Author: David Worcester

From my reading in Acts 9:1-21 in the One Year New Testament.

The way that Jesus called Paul into ministry was unique. Jesus spoke a message about Paul’s calling to Ananias,

“But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts 9:15–16

Paul was chosen to preach and to suffer.

This calling was unique to Saul. Paul experienced more suffering than we can fully understand. He was beaten, shipwrecked, betrayed, stoned, and encountered many other dangers. He also suffered the extreme stress of caring about many fledgling churches. Paul’s calling was unique, but every ministry calling will be challenging.

Ministry is not easy, but it is worth it.

When God called Paul he invited him into a life of suffering. I believe that any calling that is worth pursuing will take perseverance through hard times. Suffering and joy are both natural byproducts of ministry.

If you are in ministry and have never experienced hard times you are probably not truly fulfilling your calling. The question is…

Are you willing to suffer for Jesus?

I encourage you to count the cost of your calling.

Don’t go into ministry because it is the “easy” thing to do.

Do it because it is what GOD wants you to do.

If you have been called to preach, be willing to suffer for his name. It is the greatest privilege in the world.

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

From my reading in Acts 7:44-60 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus died with a heart full of forgiveness for those killing him.

Jesus looked out with compassion over the people who nailed him to the cross and said,

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

That’s how much he cares. Even when he was suffering more than anyone had ever suffered he still loved those who caused his suffering!

Stephen, the the first Christian martyr, died like Christ.

“Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60

Even as Stephen was being killed he showed love and forgiveness. Without the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit overflowing in his life  he wouldn’t pray this type of prayer!

Even as Stephen was being brutally killed God’s love poured out.

In order to die like Christ you must be filled with his love. Many people all over he world still face persecution and some even face death. It is true as many have said,

“The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church” Tertullian(2nd-century Church Father)

We should remember and honor those who have willingly laid down their lives so we can have access to the gospel.

We should be reminded of how Jesus never stopped loving us even when our sin placed him on the cross.

We should pray for and show love even to those who seek harm us for knowing Jesus.

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

From my reading in Acts 7:22-43 in the One Year New Testament.

Many people see the Bible and it’s commands as limiting.

They think that those who really try and follow it are stifled and sheltered. But in Stephen’s description of the Old Testament he referred to the commands of scripture in the opposite way.

“Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life-giving words to pass on to us.” Acts 7:38

The commands of scripture are life-giving.

God designed life to work a certain way and when He commands something it is always for our benefit. Many of the Old Testament Civil and Ceremonial laws were specifically for the Jews and no longer apply to us today but we can still learn about God’s character from them.

The moral laws given in the Old Testament still very much apply today.

God’s commands help us live the life God intended!

I am so grateful that God has given us what he expects in black and white. We don’t have to search for life elsewhere because the answers are found in God’s Word. The Bible is our life source when it comes to understanding God’s purpose for our lives.

Have you been seeking God’s life-giving words regularly?

If not start today!

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

From my reading in Acts 6 in the One Year New Testament.

The apostles were so busy serving the needy they didn’t have the adequate time to preach and pray.

So they appointed men to be responsible for feeding the poor. Here were the qualifications.

“And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.” Acts 6:3

Please note this wise example is not to be prescriptive of the only three things that you look for in a leader. That being said, I do believe these qualities are vital for those who serve in the Church.

Well Respected

Those who are in leadership in the church should have a good reputation. They should not live questionable lifestyles. They should be above reproach.

Full of The Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the one who guides and empowers his servants. For a leader to be spiritually effective they need to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Full of Wisdom

Wisdom is important in how to deal with complex situations that come up. When difficult decisions, circumstances and people are thrown at them, a wise leader will know the right timing and procedure to deal with it.

Wisdom helps in all areas of life and especially in complex serving situations like running a food program.

If you are looking to become a leader in the Church these are three areas that God will need work in your life before it would be good for you to gain leadership.

If you are already a leader I encourage you to seek to grow in these areas and train your people in these qualities. Look for those who exhibit these to empower and delegate to.

I pray that God would continue to form these qualities in my life and those that I lead.

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

From my reading in Acts 5:1-21 in the One Year New Testament.

God has given us a life giving message!

The apostles were thrown into prison by jealous Sadducees for healing and and casting out demons publicly in the temple. But an angel of the Lord came and set them free. He instructed them,

“Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Acts 5:20

The good news of Jesus is a life giving message.

When the story of Christ is preached then people are set free to live the lives God intended them to live. Notice the angel told them to tell the WHOLE message.

The whole gospel is a life giving gospel.

In our day it is common for preachers to avoid talking about sin and controversial issues in order to be relevant. But if you leave out sin and the results of sin then you leave out much of the good news. You leave out that we need a savior.  If there were no sin and hell then why would Jesus have to die? It has been said,

 “Evangelization requires the whole Church to take the whole Gospel to the whole world”. ‘The Lausanne Covenant’ 

Our message is to important to be watered down. Our task is to large for only some churches to be a part of it. Our world is to lost to go without the life only Jesus can give.

We have been given life by Christ and as a church he has entrusted us with the the only message that can offer true everlasting life!

Are you playing your part of this great effort to spread “the whole message of this life” with the world?

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.

From my reading in Acts 4:23-37 in the One Year New Testament.

When Peter and John were told not to speak in Jesus name the church gathered and prayed for courage.

Here was part of their prayer.

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30

They were not afraid to pray bold prayers.

They asked that God would give them boldness to preach the word.  Now this is not a prayer we have to pray exactly but I think we can learn a principle that when you face a challenge or something you are afraid you can pray for boldness. Let’s look at God’s response.

“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

Talk about an answer to prayer!  This might not happen in your prayer meeting, but it could!

Let us learn from the example of these early men and women of faith and be willing to pray bold prayers. We should not necessarily be looking for this type of response because God uses creativity in responding but we should expect him to answer in some way.

A prayer for boldness in preaching the gospel is the kind of prayer that God likes to answer.

Next time you are afraid why don’t you try praying for boldness and see what God does!

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.