The Acts 13 Network

We're wrapping up our series on spiritual practices, and today we're diving into the essential practice of community. While many of us here understand its importance, it's worth exploring why it's so crucial.

The Myth of Lone Ranger Christianity

American Christianity often emphasizes individualism—"me and Jesus." But this "Lone Ranger" approach isn't biblical. It stems, in part, from the Second Great Awakening and figures like Charles Finney, who promoted an individualistic gospel.

Historically, joining the church was a communal process, a deep commitment to the body of Christ. However, the modern focus on individual decisions has led to a disconnect from the importance of community.

Scriptural Foundation: Acts 2:42-47

Let's look at Acts 2:42-47: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Devotion: A Daily Choice

Notice the word "devoted." It signifies an active, ongoing choice. Just like love in marriage, devotion to community is a daily decision.

They devoted themselves to:

• Apostles' teaching: Growing in God's Word.
• Fellowship (Koinonia): Deep, meaningful relationships.
• Breaking of bread: Practicing the Lord's Supper.
• Prayer: Communing with God.

True Fellowship: Beyond Surface Interactions

Fellowship isn't just attending church or social events. It's doing life together, sharing burdens, and celebrating joys.

The early church shared everything, ensuring no one was in need. While we may not replicate that exactly, the principle remains: we should leverage our gifts and resources to support each other.

The Challenge: Vulnerability and Invitation

Many of us struggle to ask for help, fearing we'll burden others. But the church exists to support us.

• Are we inviting others into our lives?
• Are we willing to be vulnerable?

We often prefer others to need us, but we hesitate to reveal our own needs. This one way street breaks down community.

Living Life Together: Beyond Sunday Mornings

The early church met daily, sharing meals and spending time together. In our modern, isolated world, we must be intentional about connecting beyond formal church events.

Our culture promotes isolation: attached garages, air conditioning, and busy schedules. We must push back against this trend.

Preparing for Storms: The Purpose of Community

Spiritual practices prepare us for life's storms. By practicing community when life is good, we'll be more likely to lean on each other when times are tough.

Jesus warned his followers of persecution. They needed community to endure. We need it too.

Your Challenge This Week:

• Are you devoting yourself to fellowship?
• Are you both giving and receiving in your relationships?
• When life gets hard, do you invite others in?

Don't rob your brothers and sisters of the joy of serving you. Let them share in your joys and sorrows.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us be a people devoted to fellowship. Open our lives to one another, and help us bear each other's burdens. In Jesus' name, Amen

Life throws storms our way, and we need to be prepared. We've been exploring spiritual practices to build a strong foundation, like Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Last week, we talked about fasting, a practice of abstinence. This week, we're shifting to a practice of engagement: serving.

The Warning: Don't Display Your Righteousness

In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Jesus warns against displaying our righteousness. Why? Because true righteousness isn't about showing off; it's about genuine service.

The Problem: Hypocrisy

Jesus uses the word "hypocrite," which means "actor." Are we play-acting at righteousness? Are we putting on a show, or is our service genuine?

Our righteousness comes from Christ. It's a gift of grace. If we're just pretending, we don't truly have His righteousness. That's a sobering thought.

The Call: Quiet, Faithful Service

Jesus calls us to serve quietly and intentionally. He uses the metaphor of not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing. It's about being intentional in our service, doing it without seeking recognition.

We are made righteous by Christ, and our service should flow from that. As James says, "Pure and undefiled religion is caring for the widows and orphans."

The Example: "A Few Good Men"

Think of the movie "A Few Good Men." The characters are challenged to protect those who can't protect themselves. That's what Jesus is calling us to do.

He doesn't qualify who deserves our help. He simply says, "When you give to the needy." We are to serve because it's who we are, not because someone is worthy.

The Benefit: Joy and Acceptance

Serving others brings joy, and it also allows us to receive help when we need it. When we serve, we understand the joy of receiving help, and we can accept it when it's offered to us.

Your Challenge:

1. Are you serving? Are you intentionally caring for those in need?
2. Are you serving in secret? Or are you seeking recognition?

"Needy" isn't just about financial need. It can be relational, emotional, or social. It's about those on the fringes, those who can't help themselves.

Practical Ways to Serve:

• Have coffee with someone lonely.
• Invite a neighbor to dinner.
• Offer a listening ear.

Serving isn't always about grand gestures. It's about loving well.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us serve out of the righteousness you've given us. Keep us from hypocrisy, and help us serve quietly and faithfully. May we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In Jesus' name, Amen.

Over the past few weeks, we've explored spiritual practices to prepare ourselves for life's inevitable storms. We've delved into prayer and Scripture, and this week, we're tackling a topic that might make some of us squirm: fasting.

Most of us associate fasting with doctor's visits or perhaps a trendy diet like intermittent fasting. But today, we're discussing the spiritual discipline of fasting, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6.

Jesus's Expectation: "When You Fast..."

In the midst of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)

Notice Jesus doesn't say "if" you fast, but "when." He expects us to engage in this practice.

Beyond Food: Understanding Abstinence

Spiritual practices fall into two categories: engagement (like prayer and Scripture study) and abstinence. Fasting is a practice of abstinence, where we intentionally remove something from our lives.

In our modern world, the idea of sacrifice can be uncomfortable. But consider this: abstaining from excess calories leads to better fitness, and abstaining from screen time can free up time for exercise. Often, what we give up results in greater gain.

What Controls You?

While fasting often brings thoughts of food to mind, it's about more than just skipping meals. It's about identifying what controls us. What do we think about throughout the day? Is it food, our schedules, media, or endless scrolling?

Jesus challenged those who followed him for physical sustenance, not spiritual growth. He asked them, "What are you chasing?"

In our lives, we may not be worried about our next meal, but we are chasing something. What has a grip on your life?

The Challenge of Addiction

When we abstain from something that controls us, we often experience discomfort, even withdrawal. That's because it's often an addiction.

Jesus warns against making a show of our fasting. He says, "Don't let anyone know." This is a personal journey between you and God.

The Reward of Transformation

Fasting is about wrestling with God, allowing Him to remove what controls us. It's about learning self-control, a fruit of the Spirit.

The goal isn't just abstinence; it's transformation. It's about freeing ourselves to engage more deeply with God and others.

Your Challenge This Week:

1. Identify what controls you. What do you orient your life around?
2. Abstain from it. For a day, a few hours, or a week, say no.

This might be food, social media, news, or even your phone.

Other Forms of Fasting:

• Solitude: Abstaining from people.
• Silence: Abstaining from speaking.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what controls you and how you can abstain from it.

Keep it Secret

Remember, keep your fast between you and God, allowing Him to transform you.

We're continuing our series on spiritual practices, exploring how to live out our faith in practical ways. We've emphasized the importance of practice, how it prepares us for life's inevitable storms. Just as athletes train for game day, we need to build our spiritual foundations on solid rock.

Last week, we focused on prayer, suggesting drills like praying the Lord's Prayer daily, reading a Psalm, and practicing gratitude. I even confessed I initially resisted the gratitude exercise, but I'm so glad I tried it! Recording those daily blessings revealed God's constant presence and activity in my life. It's a powerful reminder of His sovereignty, especially when facing tough times.

Today, we're diving into another crucial practice: engaging with Scripture.

The Power of God-Breathed Words

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Followers of Jesus are "people of the book." Scripture is a remarkable gift, the Word of God, described in Hebrews as "sharper than any two-edged sword." Our spiritual ancestors, the Jewish people, gathered to read, discuss, and ponder these texts.

Paul highlights that Scripture is useful – it actively shapes us. But many find it challenging, even intimidating. Some have even misused it as a weapon, twisting its meaning to condemn others. And let’s be honest, the idea that the Bible is just a “basic instruction manual before leaving earth” feels simplistic and misses the point.

More Than an Instruction Manual

Think about it: instruction manuals don't change lives. They don't inspire awe or challenge us to grow. Scripture, on the other hand, does all of that. As Romans 12:2 says, we need to have our minds renewed. This happens through interaction with Scripture.

Paul calls it "God-breathed." It's inspired by the Holy Spirit, working through human authors. Reading Scripture is a unique encounter. We connect with the writers and, more importantly, with the One who inspired them.

The Holy Spirit works through Scripture when we approach it in faith. Reading it as a mere historical text or instruction manual won't transform you. But even a child can be moved by God's Word.

Equipped for Every Good Work

Scripture prepares us for "every good work," for those "game day" moments when life throws its toughest challenges. It gives us words when we don't know how to pray, and it provides a framework for engaging with God.

But how do we practically engage with Scripture? Many feel overwhelmed by its complexity.

Lectio Divina: A Divine Reading

For centuries, believers have practiced "Lectio Divina," or divine reading. It's a simple yet profound method:

1. Read (Lectio): Choose a passage and read it slowly, thoughtfully, repeatedly. Let the words wash over you. Read it aloud, silently, emphasizing different phrases. As Eugene Peterson suggests, approach Scripture like a dog with its favorite bone, savoring every bit.
2. Reflect (Meditatio): Ponder the passage. Meditate on it, letting it roll around in your mind and heart. Think about each word and phrase, processing and resting in it. Carry it with you throughout the day.
3. Respond (Oratio): Journal your thoughts. Talk to someone about what you're hearing. Ask yourself, "What is God saying to me?" "How is God speaking?" Write down your responses or share them with a trusted friend.
4. Rest (Contemplatio): Rest in what God has revealed. This is the heart of Lectio Divina: to encounter God through His Word.

Practical Tips:

• Start small: Choose a short passage to begin with.
• Be consistent: Set aside a specific time each day for Lectio Divina.
• Create a quiet space: Minimize distractions to focus on God's Word.
• Be patient. It is a practice, and takes time.

We continue our series on spiritual practices, building upon the importance of practice as preparation for life’s challenges. This week, we focus on prayer. Hebrews 4:14-16 provides a foundation: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Many find prayer challenging. It can feel like a mere formality, a quick ritual before meals or travel, often forgotten afterwards. We treat it transactionally, like a shopping list or a magic charm, missing its deeper purpose.

Hebrews 4 reorients us. Verse 16 invites us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.” This is a striking image, especially considering the historical context of kings and emperors. To approach a human ruler’s throne required strict etiquette and trepidation. Yet, we are invited to approach God’s throne, not of judgment, but of grace, with confidence.

This throne is a place of acceptance and love, where we receive mercy and grace. Prayer, then, is the confident entry into God’s presence. God is omnipresent, so we are always in His presence. Prayer is the intentional acknowledgment of this presence. It is not confined to a specific location, posture, or words.

Prayer is simply acknowledging and entering God’s presence intentionally. It can occur at a stoplight, during a walk, or before sleep. Falling asleep while praying can be a blessing, a sign of God’s peace.

We can approach God’s throne with confidence because Jesus, our great high priest, understands our weaknesses. He empathizes with us, welcoming us with open arms. Prayer is not a transactional exchange but an intentional communion with God. It is a restoration of the fellowship enjoyed in the Garden of Eden, a walk with God without shame or fear.

How do we practice this? Here are three practical drills:

1. Pray the Lord’s Prayer daily. Recite it word for word, allowing its meaning to resonate. This prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13, shapes our perspective and prompts reflection.
2. Read a Psalm daily. The Psalms are prayers of God’s people, offering insight into their communion with God.
3. Practice gratitude journaling. At the end of each day, write down three things you are grateful for. This practice reinforces gratitude and deepens reflection.

These drills are not magical incantations but practices that reshape our vision and understanding of prayer. They help us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, receiving mercy and grace in our time of need.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us into Your throne room of grace. Help us to approach You with confidence, receiving Your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Life throws punches. Hiding won't help. Jesus, in Matthew 7, compares life to building a house: on rock (His teachings practiced) or sand (hearing only). Storms test our foundation.

"Hear and do" is key. Many hear, few practice. Like athletes training, we must practice faith. Love your enemy? Don't judge? Live it. Practice prepares us for storms, not avoids them.

Hardship tests faith. Without practice, we falter. Following Jesus is challenging, but His yoke is easy with practiced faith.

We build on the rock through prayer, Scripture, service, community, and fasting. These aren't to earn salvation, but to prepare for life's inevitable storms: heartache, pain, a broken world.

Are we prepared? Practice, not just hearing, builds a strong foundation. We'll explore these practices in the coming weeks.

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