Today I start the book of Acts. I just finished re-reading Ephesians. I feel like I know a lot about the book of Acts. I have read it before; it is the story of the early church; the early decrees, the coming of the spirit, and the struggle of doubt that Jesus is coming back. I’m going to loosely follow the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) model that has been ingrained in me by my awesome Pastor.
[S] The first thing: “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.” I’m thankful that Jesus came back, and not just once. There is no doubt He had a plan, he commanded them to not leave, but to wait for the Holy Spirit. But they were curious, asking if Israel was to be restored (think about the 11 men wondering this…men who in general were not of power) wondering if “[He was] restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
[O] Did they (the 12 apostles minus Judas) consider themselves part of Israel?
[S] “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers“.
[O] Hmm, with all the talk about Mary I’ve been hearing latley it’s interesting that she turns up here. I’m interested in hearing anyone else’s thoughts about the holiness of Mary? Other observation: they were continually devoting themselves to prayer. What does that look like?! (and wow, I wish I could do that.) Final observation on this verse, there’s a point made about the women praying with the 11 in the upper room (and the other 100 or so people). Does this bear any significance in the early church?
[S] This is my favorite part of chapter 1: “They were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Why are not all these who are speaking Galileans?’ And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? … Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the districts of Libya and Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jew and proselytes. Cretans and Arabs - we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”
[O] God can SO overcome language barriers. (He afterall was the one who “confused” the language in the first place.) Even moreso, God told the 11 to stay, even though they wanted to go. Then when they obeyed, the promise of God was fulfilled (the Holy Spirit came). Then, as a result, they experianced first hand the amazing fruits and gifts of the Spirit.
[A] I’m struggling so hard to speak Arabic, whether Modern Standard (fuhsa) or Colloquial (aimiya). And it’s tough to pin down any specific reason why I’m trying to learn. But I feel like God has told me to try. So until that changes I’m going to. God-willing, I will be blessed with the ability to share the Good News in Arabic some day.
[P] Abba, Father, You are my God and my King. Your perfection is complete, your knowledge unmatchable, your ability to communicate inexpressable. Father, I confess my greed and my doubt. I daily am struggling to see You and Your glory in Cairo and in not-America. I confess that I have put you in a Western box. Jesus, thank you for your blood which overcomes my simple-minded short-sighted often-times idolotry. Lord, grant me understanding to Your will, Your plan, show me how I fit into what You want, not what I want, and use what You have done in me to further Your kingdom. Temper my wants with your Desire. And I will be thankful, even when my hands are tired, my mouth dry and parched, even when the words don’t come and the evil one tells me that know one loves me, I will worship you Lord. My God, and my King.
