Picture is “Scene from Acts of the Apostles, after Stradanus”From Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; Artist, Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus, Flemish, 1523–1605, Public Domain "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. . . Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." Acts 2: 42-43, 46-47
This passage shows how the early Church Community functioned in the time right after Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The first few chapters of Acts give us a picture of a community that seemed to get along for the most part, and attempted to follow Jesus’ teaching.
They were open to being taught, were always in prayer, shared their material possessions, and broke bread together. They sought the will of God and looked out for each other, and out of all of these actions many joined their community. They dealt with their daily issues with prayer and a belief, that God’s love and Spirit was always with them. They also lived Day by Day!
They didn’t seem to be overly concerned about the future, for they trusted that the Lord God would take care of them. Living day by day is also a good way to live on this spiritual pilgrimage, and in the times that we are now in. Trying to figure out where God may be leading in the future can be very challenging. Most of the time all we can see is the next step on our journey.
Attempting to look too far ahead may only confuse and overwhelm us. Especially, as the world around us slowly begins to come out of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and people are becoming more aware of the Racial Injustices that have plagued us for centuries, and as we continue to mourn the loss of life with the violence all around us---taking it one a day at a time, is certainly a concern.
However, God still loves us and the entire world, and only wants the best for us. I know that fact is hard to understand some times. But God’s love never fades, and hopefully that truth can encourage us daily. I pray that you may be open to living day by day as the early church lived and trust that the Holy Spirit will guide all of your future days. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2021 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
This passage shows how the early Church Community functioned in the time right after Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The first few chapters of Acts give us a picture of a community that seemed to get along for the most part, and attempted to follow Jesus’ teaching.
They were open to being taught, were always in prayer, shared their material possessions, and broke bread together. They sought the will of God and looked out for each other, and out of all of these actions many joined their community. They dealt with their daily issues with prayer and a belief, that God’s love and Spirit was always with them. They also lived Day by Day!
They didn’t seem to be overly concerned about the future, for they trusted that the Lord God would take care of them. Living day by day is also a good way to live on this spiritual pilgrimage, and in the times that we are now in. Trying to figure out where God may be leading in the future can be very challenging. Most of the time all we can see is the next step on our journey.
Attempting to look too far ahead may only confuse and overwhelm us. Especially, as the world around us slowly begins to come out of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and people are becoming more aware of the Racial Injustices that have plagued us for centuries, and as we continue to mourn the loss of life with the violence all around us---taking it one a day at a time, is certainly a concern.
However, God still loves us and the entire world, and only wants the best for us. I know that fact is hard to understand some times. But God’s love never fades, and hopefully that truth can encourage us daily. I pray that you may be open to living day by day as the early church lived and trust that the Holy Spirit will guide all of your future days. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2021 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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