Scripture:
Acts 4:27-31; 5:12-14; 11:19-21
Fri, 30 December 2022

The Hand of God Through the Church

Observation:

What do you see the hand of God doing through the church in these passages?

Deeper Reflection
IN GREEK, ACTS 5:12 BEGINS WITH “THROUGH THE HANDS OF the apostles, many signs and wonders were performed…”. Consider how this parallels and yet differs from verse 30, where the believers pray for the hand of God to be stretched out to perform healing and signs and wonders through the name of God’s holy servant Jesus. The implication should be obvious – Jesus’ ministry is now continued through the church, that is, you and me.Acts 11:21 gives us a little bit more insight. The Gospel has spread to Antioch as the disciples were scattered due to persecution and the church was growing there. The reason given by Luke (who wrote Acts) is simply: “The Lord’s hand was with them.” God’s kingdom work is not finished on the cross. It continues in the life of the Church, which is the body of Christ. We are the hands and feet and mouths that Jesus has entrusted to continue His work until He comes again.Yet we do not do it in our own strength, but by the strength of God’s own hand. The same hands that shaped creation, are stretched out against sin, extended to us in covenant, nailed to the cross for redemption and is now upon believers in Jesus Christ, so that God’s purposes continue to march forward. What a privilege, what a task. Lord, have mercy on us!
Application:

How might God want you to participate in building His church and
proclaiming the Gospel in the coming year?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To find joy and refreshment in serving, and that the Lord’s hand might be with them to provide wisdom, patience and love for the people under their care
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 7:13-18, 25-27; 11:29-36
Sat, 2 December 2023

The Triumph

Observation:

What characterises the triumph of God’s people in tribulations under tyrants?

Deeper Reflection
God’s people living under tyrants and suffering tribulations under them can triumph – whether we are delivered from or destroyed in tribulation. The triumph rests on a threefold confidence.We know the conclusion of evil. It is repeated in manifold ways in Daniel that evil that comes through inhuman kings – no matter how great and how long – will definitely come to an end: “he will be broken” (Dan 8:25), “he will be found no more” (Dan 11:19), “yet he will come to his end” (Dan 11:45) and “all these events will be completed” (Dan 12:7).We know God’s calling for us: To be a suffering people – to be captured, plundered, burned or killed (Dan 11:33). But in our suffering, we can be strong as “people who know their God” (Dan 11:32), knowing that God is purging and purifying us to become a sanctified (Dan 11:35; 12:10) and shining people who “shine brightly” with heavenly brightness in the hostile world (Dan 12:3). And we will be a steadfast people who “keep waiting and attain to the 1,335 days” (Dan 12:12) – until we become a sovereign people who “receive and possess the kingdom forever” from “the Ancient of Days” (vv.13-14, 18, 27).We know who is in control. The tribulations under the tyrants in Daniel 7 to 12 are all subject to and subsumed under “that which is decreed will be done” (Dan 11:36; 9:26, 27) “at the appointed time” (Dan 11:27, 29, 35).We conclude Daniel with this theological-discipleship summary statement: We can triumph in tribulations under tyrants when we trust with tenacity in the One who is on the throne.
Application:

How can I triumph in tribulations?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To grow in the faith and perseverance of overcomers in Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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