June 16

June 16. Acts 12:1-16 GRACE LESSONS: That story of the unbelieving but totally earnest prayer meeting is SO funny! The fact that it became well-known and told to Luke is proof that this Christian community was full of grace. No condemnation for poor Rhoda who left Peter outside. We’re left to chuckle at the shock of the praying people who didn’t believe it when their prayers were answered initially. We’re reassured that even with very, very little faith—if we pray anyway, God can and often does answer yes. Because of His great GRACE for us. OUR PASSAGE: Peter was told that when he was old he’d be led to a hard death. So, at this stage in his life, when he was still young, God […] Read more »

June 15

June 15. Acts 11:1-18 GRACE LESSONS: Peter is not done learning lessons from the Lord and this scripture passage is a case in point. He’d always kept his distance from Gentiles. Then, God sends a vision that totally changes his lenses on how to view the world. He’s told quite clearly that God loves the Gentiles, too, and will receive them into full fellowship on equal footing with the Jewish Christians. God, in His grace, extends salvation to all and Peter is asked to lead the way among all the (up until now) only Jewish converts. OUR PASSAGE: Peter summarizes Acts 10 in today’s passage. If you want the longer version, go back and read that chapter. It is basically a radical new commissioning of […] Read more »

Disillusioned

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. —John 2:23-25 NIV We’ve now been married forty years, but I waited six long years for that wedding. We met in high school. I was 15 and he was 16. At last, the day arrived. Oh, I was so excited to finally be his wife! I had imagined it all out. We would enjoy scintillating conversations each night when he came home from work. He would love my cooking. We would never argue. […] Read more »

June 14

June 14. Acts 3:1-9; Acts 4:1-15 GRACE LESSONS: I love how Peter saw that crippled man and felt compassion for him. As grace had been extended to him, he now reached out and through the power of Jesus’ Name healed this cripple and made his body whole. What a story! OUR PASSAGE:  Peter’s sure got a new life. He’s now a city dweller fishing for men with boldness and single-minded purpose. A far cry from the Sea of Galilee and fishing boats! He and John apparently went regularly to the Temple and preached there, sharing the good news, “fishing” for those who were ready to hear the good news. He was filled with the Spirit, clearly, as the numbers swelled to 5,000 in this passage. […] Read more »

Checking In on You

Check up time: So how are you doing? I have a word of encouragement for you, dear one. ... To the one who has not actually done a lesson yet but she wants to and means to: TODAY is your day! It is never too late to start, friend. Don't try to catch up. Read today's passage and go on from here. If you have time, you can backtrack, but don't feel you have to. This is all about GRACE, dear one. We offer it to you with joy. Please join us. Even now. Especially now. ... To the one who is limping along, trying to keep up, but keeps missing days here and there: Just LOOK at you trying day after day to get the […] Read more »

June 13

June 13. Acts 2:22-41 GRACE LESSONS: As Peter preaches boldly, his message is filled with desire that those who listen come to know the One who, by His grace, would save them if they were willing. Peter is not there to harass and shame the crowd because they rejected Jesus. No, he’s there to bring them the great message of salvation: a free gift to all who will accept it. Note how in verse 29 Peter calls them “Dear brothers.” Note how he pleads with them to choose salvation. Grace was given to Peter and now he declares it available for this huge crowd. OUR PASSAGE: Note how Peter woos this crowd. He quotes from the scriptures to show them that the famous Jesus, who […] Read more »

June 12

June 12. Acts 2:1-21 GRACE LESSONS: We are going to spend two days reading through the great sermon of Peter that led to 3000 people converting to this brand new faith-walk. Through the grace of God, Peter truly was fishing for men at this point, wasn’t he? He spoke with power and authority, using the scriptures and showed many who had probably seen Jesus at one time or another that He was, indeed, Messiah. Son of God. Praise God for this man whom God used so mightily! OUR PASSAGE: You know what fascinated me this time around reading about Pentecost and the filling of the Holy Spirit? The NOISE. That noise – like a mighty wind – is what had people running to where Peter […] Read more »