SCRIPTURE: Acts 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 8:11]
Our reading in Acts is a fulfillment of what Jesus said, after He had encountered the amazing faith of a Roman centurion [Matthew 8:5-13].
Cornelius displays amazing faith in God, even though he’s an uncircumcised Gentile.
God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right [Acts 10:34-35]. Continue reading tsaddiq goyim

SCRIPTURE: Acts 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. [John 3:8]
In our home we have a carbon monoxide detector, an alarm that can detect this odourless, colourless gas.
It can be deadly, yet no one knows that it is doing its deadly work.
So it is with the Spirit. Continue reading the Spirit moves

SCRIPTURE: Acts 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. [Matthew 10:18]
Jesus predicts the persecution that will happen against His followers.
On account of their faith in Jesus, the believers are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
From our limited perspective, we see this as hard, as unfair.
If we were forced from our homes because of Jesus, we would be overcome with despair or anger.
But notice what Jesus says, that this persecution will lead us to opportunities of witness.
Look at the believer in Acts 8:4 – those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Continue reading witnesses wherever we are

SCRIPTURE: Acts 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. [John 5:45-46]
In our passage, Stephen, like Jesus, is being accused of speaking against Moses, the Law and the Temple.
Both Jesus and Stephen challenge the religious leaders that they have totally missed the point of Moses, the Law and the Temple.
And both of them dies for their words. Continue reading missing the point

SCRIPTURE: Acts 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. [John 15:5]
It is so important that we distinguish between the root and the fruit.
The root is the source of life, the fruit is the result of life.
The fruit of the Spirit is not restricted to the 9 mentioned examples in Galatians 5:22-23].
Any good effort, any character quality, any ministry success, is a fruit of the Spirit if it is rooted in Jesus. Continue reading the root and the fruit

SCRIPTURE: Acts 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Jesus replied, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.’ [John 8:54]
Any venture undertaken without God is doomed to fail.
If God is not behind Jesus, then His teaching and miracles mean nothing.
If God is not behind this movement of Jesus-followers, it will fail.
Even Gamaliel saw this [Acts 5:33-39]. Continue reading the wind in our sails

SCRIPTURE: Acts 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. [Acts 4:13]
God is turning the world upside down through ordinary people.
His kingdom comes through humble servants, starting with Jesus and then with His followers.
God delights in empowering the weak, and deflating the strong. Continue reading Jesus makes us bold

SCRIPTURE: Acts 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord [Acts 3:19]
As long as we remain closed to God, we will experience misery.
The suffering in this world, including this man’s being crippled, is the consequence of our having turned away from God.
If we walk away from the fire, we will lose the benefit of its light and warmth, and we will wander in darkness.
But if we turn back… Continue reading times of refreshing

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call. [Acts 2:38-39]
The good news is that the message is for everyone, for sons and daughters, young and old men, women and men, for adults and for children.
This is a gift of grace, undeserved favour! Continue reading Spirit-empowered witnessing

SCRIPTURE: Acts 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 1:5]
The book of Exodus finishes with the tabernacle being ‘baptized’ (filled, covered, anointed) by the glory cloud that represented God [Exodus 40:34-38].
God’s presence and power among them led and empowered them through the wilderness and into the promised land. Continue reading spiritual heart transplant needed