I shouldn’t be posting today as I haven’t made it through the readings yet. We just got back in town from working at the ranch putting a lot of dishes through the dishwasher, unpacking, and washing a lot of sheets and towels. We had fun, but I am fairly certain that I am getting one of those knock-you-off-your-feet colds this evening. Head and chest are hurting and the urge to sleep is about to win, but I want to just post one major thing that lingers as we concluded the Gospels and were left with the final command of Christ.
Mark 16:15-20 – “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
I just don’t see this kind of power in the Church today and it doesn’t take long to realize why. Christ intended for us to do greater works than He by the Power of His Name.
In Acts, we find the believers as “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
- Devotion to authentic teaching of the Word
- Daily Fellowship with believers
- Breaking bread together
- Prayer
- An attitude of awe
- Unity
- Generous giving
- Glad and sincere hearts
- Praise
- Enjoying God’s favor
- Many conversions to belief in Christ
First we are shown the Great Commission in action, then we see the apostles actually doing the thing on a daily basis. I see a very different way of life than how most of us now live. God showed us a way to live in unity of purpose and in harmony with each other, in gratitude and in joy, in generosity and in devotion to Him and to each other. Our nation today looks so very different. If it is not self gratifying, self serving, or focused on what we get out of things, few look further than our own noses. And we are a most miserable generation of people because of it. We need a recommitment to the Way, a revival with a great Outpouring of His Spirit, and let it begin with this heart.
Okay, you probably are ready for me to go to bed and be miserable all by myself now, so I’ll hop down off the soapbox. We’re wrapping up forty-five weeks of Cover to Cover this week. What a blessing this journey has been. . Lord, Thank You, again for Your mercy and grace. I ask you to point us back in the right way with a 2nd Chapter of Acts anointing…Your Will be done. Amen.
annette geffert 
Cover to Cover looks interesting. Is it a devotional book?
I also noticed that you have a lot of hits. Could you give me a tidbit of advice on how to generate more traffic?
Thanks so much.
Jennifer
http://jennifer-asag.blogspot.com/
We DO need a revival and let it begin in this heart as well! Personally I think I still have a problem with needing the approval of man, instead of God. Lord, please forgive me! Our small group read Acts and our New Community just went through Acts and I was thinking “enough” already. But, this post told it all. We are all pretty selfish! Thank you, sweet friend!
Love you,
Angie xoxo
I have been feeling these in my soul for a while we are not the same church as in Acts we are selfish and self center people only listening too what we want to hear ,. these is sad we should be doing greater works but we have become so busy that we use these excuess all the tiem ” I am so busy” thank God for his mercy and kindness to us.
I have been feeling run down too , thank you for sharing .
love ,
marina
Thanks for your timely email…. and I’m praying that your going to be feeling better real soon…. take care of yourself dear friend!
Had to come back again. I posted but it came out below my birthday pie post. I am here. However, things are so hectic all of a sudden—like flash flood mode. My girl arrives in just a few hours….at work…gotta run.
Such a true post. The church should use the Authority of His Name, the Name above all Names – Jesus Christ. The church should preach the truth with boldness and love. The Bible should be regarded as Divine, not some book of accumulated messages from men and women with an agenda. (I heard someone defend not using the Bible with this argument at a Bishop’s forum a few years ago.)
We should walk in greater works, people should be saved, healed and delivered – advancing the Kingdom. I suppose I should wind it up now or post something on my own blog.
Be healed in the Name of Jesus. (I feel the same thing trying to attack my body.)
Love, Annette
Our church, due to some horrific tragedies and life threatening illnesses has come together (sad that it took sheer frustration and a little fear), and we have seen some exciting things happen admist the pain and loss. I hope that you begin to feel better soon!!
Great words! Humble life!
Hey sweet friend…You have no idea how timely this and your thoughts are for me. I know we say that alot in bloggville but just know that our great big God used this to remind me of something so simple that has been tossing and turning in my head. Thanks for the words that you put around my thoughts.
So much love,
Fran
One of the things that I loved about the readings this week was the reminder of how we are supposed to live. (It also amazes me that I need reminding. You’d think I would have gotten it by now! I love the fact that He is patient and that He gave His Word to prod me along.) This post is perfect! If we were honest, we would probably all admit that the church is not the church of Acts. How simple it is to see what exactly we should be doing. (Now if it were only as simple to actually do it!) I’m praying for you today, girl. I hope you are feeling better this morning!
love,
karen
Praying for you dear one…I felt the same thing coming on and started drinking Emergent-C…and got more rest…but I will pray for you.
This is such a great post and I feel so much of what you wrote…everytime I read the second chapter of Acts…I just let out a sigh…I love that they had everything in common and that there were no needs among them…we have missed what God intended quite a lot for quite a long time.
I think I especially feel lonesome for this in a new church but yet what has drawn us there and kept us there has been seeing a lot of this early day church in action…
I suppose each one of us can start a movement…can’t we?!
My love to you…and prayers,
Helen
I’ll be back to read this tomorrow, but wanted you to know I am praying for you tonight!
Love you!