Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common. (Acts 2:44)

There is nothing in this world quite like Christian fellowship. We know that the early church worshipped, prayed, and studied the Scriptures together. They also ate together, gave their tithes and offerings together, shared the gospel together, helped one another, and stuck together. In short, they loved one another. The word that describes this phenomenon is the Greek word koinonia, which is usually translated “fellowship.” But it is also translated into the words “communion,” “distribution,” “contribution,” or “partnership.”

This means there is something wonderful and supernatural that people in the church experience. It’s a bond we share that those outside that fellowship can’t begin to understand.

God has a unique purpose and place for the church in the world today. Paul tells us that we Christians are “the called of Jesus Christ” (see Romans 1:6). God’s people are called out of a world system that is hostile to the teachings of Scripture. As Jesus said, “You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).

This doesn’t mean we are to isolate ourselves from the world, because Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (see Matthew 5:16).

We are to be salt and light in this culture. But at the same time, we are called out of the culture and warned not to love it. Called out…and called together. In the world…but not of the world. The apostle Paul called the church “a mystery,” and there is nowhere better to be in this world than right in the middle of it.

Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth.”   John 14:16-17

I hate to admit that on some days my thoughts and actions are so un-Christian that I wish I could somehow get away from myself. I’m impatient with others, discontent with my lot, complaining, and in short, just not much fun to be with. I recently had one of those days when I think, How does the Holy Spirit put up with me?  God knows me perfectly — my every flaw, every sin, every thought, and worst of all, every motive. No one else knows me that completely.

The psalmist recognized our flawed nature and God’s response in writing kind Psalm 103:13-14 which says, “As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust”.  I’m thankful that within me lives One who knows the depth of my rebellion and still never lets me go. I can be sure of that because Jesus asked the Father to give me — and you — the Holy Spirit forever. And whatever our Lord requests, God is certain to give.

Father, you have told us that when we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us. (See 1 John 1:9) Help us to believe that even though others may turn from us, you never will. Amen.

Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”   John 21:16

After Judas betrayed Jesus, he was filled with remorse and went out and hanged himself (Matt. 27:3-5). Judas’ greater betrayal, however, may have been that he apparently could not believe that Jesus would forgive him and that the Holy Spirit would help him forgive himself.  But Judas was not the only one who failed Jesus. After having promised he’d never desert Jesus, Peter denied him three times. When Peter heard the rooster crow, he remembered what Jesus had foretold and went out and wept. 

Later, the risen Christ came to Peter and asked him three times, “Peter, do you love me?” After Peter answered yes each time, Jesus responded with an assignment. He gave Peter his own ministry: “Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep.” (See John 21:15-17.)  The memory of what we’ve done can be redeemed for good. The new covenant sealed with Jesus’ blood is the promise of God’s forgiveness. In that covenant, the Holy Spirit is able to bring us to rebirth, re-creation, renewal, and redemption. We can be used for God’s purposes, no matter what we’ve done.

Dear God, forgive us our past. Help us to spend our future serving you. Amen.

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   2 Corinthians 9:7

While watching a college baseball game, my young son retrieved a foul ball. If it had been a professional game, he would have been allowed to keep the ball, but at this level fans are expected to return baseballs. I wished that he could keep it because I thought it would be a big thrill for him. Then I saw how he enjoyed giving it back.  In reality, the young man who collected the ball was just the batboy or equipment manager. But to a five-year-old, he was a “real live ballplayer,” an athlete in uniform. He couldn’t have been more delighted and awestruck if she had been giving the ball back to Babe Ruth himself.

In a similar way we present gifts to God. Just as the baseball wasn’t really my sonr’s, what we give to God isn’t really ours. At our best, we are only being obedient – doing our duty – with the gifts first given to us, as Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Luke: “When you have done everything you were told to do, … say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'” (Luke 17:10). But wouldn’t it be great if we could return our gifts of money and service to God with the same sense of joy and wonder that my daughter had in returning the baseball? It’s not the gift that’s special but the One receiving it.

Dear God, help us to give joyfully. Amen.

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. (1 Corinthians 12:18)

The Bible likens the church to a family and to a physical body. We are called as Christians to be functioning, participating, contributing members of the body of Christ. We need to be a part of a body where there is accountability, friendship, and koinonia. We need to be a part of a body where we come to receive and to learn, but we also need a place where we can contribute and serve the Lord with the gifts He has given us.  In comparing the church to a body, the apostle Paul wrote, “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’ ” (1 Corinthians 12:20-21).

I do many things with my hands, but I don’t really think about how I’m going to use them. My hands just sort of do what they do. Underneath the skin everything is working together so I can use my hands. Each part of my body is dependent on another part of my body.   In the same way, the church as a body is interdependent. We cannot live and flourish apart from other believers. God wants us to engage. He wants us to be a part of what He is doing. Attending church is not a spectator sport. We are here to be a functioning part of His church.

Everyone has a job to do. Everyone has a need to serve. And yes, there is a place for you. Are you doing your part?

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

In these two verses from his letter to his young disciple Timothy, Paul describes conditions during the last days before the return of Jesus Christ. The phrase “itching ears” in verse 4 could be translated, “an itch for novelty.” Isn’t that an apt description of people in the church today? I am amazed at the crazy things that people who profess to be Christians will buy into. It seems as though every few years some new doctrinal fad or teaching comes along that everyone gets worked up about.  People get caught up in nonsense, and it is an itch for novelty. After awhile, they tire of it and run off to some new thing. It’s because they have never learned to love the Word of God.  The Bible tells us that in the last days, there will be false teachers, there will be a false gospel, and there will be false miracles. Only those Christians who are conversant with the Word of God and are biblically literate will be able to identify them.

Jesus said we are to go “and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). The church is a place where the Bible should be taught and where God’s people should learn the teachings and the requirements of the Word of God. It should be a place where we worship, pray, and use the gifts God has given to us.

Novelty isn’t what we need, it is consistency. A steady day-by-day walk with Jesus and a daily commitment to mine the treasures of His Word will not only bring us the maximum amount of joy in life, it will also protect us from false teaching and false messiahs.

 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”  Philippians 2:5

One day I opened my truck door and was blasted with a horrific smell. I searched every inch of the car but could not find the source of the stench. I then took action to get rid of the smell: I scrubbed the carpet with deodorizers and sprayed air freshener. The stench persisted. I left the truck doors open, deciding I couldn’t possibly run errands in that stink.

 I went back inside, opened the refrigerator, and noticed a small trickle of milk had leaked on to the shelf. After examining the milk container, I realized that the milk must have leaked into the truck the day before when I got groceries. That explained the cause of my stinky car: spoiled milk, one of the most offensive odors I’ve ever smelled.  Negative attitudes are like the stench of spoiled milk, permeating our lives and affecting everyone we come in contact with.  Think about some of these negative attitudes that might make you stink: complaining, selfish, prideful, bitter, or unforgiving.  Do any ring true with you today?

 Now imagine a pleasing aroma. What comes to mind? A freshly baked pie, the scent of the ocean, newly brewed coffee, or a cinnamon candle. A pleasant aroma is so powerful that it can bring a smile to our faces and make us feel more positive.  The same is true of our positive attitudes. In our relationships we can be like a fragrant aroma by adopting attitudes that please and reflect Christ. In fact, Paul teaches that we are a “fragrance of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15).  Consider these pleasing attitudes: thankful, humble, generous, gracious, kind, and cheerful.  You can ask God to be one of these fragrances through you today.  Our attitude provides an accurate litmus test for the true condition of our hearts. God cares first about the condition of our hearts because when God has our hearts, He knows that we’re surrendered to Him. He’ll mold us and shape our attitudes and actions to reflect His character.

 Dear Lord, search me, O God, and know my heart. Soften my heart and make me willing to receive an attitude adjustment from You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:20-21)

I remember visiting a mental hospital years ago with a fellow pastor. We were visiting the patients and sharing the gospel.  My pastor friend began talking with one patient and said, “Have you ever personally met Jesus Christ?”

“No,” the man replied, “But I’ve always wanted to.” Then he turned to me, shook my hand, and said, “Jesus, it’s good to meet you! I’ve heard so much about you.”  “I’m not Jesus!” I told him. “My name is Bruce.”

Imagine what it would be like to actually reach out and shake hands with the real Jesus, to actually touch Him. The opening verses of today’s devotional tell us about some individuals from Greece who wanted an opportunity to do just that.  Instead of simply granting them an audience, however, Jesus used their request to illustrate a point: “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain…” (verse 23-24).

Jesus was essentially saying, “Do you really want to see Me? Do you want to see God? You will see Me through My death. Soon, I will die on a cross for you and pay the price for your sins. Through My death, you can have life. You can see God, and you can know God.”

Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6

Within the first few verses of Jude’s short New Testament letter, he uses an important word twice: “beloved.” In verse 1, he writes, “To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ….” The word “sanctified” could better be translated “beloved.” Jude begins verse 3 with the same word. Here we have a foundational truth, which Jude brings front and center: We are beloved of God.

How often we hear about what we are supposed to do for God. Yet the emphasis of the Bible is not so much on what we are supposed to do for God, but rather on what God has done for us. If we can get hold of that in our minds and hearts, it will change our outlook and actions. The more we understand of what God has done for us, the more we will want to do for Him.

This is no small truth. In fact, it’s fundamental to our spiritual lives. The devil would love to keep you from praying at all by reminding us how “unworthy” we are—telling us in effect that we have a lot of nerve to even think we could approach a holy God. He whispers, Do you think that God would hear your prayers after what you’ve done? But the real question to ask is this: “Is Jesus Christ worthy to come into the presence of the Father whenever He wants?” Of course He is.

The fact is that we are “accepted in the Beloved.” Because Christ has open access to the presence of the Father at any time, we have the same access as we come to God the Father through our relationship with Jesus. It’s not on the basis of what we have done for God, it is solely on the basis of what Christ has done for us.

And that’s the best news I’ve ever heard.

“When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.”  Isaiah 53:11

Approximately 600 years before Jesus was sentenced to the cross, the prophet Isaiah foretold of the event. Invite Isaiah’s ancient words of prophecy to penetrate your soul today, and prepare your heart: 

 “See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about.  Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.  But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.” Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

Approximately 2,000 years after Jesus died on the cross, the passion of our Christ is still the power and path of God to salvation. Jesus’ suffering accomplished righteousness for us—and through it both He and we are satisfied.

Dear Lord, may I realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for me. Forgiveness … Freedom … And the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May I always find my satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.