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 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

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 leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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