I’m reading through Acts, the history of the church, and noticing how so many people/people groups are mentioned. There are so many names, so many stories, summed up in just a paragraph or sometimes just a sentence. It got me thinking . . . I wonder what my life story would be summed up on a page, or in a paragraph, or even just a sentence.
Those of good reputation . . .
Believers: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”. (2:42) they were of one heart and soul(4:32), And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” (2:46-47)
Gamaliel: “a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people” (5:34)
Stephen: “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (6:5)
Paul: “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (9:15)
Dorcas (Tabitha): “She was full of good works and acts of charity” (9:36)
Cornelius: “a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.” (10:2)
Barnabas: “for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” (11:24)
Others . . .
Sadducees: “greatly annoyed” (4:2)
Ananias and Sapphira: “Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back to yourself part of the proceeds of the land” (5:4)
Simon the magician: “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” (8:22)
Herod: “Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.” (12:23)
After reading these chapters tonight, I really started to think about my life. I wonder what the pages of my life would say. How would people remember me? How do people speak of me today? What is my reputation like? Hopefully it’s not that I’m “greatly annoyed, or did not give God the glory”. I hope it’s “full of good works, devout, and full of faith”.
What would your life story say on a page? In a brief sentence? What is your reputation like?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Scripture 17
My Treasure
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
I have been reading through the gospels these past few weeks (thank you Academy) and it’s been amazing. I love seeing how Jesus interacted with people. I love seeing how He would teach and have compassion on others. I love hearing him explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is really like, what our Heavenly Father is really like, contrary to what “religious people” have explained them to be. He explains how in order to find your life, you have to lose it. To be called great, you must be called last. To be blessed, you must be poor, mourning, and hungry.
To be a part of the Kingdom, you must enter the narrow door. You must be willing to deny yourself and “follow”. You get the sense that everything in Jesus worldview is upside down and backwards from all that we know. There is a big sense of not completely understanding, yet trusting. Surrendering and following. Understanding the cost is great, but the treasure you receive is much greater.
I love this verse. When I first came to Christ I can remember so many people asking why I would want to give up drinking and all this “fun” stuff to be a boring Christian. This verse has reminded me what it was like to leave my old life, which at the time, seemed so confusing to those around me.
I imagine that’s what people would have told this man who sold all he had to go and buy a “field”. Can you imagine, his friends saying, “you’re going to sell everything for that field? But it doesn’t have any crops, a place to live, and it’s not even pretty looking!” Meanwhile, the man secretly knows, there is a hidden treasure in the field. What looks dull and of no value is worth far more than you could ever imagine.
It’s hard to explain to others the treasure you have found when they can’t see it with their own eyes. It seems confusing, even foolish; to abandon all you’ve ever known to pursue something that seems worthless. You can tell them there is a treasure, but they won’t always believe you. I love this verse because it explains so much about how we should feel when we encounter Jesus and his redeeming love. We should be willing to give up all that we have, and surrender to His ways, His plan. We should be able to do it “with joy” as the man who buys the field, because the treasure is great, more than any earthly treasure we could ever find.
He is my treasure . . . with joy I will surrender and follow Him.
Has following Jesus cost you anything?
Do you surrender all to Him? With joy?
Do you delight in Him as your treasure?
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
I have been reading through the gospels these past few weeks (thank you Academy) and it’s been amazing. I love seeing how Jesus interacted with people. I love seeing how He would teach and have compassion on others. I love hearing him explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is really like, what our Heavenly Father is really like, contrary to what “religious people” have explained them to be. He explains how in order to find your life, you have to lose it. To be called great, you must be called last. To be blessed, you must be poor, mourning, and hungry.
To be a part of the Kingdom, you must enter the narrow door. You must be willing to deny yourself and “follow”. You get the sense that everything in Jesus worldview is upside down and backwards from all that we know. There is a big sense of not completely understanding, yet trusting. Surrendering and following. Understanding the cost is great, but the treasure you receive is much greater.
I love this verse. When I first came to Christ I can remember so many people asking why I would want to give up drinking and all this “fun” stuff to be a boring Christian. This verse has reminded me what it was like to leave my old life, which at the time, seemed so confusing to those around me.
I imagine that’s what people would have told this man who sold all he had to go and buy a “field”. Can you imagine, his friends saying, “you’re going to sell everything for that field? But it doesn’t have any crops, a place to live, and it’s not even pretty looking!” Meanwhile, the man secretly knows, there is a hidden treasure in the field. What looks dull and of no value is worth far more than you could ever imagine.
It’s hard to explain to others the treasure you have found when they can’t see it with their own eyes. It seems confusing, even foolish; to abandon all you’ve ever known to pursue something that seems worthless. You can tell them there is a treasure, but they won’t always believe you. I love this verse because it explains so much about how we should feel when we encounter Jesus and his redeeming love. We should be willing to give up all that we have, and surrender to His ways, His plan. We should be able to do it “with joy” as the man who buys the field, because the treasure is great, more than any earthly treasure we could ever find.
He is my treasure . . . with joy I will surrender and follow Him.
Has following Jesus cost you anything?
Do you surrender all to Him? With joy?
Do you delight in Him as your treasure?
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