lives once they step into the light.
I was struggling with something and I knew it was keeping me from growing closer to God and once I chose to just reveal it and confess it out loud to the Lord I was completely unburdened by it. I also found that there were others in my same situation and felt pretty lame for not just coming out with it earlier.

The great news is Jesus bore our shame and our sin on the cross! He made it so we can seek out forgiveness and be restored. His mercies renew every morning for us!

Hebrews 12: 2-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.



Thirdly chapter 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Did you catch that?
You have eternal life!
Not you will get it later. You have it if you believe in the Lord God.
You have it as soon as you accept Him into your heart!
How amazing is that? What an awesome gift God has given us!

Luke 22-24

Angie's Thoughts

Luke 24:30 "when he was at the table with them, he took brad, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him."

now.. i'm not sure on this. but i'm pretty sure that this is an example that when we do communion.. when we drink the Lords blood and eat his flesh.. he reveals himself to us. i should probably do more research on this because i've never noticed it before.

Luke 22:35 "Then Jesus said to them, 'when I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to the,. 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag' and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.' "

If we truly NEED something in our life, it will be provided to us. worldly things or lack of them can not keep God from accomplishing his will.

how silly are we to think that simple things like that could hold us back? we have all we need. ever.

ahh. this is a short one. sorry guys.

Nikke's thoughts

So the verse 22:35 also stood out to me like it did for Angie.

Luke 22:35 "Then Jesus said to them, 'when I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to the,. 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag' and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.' "

God is our provider.

Growing up I can remember times where money was so tight we were never sure if we would be able to afford groceries or not.
We never went without though. There always seemed to be food on the table and warm water to take a shower. Even in these times when I did not know Him He was watching over me.

The Lord is teaching me a valuable lesson these days. I have come to learn that I don't need to have things like expensive cable, a brand new car, and name brand clothes. I can live simply and still have everything I need.
Right now my husband does all the providing for our family which means money can be very tight but God is providing for us and we never go without.
I cannot wait for the time when Adam is making his full pay scale and we can continue living simply and we can actually put money aside to help out a friend, family member or whatever God calls us to do with our money.
God is so amazing and I praise Him for everything He is in mine and my families life!

Luke 19-21

Nikke's thoughts

I just love the story of Zacchaeus. in chapter 19:1-10.
One of the reasons I love it so much is that it is an example that a wealthy man can inherit eternal life in Jesus.
Jesus never said that it was impossible but he did say how hard it was when he said,
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Something else that stuck out to me in chapter 19 as Jesus is riding on the donkey into Jerusalem Jesus says in 19:42 "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
It is so sad to me that all these people met, spoke, listened and saw Jesus' miracles and yet still did not believe and He was right there in front of their faces. They rejected their true King.

But God still loves those who worship and honor Him with their heart and lips and accepts us as we accept Him!

God is amazing!

Angie's Thoughts

I also love the story of Zacchaeus. He's short and I can relate to that; however, that is not the only reason I love this story.

Luke 19:4 "So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way."

This guy.... is this wealthy chief tax collector. Something tells me that it had been a long time since he had climbed up in a tree let alone anything. But he was so CONSUMED that he would do anything to see Jesus. and Jesus's love made him do something crazy and completely out of character for him.

Jesus then sees Zacchaeus (we'll call him Z) up in the tree and tells him to come down because he needs to stay at Z's house. I kind of look at this situation as if I were at a concert of one of my favorite bands of all time, and there was thousands of people at this arena. The chances of getting to meet the lead singer would be slim to none but there would be a chance for me to get a glimpse of my idol and I would run and jump on top of a car to go see this person or maybe climb up on an unsuspecting person's shoulder. and then WHOA to my AMAZEMENT this person comes through the crowd singling me out and tells me that he wants me to hang out with him and his band cause he could use some help. i would be like OMGOMGomggzz.

that is how i imagine Zacchaeus in this story. And he was so in love with Jesus and wanted to follow him so BADLLYYYY that he gave half of his wealth away to the poor.

If given the chance I would climb the tallest sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus.