tears into prayers

Posted on August 9, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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tears into prayers

Acts 12:1-5 (JDV)

Acts 12:1 About that period King Herod forced abusive hands on some who belonged to the congregation,
Acts 12:2 and he took James out, John’s brother, using a sword.
Acts 12:3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the Days of the Unleavened.
Acts 12:4 After the arrest, he put him in prison and assigned four squads of four soldiers each to keep him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the congregation was praying fervently to God for him.

tears into prayers

We have already encountered several deaths in this book, and several cases of unfair treatment and incarceration. The story shows that the believers faced opposition, and that opposition was often severe. After James was executed and Peter arrested, what did these believers do? They were obviously disappointed and discouraged, and may have felt like giving up. But they turned their tears into prayers, asking God to spare the life of their friend and leader.

There are times in the Christian life when the plan goes awry, and periods when it looks like the enemy is going to win. Turn those times into periods of fervent prayer, and let your faith lean on the everlasting arms of your Father in the sky.

Father, we bring our broken hearts to you. Only you can turn this mess into a miracle.

Why do we pray if God is already in control? (video)

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missionary work

Posted on August 8, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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missionary work

Acts 11:19-30 (JDV)

Acts 11:19 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the trouble that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
Acts 11:20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Acts 11:21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:22 News about them reached the congregation in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.
Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the favor of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,
Acts 11:24 because he was a good man, full of the Sacred Breath and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,
Acts 11:26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the congregation and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Acts 11:27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Breath that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius.
Acts 11:29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who resided in Judea.
Acts 11:30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

missionary work

The elements of missionary work are highlighted in this passage.

  • Notice the cross-cultural evangelism (19-21);
  • the encouraging exhortation of the new believers in Antioch by Barnabus (22-24);
  • the comprehensive instruction from Barnabas and Saul (25-26);
  • and the fund-raising for disaster relief (27-30).

All over the planet there are places where these ministries are needed. God is still calling people to do these things. The era of the missionary is not over. It will not be over until the Lord we proclaim returns.

Lord, show us where we fit in to your mission to rescue this planet.

“Jeff, isn’t this a bad time to talk about missions?” (video)

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the same gift

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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the same gift

Acts 11:1-18 (JDV)

Acts 11:1 The missionaries and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also welcomed the word of God.
Acts 11:2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, those promoting circumcision criticized him,
Acts 11:3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Acts 11:4 Peter began to explain to them step by step:
Acts 11:5 “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a condition of ecstasy, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from the sky, and it came to me.
Acts 11:6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the land, the wild creatures, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
Acts 11:7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’
Acts 11:8 ” ‘Certainly not, Lord! ‘ I said. ‘Because nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
Acts 11:9 But a voice reacted from the sky a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’
Acts 11:10 “Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into the sky.
Acts 11:11 I noticed three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were.
Acts 11:12 The Breath told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house.
Acts 11:13 He reported to us how he had seen the agent standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter.
Acts 11:14 He will speak a message to you by which you and all your household will be rescued.’
Acts 11:15 “As I began to speak, the Sacred Breath came down on them, just as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Sacred Breath.’
Acts 11:17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I be capable of hindering God?”
Acts 11:18 When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”

the same gift

After hearing Peter’s testimony, the Jewish believers concluded that God had given “the same gift” to Gentiles as he did to them. What was that gift? There was a physical manifestation of worship that demonstrated their genuine faith, but it was the faith itself which was the ultimate gift. The Jewish believers glorified God because he “has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”

Do you have the gift of repentance resulting in life? God always wants people to have life. He had challenged the Israelites by saying “I call sky and land as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, empowerment and affliction. Choose life so that you and your descendants may stay alive” (Deuteronomy 30:19). This is not a gift we can earn by our faithfulness, but it is a gift that will enable us to be faithful. Choose the gift of life.

Lord, we want your gift!

Peter discovered that “you” included Gentiles! (video)

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the Caesarea miracle

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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the Caesarea miracle

Acts 10:44-48 (JDV)

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Sacred Breath came down on all those who heard the message.
Acts 10:45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Sacred Breath had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter reacted,
Acts 10:47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Sacred Breath just as we have?”
Acts 10:48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

the Caesarea miracle

This was not an exact reproduction of the miracle of Pentecost. The Jews who had accompanied Peter to the house of Cornelius did not hear the Gentile believers speaking in Hebrew. They were speaking in “other languages” — presumably their own. But the Jews did understand that these Gentile believers were “declaring the greatness of God.” The sign that demonstrated that these Gentiles had accepted the gospel — was worship.

Why were these Gentile believers declaring God’s greatness? The focus of Peter’s testimony to them had been Jesus Christ. Peter commanded that they be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” The Caesarea miracle was not speaking in tongues. It was the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord, use us to advance your gospel to the next Caesarea.

What did these Gentiles respond to? (video)

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alls and everys

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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alls and everys

Acts 10:34-43 (JDV)

Acts 10:34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,
Acts 10:35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts 10:36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ – he is Lord of all.
Acts 10:37 You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached:
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Sacred Breath and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him.
Acts 10:39 We ourselves are testifiers of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they took him out by hanging him on a tree.
Acts 10:40 God raised this man up on the third day and caused him to be seen,
Acts 10:41 not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as testifiers, who ate and drank with him after he got up from the dead.
Acts 10:42 He directed us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.
Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of failures.”

alls and everys

Did Peter truly understand? His particularism had been dealt a blow by the vision he had just seen. But he would have problems in the future because he had been conditioned all his life to think that God only wants to save a certain nation, and condemns the rest.

Do we understand what the Holy Spirit is saying here? Some think that this passage argues for some kind of universal salvation. They see the words about God not showing favoritism, and all the “alls” and “everys” in this passage, and assume that eventually everyone everywhere will be spared. But notice the conditions that accompany the alls and everys:

  • “in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him”
  • “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness”

What Peter understood was that God opens his heart to all of us sinners, in every land. He sent his Son to save us all. But if any of us dare to ignore that grace, then we must pay for own failures, and the cost for that ignorance is permanent death.

Lord, thank you for offering your grace to everyone.

God has opened the door to you; will you open your heart to him? (video)

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divine direction

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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divine direction

Acts 10:9-33 (JDV)

Acts 10:9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon.
Acts 10:10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, a condition of ecstasy came over him.
Acts 10:11 He observed the sky opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the land.
Acts 10:12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the land, and the birds of the sky.
Acts 10:13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
Acts 10:14 “Certainly not, Lord!” Peter said. “because I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”
Acts 10:15 Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.”
Acts 10:16 This happened three times, and suddenly the object was picked up into the sky.
Acts 10:17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean. He noticed that the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate.
Acts 10:18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there.
Acts 10:19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Breath told him, “Notice, three men are here looking for you.
Acts 10:20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”
Acts 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Notice, I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”
Acts 10:22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is testified about by the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a sacred agent to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.”
Acts 10:23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.
Acts 10:24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 10:25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.
Acts 10:26 But Peter raised him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.”
Acts 10:27 While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people.
Acts 10:28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to stick with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean.
Acts 10:29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So may I ask why you sent for me?”
Acts 10:30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. I noticed a man in dazzling clothing stood before me
Acts 10:31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight.
Acts 10:32 Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’
Acts 10:33 So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

divine direction

One of the things I love about the book of Acts is that the stories show how God removes the barriers to the accomplishment of his mission. Peter’s vision of the animals set him up for the visit by the delegation at his door. Cornelius’ visit by the agent (angel) informs him of Peter’s existence, and prompts him to send for Peter. Cornelius responded to the divine direction not only personally, but he also had invited relatives and friends.

It is important to note that all these things happened because God had a plan to reach Caesarea with the gospel, and through them, other Gentile lands as well. The more tuned in we are to God’s mission, the more incidents of divine direction we can expect.

Lord, direct us today to those who want to hear your gospel.

after the tornado warning (video)

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pre-work

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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pre-work

Acts 10:1-8 (JDV)

Acts 10:1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment.
Acts 10:2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.
Acts 10:3 About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an agent of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.”
Acts 10:4 Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The agent told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
Acts 10:5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter.
Acts 10:6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
Acts 10:7 When the agent who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who stayed busily engaged with him.
Acts 10:8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

pre-work

The book of Acts is a guidebook for those who want to witness to those around them. What can we learn about witnessing from this passage? Well, notice that this incident made it possible for Peter and the other Jerusalem believers to connect with someone who they would otherwise never meet. Cornelius was a Gentile soldier living in another city. In order for he and Peter to meet, God had to have been working in the background of both of their lives, revealing, changing, molding them both into the kind of people who would accept each other as brothers.

This passage focuses on God’s pre-work in the life of Cornelius, his servants and fellow soldiers. Tomorrow’s text will focus on how God changed Peter’s mind about Gentiles.

As we seek those to whom we will share the gospel, we should look for signs that God has already been at work in their lives, preparing them for the good news. The signs will be there.

Lord, thank you for your wonderful pre-work of preparation.

God is doing the pre-work (video)

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get up and witness

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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get up and witness

Acts 9:32-43 (JDV)

Acts 9:32 As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the devotees who resided in Lydda.
Acts 9:33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.
Acts 9:34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,” and immediately he got up.
Acts 9:35 So all who resided in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Acts 9:36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity.
Acts 9:37 About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs.
Acts 9:38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.”
Acts 9:39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Acts 9:40 Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.
Acts 9:41 He gave her his hand and helped her get up. He called the devotees and widows and presented her alive.
Acts 9:42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Acts 9:43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.

get up and witness

Peter’s missionary work involved encouraging the new congregations that were sprouting up everywhere. People knew about his experiences with healing, and Luke includes two examples here. It is important to note that both of these people healed were apparently believers. They were both encouraged to get up — with the implication that once they were healed, they needed to witness to the healing so that those who noticed the change would recognize it as the work of the Lord, and glorify him for it.

The outcome of Aeneas’ healing: “all who resided in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord” (35).

The outcome of Tabitha’s resurrection: “This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord” (42).

Lord, forgive us our past dormancy. We commit to getting up and witnessing to what you have done for us.

Why was Peter given a healing gift? (video)

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sent to strengthen

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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sent to strengthen

Acts 9:19-31 (JDV)

Acts 9:19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days.
Acts 9:20 He immediately began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God.”
Acts 9:21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was destroying those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them tied up to the chief priests?”
Acts 9:22 But Saul grew stronger and kept the Jews in uproar who resided in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 9:23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to take him out,
Acts 9:24 but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to take him out,
Acts 9:25 but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.
Acts 9:26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to stick with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple.
Acts 9:27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the missionaries and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken openly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking openly in the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to take him out.
Acts 9:30 When the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Acts 9:31 So the congregation throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Sacred Breath, it was being increased.

sent to strengthen

In just a few short verses, Saul travels from Damascus to Jerusalem to Caesarea to Tarsus. His missionary call would mean not settling in one area for a long time. In fact, it would take imprisonment for him to do that. He would also attract enemies wherever he went — part of what Jesus meant by “how much he must endure for my name” (9:16).

But wherever he went, the congregation of Christ experienced strength, encouragement and growth.

How much are we willing to endure so that Christ’s congregation can grow?

Lord, send us to strengthen your congregation.

a prayer for prospective missionaries (video)

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from murder to mission

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Jefferson Vann
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from murder to mission

Acts 9:1-18 (JDV)

Acts 9:1 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest
Acts 9:2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them tied up to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.
Acts 9:4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you chasing me?”
Acts 9:5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are chasing,” he replied.
Acts 9:6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 9:7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but observing no one.
Acts 9:8 Saul was raised up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.
Acts 9:9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
Acts 9:10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Notice I am here, Lord,” he replied.
Acts 9:11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there.
Acts 9:12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.”
Acts 9:13 “Lord,” Ananias reacted, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your devotees in Jerusalem.
Acts 9:14 And he has jurisdiction here from the chief priests to tie up all who call on your name.”
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.
Acts 9:16 I will show him how much he must endure for my name.”
Acts 9:17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Sacred Breath.”
Acts 9:18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and he was baptized.

from murder to mission

Saul went from breathing threats and murder to breathing in the Sacred Breath (Holy Spirit) because he had an encounter with Jesus. He changed from a murderer to a missionary. He changed from a person committed to causing suffering to a person committed to his Lord, enduring suffering. He had three days of blindness and prayer.

Would you be willing to spend three days in prayer to be a life-changing missionary like Paul? Even after his conversion experience on the Damascus road, Saul was not ready. He needed those three days of prayer and dependence. He needed the intervention of another missionary — Ananias — who was willing to go when and where God said go. He needed to be baptized as a Christian before he was ready to win others for Christ.

Lord, we want you to transform us from breathing out murder to breathing in your Holy Spirit.

What would you endure if you knew it was preparing you for a mission? (video)

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