Just prior to his death by stoning, the first Christian martyr preached with passion to his accusers. Stephen recounted Jewish history highlighting the lives of patriar22chs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Solomon. He concluded with a stirring portrayal of Jesus as the persecuted Messiah whose “betrayers and murderers” (v. 52) now stood before him, rocks in hand.

This podcast is an overview of week 20 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: 1st Kings 12 – 22; 2nd Kings 1 – 3; Acts 7 - 11. 

The early apostles were extremely aware of the limitations imposed by their calling. They resolved to ‘stick to their assignment’ of prayer and preaching. The church leaders argued, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables” (Acts 6.2). The congregation would select deacons to ensure fair treatment of widows among the Hellenistic Jewish converts in the daily rationing of food. As for the apostles, they would limit themselves to their “assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”

What do you do when there’s nothing else left to do? When you have no hope and all is lost? When the obstacles appear insurmountable and no one cares? Your heart is heavy with discouragement and a sense of dread overtakes you with a rush of panic and the certainty of failure?

Peter and John were recognized “as having been with Jesus,” (Acts 4.13). Am I so recognized? Do I cause others “take note”; that is, stop and make even a casual observation... “Oh, another one of those Jesus followers!”? Am I only a professed follower of Christ, or one who actually spends time with Jesus? Do others recognize me as a real believer? If I look at myself through the eyes of others, will I detect evidence of Jesus’ influence? Am I recognizable “as having been with Jesus?”

Where did Peter place the emphasis in his charge to the crippled beggar: “Look at US” or “LOOK at us”? Which was it? There is a difference. 

“And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb… began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, ‘Look at us!’” (Acts 3.2a, 3b-4).

Confidence is a tricky thing. We can act confident, but even a good act is still an act. You cannot ‘fake it until you make it.’ If you pump yourself up with positive thinking and self-talk, you, like a balloon, are only a negative pin prick away from deflation. When it comes to confidence, you either have it, or you don’t.

“When the day of Pentecost came… Peter... addressed the crowd:  ‘Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently... God raised this Jesus to life...’” (Acts 2.1a, 14a, 29a, 32a). 

This podcast is an overview of week 19 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: 1st Kings 1 – 11; Acts 2 – 6.

The book of the Acts of the Apostles, written by physician and historian Luke, forces an issue, asking a tough, penetrating, hard-hitting question: “Why do you just stand there looking up at an empty sky?” (Acts 1.11).

It's a fair question.

I sometimes wonder why people who don’t deserve the good life, get one. It’s an interesting question, but here’s a better one: Why do I care?

John was fond of referring to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved,” implying a special and exclusive relationship. This term of endearment appears to have irritated Peter. He seemed bothered that John might not suffer the martyr’s fate Jesus predicted for Peter. His inquiry about John, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?” revealed a spirit of jealousy lurking inside Peter. It was hardly innocent curiosity that prompted his question. 

Christ’s plans for other people are none of my business. He has a particular plan for me. It’s my divine obligation, my joyful duty to find out what it is and then, do it. When I am tempted to compare my plight with those whom (I deem) are less deserving or begrudge those whose life (I assume) is easier and softer than mine, it’s time to apply the words of Jesus:

“What’s that to you? You — follow Me,” (John 21.18-22).