Acts 12

Verses 1 – 19

 

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ² He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. ³ When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

⁶ The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷ Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

⁸ Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. ⁹ Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

¹¹ Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³ Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

¹⁵ “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

¹⁶ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

¹⁸ In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

 

 

prison break, now on dvd hahaha!

 

i wonder if Peter’s prison break looks as cool as this poster.

 

so anyways, i noticed something about the church that is sooooo similar to me.

in verse 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

but in verse 12 – 15

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³ Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

¹⁵ “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

 

the very people who are praying for Peter are also the people who DID NOT BELIEVE that Peter would escape.

hmmmm. so what happened to believing in our heart what we prayed for?

can they be earnestly praying yet unbelieving in what they prayed for at the same time?

 

this is the same with me.

sometimes, when i pray, i do it earnestly.

i do want for something to happen.

but sometimes i can think my prayer was abit far-fetched.

but then after that i have to ask for forgiveness for not believing that God can do it.

and when sometimes God doesnt give me what I want, i blame myself for not believing enough.

 

 

Matthew 21:22 

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

 

to have faith is difficult.

because we are trained to be very logical people.

and by logic, some things are just not natural.

like an angel busting you out of jail.

faith is believing in what the eye cannot see, and what cannot be proven.

the people in the room did not believe that Peter would be able to escape or be release from jail.

but Rhoda the servant girl did.

 

James 1:6 

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 

to have doubt is easy.

because we train our logic skills more than we train our trust skills.

so because of doubt, i learn to pray “safe” prayer.

not asking too much or too demanding things.

 

instead we should learn to pray and proclaim in faith.

 

John 14:13-14 

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

 

another point to remember about prayer.

if it glorifies God, He will make it come to pass.

if it is His will, He will make it come to pass.

so, even if you pray with complete faith, but it is not what God wants to do or what He thinks is right, your prayer will be useless.

but even simple prayer with simple faith, if it glorifies God, God will grant it.

 

 

Christianity is not a religion.

instead, it is a relationship with God through Jesus.

and no relationship can exist without communication.

Prayer is that communication.

 

Acts 11

Dedicated To Jun

 

Verses 19 – 21

 

¹⁹ Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. ²⁰ However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

 

 

the first thing that came to my mind was:

The Few.

The power of the Lord was with them.

who?

some of the believers.

 

i was wondering about this.

why the special emphasis on:

1. the believers preached, BUT ONLY TO THE JEWS.

2. SOME believers who preached to Gentiles.

3. the POWER of God was with them.

4. and the LARGE number of those Gentiles that turned to God.

 

i think its because of God’s movement. 

its quite obvious from the previous chapters that God wants to involve all the people in His saving Grace and Mercy.

Not just for the Jews.

these few believers were moving in God’s will.

the POWER of the Lord would have been with WHOEVER who moved with God.

 

again (as we see throughout the bible and as we see in life now) it’s the few,

The Willing.

God uses the few who are willing to move according to His will.

God uses the few who are willing to move out of their comfort zone.

God uses the few who are willing to give their time and energy.

 

don’t worry that you seem like you’re alone in ministry.

(it can be so discouraging that its the 20% of the church that does 80% of the work)

don’t worry that it seems like no one is willing.

God will still use you mightily.

you were willing.

God loves that and He empowers those who walk in His ways and purposes.

He blesses them and there will be great achievements not because we are good at what we do,

but because God is good at what He does, but he does it through the willing.

 

 

continue to be willing and trust God.

 

 

 

Romans 12:11-12

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

 

 

 

Acts 10

Verses 9b – 17

 

Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³ Then a voice told him,“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

¹⁷ While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.

 

 

we have to understand at this point, that the jews at that time had specific food to eat and not to eat.

God gave specific rules about what animals and insects were clean or unclean.

these rules can be found in one of the first few books of the bible. Exodus or Leviticus if im not mistaken haha. im not too sure?

 

so this was a surprise to Peter.

was God tempting him?

so the voice asked him three times, and i think he prolly declined three times as well.

 

now on to the next part that might explain whats going on.

 

 

Verses 19 – 48

 

¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

²¹ Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

²² The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” ²³ Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.²⁴ The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

²⁷ Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸ He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

³⁰ Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. ³² Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. ³⁶ You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

^…

⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” ⁴⁸ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

 

 

the main gist of my second part is that Peter realized that time has changed and God wants ALL to be saved.

The Holy Spirit even came upon those who are not Jews.

which is a confirmation of what the vision about the different animals that God has called pure.

 

See i noticed something about Peter.

why did God have to specifically show this vision to Peter?

didnt Jesus already say in Matt 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”?

ALL nations.

everyone.

then how come when Peter saw a large gathering of people, he had to remind them that it is against the law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him?

was he afraid?

 

 

well, whatever it was, Peter now knew that it was God’s calling.

This is God’s new movement: Globalization.

haha that sounds funny.

 

I think as a church, we must remember not to stereotype people.

the good news is for all.

sure, some situations may be more difficult than others (like Jews and Gentiles), but we must still reach out to them and love them.

because God HAS called them to be pure and holy.

 

 

Tobymac – Lose My Soul

 

 

 

The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it’s you,
But they don’t know that who you are is not what you do,
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts,
Yo before we part from the start,
Where’s your heart?
You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what’s your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We’re free…
Not because of 22’s on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I’m Paul.

 

 

 

Acts 9

A Disciple

 

verses 1-20

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,“Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

 

 

this is a very important turning event for a powerful man we all know as Paul (Saul was his old name hehe).

Paul was a very successful missionary and planted many many churches.

and he has such a dramatic story of how he was at first a persecutor of the church,

God changed him, and he started being a powerful man in the early church history.

 

but i cant help but notice that this story is not just about Paul/Saul and Jesus.

there’s this disciple called Ananias.

 

Ananias prayed for Paul.

but is that all there is to the story?

i think not.

i think God wanted to teach Ananias to faithful and obedient.

i think God wanted to teach me about being faithful and obedient too through Ananias.

let me explain.

 

when Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

do you think he was just trying to double check if God made a mistake?

just in case he heard wrong maybe?

i think not.

i think after hearing the horrors and stories about what Saul/Paul was doing, and after hearing that Saul was coming into HIS town to look for people like HIM, with Ananias’ life in danger,

i think, that Ananias didn’t actually want to pray for Saul.

would you?

i wouldn’t even want to meet or go anywhere near this Saul.

 

this reminds me of the story of Jonah.

i think the story of Jonah is more about his rebellion than about him being eaten and vomited from by a fish just because he didnt taste that good.

no.

God asked Jonah to preach to a people (Ninevites if im not mistaken).

the worst people at that time.

the most sinful.

worst.

and Jonah absolutely hated them.

they were doing totally detestable things.

things God hated. it’s gross. and horrible. and yucky.

but God wanted Jonah to preach to them.

Jonah was sure he wouldn’t be able to get his message into their thick skulls,

also, he hated them and wanted God to punish them instead.

so instead of travelling towards Nineveh,

he traveled the total opposite direction.

 

But eventually, after spending some time in the belly of the whale (just an expression),

he decided it’s wiser to be following and obeying God’s will.

he went and preached to the Ninevites.

and what he was afraid of happened:

they totally repented.

totally and wholly.

 

its so amazing that because of ONE man.

one obedient man, such a big change could happen.

of course, it’s God who did it, not Jonah.

but God wanted to use a willing hearted man.

 

Ananias trusted God and met Saul despite what he felt about Saul.

Saul was blind, and if God healed him, how did Ananias know that Saul wouldnt just take his sword out and kill him on the spot?

shouldnt Ananias just chop Saul’s head off while he was vulnerable?

but Ananias obeyed God anyways.

 

you know, i do have a problem with authoritative figures sometimes.

namely my parents and God Himself.

i like to be disobedient.

i like to think myself above the law because i think i know better.

i think i know the purpose and motive behind the law, and because of that i think i can break some laws for my convenience as long as i knew the real purpose of some laws.

but i see myself being more and more disobedient from there on.

it becomes ok.

sometimes i don’t want to obey.

and since i’ve disobeyed other laws, i think this other law? should be fine as well.

its so small matter.

 

sometimes God speaks to me clearly like He spoke to Jonah and Ananias.

but sometimes it’s just more comfortable or more fun to not obey what God wants.

 

but i have to remember. its not about me.

it’s about God and what He wants and what He has planned for me and for people around me.

obeying Him not only would benefit me, it would benefit so many people.

look at what Jonah and Ananias and all the people in the bible did.

look at the simple things they did and how many people they have impacted.

Ananias just prayed for Saul.

probably hung out with him for a while during recovery.

Boom churches all over Asia.

 

God changed Saul’s name to Paul, and used him so mightily for the extension of God’s kingdom.

Ananias was part of that.

but disciple Ananias needed to be obedient to impact the world.

 

 

he needed to choose obedience.

so do I.