week 2 devotions - can U hear me now?

Good News or Bad News?

Day 1: Last week we considered God’s call to get the Gospel message out, in particular to the next generation. We touched on how we do church together, and how that is perceived by others outside the church. We talked about an old message for a new generation.

Read Acts 2:42-47 to examine how the first followers of Christ, the early church, engaged in fellowship together. Make a list of the ministry activities they did. Note how and where and when they did them. How does your experience of Christian community compare to this description? Do you see the life of the early church reflected in the life of Peace as a community of believers?

Day 2: The early church sets an example of how new believers are joined into a community growing in Christ through fellowship, prayer, and teaching. How does the church collectively speak to a challenging and skeptical world needful of God’s unconditional love? What picture do we paint through our attitudes and actions?

Read Galatians 5:22-26. Paul speaks to the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of Christ in us. The result of this fruit is to fulfill the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbors. Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to create in you?

Day 3: As Christians, we accept Christ as our Savior and our Redeemer. We are in the world, yet called to be different. Does that make us better than others?

Read Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus has left the crowds behind to focus his attention on teaching his closest disciples. He has just shard with them the Good News of what are called the Beatitudes, best known for their poetic form beginning "Blessed are…" -- the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted. Then Jesus teaches about Salt and Light. How might the Spirit act through you, to bring out the best in others? As a Christ-follower, how do we shine before others? Are you quiet, when you should speak? Do you go along with the crowd? Do you ignore the needs of others, tending to your own? When others see you, do they see the light? If they ask, do you reveal the source?

Day 4: We hear the undertone of judgment often associated with organized religion and look to guidance on how to avoid this trap. The 'J'-word most associated with Christianity would seem to be Judgment, not justice, not joy. Jesus speaks quite clearly to his followers about judging others.

Read Matthew 7:1-5 carefully. How does Jesus' admonition about judging resonate with you? Do you think that Jesus is teaching his disciples to abandon all critical thinking and discernment? Is there a more subtle message which we can apply to our lives?

Day 5: Reflect on the selected readings for this week. In what ways has reading this scripture changed how you view church? What might you do differently? We hear criticism that as a body, we sometimes come across to the unchurched and people seeking God's love as being both judgmental and hypocritical. The lyrics of a popular song, "If We Are The Body", by Casting Crowns, read: "A traveler is far away from home. He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row. The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances are better out on the road." How do you see opportunities at Peace to be salt, and light? The song concludes: "Jesus paid too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come. We are the body of Christ." Pray that through your attitudes and actions that you reflect the light of God’s unconditional love. Ask God for discernment, rather than judgment, that you bring out the best in yourself and others.