Corona Devo 748

Where do we start?  And what should we do?  

We've realized Who Jesus is and we even want to follow Him and live for Him, but how?  Where do we start?  And what should we do?

The disciple Peter gives us some great advice and a few simple steps to kick off our walk in following Jesus (or to be refreshed in living for Him).  

A few months after Jesus had risen from the grave (just as He said He would), Peter was sharing with people about Jesus and (like us) over 3,000 of them realized Who Jesus was, they wanted to follow Him and live for Him, but they wondered how?  And Where to start?  They literally asked Peter, "What should we do?" (Acts 2:37).

Peter provides an initial "how-to" manual for moving ourselves from crooked to saved, and then he goes on with simple steps of growing God's family beyond ourselves and including others.

First things first--"What should we do?" (Acts 2:37)

(38) Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” (40) Then Peter continued preaching...strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”  ~Acts 2:38-40

People say the Bible is confusing, but Peter boils these bullet points of faith down nicely for us here:  

• repent of your sins and turn to God (Acts 2:38)

• be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. (Acts 2:38)

• receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

And what a gift it is to have the Holy Spirit.  Someone (the Spirit of God!) directing our heart and mind besides our sinful/selfish/whoa-is-me/what's-in-it-for-me selves.  Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit is both a reward and a challenge all in one.  It drives us to be more like Jesus, which changes everything about how we live, think and act.  Once we make these choices (repent/turn to God/be baptized/receive the Holy Spirit) our lives are not "about us" anymore, but we slowly become more and more "about Jesus".

If we have gotten that down, then what?  We've gotten started in our faith, but what should we do next?  Peter provides more direction:

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.  ~Acts 2:42

Short and sweet and a Biblical outline for growing in our own faith and for growing God's family of believers.  

What if we committed ourselves to these 4 things: (1) the apostles’ teaching (the Bible!) (2) fellowship (3) sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and (4) prayer.

...What if we committed ourselves to the apostles’ teaching (the Bible!).  Reading the Bible each day, even a little of the Bible, and listening to what God has to say to us through it?  

What if we committed ourselves to fellowship: spending time with and having fun with other believers and non-believers who might be investigating Jesus?  Fellowship is not frivolous--these verses remind us that it is a critical part of the faith process!  God made us and He knows us--He knows that community/conversation/acceptance/encouragement/accountability/fun(!) are all integral pieces of healthy relationships and spiritual growth.  God wants that for us!  So join a Bible Study group.  Host a get-together.  Find and foster fellowship.

What if we committed ourselves to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper).  Of course (even in the Bible) food is on the heels of fellowship!  The two go together...so get together with others and share a meal.  God made us with the innate desire to know others and to-be-known, and sharing in a meal allows for this unique connection to occur.  There is something about "breaking bread" with others that opens the door to relationship and realness.  

And if Covid-isolation taught me anything, it was that we can share in ...the Lord’s Supper anywhere.  And these verses confirm that.  Give thanks for the body and blood that Jesus shed for us, and do with with others!

What if we committed ourselves to prayer?  Prayer alone and prayer with others.

What would happen?  

Something beautiful and Godly and life-changing will happen:

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. (44) And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. (45) They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. (46) They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— (47) all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.  And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.  ~Acts 2:43-47

If this sounds a little too "hippy", or a bit like "communist living"...look deeper into what is written.  Let go of our superficial and materialistic upbringings, idols, and silver spoons--and try to come back to the basics of what really matters in God's eyes.  

Purpose.  (Serving Him.)  

Community.  (We are stronger together.)

Caring for others.

Being (loved and accepted and challenged and in-faith) with others.

Increasing the number of people going to Heaven for eternity (each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.)

What if we committed ourselves to these things?

And...what are we doing instead?  Can we say that the things that we are currently spending our time and our lives doing are adding to those who are being saved?

Today, what if we come back to the basics of what really matters in God's eyes.  But where do we start?  And what should we do? 

Now (thanks to Peter and the Book of Acts), we know. 

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com