Acts 2:37–47
Be Still: Thank you, Lord, that you are alive and always working. Help me to see you in these passages and open my heart to all you want me to see and know today. Amen
Read: Acts 2:37–47
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (v42)
Encounter: When I was much younger, I was obsessed with films. The first film I remember was Iron Man. That started my journey into the film world. As I got older, people commented that I didn't have a Birmingham accent, although I've always lived there. My reply was that my accent was probably a cocktail of all the film actors I watched growing up. I was such a fan that I even planned to work abroad so I could work where my favourite films/shows were made. What I was devoted to, shaped my desires, how I lived and spoke.
Acts chapter 2 starts by saying how devoted the believers were to the teaching of the Word, enjoying fellowship with other believers, eating together, and sharing all they had generously. As a result, they saw 'signs and wonders' and many come to faith.
I long to see today in the church, the life of radical generosity, love and miracles that the Acts church experienced. However, I am reminded that this happened as the believers devoted themselves to meeting together, praying together, reading the Word and eating together. As they encountered God both individually and together, they overflowed with a life generosity, both materially and spiritually. They were filled with faith from the scriptures and boldness in the Spirit to pray for miracles.
As much as I still love devoting time to my favourite films, there is something infinitely greater and more important for my devotion. When we devote to the things of God, we find ourselves being shaped by them.
Apply: What could it look like for you to devote yourself more deeply to the Word of God, fellowship and to eating with others? What can you say 'no' to, in order to say 'yes' to this devotion?
Devote: Holy Spirit, fan to flame devotion in me: to your Word, to fellowship and community. Help our church by your Spirit to live this way that we may be marked by generosity, salvations and moves of God.