Simon Says “I Want To Have That Power!”

Lesson Of The Day:

 

Being worse than me doesn’t make them more of a sinner than I am.

 

 

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today i will be covering my devotion on Acts chapter 8

 

Verses 1, 3-4

 

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria…

 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

 

i have heard many encouraging stories of churches and christians seeing revival and how they grew in number and spirit like crazy.

but its amazing how much a church can grow because of persecution.

so much of the stories i’ve heard are about how the christians are persecuted.

and these occurrences makes the church grow stronger instead of weaker.

this is a great example of how the church becomes more proactive when being persecuted.

it’s like the church needs persecution to be the catalyst to make change happen.

 

i hope that doesnt need to happen in Malaysia.

 

 

Verses 5-8

 

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

 

sometimes the best proof of Christ is the most simple:

joy.

 

 so many of my friends who love God the most have the same trait.

they bring joy into their friends’ lives.

people just feel happy and like to have them around.

and it’s consistent.

from the most melancholic, shy, and meek, to the most brave, loud and friendly,

if they love God, they bring joy around with them.

 

maybe we should assess ourselves as individuals.

are we bringing joy to people around us?

as a church, are we bringing joy to our city?

 

or even better, as verse 8 states, GREAT JOY.

a Great God should bring Great Joy right?

and He does it through those who have Him in their hearts, right?

 

 

Verses 9-24

 

⁹ Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, ¹⁰ and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” ¹¹ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

¹⁴ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. ¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money ¹⁹ and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ²¹ You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. ²³ For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

²⁴ Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

 

 Here are random thoughts i had while reading this:

(in no particular order)

 

This simon is so demanding.

no wonder the game is called “Simon Says”

 

this man is very career minded.

he wants to better himself in the sorcery and “amazing” (or showing off to) people.

which is totally not God’s heart.

which made me think, did simon really receive the Holy Spirit?

 

Good news: the gift of God is free!

 

“captive to sin”

reminds me of how dangerous it is to be playing with magic, spirits, and mediums.

 

 

 

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Random Funny Since It’s Christmas Season

 

 

on the serious side,

i had great christmas gifts.

thanks all!

thank You God for answering prayers!

 

 

 

Retreat!

Social Situation #1

 

 

so i have this natural tendency to just tear myself away from a group of friends or from a conversation when it becomes socially awkward for me.

i will just retreat or look for someone else to talk to, or just find some other way to entertain myself when it becomes awkward.

or at least, when i THINK its awkward.

 

for example,

i have friends who get mushy-mushy with each other and act soooo… like… lovey-dovey…

i will be quite repulsed and just walk away.

or when someone is like trying to act so caring and try to impress someone else.

i can think of gross things to say.

and when i feel like there is no way anything i say next is going to be positive or edifying,

i just walk away.

i just cant take it.

its something i dislike.

it makes me feel like some sort of intruder to this romantic relationship that i dont understand.

i just dont see it.

it works either way.

whether its the guy trying to impress a girl, or when a girl is trying to impress a guy.

i will move aside.

i dont like to look like i want to gain attention from this girl whom other guys are trying to gain attention from as well.

 

 

 

Social Situation #2

 

nt only that, i feel uncomfortable making new friends.

making new acquaintances, i’m ok.

but making new friends (i’m not like my sis or my dad)…

 

 i’m not really as sociallable as some people think.

in fact, if you really hang with me alot, and actually like, live with me (like classmates or real good church friends),

you’ll see my true colours.

i dont feel comfortable making new friends, especially if its not my own initiative.

for example, when my sis forces me make friends with her friends (just because she gets along with my friends just fine, she thinks i can do it easily).

also, when my friends introduce me to their new boyfriends or girlfriends (it’s like, “oh i know you’ll get along so well”).

i mean. i’m okay with the idea of me making friends.

it’s just, i can’t be forced into it you know.

sometimes i find it harder when that certain friend of a friend is so interested to make friends with me.

(like those people who are super friendly and love making new friends)

i really dunno why, they can make me uncomfortable.

 

but of course, i know that in the long run, it will be better to make friends.

so i do.

i do allow people to introduce their new interests to me.

i do make an effort to make friends with my sis’s friends.

i do stick around to try to make friends with overly-friendly people.

 

i mean, honestly, i HAVE made good friends this way.

and i HAVE been blessed by great people this way too.

for example, C married a man named J (true story bro), and i feel quite uncomfortable around him. 

and C is a close close friend.

but because i love C, i need to love J too. and i allow myself.

now, he’s a great great friend who inspires me to be better.

 

i have made great friends this way.

its just that i dislike that uncomfortable feeling.

and i fear that my discomfort can be seen.

 

but as a conclusion i can say that i’m only afraid of the social discomfort,

but i’m not BAD or react wrongly at these social discomfort.

but the fear is still quite strong haha.

 

so another close friend of mine is praying for her ex-boyfriend.

and in fact, i did too.

i’ve never met him before.

so one day she announced to me that he will be visiting our church service.

wow. i was… shocked.

i didnt know why.

i got a cold+dilemma+fear.

what if i just retreat from him?

what if i cant really feel comfortable making friends with him?

yet i wanted to make friends and make a good impression because i’m sure she’d want me too.

and as a christian, we have to be friendly to people.

but just like the mushy-mushy thing i explained above, i’m afraid i will just dislike that social situation and just find an excuse to leave.

yet i think my fear is holding me back more than my actual ability to make friends.

sigh.

 

i wish i could just make friends with people no matter who they are.

easily and without over-thinking and without over-feeling.

 

 

 

Social Situation #3

 

like i said, im a coward in social situations.

and sometimes, i really really dunno how to react.

so, before the social situation even occurs, i retreat.

my mind will play all these possible scenarios (my brain can work really really quick) and when there is a high possibility a social situation may occur, i will make sure i wont be around to experience it or need to react to it.

 

i tell u the truth.

i love adventure and i love the thrill of doing crazy things.

but i hate hate hate the game Truth or Dare.

because its a bad social situation both for truth and for dare.

i fear it.

i detest it.

 

 

 

Social Situation #4

 

also, i will retreat from anything to do with personal pain or hurt (not the physical types).

everytime someone tells me that they dont have a dad or mom, or when someone tells me someone has passed away, i just freeze.

 

for example, recently (just yesterday actually), i asked a kid how tall his dad is.

he responded with “do you know what happened to my parents?!”

i was shocked.

i couldnt respond because the first thoughts that went through my head were

“they died in a car accident and now he’s an orphan”

or “his dad died and his mom is now a drunk”

or “his parents ditched him in a ditch when he was 5”

but i just sat there. i couldnt respond.

conversation within the group continued from somewhere we left off earlier.

but i had nothing to say till he left.

(i later found out that his dad left his family when he was young)

 

when i feel like i touched someones sensitive point, i will just lock up and shut up.

my urge will be to retreat and go think about something else.

hoping that person will forget i asked or brought the topic up.

i sometimes dont even apologise.

i just dont want the topic to even be touched.

unless they are close friends, then i will feel abit more comfortable to venture into this topic.

 

coward.

 

 

 

Retreat?!

 

this is a fear i’ve had.

i dunno what sort of fear that is.

it’s just that i dislike these sort of social situation.

and actually, its not good.

i’m not solving anything by shutting up or just running off.

in fact, im making it feel more awkward for that person or persons.

and i need to learn to be straight forward.

 

and i need to learn to not be too weirded out.

 

and i need to learn to be more patient with people who makes awkward situations that make me have to walk away.

 

i dunno what else i need.

Lord guide me.

 

 

Acts 6

Wonder If You Noticed

 

i changed my layout a little bit.

widened the wideness of the my blog maincontent box.

also added a little more pink (only for the eyes that are MORE observant).

the more obvious one, is the size of my blog content fonts.

so now we dont have to ctrl+scroll to zoom into the words anymore.

 

anyways besides that…

 

 

 

Information Age No More

 

so most people see the 21st century as the information age.

i, however, have to disagree.

for me, today, the information age has passed.

 

why is it that even though information is at our fingertips,

we are still so stupid.

in fact we are more reliant on technology than ever.

so much that we use it to think and remember for us.

 

but more than that,

we let technology to do the thinking and remembering so much,

that we have to do something with our time.

and that is ENTERTAINMENT.

 

i believe we have entered the ENTERTAINMENT AGE.

think about it.

we now want everything fast and easy.

FOR OUR CONVENIENCE.

we combine work and play. (handphones and laptop and fb and media)

but in actual fact, work becomes an excuse and youtube, FB and games are the main reason we bought that iphone or S3.

everything now has to struggle to gain our attention, because there are so many things entertaining us.

or distracting us.

it’s so bad, that people now even EXPECT to be entertained (ever heard the complaint “so boringgggg”?).

 

anyways.

i was writing this not because its related to the topic of my devotion today.

but because it took me so long to actually get my devotion done. (cuz i was distracted by fb and youtube lol)

and after that, i opened this blog post writing page, and it took me an hour before i actually started typing.

yea. i’m guilty as charged.

BOOM

 

 

 

Verses 1-7

 

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

 

first of all.

this is a good example of delegation.

we are humans. and we cant be everywhere doing everything, even though we’d like to.

 

this is also a good reminder that as we delegate, we should pray for those we delegate to, and bless them and even ask for anointing.

the act of empowerment can make a difference i guess.

even if the duty is as simple as waiting on tables.

 

secondly.

we see success in teamwork.

as the work was delegated, the Word could be spread, and the widows could be served,

of course the number of disciples in Jerusalem would increase rapidly.

we need to understand the role we each have, and not be too jealous of more glamorous roles.

 

look at Stephen.

in the second part of Acts 6 and in the whole of Acts 7, we see what an anointed and wise man he is.

YET, he was delegated to wait on tables!!

and the Twelve even recognized Stephen as full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

yet, he didnt complain for a more glamorous role like the ministry of the word.

he did his job and the church grew.

for a fully functioning body, each member of the body has to do his own role,

so that the whole body may move forward and/or play tennis.

and if they move with a synchronized purpose, the body may actually win that tennis game.

 

thirdly.

i asked myself, why?

why did the Twelve delegate responsibility based on that person being known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom?

you know, honestly, for me, logically, it would be more sensible to pick people to wait tables with other criterion;

like good leadership skills (cuz they prolly have to make teams).

like willing heart.

like hardworking people.

like kindness.

like honestly.

at least there is the criterion of wisdom.

 

for me, people known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom should be discipling, ministering, and reaching out (missionary).

not taking orders and cleaning the tables.

 

so why do YOU think God chose these people to wait tables?

let me know.

 

 

Acts 5

Verses 2-3

 

But with his wife’s agreement he kept part of the money for himself and turned the rest over to the apostles.

Peter said to him, “Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of you and make you lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money you received for the property?

 

okay, the first thought i had.

Did i just see Peter calling Ananias’s wife “Satan”?

thats just mean. i hope Peter doesnt do that to MY wife when she makes a mistake hahaha.

so i checked in the later verses, Peter did NOT call Sapphira (Ananias’s wife) “Satan” while confronting her.

 

so how does Satan take control of us and make us sin?

Well. he just does.

If God can use us to bless others,

Satan can use us to stumble others.

 

Also, I found a key word.

…why did you let Satan take control of you…

Let

Satan cannot use us if we don’t let him.

He can’t touch us or do anything to us, if we don’t let him.

choices. choices. choices.

yet, we DO allow him, don’t we?

i have concluded that we humans are just weak.

we are weak because we naturally do bad things.

the word of God says that we are born sinners.

Ps 51:5

Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

that makes sense, since everyone in the world agrees that it is easier to give in to doing wrong,

and it is so hard to decide to do right.

 

but it is possible to do good and we need to strive for holiness.

this is a reminder to myself.

choices. choices. choices.

 

 

 

Verses 12-16

 

 Many miracles and wonders were being performed among the people by the apostles. All the believers met together in Solomon’s Porch. Nobody outside the group dared join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. But more and more people were added to the group—a crowd of men and women who believed in the Lord. As a result of what the apostles were doing, sick people were carried out into the streets and placed on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. And crowds of people came in from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were sick or who had evil spirits in them; and they were all healed.

 

this reminds me of a thought i’ve been having some days ago.

what is the church, really?

why do people come to church?

we come to church because we admit that we are broken, and sick, and needy, and we are looking for the answer.

we come back to church because we have found the answer and we need more.

 

but i’m reminded that Jesus said He wasnt here for the rich and the healthy.

He was here for the sick and the needy.

i think that as a church, we need to be more open to these people.

and we need to remember that we are like a hospital of some sort.

when we say “i went to the hospital”, surely someone will ask “oh what happened?”

correct?

because the hospital is the solution of a problem.

and in the hospital the problem is usually a physical problem, and that is the place we trust to have a cure.

 

but everyone in the world has spiritual problems. whether we know it or not.

 we should be the solution of a problem.

people with problems will come to church and be touched by God.

just like people flocking to go and touch Peter’s shadow to be healed.

 

let us be a church that is a vessel of God’s spiritual, mental, and emotional solutions.

 

 

 

On being a “good person”

 

 

“Here’s the thing, at the end of the day, you are what you do.

And actions speak louder than words…

And let go of labels…

You’re not what you have done, or what you will do, or what you intend to be doing.

You are what you are doing.”

 

 

Whuat Fear? NO

Am I Afraid Of The Dark?

 

no.

but i am afraid of the future.

 

i have this fear now.

in my heart.

like. whats gonna happen now?

i’m almost totally finished with college.

i have a degree in business administration with concentration of marketing.

(hire me?)

i’m entering the age that i have to be responsible for my image.

i have to act mature and as if i have everything in control.

i cant be happy-go-lucky anymore.

i cant be vulnerable anymore.

 

i have to be responsible for getting my career path right.

i think thats the scariest.

my career path.

its a whole road of my life.

but the first step is so important.

how is it possible to know what im good for?

how is it possible to know what i’m ultimately here on earth for?

 

God help me.

God guide my hands and feet.

to take the right actions and walk your paved path.

 

i dunno what new things to commit to.

i’m interested in learning the drums.

yet, should i improve in my bass first?

i’m interested to teach maths.

yet, should i do something that i actually got a degree for?

i want to dedicate my time to writing blogs for you people.

yet, is it a waste of my and your time?

 

i’m interested to invest time into people, especially those who call me leader.

yet, i’m afraid i’ll commit, but not be able to fulfill my commitments.

 

 

fear

 

 

 

In moments like these,

I’ll sing out a song,

I’ll sing out a love song to Jesus~

 

 

Acts 4

Verses 23-24, & 29-31

 

As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: “Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!

…

… And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

 When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.

okay, the room probably wasnt shaken like that.

 

 

as you probably have noticed,

i’m kinda doing a study about the book of Acts.

and i made it a point to notice things about how the church was formed,

and about how the Spirit fills the people.

so you can basically say, it’s an objective study.

where the objective is to learn about the traits of the early church.

 

so in my previous study of the earlier chapter,

i did notice as well something similar to this verse.

When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.

remember?

there was a mighty movement of the holy spirit.

it was even manifested physically.

a quake.

a wind.

a noise.

and there was a change in heart, situation, or something physical.

in this scenario, They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.

the bible wouldnt have pointed it out if that wasnt a change.

they prayed for boldness, and they got it.

 

i think the main point here however,

is the same as previously.

the power of prayer.

but here, it is of petition and ummm… what’s it called…

Intercession! YES! (thanks susan, i forgot what it’s called)

we have to seek God and desire what we’re praying for.

 

hmmm wait… so what is interceding?

“Google define intercede”

in·ter·cede  

Verb Intervene on behalf of another.

Synonyms mediate – intervene – interpose

oh.

i guess they were interceding.

on behalf of each other, the body of Christ.

 

so i guess im learning that we must pray.

it may seem like its bad if we are always asking for something.

but God checks it with His purpose and our hearts.

 

 

not only that, i’m reminded that prayer is not only asking God for things.

there is also praise, adoration, and thanksgiving.

at the beginning of their prayer they said 

Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!

yes. with an exclamation point! haha.

now that’s a good example of people who really adore their God.

 

so, be reminded to be thankful as well.

 

 

Acts 3

Verses 1-10

 

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.

 

guess what was the first thing that caught my eye.

a temple gate called ‘Beautiful’!

wow what  beautiful name!

haha

i would definitely get out of my way just to use that gate to go to the temple all the time haha.

 

second thing that i realised, was how normal Peter and John must’ve looked.

if i was a crippled beggar, i would beg, but not stare anyone in the eye.

i would be so ashamed and would be in self-pity.

ashamed that im in such a situation.

sure i would look at their face to see if they showed any compassion.

but there will never be a staring contest.

the moment they start to stare at me or study me,

i will look away.

thats prolly why Peter had to say “look at me.”

and im sure the crippled man did look at Peter and John as commanded.

but what he saw, was not a sparkly floating angel.

he saw a potential person interested to donate some resources out of pity.

he saw hope that maybe there will be money. or maybe there will not be.

what he didnt see was the word “APOSTLE” stamped on Johns face.

he didnt see a miracle worker.

he didnt see a halo atop his head.

nor was there wings sprouting from his back.

 

so who was John and Peter?

they were normal people like you and me.

(they were also poor btw)

yet they could do powerful and supernatural things.

 

Conclusion:

we can too.

stop comparing yourself to pastors or great missionaries.

(we like to complain “no lah, im not like that guy, i cannot pray for you” or “dont give me such a big task lah, i’m not that great”)

we also can do great and mighty things.

we need to,

for the sake of those around us.

 

 

Verses 11-16

 

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, 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? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 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 given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

 

 

Part II:

John and Peter were normal like you and me.

the great and mighty things were not done because they were great and mighty.

it was the empowerment of God in their lives.

We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.

 

God desires for all of us to be empowered this way.

i believe that we need to seek Him and obey His commands for us to live this empowered lifestyle.

we dont have to be born with certain talents. or trained to do certain things. (like speaking/preaching)

because ultimately, God uses the simple and the meek and the humble and the willing.

 

 

Mark 4

Verse 1

 

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.

 

Jesus was like some sort of superstar.

people from everywhere always try to listen to his voice, see his face, and touch his robe.

it must have been magical for the crowds to always be so huge.

 

in the chapters before this one, it also subtly talked about the hugeness of the crowd.

once a house was so crowded inside and outside, 

it was impossible to enter through the door!

another time, also in a house,

it was so crowded, Jesus and the disciples couldnt eat!

above, it says it was so crowded on the shore that Jesus had to get into a boat.

 

you know, he’s such a star.

and you know what i think about stars?

i think that i’d never be able to meet them.

or even catch their attention.

i mean, take Emma Watson or Ariana Grande for example.

i think they are so beautiful hahaha

but i get sad that i prolly will never ever get to be their friends.

they prolly have to many friends already,

and too many people who WANT to be their friends,

and they are prolly too important and have important stuff to do.

watching their vids on youtube and movies on cinema is as personal as it gets.

THATS SO SADDDD

 

now back to Jesus.

super famous guy too!

while on earth, physically, personally, i don’t think he was able to meet with everyone!

i’m sure he wanted to. And most of the time, he was meeting with people and preaching and helping them out.

but he also reassured everyone that he will return.

and that he sent a helper.

for each and every one of us.

now that’s personal.

The Holy Spirit!

God is everywhere all the time.

there is no possible way we can hide from him.

 

so what’s such an important and busy guy like him doing getting all personal and friendly with me?

well, God Loves Us.

and He will be there for us even when we dont make time for Him.

though His ultimate goal for us is to love him back.

 

so the conclusion,

Jesus, big shot and important man that he is,

came down and got dirty for us.

and also wants to be our personal friend.

 

Do you have any famous friends?

YES!

thats the guy

 

 

 

 

those were my thoughts about what i read today in verse one.

hope you are blessed.

 

 

Acts 2

Verses 1-4

 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

 

i think the first thing that caught my eye was in verse one.

the key thing that challenged me was that “there were all together in one place” .

they were probably waiting on the Lord in prayer like it said in Acts 1:14, They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

i got that connection from this commentary haha.

i think this is God’s challenge for me to join in prayer with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ more often.

to organise meet ups just to pray?

i mean, for me, it is totally unheard of if i said “lets go have a drink so we can pray together”

hmmm.

but i think thats something I should start trying to do.

i HAVE tried to start praying with my old buds who come back from studies.

so at the end of our long hang out and conversation, i will say, hey come, let me pray for you.

and i tell you what, it is SO SO hard and SO SO awkward to initiate such a move.

Even if you’re with very christian best friends.

why is it so hard to pray together?

do we mean what we say when we post up anything about “prayer” on FB?

do we actually pray?

 

i think that if we want to see the church move in the direction of God,

the church has to experience God’s presence and revelation.

And God will come when we seek His face and knock on His door.

We need to pray together.

 

How can non-christians see church and christianity as a group of people praying together,

yet christians cannot see themselves as people praying together?

 

have we lost and forgotten this basic principle that kept the church strong, united, righteous, Spirit-filled, growing, active in serving the world, and spiritually productive?