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Posts Tagged ‘early church’

Light Reflection-Acts 4:29-30 Pray for a Bold Faith

November 9th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.

One of those places was Acts chapter 4 after Peter and John were released from the interrogation of the religious leaders.

Verse 23 says that they went back to their own people and reported all the chief priests and the elders said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.

In verses 29 and 30, we learn what they prayed for: “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

This Light Reflection inspires us to seek God for a bold faith in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Breaking Bread

June 9th, 2022 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Devotion to the breaking of bread.

The early church was made of imperfect people who were committed to the Gospel. As the Holy Spirit moved among them, their witness for Jesus had a great impact on the world.

One of the dynamics of the early church was their tendency to share meals together.  Acts 2:42 tells us that these early disciples of Jesus devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. Verse 46 says “they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Sharing meals with other believers is a contributing factor to fulfilling conversation that builds relationships. Food provides a pleasant atmosphere for believers to share the gift of friendship. Another form of breaking bread is communion where believers come together to remember the price that Jesus paid for our redemption.

Being devoted to the breaking of bread is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Persons Of Integrity-The Early Church

May 22nd, 2018 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Persons of Integrity from the Bible is the early church.

Acts 2:42 to 47 describes the patterns of the early church. Here is an abbreviated description: “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Here was a community of believers who really loved God and enjoyed being together. They were teachable, sincere, and generous toward those with financial needs. They were committed to prayer and intentional worship. Their witness for Jesus was bearing fruit. This description of the early church shows how we can contribute to a healthier church by the way we live our lives.

The faithfulness of the early church to meet regularly for times of worship inspires us to be connected to a local church and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Relationship Building Principle-Awe and Wonder

April 22nd, 2015 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Acts 2:43.

“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”

One of the characteristics of a dynamic church is that the believers worship God with reverence and awe.

We are not meant to just go through the motions of worship, but to offer God a heart of worship.

The miracle of God’s love and the wonders of His grace so captivate us with a sense of gratitude that our joy overflows in praise.

When we consider the depths of pain that Jesus endured for the sake of offering us the riches of His kingdom, how could we not be moved? Hebrews 12:28 says, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

Living in awe and wonder of God’s grace is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Relationship Building Principle-Local Church

April 21st, 2015 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship Building Principle comes from Acts 2:42.

Speaking of the early church, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

These are some of the qualities that made the early church a dynamic force. The Lord desires for His people to be connected with the local church. In the devotional “Moments Together”, Dennis and Barbara Rainey offer some questions to consider when searching for a church to attend: Here are a few of them:

Is it anchored in the Scriptures?

Does it have a sense of community?

Is it characterized by worship?

Is there opportunity for involvement?

If we are established in the local church already, these questions can be useful to consider how we might assist the church in growing in these areas. Jesus is building His church through the participation of His followers.

Participating in the ministry of the local church is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com