The Power of the Holy Spirit

Scripture 2:41-42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

Observation: The powerful wind of the Holy Spirit has blown through the place and set everyone on fire. they are so delierious with the Spirit that others who saw them thought they had started happy hour way too early. Yet that was not it. Peter was urging those who would listen to change their lives and be baptized and it was happening at an incredible pace.

Application: This has been one of my favorite verses since I first felt the call to start a new church. How incredible is it to allow the Lord to use you in such powerful ways. Since the inception of The Bridge, our goal has been to follow the model of the first century church. To focus on the things they focused on and not to be distracted by all the other stuff. Sometimes we have succeeded greatly and other times we have fallen short. Our goal is still to reach people; share the Good News with them; and to help them build a bridge between themselves and God.

Prayer: Lord guide us and keep us focused. Amen

Police Chaplain

I have been accepted to be a Public Safety Chaplain for the Huntsville Police Department and I begin my ride-alongs this week. I'm excited to see how the Lord uses this to bring Him glory.

Sorry for Lack of Posting

As you can tell, I didn't post very much last week. Our family went on a vacation for Fall Break and we didn't have access to internet service. I promise to be more regular with the blogging.

Decision Making

Scripture: Acts 1:23-26 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Observation: Judas has betrayed Jesus and met with a pretty gory end. Therefore, there is an open spot in the disciples that must be filled. Now the other disciples are trying to decide who it should be and what do they do but open it up for the Lord to make the decision.

Application: What would my decisions be like if I prayed before making them and then left it up completely to God? I believe that we as humans want some control and there is a part of us that even though we know our God to be faithful and true, we don't want to completely place our decisions in His hands. Yet, here is a great example of how we should let go and allow God to work in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, help me to give up more control over to you. I admit, I like to make my own decisions and even though I know that you only desire what is best for me... I often think that I know better than you, even when time and time again, I have proven this to be incorrect. I love you and I trust you. Amen

You want me to WHAT?

Scripture: Luke: 10-14"When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be—and experience—a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God's people."

Observation: Once again, we get a look at Jesus turning the world upside down. Don't fight for the head table because you might get embarrassed. Instead seat yourself at the LAST table. Sound familiar? First shall be last and last shall be first. Then he turns his attention to the host of the party and tells them to invite those who no-one ever invites. They won't be able to return the favor but oh will the favor be returned.

Application: Here is Jesus wrapping up how to conduct ourselves and treat others in 2 short paragraphs. Put yourself as low on the totem pole and put others (especially the "misfits") as high as you can get them. This doesn't make sense to the world. It didn't make sense then and it sure doesn't make sense now. However, this is what we are called to do. Is it hard? Yes.

Prayer: Lord, help me to always put others first and self last. Amen