Transformed

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah"- Acts 2:36 (NIV).

Peter was addressing thousands in Jerusalem proclaiming the resurrection of the Messiah (v. 31). Is this the same man who hid in the shadows during the arrest of Jesus and vehemently denied being acquainted with Whom he believed to be the Christ (Mark 8:29)? Peter moved from hiding behind locked doors, in fear, to publicly and defiantly spreading the Word of God. The day of Pentecost changed Peter and the other disciples irrevocably when the Holy Spirit poured into them (Acts 2:4). The same power of transformation took place for Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-18). Saul, with letters of permission to track down and place followers of Jesus in chains, met the Lord and three days later, now called Paul, was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues as the Son of God (v.20). The power of the Holy Spirit transforms unequivocally, that you may be Christ's witnesses (Acts. 1:8). There can be no doubt, no misunderstanding, of His presence.

Be Prepared

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him"- 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV). 

God gave the Apostle John a vision of Heaven: There will be twelve gates, each made from a single pearl, and the streets will be made of gold, as pure as transparent glass (Revelation 21:21). It is certain no eye has seen such a brilliant, dazzling sight. John heard the roar of a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and peals of thunder, people shouting "Hallelujah" and praising God (19:6). No ear has heard such passionate levels of worship. Hall and Oates wrote a song: 'People Get Ready'. The lyrics speak of "a train a comin" and all you need is faith to get on board. Jesus ended the prophetic vision with the words, "Look, I am coming soon and My reward is with Me. Be prepared" (22:12). And those who love Him say, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (v. 20). 

Gatherings

""My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message""- John 17:20 (NIV).

Jesus prayed for those still needing to be gathered, those who would come to believe the message, all those years ago. We were on His heart and mind even then, and yet there are still others on His heart and mind. Through His example, following His resurrection and ascension, the men, including His brothers, gathered together in prayer 'constantly', and also the women joined in, including Mary (Acts 1:14). Prayer is both a private interlude with God, but prayer is also for groupings of gatherers. Any time a grouping of gatherers assembles, prayer should be the key component, modeling the Lord and past gatherers. What do gatherers do...they gather together and gather others. Thus, those who come to faith through their message are gathered under the same prayer, as those already gathered, the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the prayer perseverance of gatherers and their message...and for those still needing to be gathered.

Flying Away

"I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm""-Psalm 55:6-8 (NIV).

King David had enemies, friend and foe alike, and he became weary of the constant weight of the battles, physically, emotionally and mentally. Jonah, out of fear, ran away (Jonah 1:3). The Prophet Elijah prayed for death when he became overwhelmed and ran away from the fray. God's response was and still is, "What are you doing here?" It's in the tempest and storm that God's miracles happen: Seas parting to escape certain death, enemy armies turning upon themselves, Peter walking on water, Lazarus rising from the grave. Don't dread the storms. God was with them...He is with you (Deuteronomy 31:6). In the eye of the storm there is peace that passes understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ (Philippians 4:7). Be still.

Obedient in Love

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"- 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV).

Freedom grows through serving each other in love. All of God's Word is summed up in a single statement, "Love others as you love yourself" (Galatians 5:13-14). We may feel inconvenienced at the time our love for others is called upon, but we feel so good when we choose to be obedient. Jesus told the parable of the two sons: The father told one to go work in the fields. One son said yes, but then didn't go. The other son said no, but went anyway. Which son obeyed his father's will? (Matthew 21:28-31). God gave us free will; don't stagnate the growth of your freedom through misaligned and misused free will. Choose to be obedient in love.