With Glad & Generous Hearts: A SOAP Journal Based on Acts 2

S = Acts 2:42-47 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

O = When we are devoted to a teaching we do more than agree with it in our head. We seek to apply it to our lives. Their devotion to the apostles’ teaching led to a community of shared purpose. The worshipped together, prayed together, learned together, and ate together. Their sharing wasn’t some kind of hippy commune but what we would call a missional community. Their life was about living out the love of Christ together as witnesses in the world. What did this do to their attitude? They did what they did “with glad and generous hearts” not under compulsion or merely out of duty. Without true relational community they could not have accurately represented their Trinitarian God.

A = In our culture, we over-value individualism and self-effort. In other cultures there is more emphasis on the group and collective mission of the community. Such was the culture of the New Testament church. It seems that we need to think, feel, and function more as a community, a family, a whole body, rather than as a voluntary association of individuals. Perhaps we could even begin to look for collective applications of our Bible teachings, “What should we do as a result”, rather than just, “What will I do?” So collectively are we devoted to following Christ, and sharing life with glad and generous hearts? If so then our witness in the world will draw many to Christ.

P = O Lord, may I hear you speak through the teaching of the Bible and through the true community of your people. May I have the courage to be authentic and honest with you, and the wisdom to stay connected with a growing community of believers who are devoted to following you together. May you fill my heart with gladness and may your generous love overflow from my heart to others as we share life, learning, and the table in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

“Wait For It…” A SOAP Journal Based on Acts 1

S = Acts 1:4-5, 8 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

O = After the resurrection, during the forty days when Jesus appeared physically to the disciples, there was one meal where Jesus told them to wait…not for their food but for the coming of the Holy Spirit which would happen about a week after his ascension into heaven. They were specifically instructed to stay in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit in power.

Ironically, it was Pentecost, the feast celebrating the firstfruits (beginning of the early grain harvest), that God gave them the Holy Spirit as they became the firstfruits (Romans 8:23; 2 Thess. 2:13-14) of the Kingdom of God.

A = This passage forces me to consider how many times I go about my business, or even attempt to do the Lord’s work, in my own knowledge and power instead of that of the Holy Spirit. It can be very frustrating! However, God has not called us to frustration, but empowers us (Acts 1:8, Ch. 2), equips us (John 14:26; Eph. 3:16), and encourages us (Acts 9:31; Romans 8:6 & 16) in the promised Holy Spirit. However, I must “wait for it” but not in the same way they did. The Holy Spirit has been given, but I must “wait” in the sense of seeking the baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit in prayer and in humble confession of my need to the Lord each day. I can too easily be deceived into thinking I can do what I need to do on my own and miss out on the blessing of participating in God’s plan and power for the day.

P = O Lord, thank you for giving me your Spirit to me as a guarantee, a sign that you are in me as 1 John 4:13 reminds me. Thank you that you have provided the power I need to do the work and live the life to which you call me. I confess I can’t live up to it. In myself I have not the strength, the patience, nor the love I need and my family needs from me. I desperately need your mercies to be new every morning and for your Spirit to lead and empower me to follow in faith today that I might wait on you! Let me walk with you today in the Spirit! Amen.