by Pastor Fraser Pearce
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We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).
Read Acts 4:13–22
Today we hear about the boldness the Holy Spirit gave the apostles.
Of course, the apostles were not always so bold. They fled on the night Jesus was betrayed, and Peter went so far as to deny with an oath that he even knew who Jesus was. But, after the resurrection, the apostles were restored to a right relationship with Jesus; on the day of Pentecost, they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit to tell people about what Jesus had done. The power of their speech came not from their worldly education or outstanding personal gifts. Rather, it came from the Holy Spirit.
In today’s reading, we hear about the opposition that Peter and John face for speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. The same leaders who wanted to silence Jesus also wanted to silence the apostles. But Peter and John stand firm in the faith that God had given them. Jerusalem, including the leaders, could see the sign of healing done in Jesus’ name. So, the leaders had no choice but to release the apostles, even if they did so with threats. The leaders could command the apostles not to teach or speak in Jesus’ name, but Peter and John could not keep from sharing the Spirit-inspired message of what they had seen and heard Jesus say and do.
You have come to faith because people have told you the good news about Jesus. You have received the Holy Spirit because people have shared the healing word of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name with you. You don’t need a worldly education or special personal gifts to pass on the good things you have received. You can be prepared to speak boldly about Jesus when people want to know about the hope in you (1 Peter 3:5,6).
Thank you, Father, for sending people to tell me about what Jesus has said and done. Please give me your Holy Spirit so that I may be bold in the life of Christian love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Fraser Pearce grew up in Sydney and has served as a pastor in Melbourne, Bendigo and Adelaide. He is married to Margaret, and they have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 24. Fraser enjoys being with family and friends, listening to (and playing) music and reading.
by Pastor Fraser Pearce
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Read Acts 4:1–12
Christian people know the goodness of God. They know the good deeds that Christian people do because they have experienced the love of God in Christ Jesus. They also know the joy of hearing and trusting the message that because Jesus lives, we too can live with God and each other.
But not everyone wants to hear about Jesus or the good things done in his name.
Today we hear about the Sadducees and the people with them who did not want to hear that in Jesus, there is the resurrection of the dead. From Luke’s Gospel, we know that the Sadducees denied that there was a resurrection of anyone at all and that they tried to trap Jesus with what they thought was a tricky question about a woman who had seven husbands (Luke 20:27–40). Jesus had then assured the Sadducees that the dead are raised and that God is the God of the living, not the dead.
In our reading from Acts, we hear that the apostles proclaim that there is a resurrection and that Jesus himself had been raised. They are saying that Jesus is like a stone rejected as useless by builders, but one that has then become the most important stone in the whole building. They are saying that God is building the true temple of his church and that Jesus, who was dead but now lives, is the one in whom the whole building comes together.
You are part of this true temple, the church, the body of Christ. Just as God raised Christ from the dead, so he raises you to new life with him. It is in the name of the Lord Jesus that you are being saved and built up with your fellow Christians so that you may know the goodness of God, his love in Christ Jesus, and the life that not even death can conquer.
Lord Jesus, thank you that I can call on your name and be saved by you. Thank you that you make me part of the temple of your body and that you will raise me up on the last day. Amen.
Fraser Pearce grew up in Sydney and has served as a pastor in Melbourne, Bendigo and Adelaide. He is married to Margaret, and they have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 24. Fraser enjoys being with family and friends, listening to (and playing) music and reading.
by Pastor Fraser Pearce
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Repent, therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19).
Read Acts 3:11–26
Today we remember that in 1530, at Augsburg in Germany, Christian people made a great confession of their faith. They confidently declared their belief that God saves us not because of anything we can do but because he has shown his goodness by sending Jesus to take away our sins. They confessed that it is by trusting this message, rather than doing good works, that we begin to live a new life with God. They faced opposition for making their confession of faith, but God used their confession to bring people to trust in Jesus.
In today’s reading, we hear the apostles act as witnesses to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. They tell the crowds that they are responsible for Jesus’ death, and they call them to turn away from evil and trust in the forgiveness of sins that come in Jesus’ name. They tell the crowds that God raised Jesus to bless them by turning them away from their wicked ways. In other words, while they tell the crowds what they have done in killing Jesus, they tell the crowds what God is doing by raising Jesus.
Even though the apostles faced opposition for declaring this message (in fact, they were arrested because of it, as we read in Acts 4:1,2), God used their preaching that day to save many people – about 5000 in all (Acts 4:4).
We know that each one of us is responsible for Jesus’ death. It was not the Jews or the Romans who alone bear the guilt – all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and we are now put right with God by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:19,20). So let us also confess our faith and place our trust in the God who shows us such compassion and mercy. God will use our confession about Jesus to turn people from their sins and give them new life in his care.
Father, thank you to all those who have confessed their faith in Jesus. Give us your Spirit so we may have the courage to confess our own faith in Jesus, knowing that you will use our confession to bring others to faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Fraser Pearce grew up in Sydney and has served as a pastor in Melbourne, Bendigo and Adelaide. He is married to Margaret, and they have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 24. Fraser enjoys being with family and friends, listening to (and playing) music and reading.
by Pastor Fraser Pearce
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk (Acts 3:6b).
Read Acts 3:1–10
Today we read about a man who was lame from birth and was taken by others to the gate of the temple to beg for money.
Let’s think about what it would be like to be that man. We would not know what it’s like to walk or run – we would not know what it’s like to go where we want when we want. We would also not know what it’s like to earn our own keep – we would be reliant on the charity of others for our daily bread. On top of this, we would have no hope that our situation would ever be any different – we would be resigned to our disability, restricting the freedoms we see enjoyed by others.
This is the situation the apostles come into. The man only expects to receive from the apostles what he has received from kind people in the past – money to help him live. But the apostles give a gift that is greater than silver or gold. They give the gift of standing up and walking – a gift that comes in Jesus’ name. Peter knows the power that is in Jesus’ name, so when he tells the man to rise and walk, he also takes his right hand and raises him up. In this way, we see Jesus at work through his people as they speak his word. It leads to the man walking and leaping and praising God, and it leads to the people being filled with wonder and amazement so that they are open to hearing the message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name (Acts 3:11–4:4).
All of us are beggars before God. We have nothing to give God, only open hands to receive. Our Lord Jesus gives us his word through the people he sends to speak to us – people like our parents, friends or pastors. As they help us in the life of faith – as we receive the word God gives us through them – we are strengthened to live as free people and to praise God.
Lord Jesus, thank you for sending people to speak your word and freeing us to get up and praise our Father. Please give us your Spirit so we may speak your healing word to others. Amen.
Fraser Pearce grew up in Sydney and has served as a pastor in Melbourne, Bendigo and Adelaide. He is married to Margaret, and they have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 24. Fraser enjoys being with family and friends, listening to (and playing) music and reading.
by Pastor Fraser Pearce
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41b)
Read Mark 4:35–41
Do you sometimes wonder why Jesus leads you where he does? And do you sometimes wonder if your Lord cares for you in the storms of life? If so, today’s reading is for you. The good news is that Jesus is with you even when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm you: Jesus has the authority to bring his peace into your life.
In our reading, it is Jesus who encourages his disciples to go with him across ‘to the other side’ – it is his idea to bring his disciples over the chaos of the sea and into a land where they will be confronted with the forces of evil (the Gerasene demoniac – Mark 5:1–20). As they travel, a gale arises, and the boat is at the point of being swamped while Jesus is sleeping comfortably in the stern of the ship.
It is hardly surprising that the disciples wake him up. We understand how they feel. Jesus has led them into this situation, and it appears he doesn’t care about the peril they find themselves in. In our lives, Jesus can call us into places where we face real difficulties – in marriage, at work or even in our congregation – and it can seem like he doesn’t care that we feel overwhelmed and at the point of giving up.
The disciples learn who Jesus is as they call out to him. He wakes up and rebukes the wind and sea by speaking his word: ‘Peace! Be still!’ He brings an end to the threatening waves.
Jesus is with you where he has called you. He has authority over all the forces of darkness and chaos. By his word, he brings peace and order. Even the sea and wind obey him, so do not be afraid.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being with me where you call me to be and that the tempests still obey your voice. I trust that even when I enter the darkness of death, you will awaken me to new life with you. Amen.
Fraser Pearce grew up in Sydney and has served as a pastor in Melbourne, Bendigo and Adelaide. He is married to Margaret, and they have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 24. Fraser enjoys being with family and friends, listening to (and playing) music and reading.
by Ruth Olsen
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Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress (Psalm 107:28).
Read Psalm 107:1–3,23–32
On my first reading of these assigned verses for today, I wondered about the connection to the Bible readings this week referring to the kingdom of God being like seeds, and the happenings of Acts 1–2. Then, our focus verse today caught my attention. It’s like a refrain, repeated from verses 6, 13 and 19, together with the regular liturgical call to give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love in verses 1, 8, 15, 21 and 31.
This psalm tells of deliverance for those lost in the trackless desert (verses 4–9), from the punishment of foreign bondage (verses 10–16) or wasting disease (verses 17–22), and now from the perils of the sea in pursuit of trade (verses 23–32). Surely we can identify with their fears?
Yet when we try to do things the way we think best, we can so easily do our own thing instead of following the Lord’s leading. We have the same inclination to rebel, be deaf, not seek the Lord’s leading nor heed the Lord’s voice – often because we do not recognise it. Often, it’s only when we are in trouble and distress that we remember to cry out to the Lord for help. But, as this psalm reminds us, he hears us!
As Jesus promised, and Acts 1–2 reminds us, the Father has sent his Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name to be our Helper (John 14:26). Do we trust Jesus? Do we trust Abba Father? Do we trust the Holy Spirit? They are three persons, one God, as we confess and declare on earth and into the heavens whenever we speak the Nicene Creed.
Yes, things in life will scare us. Sometimes, we will feel the winds and waves of life toss us up and down! When Peter kept his focus on Jesus, he was enabled to do something that surprised him and the other disciples (Matthew 14:22–33). We have been given a Helper, working from the inside out, training us to maintain our focus on Jesus. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
Lord Jesus, Abba Father, help us grow in trusting your Spirit’s leading every day. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
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Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Read Acts 2:37–47
Do you recall being ‘cut to the heart’ about something? Maybe it related to something you said, heard, watched or your attitude, and you just knew with an inner conviction that you needed to take notice – and humble yourself perhaps – but respond with compassion and care. I can!
Jesus said that when the Spirit comes, he will convict the world of guilt about sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8). If we are wise, we will notice when we experience an inner conviction that we need to apologise to someone and make something right again. That inner conviction of sin or wrong attitudes and words is the Lord showing us mercy because he does not want us to be trapped in that sin but instead set free from its hold or tainting.
To repent is to change one’s mind, to turn around and go the other way – away from where we were going. It was a military term describing a soldier marching in one direction and doing an about-face, 180-degree turn.
Acting on the call to repentance enables us to let go of thinking and attitudes that dishonour Jesus; to instead leave all of that at the cross and receive forgiveness, a clean heart, and a renewed mind that’s open to the Lord and his word. Hence, the Spirit’s prompting to repent is a beautiful gift! He cares about us! What an exchange that Jesus makes possible!
God’s mercy and grace were being extended to Peter’s listeners. The Spirit was at work. Many accepted his message and were baptised. The fruit of the Spirit’s working was a deepening of sharing life, of teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer with a new joy of discovery as the Spirit nurtured life in Jesus amongst them and their community.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me! Change my heart, renew my mind and draw me into a closer walk with Jesus and Abba Father. Thank you! Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
You, with the help of wicked [people], put him to death … But … it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him (Acts 2:23,24).
Read Acts 2:22–36
As you read these verses today, what caught your attention?
Did you notice that Peter reminds his hearers that they would have seen and heard what Jesus was doing – ‘as you yourselves know’? That, although it was by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge that Jesus was handed over to the people, they, corporately, chose his death? They are responsible, and we are too, for we share the same sinful nature, and our sin nailed Jesus there.
But death could not hold him down!
I have learned that the Holy Spirit will enable us to recognise how Jesus has fulfilled Old Testament law and prophecies. As mentioned previously, the Holy Spirit knows the Scriptures thoroughly and which Scriptures link to our current situation. Peter here speaks of what King David had written in Psalm 16:8–11, referring ultimately to the Messiah (Acts 2:31). David knew, with God-given prophetic foresight, this was speaking of a descendant of his. Peter links it together that David spoke of the resurrection of the Christ (Greek)/the Messiah (Hebrew), meaning ‘the Anointed One’ and speaking of Jesus. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of this fact (verse 32).
Again, this time using Psalm 110:1, ‘the Lord (Yahweh) said to my Lord (the Son of David, the Messiah): “sit at my right hand …”’, Peter declares ‘this Anointed One’ that David spoke of, whom they had crucified, is Jesus, both Lord and Messiah. It is he who has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has now poured him out! Sent from heaven to help us!
This message would have been confronting for Peter’s listeners, yet also reassuring. Likewise, for us! We are also answerable for what we do with Jesus – do we believe him, and are we growing in taking him at his word and acting on it?
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Jesus, thank you for bringing God’s word alive to us. Open our ears to hear and our hearts to believe and receive from you. Keep it coming, please. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to put to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven (Acts 2:5).
Read Acts 2:1–21
Devout Jews from different parts of the world were in Jerusalem, either visiting or currently resident. When they suddenly heard the violent wind – without the warnings a large storm or cyclone would give – understandably, they were bewildered. ‘What is that?’ ‘What’s happening?’ If you were there, what would you be thinking? Perhaps you would have joined the gathering crowd, curious about what was happening. And then heard those simple Galileans speaking in languages they surely had not learnt!
What an amazing entrance when God poured out his Spirit on all humankind! There could be no human explanation for that happening! The visitors to Jerusalem came from all over the Middle East and from Rome, there were Jews, converts to Judaism and Arabs. A dynamic connection happened through them hearing these simple Galileans declaring the wonders of God in all these different languages. God always has the right timing for things he brings about!
Of course, some cynical voices said these simple Galileans had had too much wine. Yet if they had seen the tongues of fire on these followers of The Way, surely they would have wondered what it meant? And, apparently, on a festival day such as Pentecost, a devout Jew would not break their fast until at least 10am.
There needed to be an explanation for these bewildering 9am happenings. Peter stood up and raised his voice to do just that. Starting by saying that it was too early to be drunk, he declared that what was happening was what Joel had prophesied several hundred years earlier (Joel 2:28–32) – ‘in the last days’, God would pour out his Spirit on all people on earth, Jews and non-Jews, irrespective of sex, age or rank. Everyone – that means anyone – who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!
Because of Jesus, and through Jesus, the door has been opened for all to be brought back into right relationship with God by the power of the Spirit of God at work in human hearts. What an invitation!
Father, surely ‘all people’ also means those who do not yet acknowledge Jesus? Please open the ears, eyes and hearts of more people everywhere to Jesus. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to put to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.