TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7
Read: Acts 6:5-7
Listen: Acts 6
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The Apostles appoint seven men to oversee the distribution of food to widows. The Apostles then continue to preach and pray, and the Church grows rapidly. Many priests join the early converts and become “obedient to the faith.” This expression highlights the importance of obedience in the Christian life. Becoming a Christian is not simply about getting one’s ticket punched for heaven. It is about surrendering the entirety of one’s life to the Lordship of Jesus. It is seeing Jesus as both Savior and Lord.
Genuine faith in Jesus always leads to obedience. This was true for the early church and is true for us today. If we say “yes” to Jesus, then there are many things that we are to say “no” to—such as sexual immorality, pornography, drunkenness, lying, or cheating, to name a few. But saying “yes” to Jesus also means saying “yes” to a new and better way of life—a life marked by love, joy and peace (see Galatians 5:22-23). It is a “yes” that is worth our life’s devotion.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
We cannot expect to live like the rest of the world if we are going to follow Jesus. Ask God to reveal where you have not surrendered to his authority. Ask for his grace to make any hard decision about a habit to give up (or one to begin) to align your life more fully with following Jesus as Lord.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
December is CELEBRATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
