In the American South where I grew up, the joke goes that you can find a church on every corner. Maybe it’s an exaggeration, but it certainly feels true, from sprawling multi-campus megachurches to the one that met for a time in an empty storefront at my hometown shopping mall.
Now I live in a New England city where I can stand on my porch and hear the bells of the local Catholic parish peal at 6:00 p.m. Some say we’re the least churched part of the country, but I still see our vibrant history in every simple town church. My own community meets in a century-old building with towering stained glass and a modern light system. Meanwhile, in parts of China and the Middle East, underground churches flourish despite hostile conditions, and our neighbors to the Global South are among the fastest growing branches of the Christian faith’s family tree.
In just over 2,000 years, the Church has become so much bigger than the group of disciples that first walked with Jesus. Sprawling, messy, and yes, often dysfunctional, we now reach into every far-flung corner of the world. In today’s reading, we get a glimpse of the earliest days of a fledgling Church and everything this family could be.
The first Christians were a people driven by bold belief and unshakeable trust. Herod, Pilate, the Roman Empire, and even some Jewish leaders chose unthinkable violence against Jesus (Acts 4:27), but His followers didn’t answer with revenge. Instead, they came together as a force of goodness, care, and love. No one among them knew need, because “the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common” (Acts 4:32).
This leads me to wonder, could this kind of unity be possible in the Church today? We are a mixed bag, with a history of triumphs and failures. Our history is darkened by internal wars, conquering Crusades, scandals, and secret sins. And our history holds great good too—the creation of hospitals, the civil rights movement, and the notion that every human has inherent worth and dignity.
Perhaps Jesus was imagining this messy, beautiful future when He prayed for not only His disciples but every follower to come: “May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me” (John 17:21).
What if we came to see the strength in our diversity? What if we rejected the chase for power and the need to be right and instead reoriented everything toward a deepening friendship with Jesus? When we let go of our fear and open our hands, when we ensure there are no needy among us, we may find ourselves living as citizens of God’s kingdom, not an earthly empire.
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107 thoughts on "All Things in Common"
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A beautiful meditation on what the Church can be. Thank you!
Amen and amen!
God bless everyone this morning!
“ Strength in our diversity! “
Strength in our diversity!
I didn’t get a chance to post for yesterdays’ reading so here goes… I got SSOO MUCH out of it. It was just like popcorn popping of the pages I. Rapid succession. Things I knew showed up in a new light while I gained new insight I other areas.
During the reading in Acts I saw:
* I was reminded The people in Peter’s day, were just like us today – needing strength, courage, rest, insecurities, timidity etc. They NEEDED to pray for these things.
* With GREAT POWER! (4:33) so many of today’s Christians are not walking fully in the power Christ has for us.
PRAYER:
God, open my eyes; show me what it means and what it looks like to walk in the fullness of Your power and teach me HOW to walk in the fullness of power.
There was not a needy person among them!”(4:34) I am reminded AGAIN of God’s never ending provision for us. As it says in Phil. 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” We may not have all our desires, but we WILL HAVE OUR NEEDS.
* John 17:20-23
That they will all be one! And may be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.” (17:21)
This brings the question to mind, “How can I be ONE WITH GOD when I have failed Him? As soon as I asked that question, my answer came straight from God’s lips to my ears. “Because I died for you. I paid the penalty and I am a God of compassion. I know you can’t be perfect.” ~ God
God wants to use us to further HIS Kingdom. This blows my mind yet, this shows me that He is a relatable God. He loves us enough to give us free will -hoping ALL will choose to come to Him for new life yet, respecting us as individuals knowing not all will choose Him. Those that do come to Him, He is there to wrap us in His love. Waiting to pick us up when we fall regardless of the reason we fell. He lovingly and patiently works on us using our own individual and unique experiences, to create a beautiful story that will relate to others in a way no one else could.
“but His followers didn’t answer with revenge. Instead, they came together as a force of goodness, care, and love.”
This Reminds me of the saying, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
thank you for your beautiful words. This was truly inspiring to me.
A little late in posting this but I still wanted to share.
When I reflect on Jesus word’s in John 17:21, “May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you” – I can’t help feel we are so far off. There are some many divisions in the church. It feels like if we are committed to to growing closer to Jesus and being lead by the Holy Spirit among al things we should be growing closer over time, but it doesn’t feel like that is happening
I remember an illustration where there are 3 points of a triangle – two points represent people who are far off (from eachother), the other represents God – if both (People) points are moving closer to the (God) point, they inherently grow closer together. (I’m not sure if my describing of it makes much sense).
The Song by Jars of Clay comes to mind
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love
I pray that those lyrics would be true of us as a church.
I agree, Lauren. There is much to do to draw us closer to the Lord and to our own being in unity within The church.
I agree, it is so hard for us to grasp what this truth of being one truly means and it almost always leads back to pride and self that prevents us from this unity through Christ.
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This has been another great lesson. That last paragraph of the commentary tho; WOW! I pray for unity and all of us to continue growing our relationship with Yeshua. I pray more and more people every day find their way to him.
Amen. What if. I pray for unity. Peace. Love. Hope. This was such a good story and I can put myself back in that time. I often wonder if God planned this messy world today or if Satan infiltrated super deep like a vine. I pray for Jesus lovers and believers to continue building disciples. One mind. One heart so that we could be in him like he is with god. What a dream.
Yes! Amen!
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Your words fed my spirit!
This devotional filled me with a longing to live like the early church but this way of living also made me feel a little uncomfortable. It’s definitely not the way that we live here in the western world. Also, especially not how we live in Southern California. Here we don’t even want to take public transportation, we all want our own cars. I pray that God would show me how to live like this right where I am.
Thank you Tanya for sharing the commentary that you read. I was just wondering about the story of Ananias and Sapphira and hoping someone would mention it here.
HRT also referred to that part of scripture today!
Always good to see you Jennifer! I love you heart for the Lord! Knowing that you are a younger mom of 2, keep staying in the word and growing closer to Jesus, and all the rest will come!
The Anaias and Sapphira story is disturbing.
I had to go to some commentary.
verse 36 of Acts 4:”Joseph,a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called (which is is translated Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned. brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The NIV Application commentary states:” Finally, since giving everything was not mandatory, the particular desire that Satan filled Anaias and Sapphira was the desire for recognition by the church. They lied to win the same sort of esteem that Barnabas had won in the church.”
I see a lot of problems and the focus of this passage has been the love of money, greed,lying to the Holy Spirit, etc.
I see copying someone else’s action to be held in esteem. Maybe the Holy Spirit led Barnabas to sell his land but not Anaias and Sapphira. We don’t have to copy everything we see other believers do. We have to be Spirit led.
I heard a pastor say that the message Jesus gave to the rich young ruler did not apply every believer.
I have also heard sermons on “wrong motives”.
People do the right thing but sometimes for the wrong reason.
The outcome was not good.
Wow it’s a competition to be on the platinum board of generous givers. They desired the reputation of sacrificial generosity without the actual sacrifice. They wanted honor without integrity. Disturbing indeed. Thank you TANYA for the deep dive.
I was struggling while reading this passage too. Thank you for sharing the commentary, it was very helpful!
I read that same commentary! I was rushed and not feeling my best this morning and missed a couple of things I had meant to share. This was one of them! Thanks! ❤
This is exactly why I came to the comments! I needed more context on this part of the passage. thank you so much Tanya!
I’ll read readings and posts later. Heading to an eye appt. for Paul now.
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Just been told that Matt has taken a turn for the worst. (It’s 10:15, central). Please keep praying. Thanks.
Praying for your husband and Matt. May God turn all things around for good.
Yes, praying this too.
Prayed for Matt.
Praying all is well in both cases! ❤
It’s funny, that before we moved here to SWF 6 years ago I told my husband that we are going to find a church and it must be a serving church! I had grown up in a super small down, but my family did everything social and serving through our very small church! But in the churches we were a part of as a small family I wanted to serve….but I never saw a way to do that really through the church. (they did have a food pantry for people to come to, but I couldn’t even seem to get my foot in that door!) Lord, did he answer my desire in such a BIG way when I found our church here!! They are on fire for the community! AND I LOVED IT!!! They do a Serve My City once every 3 months. Where they provide 7-8 different types of serving and you can pick whichever appeals to you—or doesn’t, like I have learned to step into as well!! (cleaning isn’t to “fun” but was fun doing it all together! (all of ole ladies were “sore” the next day, lol) Don’t we love to serve in things that serve us?? That’s a whole ‘nother comment..lol!!
But God–He truly brought me and my husband to such a loving, giving church-the hands and feet of Jesus is truly reflected—YET YOU have to choose to get involved, right?? YOU do as much as YOU CHOOSE to do! If we are like the two that just want to do it to brag or boast…watch out! You will account for your actions, you may not fall dead, but explaining to God..?
Serving together is beautiful, and it is beautiful for a marriage to serve together.
Serving impacts YOU, it changes us, it grows and builds us! It give us a new perspective of Grace! For if Jesus loved us as selfish, prideful, spiritually dead as we were- that love is for everyone! And if we received it He wants others to know it is available for them!! I love to physically help others, but really I want to give them Spiritual Life! I want them to know the God I know, and the Savior He gave us! Going to the Lost—that is my passion! And there are so many opportunities!! All around us! I literally typed in Google when I first moved to this new area…”volunteer opportunities!”
On the other hand I am NOT good at giving my time when it is unexpected! You know, the surprise…. someone is in need and you really should step out of your cozy and comfortable time…and GO?! Respond?! Then the excuses come. God help me to respond to what YOU want me to do! You convict me- but since “I” don’t feel like it, I drag my feet or make excuses. Help me to give my all- not just the serving “I” like to do! YOU want to keep stretching me (us) to give it all! Amen
I think of the song “I Surrender All” All to you my precious Savior…I surrender all. (I don’t know if that’s the official song title!)
Oh Lord, help us Christ-followers to follow you, not our own hearts and desires to make us feel better about being a Christian, or to serve out of any other selfish desires…but because we know life without you and we know life WITH you! And we are called to serve the poor, the windows, the hungry, and the jailed. We are called for your purposes, to make an impact on the world! Our communities, cities, and on! It humbles us Lord. Every thing we have Lord is from you, let us not grip it tightly, for it can all be lost, and it is invaluable to your kingdom! But how we serve and give our time and life is of eternal value!! Help us to posture our heart daily to see what you want us to see. Keep our ears and eyes open and Spirit respondent to you! Oh I thank you for all you are doing and will do in my life! For giving me more empathy and love to those overlooked and hurting! That is what makes us feel alive in YOU!
Also, I do love that my church doesn’t like to be a solo church putting on airs…! We like to join with many churches for the good of the city to SHINE the light on “the big C” church! That is so important! Every beginning of the year we do a little session on keeping our eyes on the IMPORTANT things of the big C church, the Majors! And let the “minors” go. They are simply preferences or ?, I can’t think of the word. Remember the study SRT did a couple years ago on the “Big C church?” I can’t remember that either right now- but we did two studies back to back on church history! Those were two standout favorites of mine!
Remember- A serving heart is a loving heart!
Rhonda, this is beautiful! I’m feeling very inspired to get more involved with service at my church and in my community. I do some volunteer work but I’d love to do more! Especially somewhere that’s more uncomfortable for me/more out of my comfort zone. And I’m totally with you that I can be so resistant to serving/helping when it’s unexpected and shifts the plans I’ve made for myself/my day. I pray that God would challenge me in regards to that stubbornness.
Yes, keep praying for God to use you! But it will be uncomfortable! I have many funny stories of “trying” to pray and step out in faith! But that’s why it’s so good…bc it leads to MORE and you see HOW God works (I led a study on “Practicing” Prayer)!! There are SO many Christ-followers that are too shy to pray out loud! There IS MORE…always, for each one of us! But we have to want it, and ask for Him to give us more! Be faithful in little so you will be faithful in much!!
This made me smile. Some church cultures and missions are not in community outreach compared to some. I agree that each church is niched in what they focus on (hands, feet, eyes, ears of the Lord, very interesting), and how sweet of God to put you right where you desire to serve and you thrive into the leader He wanted you to be. Your mom must have been such a people person. What a legacy of virtues she left for you. This warmed my heart❤️
Hmm, your last assumption about my madre made me say hmm?! Was she? I wouldn’t think she was overtly a people person (she worked so much and we lived in the country, and not really paying attention to her doings- made me wonder!) But thinking about it, she did always say she LIKED to work! She worked in a post office sorting mail for 8 hours, but I think she got to talk with other people and be in community rather than a secluded housewife/mother in the country!) She did indeed leave us lots of good virtues and values, her and my dad! My dad helped everyone in the neighborhood! I had really never thought about their influence on me of “serving,” thanks for pulling that out from me today friend!!
Also, my church is big, so that is only a small part of what I see there. They are really focused on Praying and being Spirit led! And Preaching biblical word to transform our lives! THAT is the most important! I always come mid-afternoon to see what “mercy” has commented today! You left me hanging yesterday! :)
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The town where our church is,(we lived there for 28 years and moved) is still where we go. The town has formed an Ecumenical Committee that brings different churches, social services, elder care etc. together. I am part of the group and look for ways for our church to participate. We collect personal care items that can’t be used on state assistance cards. The distribution site is at one church.Another holds a Community Dinner once a month with different churches and others providing, preparing and serving nice hot meals. I organize people from my church to provide the desserts each month. Another church has a clothing closet and another furniture. We all help when someone needs heat assistance ( live in New England) etc. Leadership and members change, but not the mission of serving our neighbors.
“Remember- A serving heart is a loving heart!” And….a loving heart is a serving heart! It truly goes both ways.
Thanks for your encouraging thoughts.
v32….No one claimed that any of their possessions were their own, but they “shared” everything they had. v35….was distributed to anyone who had need. YOU, my sweet SRT sisters, whom I will most likely never meet on this side of heaven, acted out on these verses for me. Me, someone you only know across these comments, across the pond…I love you all so much! Looking forward to the day I can give you all a tight squeeze Sigh….God is so good that He made a way for me to be a part of this beautiful community! Happy Friday sweet Shes!
That was a beautiful thing!!
I meant to make it a tradition, the following Christmases…and I forgot!! We could name it the Mari V gift! um…Remind me next Christmas..lol
I love this :))
So sweet! ❤
Wow- I have not had peace lately. None. Whatsoever. Lots of reasons why- but this!!!! -> Am I scrambling around to be right and to get build an earthly kingdom? Today’s devotional really hits home
The verse that CEE GEE shared below is a great reflection point, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal”. Praying for you and the right direction to take action.
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These chapters are so piwerful! It would take hours or days to fully discuss, but here are sone highlights from my shortened time this morning. Gotta run! ☺
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Biblegateway verse of the day (so timely!)
Matthew 6:9-21
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
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Warren Wiersbe Study Bible in Acts 4:28-31
The believers did not pray to have their circumstances changed or their enemies put out of office. Rather, they asked God to empower them to make the best use of their circumstances and to accomplish what He had already determined. This was not fatalism but faith in the Lord of history, who has a perfect plan and is always victorious. They asked for divine enablement, not escape, and God gave them the power that they needed.
The early church strongly believed in God’s sovereignty and His perfect plan for His people. But note that they did not permit their faith in divine sovereignty to destroy human responsibility, for they were faithful to witness and pray. The church loses power when God’s people get out of balance and overemphasize either sovereignty or responsibility.
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From NIV Application Bible
Acts 4:29-30
After the extended reflection on God’s sovereignty, these believers give only one passing reference to their problem (v. 29). The request they make is not for wisdom, protection, or favor with the authorities. All these are appropriate petitions, of course. But this prayer is for the ability to be obedient to Christ’s command to them to preach the gospel.
The second request of the disciples is that God will show his power (v. 30). The only two requests in this prayer have to do with evangelism, which has just been officially outlawed. These people have a consuming passion for evangelism despite the warnings they just endured.
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Acts 4:23-31
Jesus’ famous prayer for unity (Jn 17:20–23) begins to find its answer in the activities of the members of the early church. It is so important that believers under threat or facing opposition be supported by the larger Christian community. When we share our situation with our support group, we can unburden ourselves to them. When we keep it to ourselves, we can become so overwhelmed by the emotional influences of the situation that we cannot think straight about the problems.
The significance of partnership in a crisis is not only the strength that we give each other; being together also causes us to motivate each other in prayer to seek God, who is the source of our strength.
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Love, hugs, and prayers! Thanks again to all who prayed for my friend! She is slowly improving, and thanfully had no health crisis!! ❤
Prayers appreciated for a personal matter of my own. ❤
Love this- they did not permit their faith in divine sovereignty to destroy human responsibility, for they were faithful to witness and pray.”
And I love that you come together to edify—we don’t keep our problems, woes, needs to ourselves! HOW can you receive help if you don’t tell anyone? How often do we “not want to trouble” someone or someones with “our little problem!” We don’t want to be complainers all the time with everything, but when we NEED help, ASK for help, or at least prayer!
Praying for grace, favors and victory in Jesus’ Name over your personal matter ❤️
Thank you, Rhonda and Mercy (and any other SHES who may see this and pray. I followed the example mentioned in the commentary above that the believers prayed, not for favor, but for endurance through the power God gives us.
I have to give a major shout out to God here! Because of the discontent in my heart, I did not feel worthy to pray my usual prayer for favor in finding good deals as I shopped for groceries. Well, sisters, God blessed me anyway! I snatched up every ‘manager’s special’ our budget could handle in the meat department! Snagged other great markdowns,too!
The prayer need will be ongoing for a while. ❤
You are worthy. 100% worthy. That is God’s mind and will. The righteous will not lack any good things. ❤️
Each time you doubt, remind yourself of the price He paid. That’s your worth that God was willing to trade.
❤Love this, Mercy, and love you, sister! ❤
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Amen!!!
Amen
Amen❤️
The responses today are incredible to read, One Body of believers all seeking Christ!
Ephesians 2:10 for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained, that we should walk in them.
Thank you Holy Spirit for leading each one of us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this dieing world. I pray we are sensitive to His leading today as He directs us to minister to those around us.
In Jesus Mighty name.
Amen! ❤
In a world where people are so divided and hurt and truth is so hard to find, may we seek to be a church united. May we work together in the name of Jesus. May we stop the division and remember the true teachings of Jesus. May we be the example of unity in community instead of the reason many people want nothing to do with religion. It’s hard to imagine, especially in America, a church fully united, but with God all things are possible. May we pray big prayers and seek big change. May we be the light in the darkness!
Yes, Meagan! This, too, is my prayer for our country–unity at all levels. Working together, with love, rather than against at all costs for personal gains–power, greed, etc.
Biblical community is
Spirit-formed, not forced.
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Generous, not possessive.
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Honest, not performative.
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Holy, not casual.
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Missional, not inward-focused.
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All things in common—
one life in Christ,
lived in love,
guarded by truth,
poured out in sacrifice.
Lord, form us into a people who truly live with all things in common, not by obligation, but by love; not by force, but by the Spirit, not for our glory, but for yours alone. Amen
Thank you for for sharing this Kimberly.❤️
Helping people in need is a big part of the Christian faith, but sometimes it feels like we talk about it more than we actually live it—especially when it comes to helping people in our own communities. The church often does a great job supporting people in other countries, and many churches do help locally too. Still, I think we’ve become less compassionate toward the people we see every day, especially those on the streets asking for food or money.
What really hurts is hearing comments like, “Look at their clothes, they don’t need help,” or “They’re just lazy.” I’ve heard fellow Christians say these things, and it always breaks my heart. We don’t know anyone’s story or what they’ve been through. Yes, sometimes people may be dishonest—but sometimes those clothes are the only ones they have, and their need is real.
I feel like when it comes to helping the needy, many of us in the church have started to close our hearts to the struggles happening right in front of us. And that’s hard to reconcile with the compassion we’re called to show every day. These are the very people Christ placed directly in our path, inviting us to respond not with judgment, but with compassion, humility, and love.
I think it can also depend on what side of things the “negative” person is on. I was involved with someone that was doing drugs. I didn’t know this. I was a bleeding heart thinking I could be his savior. I did everything I could to help. He stole from me, lied to me, physically abused me, along with emotionally. I now am one of those that distrusts some of the stories of those begging. I also feel that if I give them money and they buy drugs I helped them to possibly OD. It’s a tricky situation.
Tracy, I think you have to respond as God and the Holy Spirit lead you with homeless people as well as need people. I can understand your hesitancy give your story.
Amen
Hello friends! One of the things I noticed today was that on multiple different occasions the apostles “were filled with the Holy Spirit”. I’ve always believed that when we become a believer we are given the Holy Spirit. But is it not a 1 time thing? Does the Spirit “come and go” (for lack of a better word)? There are definitely times when I physically feel the Spirit. I’m not sure how to think/talk about this but it’s what came to mind this morning as I was reading.
We are always filled with the Spirit, but there are times when the Spirit is particularly telling us to do something. We know we are always filled with
I like to share some insights from Scriptures. A believer is gifted and sealed with the Holy Spirit when receiving Christ (confessing faith through words and believing in the heart). “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9), “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). A seal. There is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within believers. BUT…being filled with The Holy Spirit is a variable. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), continuous action (“keep on being filled”), responsive obedience, repeated yielding, sensitivity (and not dullness). A believer can be indwelt but not filled, that is, the Spirit is present but not governing! The Holy Spirit can also be grieved when the person is in sin. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30). Grief of the Holy Spirit occurs through persistent unrepented sin, hardness of heart and resistance to conviction, ignoring promptings, suppressing the Spirit of God. That is why Peter said to the Corinthian believers (church), they are Spirit-indwelt but “carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:1–3). Hope it helps with some clarity for you.
You put this well! Especially-A believer can be indwelt but not filled, that is, the Spirit is present but not governing!
Mercy, I’m behind so you may not see this, but thank you for sharing this. It is so helpful.
Hey, Sandra! Great question and I meant to share this in my comment, but missed it.
From NIV Application Bible notes on v. 31:
“This is not a fresh baptism but a fresh filling. The result of the filling is proclamation, so it is not surprising to find v. 31 ending with the announcement that the believers “spoke the word of God boldly.”
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#StrengthInDiversity
Love this!!!
When I hear “all things in common”. And helping the needy, it can be overwhelming. There are so many but then God reminds me just take b it day by day, helping whoever crossed my path, either what I can,?share love and kindness. Follow Jesus’ example.
I hope this makes sense!
Perfect sense, Cheryl! ❤
“What if we came to see the strength in our diversity? What if we rejected the chase for power and the need to be right and instead reoriented everything toward a deepening friendship with Jesus?”
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I would add, what if I would truly seek how God wants me to use my blessings/talents to help others see His goodness and care for them?
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Sometimes it is easier to send money (while that is indeed needed) and think that we have done our part, when God may want me to be physically involved in helping those in need, especially those in the Church.
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Lord, help me to seek Your direction in being Your hands and feet.
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ADRIENNE-praying for Matt and his family during this health crisis.
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TAMI-praying for Michelle. She is going through a lot for a young person. May she turn to Jesus for help and strength to endure it all.
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Happy Friday, may we shine for Jesus today.
Praying over requests
Good word, Kelly! ❤
Amen ❤️
Praying for unity in all believers.
Such a wonderful thought – perfect unity (one purpose) in Jesus’ church!! We know it happened as the early church began, and like Tina said, we know it will happen in heaven!! I wonder though, is the key ‘friendship’ with Jesus or total surrender and obedience? Maybe splitting hairs this morning, but that’s what comes to mind for me….
Blessings on your Friday, Sisters!!
I think of it less so as “friendship”, but as pursuit
of Jesus. The surrender and obedience are (should be) a result of that pursuit. Time spent with Him/seeking Him, and surrendering to the Holy Spirit orients you towards Jesus and being more like Him.
Yes ladies, I agree, as we pursue Jesus (building a friendship) we will surrender and obey and the unity will grow. We will care less about the arguments about worship style, time of services, and the other diverse topics that create division.
A phrase I heard and really resonated with me was cultivating an apprenticeship with jesus. Am I walking so closely to him that at the end of the day the dirt from his sandals is on my own?
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Tina- As a SRT member for about four years, I can say that, even though I don’t comment often or ever in the group, I look forward to your notes/ advice/ wisdom each morning after I read the devotional. You help make it make sense and help relate the message. Thank you! You are reaching more than you know! Many prayers and blessings for you!
Jen Yokel, in answer to your question of ‘what if..’ wouldn’t that be amazing, to see the strength in our diversity. We are indeed a motley crew, but oh my goodness, a worldwide ‘upper room’ community!
I have no idea why this came to mind, but I was thinking about this community, our SRT family, how many members? estimated guess, over 500, more? I’ve been here over 10 years, and let’s say in that time I have shared with a fair few, for easy maths, let’s say, 100 people a year, (excluding the sponsored chidren), that’s a thousand people in the ten years.. I know the world is a larger place than it was, people wise, than in the days of Acts, even with the SRT sisters base, each sharing with a hundred people per year.. that’s thousands, and if those thousands also touched and shared.. we could be talking a ‘spiritual pandemic ‘!!!
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I don’t know where I was going with that but felt to do some maths:)
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Seriously though..
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BUT GOD..
We are so very diverse, and it may take time and years, but if, let’s face it, ‘..if God is for us, who can be against us’
When, and if, we take care and share with just one person each day.. that still adds to the number, I believe God will do the rest..(Rhonda J goes to the prisons, she shares, touches and changes lives daily).
I would love to live as a citizen of Gods kingdom, knowing that one day we WILL all be one, together in the Father and the Son, no more needy, no more rat race, no more competitiveness, just love, kindness, Grace and complete faith in the One who first loved us..
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I will be the first to say here..
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I believe in God the Father,
I believe in Christ the Son,
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one.
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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I believe..
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A waffle..but I pray..
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN.
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A chilly Friday here, so I’m sending some warming love across the pond, covered in hugs and prayers, for a God blessed ‘sharing’ weekend!❤️
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Tina- As a SRT member for about four years, I can say that, even though I don’t comment often or ever in the group, I look forward to your notes/ advice/ wisdom each morning after I read the devotional. You help make it make sense and help relate the message. Thank you! You are reaching more than you know! Many prayers and blessings for you!
Same feeling. Blessings on everyone’s Friday.
So true Jasmine.
Tina, I too look forward to your comments and insight. This is my first comment although I have made SRT devotions part of my daily routine for a very long time. (I remember Church Mouse and miss her comments) Yes we can make a difference in our small piece of God’s world. I personally need to obey the Holy Spirit more as He nudges me. The insight from the SRT writers and the encouragement from this community help me to be more thoughtful/purposeful in how I go about my day.
Yes! Please continue to share!
I love when people mention Churchmouse! Imagine, if she knew what an impact she made! I remember when she “came back” after being missing for awhile and we were so happy, but it was short-lived. I often think of her and others like Jenniferlovesjesus and Chris. And I always hope our young Sarah D is doing good! The point being- just sharing some wisdom..or like me, not so much wisdom,lol-but sharing my experience of what God has done with me- can touch just one person! I used to think to myself if everyone worried about what they were commenting…there would be NO comments to read! And that would be sad….we would be like poor HRT! lol.
HRT comment section is often a clean slate. Men don’t talk as much as women lol.
Amen and ditto!
I feel the same way! Thank you Tina!
I agree Tina! Gave me chills!
Tina, amen!
Amen! Amen!
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A worldwide upper room community! I love that. And I love your willingness ( and others) to respond everyday to enhance the walk of other fellow She’s like me. Let’s go in peace today and be blessed!
and who would have ever thought (if you knew me!) BUT I DO love to share what God has done WITH ME with others, and that’s all it is! Loving on women that are just making bad decisions and caught in that web (as I was!). We all can share our experiences, in fact we HAVE to! I love that I shared with ya’ll in the beginning how nervous but excited I was to start going to Serving Unhoused every week! And then Jail…because it shows how it’s good to be nervous but step out anyway into something that is foreign to us! The Holy Spirit indeed fills us for each job Jesus leads us to!
❤️!!!!
Amen, Tina! Praying the Holy Spirit directs me today to share the “Good News” to whoever needs to hear it!
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