by Elizabeth Etta
Acts 9:
Saul's conversion is a true testimony of God's grace. Saul was a
persecuter of the church at the time. His encounter with the Lord, forever
changed him. This chapter got me thinking about how we should not judge people,
many of them are awaiting an encounter with Christ to transform them and when
this happens, we should be ready to welcome them into God's family.
An encounter with Christ is truly life changing. Saul recognizes
that he has been saved by the grace of Jesus and so filled with the Holy Spirit,
he begins his mission by joining the other disciples and spreading the good
news of Christ
Acts 10:
What stood out for me was Acts 10:34.
God shows no partiality but in every nation, anyone who fears Him
and does what is right is acceptable to Him.
Acts 12:
Pride comes before a fall.
Herod was a powerful king who was persecuting the Christians at
the time. The bible said he did not give glory to God when the people were praising
him calling him a God. He was struck down and in a humiliating fashion, was
eaten by worms and died. A true attribute of every Christian is humility. We
should try to outdo each other in service and give God all the glory for each
and every one of our accomplishments.
Acts 14:
Paul and Barnabas continue spreading the good news. They
performed miraculous signs but still some people refused to believe. At this time, Paul
continued to perform miracles using the name of Jesus and here he healed a
cripple. The people started to consider Paul and Barnabas as Gods.
In this chapter I am reminded about humility. The disciples did
not take credit for the miracles but gave glory to God and used this as a way
to witness to the people. Also this chapter brings to mind the fickleness of
human nature and how important it is to stay guarded.
The same people who hero-worshipped Paul and Barnabas after
seeing the miracle on influence by the Jews turned around and dragged Paul outside
the city and stoned him to death.
This is a strong reminder that if we become proud in our
successes in life, and work hard to gain recognition, money or whatever the
reason for our success it is all pointless because people change. They are those
that will be there to take over your position, other factors can come into play
like illness, old age, accidents and if you don't have Christ? What do you
have, what you measured as success will come to mean nothing. However if you
boast, you can boast in Christ Jesus because that is constant.
Reflections
So far the Acts of the Apostles is about the exemplary lives of
the early Christians. Like Fr. Vic says Church is not a building but it is the people
that make up the church. We as members of the church must continue in the ways
of the early church, building one another in faith. We are blessed to have StAY,
a gathering where we can come together in prayer and fellowship like the
apostles. We need to keep rejoicing and strengthening and praying for one
another as we walk with God. This is so that God's spirit can move us to draw
more people to Christ who is the only way and hope of our salvation.
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