WE ARE CALLED TO A DEEP DEVOTION TO THE THINGS OF GOD
SCRIPTURE:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42—47)
OBSERVATION:
The Holy Spirit was poured out among those who follow Jesus. This was the GIFT FROM THE FATHER that Jesus told the disciples to wait for. The gift came as a blessing that was beyond measure. Lives were changed, and miracles, wonders, and signs were happening.
Peter urged people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. And they will receive the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. This gift is for them, their children, and all who are far off, whom the Lord will call.
What a blessing of this gift that changes and empowers the disciples. God promised the GIFT, and he delivered it in such a fantastic way that all saw it. Because of the PROMISED GIFT being offered, people changed.
The Power of the Promised Gift, the Holy Spirit, caused people to DEVOTE themselves to,
- The Apostle’s teaching
- To Fellowship
- To Breaking bread
- To Prayers
People not only were DEVOTED to the things mentioned above, but their attitude also changed.
- They were FILLED WITH AWE at the many wonders and signs performed
- They were TOGETHER and had EVERYTHING IN COMMON
- They SOLD PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS to give to anyone who had need
Every day, they CONTINUED to meet together to worship, break bread and eat together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. The Lord added to their number DAILY those who were being saved.
This amazing account reminds me that the church must never cease to come together at all times and at any time. The power of God often works mightily when believers come together to enjoy the teaching of the Bible. Many churches today only gathered for Bible studies, which is a good thing but only a part of the Christian’s experience.
The Bible is powerful for building one’s faith but having fellowship with other believers helps keep the truth balance from a personal and biased interpretation of the word. Many believers who only read the bible without fellowshipping with others tend to go weird and awkward. Fellowship is vital to all believers. Breaking bread is powerful in bonding and accountability. Prayer is essential to every endeavor and all fellowship of believers.
Christians are never to be lone rangers. I am reminded that for believers to see miracles, signs, and wonders, it has to be in the context of coming together and having a shared experience in the Holy Spirit. As the body of Jesus, we need to come together and again be DEVOTED to his word, to fellowship, to break bread, and to pray together.
APPLICATION:
I am reminded to make every effort to be devoted to the body of Christ. I will devote myself to the teaching of the scripture, to be in fellowship, to break bread with other believers, and to be able to pray together. This is my calling. I will not allow circumstances to separate me from being a part of the body of Jesus, not even the pandemic.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to the powerful Gift that the Father has promised to pour out over me. I thank you for your Holy Spirit. I ask that you continue to stir in me the desire to be devoted to your word, to be devoted to fellowship, to be devoted to breaking bread, and to be devoted to praying with other believers. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of being a part of your body. Amen!
