Pray First!

Read Psalms 24 and Acts 21

 

“Integrity and uprightness will be more likely to preserve us than insincere compliances.”

~ Matthew Henry

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  “We could not persuade him to stay away from Jerusalem. So we stopped begging him and said, ‘We pray that what the Lord wants will be done.’”  Acts 21:14

 

O:  Psalms 24 tell us that EVERYTHING belongs to the LORD.  Have you ever tried to persuade someone to do or not do something they felt compelled to do?  You present the logical arguments.  You may even throw in a dose of guilt or plead to their affections, but nothing you say can dissuade them.  You give one final try and you resort to begging.  Here Paul has his heart set on Jerusalem and no amount of persuasive arguments or demonstrations (see verse 10-11) will dissuade Paul.  The people even resorted to begging him, but what was their final answer?  Their final answer should have been their first response, “We pray that what the LORD wants will be done.”  God can do more with one prayer that we bring to Him than we can in arguing and begging and carrying on with someone to try to change their minds.  A friend once said to me, “When will my first response be the right response?”  I often wonder that for myself when after a situation or conversation has finished and I realized my first response was NOT the right response!  I want my first response to be to PRAY FIRST!

 

A:  Pray first!  Pray for God’s will to be done and leave it in His hands to handle.

 

P:  Dear Lord, How many times do I plead and try to persuade others when I could do more good to bring those things to You in prayer.  God I pray this morning that what You want will be done!  God, I trust in You!  You will protect, You will provide, You are the One who owns everything and I leave everything in Your hand.  It does not mean things will necessarily go “my way”, but it does mean that it will be ok!  I pray that my first response will be to pray first!  Through Christ and no merit of my own I bring these prayers to Your Holy Throne.  In Jesus’ Mighty Name and to the King of Glory I pray.  Amen & Amen.

 

He [Paul] has taught us by example, as well as by rule, to pray always, to pray without ceasing. Their last farewell was sweetened with prayer. ~ Matthew Henry

Two steps forward, one step back

Read Leviticus 10:1-3 and Acts 16

 

“…the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word.” ~ Matthew Henry

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Acts 16:31

 

O:  Timothy joins Paul in his missionary journeys.  As a result of the journeys many people including Lydia and the Philippi jailor and his family were brought to salvation, but not without opposition.  The people who began the revolt against Paul and his fellow missionaries were those who were angry at losing their income, but the Bible tells us we do not war against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities that rule this earth.  Paul and his friends were fighting against a very real enemy who wanted to thwart the true teaching of the gospel.  It’s as if Paul would make two steps forward seeing Lydia and her house coming to salvation and being baptized and then make a step back into a beating and jail, but then he would make two more steps forward and the jailor and his family would come to know Christ through that ordeal and then he would make another step back by having to leave that region.  But still the gospel was making headway and even with his one step back they were still experiencing victory in sharing the gospel.

 

When Paul and Silas were "one step back" notice what they did in verse 25, "But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them ..." Notice, it was in the darkest part of the night and they were "praying and praising" ... It is in praying and praising (even in the darkest moments we face) they were able to move two steps forward again ... something to ponder! The song "I will praise you in the storm" comes to mind ...

 

A:  Sometimes I feel like Paul doing this “two step dance”.  I feel like I make headway and then fall back and make a little headway and then fall back.  I am encouraged by the accounts of Paul because it shows me that even when I seem to be going backwards God is using it to work out his good will and pleasure.

 

P:  Dear Jesus,  Thank you for Your WORD!  Thank you for the examples of the real lives of people like Paul, Timothy and his family dynamics, Lydia and the jailor and all those who we read about today.  LORD, these stories encourage me in my personal walk with You.  They help me to be reminded that even when it seems like I’m going backwards that as long as we continue to stick with You that we are still in “the game”.  We are still fighting the good fight and as long as we are with You then WE ARE on the winning “team”.  God You are the Victorious One!  Strengthen us and encourage us today as we continue to keep our eye on the mark of our high calling in You.  Thank you for calling us and for letting us be a part of something much bigger than sometimes we realize.  In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Yeshua the Messiah I pray.  Amen & Amen.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTION:  Paul was beaten and thrown in prison, but God used that situation for good to bring the jailor and his family to salvation.  What are you willing to go through, endure or suffer in order that one person or one family will come to the saving knowledge of Christ?

 

“…do not sin, for nothing but that can hurt thee [and] the Lord will make [you] more than conquerors in every conflict; instead of being cast down by [your] sufferings, [let them] become comforters [to your] brethren.” ~ Matthew Henry

Strength and Encouragement

Read Leviticus 9:23-24; Acts 15

 

“There is a strange proneness in us to think that all do wrong who do not just as we do.” ~ Matthew Henry

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application - Prayer

 

S:  Acts 15: 41 And he (Paul) passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing and strengthening the churches.

 

O:  Acts 15 is mainly about the Jerusalem Council in 50 A.D. and the issues that the early Gentile churches were having regarding circumcision and other matters of the Jewish law.  So Paul and some of the other early church leaders and the twelve apostles met in Jerusalem to drash or discuss these things together.  After the council met they decided not to burden the new converts with the idea of circumcision, but there were certain laws (not eating meat with blood in it, etc.) that they still asked the Gentile converts to uphold.  But mostly they wanted the churches strengthened and encouraged in their new walk as they followed Jesus.

 

The quote, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way …” comes to mind when I read Acts 15.  Those who were ministering to the Gentile converts did not want to put them off, confuse them or require too much of them.  Paul and Barnabas knew, I think, that as they grew and matured that they would be willing to change more later.  I’m not suggesting they would go and do circumcision later, but what I am saying that as new babes in Christ people do not always change everything all at once.  Just like we do not require a baby to get up and walk out of the hospital and go and eat a steak.  That would be ridiculous!  Babies grow, and new converts need time to grow and learn to walk also.

 

For that matter, which one of us hasn’t learned (or is still learning) how to walk fully with the LORD?

 

Even Paul and Barnabas were still learning!  As we read later, they had a sharp dispute with one another.  If you have ever been in a church where there have been sharp disputes then you can probably understand what Matthew Henry writes about this dispute:  “… we are not to think it strange, if there are differences among wise and good men. It will be so while we are in this imperfect state; we shall never be all of one mind till we come to heaven. But what mischief the remainders of pride and passion which are found even in good men, do in the world, and do in the church! Many who dwelt at Antioch, who had heard but little of the devotedness and piety of Paul and Barnabas, heard of their dispute and separation; and thus it will be with ourselves, if we give way to contention. Believers must be constant in prayer, that they may never be led by the allowance of unholy tempers, to hurt the cause they really desire to serve. Paul speaks with esteem and affection both of Barnabas and Mark, in his epistles, written after this event. May all who profess thy name, O loving Savior, be thoroughly reconciled by that love derived from thee which is not easily provoked, and which soon forgets and buries injuries.”

 

A:  Be gentle with new converts!  Remember, “We [too] have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel.” (Matthew Henry)  Encourage and strengthen each other in our walks with the LORD.  Do not require “too much”, but only as the LORD convicts and changes us.

 

P:  LORD, purify our hearts with faith.  Thank you that you chose to bless us with the good news of Your gospel message.  May we listen to Your gentle leading and guiding as we choose to follow after You.  May we be gentle with those who are new to walking with You, especially the children that we are raising and teaching Your ways.  Let us not require more of people than You do and therefore put burdens on them that You never intended.  Help us to strengthen and encourage one another at all times and to cause them to want to pursue You.  Help us as we strive to serve You to be careful not to give way to contention, but to strive for unity at all costs.  In Jesus’ Mighty name, Yeshua the Messiah, I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Note of encouragement:  Leviticus 9:23 says, “Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting …”  Every time when we come to this or any other personal study and prayer time with the LORD it is like we are going into our personal “tent of meeting” with the LORD.  I pray that God blesses your times of meeting with Him each day and that it would be an offering to Him and a time of worship and celebration.

Angels and Answered Prayers

 

Read Exodus 40:34-38; Psalms 15; and Acts 12

 

S.O.A.P.

 

S:  “And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared [standing beside him], and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands.” (Acts 12:7)

 

O:  A lot happens in this chapter of Acts; James the brother of John is killed, Peter was rescued from Herod, Herod is struck down and Paul and Barnabas return with John Mark from their first missionary journey, but what mostly caught my attention was the story of Peter. 

 

One of the first things I notice is Peter was sleeping.  This probably catches my eye because I do not always sleep well, but when I do I can really get into a DEEP sleep.  About fifteen years ago I was a volunteer firefighter and EMT.  I loved everything about that job and I did not even mind getting woken up in the night to go and help someone in need.  But one night I had my radio beside my bed and my husband tells me that it went off and I did not hear the radio and the alert.  He was down the hall in the office and came and apparently woke me up and told me about the call.  I said ok and apparently laid back down and went back to sleep.  The next morning when he conveyed all of this to me I did not remember a thing. 

 

Now that I’m older and have children I do not unfortunately sleep quite as deeply!  But back to Peter …   

 

Peter wasn’t up thinking about his problems or worrying about his court date that was about to take place in the morning.  He certainly could have been.  One of his best friends, James, had been killed and Peter was probably about to join him.  James and Peter and John had been apart of the inner-inner circle with Jesus.  They were the ones who got to go up and see the transfiguration.  They were the ones closest to him in the garden praying before the crucifixion.

 

But Peter was not worried, he was sleeping so soundly and so deeply (even with the bright light of the angel right beside Peter) that the angel had to “smack” him on the side (in his ribs) to get him up.  The verse in the KJV says after he smote him that the angel “raised him up”. 

 

Even after all of this Peter still thought he was just dreaming (vs 9).

 

Finally after passing all the guards and the city gates the angel leaves Peter and Peter for the first time realizes what has been done for him and he proceeds to John Mark’s mother’s house where a group was assembled in the night keeping vigil and praying for Peter.  So Peter knocks and the girl who comes to the door is so excited to hear Peter’s voice that she doesn’t even open the door, she runs back to the group and tells them that Peter is here on the porch, but they didn’t believe her.  I do not know if any of you have kids (or animals) that do this, but when the doorbell rings in our house my kids (and dogs) go crazy.  The kids start jumping up and down screaming names of people they think are at the door; they just get excited!  I imagine Rhoda did the same.  She heard the knock and got close enough to the door to hear Peter and began jumping up and down, “Peter’s here, Peter’s here!”

 

Why is it when we pray, even in full faith, that when the answer comes that we still doubt that it could be possible?  Acts says Rhoda kept persisting until they finally open the door and saw Peter with their own eyes and verse 16 says they were AMAZED.  That word in Greek is “existemi” which means they were caught off guard, thrown into wonderment, astounded, beside one’s self or literally “out of (ex) standing (histemi)”. 

 

Does the way God answer your prayers ever just “knock you off your feet”?  There are times I catch myself in the middle of something happening and I realize that this was something I prayed for and just am amazed!

 

A:  Think back over times when God has answered some of your very specific prayers and thank Him for that and be amazed at God all over again!  Then continue in prayer for the things you are still seeking Him for.

 

P:  Lord, the song, “I stand, I stand in awe of You, Holy God to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You!” comes to mind this morning as I think about Peter and Rhoda and John Mark’s mother and the others that you just blew away with the way You heard and answered their prayers that night while Peter was sleeping soundly in the prison.  God I pray we too would be knocked off our feet by the way You hear and answer our prayers.  I am also reminded again how important it is to keep those night watches and stand in the gap for others, others who may not have any idea you are praying for them, but then who knows what our prayers can do for another person.  Keep us as Psalms 15 says clean and walking rightly with You so that as we follow Your direction that we can be used as vessels in accordance with what You are doing and as we pray in accordance with Your will we can know that our prayers will be answered.  Thank you LORD for hearing and answering us.  In Your Mighty Name and through Christ we pray Amen & Amen.

Intercessory Prayer

□ Ex. 32; Acts 8:1-25

S:  Exodus 32:30 Then the next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses returned to the Lord, and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin [against You], and have made themselves a god of gold. 32 Yet now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of Your book which You have written (kill me)!”

Acts 8:24 But Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me both of you, so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.”

O:  I find it interesting that Aaron in verse 5 said after he had made the golden calf that the next day would be a feast to the LORD.  I wonder if Aaron really thought he would be worshipping the One True God or what his thinking was in making this statement.

The one thing I find in both passages is the thought of intercessory prayer as seen in Exodus 32:30-32 and Acts 8:24.  Matthew Henry says this:  “Pray to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings.”

In Acts 8 the apostles encountered a man who wanted to use religion to further himself in this life.  This account reminds us that earthly wealth cannot “purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and/or eternal life.”  “Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead.”  You see it is so easy to deceive ourselves.  Scripture tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”  (Jeremiah 17:9)  We must pray for godly wisdom and understanding.  We must not only intercede for others, but also ourselves!

“May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.” ~ Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

A:  Be ready and willing to spend time in intercessory prayer!!

P:  Dear Jesus, May our minds and hearts be right before you.  You alone know the intentions and the secret things of our hearts, even things that may be hidden from us.  It is so easy to deceive ourselves.  Give us godly friends who will keep us accountable to You and to speak truth into our lives and give us hearts open to listen.  Help us to always be intercessing for ourselves and those we care about that we and they might be pardoned of sin and inhabited more and more by Your Holy Spirit.  Amen & Amen 

 

 

Love & Blessings,

  Michelle L. Kirkbride

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