The Early Church - God Living In Us
As a human being and as a follower of Christ, there are times we are met with situations and circumstances that we just do not understand. There are times when God calls us to respond to those situations in ways that we do not feel qualified to do. If you’ve been a follower of Jesus for any length of time now, I’m sure you can think of a time when this has been a reality in your own life.
There are a few things in Acts 4 that can bring us confidence when we find ourselves in these situations. When we begin chapter 4, we find Peter and John boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. They’re met with religious leaders of the day who did not approve of their message.
Later on in the chapter, there is a shift in the way these leaders view Peter and John: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
Peter and John were just ordinary, everyday guys. But what made them special was that the Holy Spirit was in them. Verse 8 tells us that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit as he was speaking with the religious leaders.
This passage gives me so much hope! I can easily beat myself down and become inundated with all the things I “can’t” do, or I’m not great at – especially when it comes to my faith and my ministry. But this passage reminds all of us that it’s not a matter of what we can do for God; it’s a matter of what the Holy Spirit is able to do THROUGH us.
It reminds me of how sinful my human nature is. How selfish of me to be so concerned with my abilities, when the God of the universe wants to inhabit me! Let’s work to replace the time we spend worried about our shortcomings with an invitation for the Holy Spirit to inhabit our hearts and use us in whatever way needed. How can you do that this week? What thoughts about yourself do you need to turn over to the Lord?
By Peyton Trapnell
Peyton Is the Worship Associate at IBC’s Georgetown Campus. She is originally from Ohio and moved to Lexington this past summer after marrying her husband, Brady.
There are a few things in Acts 4 that can bring us confidence when we find ourselves in these situations. When we begin chapter 4, we find Peter and John boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. They’re met with religious leaders of the day who did not approve of their message.
Later on in the chapter, there is a shift in the way these leaders view Peter and John: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
Peter and John were just ordinary, everyday guys. But what made them special was that the Holy Spirit was in them. Verse 8 tells us that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit as he was speaking with the religious leaders.
This passage gives me so much hope! I can easily beat myself down and become inundated with all the things I “can’t” do, or I’m not great at – especially when it comes to my faith and my ministry. But this passage reminds all of us that it’s not a matter of what we can do for God; it’s a matter of what the Holy Spirit is able to do THROUGH us.
It reminds me of how sinful my human nature is. How selfish of me to be so concerned with my abilities, when the God of the universe wants to inhabit me! Let’s work to replace the time we spend worried about our shortcomings with an invitation for the Holy Spirit to inhabit our hearts and use us in whatever way needed. How can you do that this week? What thoughts about yourself do you need to turn over to the Lord?
By Peyton Trapnell
Peyton Is the Worship Associate at IBC’s Georgetown Campus. She is originally from Ohio and moved to Lexington this past summer after marrying her husband, Brady.
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January
New Year's Day 2022All Things NewA New NormalA Renewed MindA New MissionA New BeginningSpring is Coming...God's Not DeadHis Presence As I Pray With Other BelieversHis Presence As I Fill My Heart and Mind with His WordHis Presence As I WorshipHis Presence As I WriteHim AloneGoodbyesOur Friend and So Much MoreTrust Your Gut...The Flooding of the Holy SpritLiving By the SpiritDon't Just Stand ThereThe Futility of Human EffortThe Will of God for YouThe Internal Battle for ControlEvery Good Tree Bears Good FruitAchieving Victory Over SinIlluminating Properties of SnowSearching
February
MapsThe AdvocatesPainting the PictureThree In OneFebruary Scripture Memory VerseWelcome to the Book of Acts!A Growing HeartThere's Something You Need to Understand!Let's Flip a Coin - Or Do You Have a Better Idea?Are We There Yet?Growing in the ChallengesA Day to RememberA Historical RealityA Life TransformedA Message that Convicts and SavesA Gospel that GathersPain with a PurposeThe Early Church - AccountableThe Early Church - God Living In UsThe Early Church - BoldnessThe Early Church - GenerosityThe Early Church - ServingThe IntroductionThe Starting Lineup
March
On the DefenseNot in My House!We Have a Barn Burner!Drop the Rock!Scripture Memory Verse for MarchThe Glory of God's RedemptionSalvation Comes from GodEncountering ChristChanged Hearts and LivesCompleting the Unfinished WorkPsalm 131Something Came UpUnoffendableSpeaking Our LanguageTo Love or Not to LoveShake It UpPsalm 131Sola GratiaFreed by GraceAmazed by GraceScandalous GraceEvidence of GraceWhat God Has GivenThe Travel PlannerWhat Makes You Curious?Strengthened by Other BelieversImposters Exposed
April
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