Friday 1 July – Ezekiel 28
The Fall of the King of Tyre and the City of Sidon
The king of Tyre attributed all his wealth, skill and wisdom to himself because in his heart he thought of himself as a god (vv.2-6). Had he honoured the Lord and given Him the glory he would not have perished. The Lord confirmed the king would die a violent death (v.8) and all he was proud of – the beautiful city, his palace, treasures, navy and army – would be destroyed. The Lord reminded the king that there was a time when he was a “model of perfection” and innocent just as Adam was in the Garden of Eden before he sinned (vv.12-13).
The Lord goes on to say how the king walked in the ways of the Lord and prospered and was even blameless (vv.11-15). However, riches and finery became a trap, and wickedness entered him, which caused his downfall and destruction (vv.15-19). The love of money has a price to pay!
Ezekiel is called to speak against the Sidonians because they were far more idolatrous than the Tyrians. The Tyrians were business people and were not bound up with superstition and bigoted thinking like the Sidonians. The Sidonians were known for their worship of Ashteroth, and the daughter of the king of Sidon was Jezebel, who brought the worship of Baal into Israel.
The Lord was going to rid Israel of Sidon, but also destroy all the nations who stood against Israel. Verses 25 and 26 confirm that the Lord is going to restore Israel and gather His people together. Even though the sins of Israel had sorely grieved the Lord, yet He promised to Israel that the land He had given them they would inhabit again and they would build houses and plant vineyards. Look at recent history: the state of Israel was confirmed in 1948, and Jewish people have been gathered from all over the world to be established in Israel.
God never breaks a promise, and we should be rejoicing in that because it applies to us as believers. All the promises of God are “Yes and Amen.”
Prayer:
Ask the Lord to help you love Him, not money. (Read 1 Tim. 6:10 and Matt. 6:24.)
If the Lord has promised you something, believe it and pray it into being. Sometimes fasting is necessary in these situations.
Pray for those who govern our nation, that they will not be corrupted by power and fall into pride.
Sunday 31 July – Acts 7
Victory not Defeat
Stephen is such a danger to his opponents and to the enemy (Acts 6:10) that he has to be stopped. So he is falsely accused and brought before the Jewish ruling council (the Sanhedrin). This chapter is his defence – or perhaps better, his attack!
Stephen is charged with speaking against Moses, the law, the temple and God (Acts 6:11,13). In his defence he affirms his belief in the Old Testament and its revelation of God as the One who, in His love and faithfulness, called Israel to be His chosen people (vv.2-16). He affirms his acceptance of Moses as God’s appointed deliverer and law-giver (vv.20-36) and the temple as a place of worship sanctioned by God (vv.44-47). However he reminds them that the Old Testament also declares that God is bigger than any place of worship (vv.48-50), that Moses both promised the coming of Messiah (v.37) and was repeatedly rejected by the people of Israel (vv.35, 39), and that God’s people easily turn away from worshipping Him to worshipping things they have made (vv.40-43).
He then hits them with his punch line (vv.51-53) – nothing has changed, they are just like their ancestors. They have rejected the deliverer sent by God (Jesus), and in killing Him they have broken the law they claim to honour. This does not go down well (v.54)! Then when Stephen receives and declares a wonderful revelation of the glory of Jesus, they lose all control and stone him to death (vv.55-60).
Did you ask why Stephen was killed and why Jesus didn’t save him? Jesus could have saved him, so why didn’t He? With hindsight we can see that Stephen’s death helped the gospel spread (Acts 8:1,4; 11:19), and must have contributed to Saul’s conversion. We need to understand that sometimes hard things happen to Jesus’ followers for His glory and purposes. We also must grasp the truth that Stephen didn’t lose by dying, he won. Stephen went to be with His Lord.
Prayer:
* Pray for followers of Jesus facing the threat of death, that they may have Stephen’s confidence in Jesus.
* Pray for boldness to confront lies about Jesus and wrong perceptions of Him that you encounter.
* Pray for people you know who are going through troubled times, that they will hold on to Jesus and rejoice in Him.
Saturday 30 July – Acts 6
Releasing People into Ministry
Growth always brings its challenges (v.1). As size increases so does the burden on the leaders. In order not to create problems and restrict growth, leaders need to delegate and release others. That is exactly what happens here, and the result is continued growth (v.7). Rather than getting bogged down in organising the distribution of food the apostles delegate the task. They know what their focus should be and are determined to stick to it (vv.2, 4). If the enemy cannot intimidate us or undermine us, then he often tries to overload us. We all need to know what our focus should be, and stick to it.
The qualifications required of the men who were to handle this practical task are interesting – they were to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Why should this be? It is because building the church of Jesus Christ is a spiritual task. Every job needs to be done in the right way and the right spirit. Do you want to be used in the church? If so, you need to seek to grow in the Spirit and in wisdom.
Once released into ministry, Stephen goes from strength to strength (v.8). From a mundane beginning a mighty man of God arises. Key to this is his humility and willingness to serve. God cannot use a proud person, but delights to exalt a humble one (James 4:6). If you will be faithful with small things He will entrust you with bigger things (Matthew 25:21).
Prayer:
* Pray for the leaders in Ruwach Christian Church, that they will keep their focus and also be ready to release others.
* Pray for spiritual growth in your life and the lives of others in your cell. Pray Ephesians 3:16-19 over yourself and the others in your cell each day this week and see what happens.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where He wants you to serve in the church.
Friday 29 July – Acts 5
God’s Power at Work
This chapter contains some remarkable demonstrations of God’s power at work. In the first one (vv.1-11), having failed to stop the gospel spreading by threats and intimidation, satan tries to weaken the church from within. Barnabas had set a wonderful example of generosity (Acts 3:36-37). It seems Ananias and Sapphira wanted similar acclaim in the church but didn’t have the faith to go with it. So they kept some of the money but pretended that they were giving all of it (vv.8-9). However, God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7-8); he knows our hearts and motives, and we will reap what we sow. Ananias and Sapphira sowed hypocrisy and deceit and reaped death. It was a similar story at Corinth where those who treated the breaking of bread, their fellow-believers and hence Jesus with contempt, fell ill and died. So we need to guard against any form of play-acting and pretence. Don’t pretend to be something that you are not. I think if Ananias and Sapphira had come and said “Here’s 50% of the money” they would have been honoured for their generous gift. Within the church you can be honest and still be accepted. Once again the enemy fails, the church is strengthened and purified and so the Holy Spirit is able to work still greater miracles (vv.12-16). As we allow Jesus to purify us we will see greater works of power.
Satan is nothing if not persistent. He never gives up trying to frustrate God’s purposes. So no sooner has one plan failed than he launches another attack (vv.17-18). We shouldn’t be surprised when things are difficult. Jesus said we will face trouble in this world but we will win through because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
We also see that God’s power doesn’t guarantee His servants an easy ride (vv.19-42). Yes, He sends an angel to release the apostles, but only so they can continue to preach (vv.19-20). This resulted in them being arrested again, threatened and finally being flogged (v.40). But instead of moaning, they rejoice and carry on (vv. 1-42). Quite a challenge when I think how easily I start complaining when life gets even a little bit tough.
Prayer:
* Examine your life to see if you are sowing to the flesh in any areas. If so repent and find ways to sow to the Spirit instead.
* Pray for Ruwach Christian Church, that we will be a pure church where the Holy Spirit can move in power.
* Pray for people who are in troubled times, that they will hold on to Jesus and rejoice in Him.
Thursday 28 July – Acts 4
Opposition Begins
Thus far, things had gone well, but now satan stirs up opposition to the growing church. The Sadducees were a group within first century Judaism. They controlled the temple and also did not believe in the resurrection (see Matthew 22:23-33). Consequently, they were very upset because Peter and John were in the temple precincts preaching the resurrection of the dead (v.2). They arrested Peter and John and held them in jail overnight, then brought them before the Jewish ruling council. As Jesus had promised (Mark 13:11), the Holy Spirit gave Peter the words to say. What a difference meeting the risen Jesus and being baptised in the Spirit make! Peter, who denied Jesus when challenged by a serving girl (Matthew 26:69-70), now stands up for Him in the intimidating presence of the ruling council. Jesus’ promise still stands, so you can expect the Holy Spirit to help you when you have to speak up for Him.
How would you react if threats and intimidation attempted to stifle your Christian witness? Peter and John refused to back down, but did so as graciously as possible (vv.19-20). Then they called their fellow believers together to pray (vv.23-31). But how do you pray in such a situation? Their prayer starts by declaring who God is (v.24), and then is directed by God’s Word (vv.25-26). Now they are in a position to see the situation through the eyes of faith. The Lord is in control, and though kings and rulers may try to oppose Him they will fail (see Psalm 2:4-12), so the believers pray for boldness to do the Lord’s will. To pray in line with God’s will we need to allow the Word and the Spirit to help us see things through the eyes of faith.
The enemy’s attack has failed (vv.32-37). The gospel continues to be preached and demonstrated powerfully, and the church is drawn closer in practical care for one another. The success or failure of the enemy’s strategies against us will always depend on our response.
Prayer:
* Pray for Christians across the world, who are being persecuted for their faith, that the Holy Spirit will strengthen them to stand for Jesus.
* Pray for strength for yourself and the other members of your cell to stand against any pressure to compromise your stand for Jesus.
Wednesday 27 July – Acts 3
A Man Healed and More Saved!
Today we read about a mighty miracle with a wonderful impact (see Acts 4:4). I wonder how many times Peter and John had walked past that man? Probably quite a few (see Acts 2:46). Had they been praying for him already? I don’t know, but on this occasion something special happened. I believe that they saw, or had already seen, what Jesus wanted to do, and so they did it (compare John 5:19, 14:12). This is the pattern for us – to see a situation, to be moved by it, to seek Jesus to discover what He wants to do and then to do it.
Once again the powerful working of the Holy Spirit needs to be explained to curious people, so again Peter points them to Jesus, then calls for a response of repentance and promises life to those who do respond. Notice that he is not afraid to be direct and blunt (vv.13-15), but also speaks with understanding and sensitivity (v.17). The miraculous is an essential element of the church’s impact in Acts. It causes people to pay attention, to ask questions and to listen to the answers. Signs and wonders are the power of God backing up the message which is being preached – God saying, “You need to listen to these people. What they are saying is true.” Without these signs and wonders we can end up trying to give answers to people who aren’t asking questions. We are seeing the miraculous being restored, but we need to see it continuing to increase. The Holy Spirit in us and the gifts He gives (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) mean that we can all move in the miraculous. Let’s get hungry for an increase in signs and wonders so that we will see many people asking questions and finding salvation.
Prayer:
* Praise Jesus for the miracles we have seen, and ask for an increase in signs and wonders.
* Pray for the lost people you know, that things will happen which will provoke them to ask questions and seek answers to them.
* Pray for the members of Resonate, that they will be faithful followers of Jesus and will be bold to witness to Him in their schools and colleges.
Tuesday 26 July – Acts 2
The Spirit Comes and Many are Saved
Jesus’ words are fulfilled – the Holy Spirit is poured out and Jesus’ followers are His witnesses. There’s a sense in which they had no choice because the events demanded an explanation (vv.12-13). Peter takes the lead and, led by the Holy Spirit, he works with the facts about Jesus and the Old Testament, which his hearers know well. He brings them to the point where they realise the truth about Jesus and are ready to respond. This has to be our aim in witnessing – to bring people to the place where they recognise the truth about Jesus. Then, when they are ready to respond, to tell them how to do so (vv.38,40).
The final section of the chapter (vv.42-47) summarises the key elements of being a disciple of Jesus and part of the group of believers (the church). What things did you identify? I saw that there is teaching, fellowship, remembering Jesus’ death, resurrection and promise of return through the breaking of bread and prayer. There is a holy fear of the Lord and there are signs and wonders. There is a family atmosphere of caring and sharing among the believers. There is meeting together in small groups (cells) and in a big group (the congregation). There is praise and worship, an attractive lifestyle and there is increase. There is excitement and devotion to Jesus and His church. Wow! What a list! Praise the Lord we are seeing all these things in Ruwach Christian Church, but let’s seek Him for more of them. Are there any areas where the Holy Spirit has told you that you are weak? Decide how you will strengthen yourself in them.
Prayer:
* Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh excitement in Jesus and a still stronger devotion to Him and His church.
* Pray for the cell life of Ruwach Christian Church, that Jesus will strengthen the cell leaders and interns, that each cell member will participate fully, that each cell will thrive and soon multiply.
* Pray for Pastor Jacky and the others involved in teaching the church, that they will move under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Monday 25 July – Acts 1
Acts
Introduction
The book of Acts is the sequel to Luke’s gospel (see Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1). It is written by Luke probably about AD 63, shortly after the final events which it describes.
Luke was not one of Jesus’ disciples, in fact he was probably not a Jew but a Gentile convert to Christianity. He was a doctor by profession (Colossians 4:14), and so was well educated. Antioch and Philippi have been suggested as his home town, but these are only educated guesses. He was a companion of Paul on some of the journeys recorded in Acts (note how ‘they’ changes to ‘we’ in some parts, e.g. Acts 16:10-17). Paul calls him a ‘dear friend’ (Colossians 4:14) and a ‘fellow-worker’ (Philemon v. 24). He was a careful historian (Luke 1:3), and records many detail of times and places. Some of these have been verified by archaeological discoveries.
Both Luke’s gospel and Acts were initially written for the benefit of one person, Theophilus (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1). Nothing certain is known of him, but the title used, ‘most excellent’ (Luke 1:3), suggests he was a high-placed Roman official, and so also a rich man. Having received Luke’s’ writing he may have paid for copies to be made and circulated. Remember that at this time all books were hand-written, so making copies was time consuming and expensive.
The book of Acts covers thirty years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Its theme is best summarised in 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This is effectively an outline of the book, which begins with the events in Jerusalem at Pentecost, goes on to describe the spread of the gospel into Samaria and out into Asia Minor, and ends with Paul far away in Rome. It describes the growth of the church. It tells the story of how the church, the body of Christ, continued Jesus’ work on earth in the power of the Holy Spirit. As such it is vital reading for us, the body of Christ here and now, because we too are called to continue Jesus’ work in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s seek to learn all we can from Acts so that the same glorious message of Jesus can turn our world upside down.
Jesus’ Final Words
Acts starts with a brief summary of Jesus’ final days on earth. (vv.1-11). He highlights four things, two about Jesus and two relating to His followers.
First, Jesus was definitely alive. He left His followers no room for any doubt (v.3). Our faith is based on solid historical facts. Second, Jesus was not gone for good. He will be back to finally complete His work of salvation (v.11). This is the glorious climax to which world history is moving, and we each have a part to play in moving events towards that wonderful conclusion.
To His followers Jesus first repeats His promise that he will not leave them alone but will send the Holy Spirit to them (see John 14:16-18). ‘Baptised’ is a word borrowed from Greek by changing the Greek letters to English ones. It actually means to immerse or to soak. It was used to describe a cloth being dyed or a boat sinking! So Jesus’ promise to them, and us, is that we will be immersed in and soaked by the Holy Spirit. There is an initial one-off soaking for you to experience, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you have not had this experience then talk to your cell leader or Pastor Jacky and they will help you receive it. Once you have been baptised in the Spirit you need to go on letting the Spirit fill you (Ephesians 5:18) because we can easily dry out, or our colour fade, as we live in this ungodly world.
Jesus then tells us why we need the Holy Spirit – it’s so we can be His witnesses (v.8). It’s so we can tell people what we’ve seen and experienced Jesus doing.
The rest of the chapter (vv.12-26) describes the appointment of a replacement for Judas. Was this Jesus’ idea or Peter the activist wanting to do something rather than just wait? It’s hard to tell, but it is worth knowing whether you’re an activist or a procrastinator – one easily gets ahead of God, the other readily lags behind.
Prayer:
* Pray for yourself and the others in your cell, that Jesus will speak powerfully through the readings in Acts.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you today so you can witness to Jesus.
* Ask that Jesus will keep you in step with Him – not ahead or behind. Pray the same thing for Ruwach Christian Church.
Sunday 24 July – Ezekiel 48
The Lord is There
This last chapter of Ezekiel describes the division of the land between the twelve tribes of Israel. It is totally different from the distribution under Joshua in significant ways, and may describe the situation during the millennium. It is certainly God’s ideal for his chosen people. The land is divided up into strips running from east to west, each tribe having one strip of a country with wider borders than ever before. In the centre is the area set aside for holy use. It is this area that is described in greatest detail (vv.8-22). The amount of space devoted to this aspect shows God’s priorities with regard to His people. This is a land where God is central and worship of Him is the first priority.
In the old days of Israel, the temple had been in Judah’s territory. The people of the northern tribes had been so far away from Jerusalem that they had set up idols to worship instead. Now all the tribes will have equal access to the temple. In Joshua’s day the priests and Levites were allocated cities that were dotted about all over the land; now they are allocated a holy area around the temple and are properly fulfilling their God-given calling. The prince also had an area near to the temple, showing that although he was ruler of the people, he was submitted to God.
This vision given to Ezekiel spoke of a total restoration of Israel, both spiritually and physically. Many aspects of this picture are reflected in John’s vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. The name of Ezekiel’s city is given in v. 35, “THE LORD IS THERE”. Compare that with Rev.21:3, “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”
Since Adam and Eve fell into sin and broke fellowship with God, He has been at work to connect people with Himself again. One day there will be no more barriers; we will dwell with Him and see Him face to face. Until that day, we rejoice that we can experience His Presence within us by His Holy Spirit. As the church we can experience a foretaste of heaven together. “…in (Christ) the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple of the Lord in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph.2:21-22).
Prayer:
* Thank God that He abides with us by His Spirit. Pray for our celebration at Ruwach this morning, that every person who comes will meet with God personally.
* Pray for each member of the church, that we will carry the glory of Jesus to those we meet outside.
* As we celebrate the Bible College graduation today, thank God for it and pray for those who teach and those who learn there.
Saturday 23 July – Ezekiel 47
The River of Life
The picture here is of a mighty river flowing from the temple down to the Dead Sea whose waters bring life to its stagnant waters and healing to everything they touch. There are various Bible prophecies which suggest that when Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives, a mighty earthquake will shake the earth, causing huge topographical changes, and a river will begin to flow. (See Micah 2:2-4; Joel 3:18; Rev.16:18). This river was also seen by the apostle John in his vision of the New Jerusalem (Rev.22:1-2). It is another powerful picture of restoration; the language used alludes to the Garden of Eden before the Fall (Gen.2:10-14) and suggests that God is taking His people back to that perfect state.
But there is also a spiritual interpretation of these verses which applies to us here and now. Life-giving water is a familiar picture of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to the woman at the well in Samaria, “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). At the feast, when He called those who were thirsty to come and drink, He said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Did you notice that the life-giving river Ezekiel saw had its source at the altar of the temple? The altar represents the sacrifice of Jesus. All the blessings of the spiritual life come from His work on the cross, where He paid the price for our sin and defeated the power of satan in our lives once and for all.
The river becomes deeper as it flows out from there. As Ezekiel followed the instructions to walk in it he found it reached first to his ankles (v.3), then to his knees (v.4), then to his loins (v.4) and then it became so deep that he could no longer walk but had to swim (v.5). This represents the walk of the believer, which has to start at the cross but then becomes a walk in the Spirit. As we learn to walk in the Spirit, denying our flesh, we will go deeper into the river. We will learn to pray more in the Spirit and we will start to bear spiritual fruit that will bring healing to others. God’s desire is for us to get to the place where our lives are totally filled with the Holy Spirit and under His control.
Prayer:
* Ask the Lord to help you release yourself entirely to Him and to go deeper into the power and anointing of His Holy Spirit, so that you might be abundantly fruitful and bring His healing to many other people.
* Pray for any Christians you know who are frightened to let the Holy Spirit have control in their lives, that they might be released and discover the joy of swimming in the river of life.