simplelife

Today, we're in Acts 7. Stephen is a good guy but offends the religious leaders by insisting that Jesus is the Messiah. So they arrest him and the high priest asks him what's going on. Stephen tells stories. (You know it's easier to remember stuff when it's a story, right?) He traces the roots of his faith and theirs to Abraham. Abraham had no idea where God was sending him when he left his family. He took his wife, nephew, servants, tents, and herds to what is now Israel. God's promise was that his family would inherit the land but Abraham didn't see that in his lifetime. Then Stephen mentions Moses, a guy raised with royal status and privilege, education, and leadership skills. Moses lost it all when he was 40 by murdering someone. The next 40 years, he herded sheep or goats, started to stammer, and lost all his self-confidence. That's when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt into the land promised to Abraham. He had a lot of excuses why he was uns...

A woman with a sketchy reputation has a conversation with Jesus. She tries to derail the conversation with social constraints and differences of religion. But he goes straight to her heart.  His disciples come back from a food run and are surprised that he's talking to 1) a woman (gender bias); 2) a Samaritan (racial prejudice), and 3) someone with a questionable past (possible moral issues).  Jesus isn't bothered by their preconception of who she is. He judges the longing of every heart - including yours and mine.  Whether you're someone who's judged harshly or disregarded by other OR if you're the one judging someone, won't you let Jesus soften your heart? Won't you take his kind invitation to come close to God through him, the Messiah (Savior) of the world? Read the story (John 4): Jesus had to go through Samaria.  He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar. It was near the piece of land Jacob had given his son Joseph.  Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was t...

 When the early church grows from 120 to 5000 people in a few weeks, it's a bit chaotic. Growth is positive but fast growth brings big changes, which can be challenging. An outsider group notices that their widows are being overlooked in the distribution of food. The insider group is still cared for. You can only imagine the logistics.  What would you do? Jump in and organize the food pantry? Ignore the problem? Or? The church leaders (the apostles) ask the people to choose 7 men with good reputations to take over the job of administration. It's not that the work isn't worth doing. Clearly, it is necessary. But they realize they'd be diverted from their calling to preach and lead if they spent their time on church care. So they delegate the task with responsibility and authority. The leaders who are chosen do their work well. The problem is resolved and the church grows. That experience teaches us that everyone has a role to play in the Body of Christ. Everyone is neede...

  On April 7, IES Bandung reads the gospel accounts about the followers of Jesus during the 7 weeks between Easter and Pentecost. They've gone through the dashed hopes and horrors of the crucifixion on Good Friday, the day before the Jewish Passover. They've felt the euphoria of the resurrection. Read the passages here: Matthew 28 , Luke 24 , John 20-21 . After experiencing trauma, most of us are not the most emotionally healthy nor able to accurately assess what is going on. That's also happening to Jesus' disciples. Between an occasional visit from the risen Jesus, the disciples go back to what they know. Some go fishing, some hide out, and others are waiting for what's next. Most are afraid - of religious and political leaders and even of Jesus, when he suddenly appears through locked doors. Some disciples doubt even with clear evidence that Jesus is among them. They're waiting for what? Pentecost is on the horizon. But they have no idea what is coming: that ...