June 30th: Some Times You Gotta Just Preach

Scripture

Acts 20:9-11

As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window sill, became very drowsy.   Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below.  Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms.  “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” Then they all went back upstairs, shared the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continues talking to them until dawn, and then he left.

Observation

What a wild story of the early church.  This passage captures the excitement and wonder of the new believers.  They desired so desperately to hear the apostles teaching and nothing was going to hinder them.

Application

We often tend to watch the clock when we are at church.  I confess, I do it too sometime.  What we need when we enter the presence of God with a group a believers and seekers, is a sense of anticipation.  I am not going to contain what God wants to do here to one hour.  He can keep me here until he is done with me…Cracker Barrel will be there tomorrow:)

Prayer

God I want to be on your timetable, not my own.

June 29th: God Uses Our Leaders

By: Ryan Nunez

Scripture

Acts 19:35-41

” At last the mayor was quiet them down enough to speak…Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed.”

Observation

The people of Ephesus rebelled against the preaching of Paul and the new movement of Christ because it was infringing upon their way of life.  As people were becoming followers of Christ they were turning from idol worship.  A revolt was lead by the local silversmith whose lively-hood was based directly on the sale of idols and the success of the local temple to Artemis.  The people of Ephesus drug two of Paul’s traveling companions into the amphitheater where confusion and anger boiled for several hours.  The crowd was so worked up that the men were not even able to speak.  The situation for the believers in Ephesus looked very bad until the local mayor stepped in and reasoned with the crowd.  He calmed them down and restored order.

Application

God uses all types of people and leaders to accomplish his goals and mission.  Often these leaders are not followers of Him, as was the situation with the mayor of Ephesus.  It is a reminder to me that God is always in control…even in the choosing of our leaders.  Whoever our leaders are, God has called us to pray for them.

Prayer

God, be with our leaders as they make decisions each day that effect our lives.  I pray for wisdom, integrity, and most of all that they would open their hearts to you.  I pray for patience on my part and I trust You and Your ability to control all.

June 28th: The Lord is my helper

By: Ryan Nunez

Scripture

Psalm 146:5-6

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.  He made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.

Observation

The Psalms are verses of worship that direct us back to many of the characteristics of God.  They are reminders of who God is.  The passage today is a great reminder that God wants to help us.  Out of all the things He has made (heavens, earth, seas and their contents), He still care enough for me personally that he won’t break his promises to me.

Application

Sometimes I get busy.  Sometimes you might too.  Sometimes when I get busy I cannot fill commitments I have made, I have over extended myself and have to let people down.  God has no limits, and despite all he does, He never has to put me off.  It makes me feel important to Him and loved.  When I let people down, I am sure they fell the opposite from me.  Since I am not God and do have limits, I need to recognize them and stay within thier boundaries to honor the relationships and obligations that I have in a way that shows love.

Prayer

God, thank you for your love for me.  Thank you for the way you show it through keeping your promises.

June 27: Compassion Shower

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Psalm 145:9

Observation:

This is another great reminder that God is always going to take care of me. It is awesome to read in his word that his love is unfailing and he is compassionate. God is always thinking of me. And he is in control of everything that is going on.

Application:

Just as the Lord gives compassion to everyone, I should strive to be compassionate to everyone I come into contact with, including that person at the store that can sometimes be annoying, or that neighbor who is always doing that one annoying thing. Also to the person on the street who is hurting or hungry. The Lord is compassionate to everyone. Just like he doesn’t pick and choose, neither should I.

Prayer:

Hey God, thanks so much for loving me and showing compassion to me by sending Jesus down here. He is such a great example of your love and compassion. Thank you for having compassion on me, even when I don’t deserve it. In Jesus name, Amen.

June 26th: A good reference…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“…they listened eagerly to Paul’s message.  They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”  Acts 17:11b

Observation

This passage describes the people at the Jewish synagogue in Berea upon hearing the message that Paul and Silas were teaching.  They didn’t take what they heard and automatically accept it…they studied Scripture, discovered for themselves that Paul was speaking truth, and made a decision to believe.

Application

Two things jumped out at me when I read this passage…1) “they listened eagerly to Paul’s message.”  Paul didn’t change topics…he spoke on the most important thing…the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  I love the fact that at Palm Valley we are intentional about sharing this life-changing message each week!  2) “They searched the Scriptures…”  The people in Berea didn’t gather together to discuss what they believed to be true compared to what Paul was teaching…they didn’t hop online and check out the latest blog…they went straight to the source…God’s Word…and they discovered truth in Paul’s teaching, subsequently changing their eternal home.  If I’m claiming God’s Word to be the truth…which I am…I should be searching the Scriptures when I hear of something new…whether in church or in conversation.

Prayer

Lord, may I understand the power of your Son’s message and may I share that with those around me who do not know you.  May I also continue to daily search for your truth in the words you gave us in the Bible.

June 24th: Discern the Needs

By Dennis Johnston

Scripture:

“Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.”  Acts 16:6

Observation:

All Christ-followers need discernment.  Paul had it and he used it to select new leaders, to know what to say, and to know where to go next on his various missionary trips.  As Paul’s team traveled through Asia, he must have been listening to the Holy Spirit in his quiet time.  God prevented him from speaking any more in Asia and compelled him to move on.  Next, the Spirit did not allow Paul to share the gospel in Mysia and Bithynia (v. 8).  Eventually, while in Troas, he had a vision in which a man begged him to visit Macedonia (vv. 10-11).

Application:

Listening for instruction from God and obeying is critical to meeting the needs of those in my community.  Discerning Christ-followers typically share some common traits such as being:

• good listeners
• intuitive or perceptive
• flexible
• optimistic

Paul changed his plans as he discerned the needs from God’s perspective.  Paul is a great example for me as I strive to listen to the Holy Spirit and discern His will (in my life and in my community). 

Prayer:

Lord, I see how you used Paul to meet your needs of those you love.  As I read your word, help me to be still and listen as I discern your will for my life.  Empower me to be a good listener and flexible as you reveal your plan in my quiet time.  I’m optimistic about loving you and looking for opportunities to serve those in my community. 

June 23: Don’t Make it Hard!

by Paul Lewis

Scripture: Acts 15:19

“And so my judgement is that we should not make it difficult for the gentiles who are turning to God.”

Observation:

Gentiles, non-Jews, were giving their lives to Christ. As Paul and Barnabas were traveling around, spreading the Good News of Jesus, there was a group of Jewish people following behind telling the new converts that they needed to follow the Law of Moses in order to be saved. These people are also called Judaizers. As part of the Law, men were to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant.

While they disagreed with the Judaizers, Paul and Barnabas were sent to the other Apostles in Jerusalem to confer with them on the matter.

After some deliberation and discussion, James (Jesus’ brother – the leader of the apostles at this time) ruled on the issue. His decision was to not restrict the Gentiles as they came to Christ. His only recommendation was that they live lives of purity and devotion to the one true God (all of the restrictions regarding meat, blood, and sexual issues revolved around false gods and sexual promiscuity they would struggle with in their culture).

Application:

This passage speaks to me of Paul’s humility. As an expert in the Law, he was willing to submit to the authority of the other apostles in the matter, showing that even when you know the right answer, sometimes you need to default to others in authority to have greater impact.

As far as the decision, this was huge! For the apostles, who were Jews, to set aside the requirements of conversion to Judaism was a huge acknowledgment of the end of the old covenant and the institution of the new covenant through Jesus. This has significant ramifications for us today. Their decision showed that following Christ is not restrictive. It’s not about religious practice, it’s about relationship with Jesus.

How often do we as Christians, and the church today, put roadblocks in the way of people who just want to meet Jesus and get to know Him? Sure, there are things we want them to know that will help then grow and connect with Jesus and His bride, the church, but these things follow conversion, they are not prerequisites, and they don’t impact salvation. We don’t require people to know enough, or be changed enough, or to have done enough in order to be saved, because it isn’t about what we do, it’s about what Jesus did!

In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says, “8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

We can never take credit for what Jesus has done, and we need to constantly make sure that we have not put requirements for salvation that Jesus Himself did not require.

Prayer:

Jesus, we know that your road to life is much narrower than the road to death. Help me, and us, continually look to make sure that we are making your road as easy to get to as possible. Help me, and us, to not put stumbling blocks that hinder the faith of those wanting to find you! Help us to continually see ways to reduce the difficulties people have which prevent then from being saved.

June 19th: Meanwhile…

By Daniel Conner

Scripture:

“Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.” Acts 12:24

Observation: Meanwhile…Meanwhile what? What is going on here in this verse? Herod was persecuting Christians, killing them for their faith in Christ. He kills James, Peter is saved from jail by an angel of the Lord, and Herod soon after was giving a speech publicly and was struck dead and eaten by worms…so as this was going on…so was…”Meanwhile”

Application: Despite whatever is going on, God’s Word will continue to flourish, and spread to people, and lives will continue to be changed. I was thinking the other day about our culture, and something that I recently heard about “the church” in our culture and how it will be virtually non existent by 2020. I find that interesting. I do know that as culture changes “the church” needs to change how it connects with people to introduce them to Christ, however, that will never change who Jesus is or what he has done for us. What if find interesting is some of these people are so concerned with “the church” not being around in a few years, and in the process we forget two important things.

1. we forget to BE the church NOW

2. Jesus said that”even the gates of hell will not overcome His church.

Remembering that as things get worse, and the Bible promises that they get worse before they get better, remembering this, helps me keep things in perspective that the God we serve is BIGGER than everything going on around us, so “MEANWHILE…the word of God continued to spread, and there where many new believers.”

Prayer:

Lord thank you for the reminder that no mater what is going on around us, you are still at work and using all things to draw people to your self. Help me to keep that in mind, and help me to have a Kingdom perspective as I live today for you.

June 18: Thanksgiving in June

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

Give thanks to the LORD for he is good! His Faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Observation:

This is such an awesome Psalm. A great reminder to us that no matter what is happening, the Lord is faithful to us, and will always be faithful.

Application:

This is something that I have been trying to teach the Junior High students. I want each student to know that God loves them so much, and that He is always there and will never leave them. I want to let them know that no matter how alone they feel, or how hard life seems, the Lord is standing right there with them. As I teach this to them, I can’t help but be reminded myself that God is always standing there watching and will continue to be faithful.

Prayer:

Hey God, Thanks so much for being the same today as you will be tomorrow. And thanks for loving me the same today, as you will in a week, and as you will in a year. You are always faithful and will always be. Thanks for always loving me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

June 17th: Shifting gears…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“When the others heard this, they stopped objecting, and began praising God.” Acts 11:18a

Observation

When Peter first arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers were a little upset and criticized him for hanging out with the Gentiles. In Verse 18, you see the change in the Jewish believers’ attitude because they are willing to hear Peter out. They shift their focus, stop complaining, and start praising God.

Application

Doesn’t this often happen still today? We see or hear something through the grapevine, and we immediately react negatively to the situation without allowing all the pertinent information to come out. Although we can make mistakes, let’s heed the example of the Jewish believers and be quick to repent and praise God for what He’s doing in our midst.

Prayer

God, thank you for opening the door to salvation for all people through Your Son, Jesus Christ.