How God’s Word Impacts Us Today
Reading and re-reading The Book of Acts in the Bible has taught me that it is our faith that provides us with the comfort of the Holy Spirit, given to us by the ultimate love-sacrifice: Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins so that we (you and me) may have the freedom to live in peace with God’s love and blessings every day.
For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.
I have to admit that, before now, I had only read through some of the chapters and verses over the years. However, after spending several weeks immersing myself in the Book of Acts and navigating through both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, I gained a greater understanding of what it means to be a lover of God, a follower of Jesus, and to live a life of faith, hope and joy in the comfort of the Holy Spirit through all the days of our lives.
You have graced me with more insight than the old sages because I have not failed to walk in the light of your ways. I refused to bend my morals when temptation was before me so that I could become obedient to your Word. I refuse to turn away from difficult truths, for you yourself have taught me to love your words.
Psalm 119:100-102 (The Passion Translation)
The Passion Translation of the introduction of the Book of Acts is where we learn that the story of the Acts was written by a physician named Luke. It describes the startling details of how the church of Jesus Christ began. We see the pillar of fire that led Israel through her wilderness years appearing in the upper room and splitting into 120 personal pillars of fire over the heads of the lovers of God. This inspired account of church history will awaken your soul with transforming power and give you courage to be a witness for Jesus Christ wherever he sends you.
The Book of Acts is like an exciting live-action adventure Bible story from God. It starts with great mysteries of signs and wonders, persecution and a shipwreck. Yet, through all of these chapters, we see how God will only do what God can do—and it is not about the size of the crowd or the stature of the people He uses for His purpose. It is truly about one’s genuine heart, committed to faith. There are no race, creed or color limits to God’s love for His children. Everyone is invited to the table to believe in Him and feast on His word.
This blockbuster movie opens with an explosive outpouring of the Holy Spirit in tongues, prophecy, miracles, salvations, and the birthing of countless churches as a result of a ten-day prayer meeting held by a group of 120 disciples. Acts provides the story of Paul’s three missionary journeys, with many gentile nations hearing the gospel and believers being added to the church. Acts demonstrates the healing miracles of Peter, Paul, and the Apostles. We see miracles in answer to prayers, including signs and wonders, and many deliverances. God will do what only God can do—and he is still working in power today.
The more I read through the different movements of the Book of Acts, the more in awe I became of the men and women who put their full faith and trust in God in order to be used to do amazing things for His Glory. They chose to believe and receive the power of the Holy Spirit (a gift with the price of the brutal crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world), so that we may have a life of freedom from the bondage of the ways of the world.
I couldn’t wait to turn to the next page of this action-filled story, from the convictions of Peter and Paul’s journeys to the sharing of the gospel wherever God took them. Even though they would face many trials and tribulations for their faith, they never waivered. They knew God was with them and provided the Holy Spirit to comfort them. We are reminded that God is a loving and just God. He is always there to forgive us when we turn our hearts to Him.
One movement that spoke to me was from Chapters 6-8 of the story of Stephen when he was being falsely accused for his faith. He demonstrates his true faith in God’s word as we read in verse 6:15:
Every member of the supreme council focused his gaze on Stephen, for right in front of their eyes, while being falsely accused, his face glowed as though he had the face of an angel!
I found my heart being filled with soft tears as I read through the chapters, where the accusers stoned Stephen to death with anger and rage.
54 When they heard these things, they were overtaken with violent rage filling their souls, and they gnashed their teeth at him.
55 But Stephen, overtaken with great faith, was full of the Holy Spirit. He fixed his gaze into the heavenly realm and saw the glory and splendor of God—and Jesus, who stood up at the right hand of God.
56 “Look!” Stephen said. “I can see the heavens opening and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God to welcome me home!”
57 His accusers covered their ears with their hands and screamed at the top of their lungs to drown out his voice.
58 Then they pounced on him and threw him outside the city walls to stone him. His accusers, one by one, placed their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul of Tarsus.
59 As they hurled stone after stone at him, Stephen prayed, “Our Lord Jesus, accept my spirit into your presence.”
60 He crumpled to his knees and shouted in a loud voice, “Our Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” And then he died.
Even during his painful death, Stephen cried out to our God to not hold this sin against those who were stoning him.
Saul, who was an accomplice in the stoning of Stephen, becomes known as Paul after a life-transforming encounter with Jesus (Chapter 9). He went on to author thirteen books in the New Testament: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
See how our God is so forgiving? I thought about the gift of forgiveness and the understanding of how God forgives our sins. I also thought about how important it is that we forgive those who hurt us or cause us pain for it is not ours to hold on to. Jesus has already given His life to forgive the sins of the world.
How can we grow our trust in God, to look up to Him, and not allow the things that are being done against us take away from the promising words and love of God?
I was reflecting upon the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ as written in the book of Luke:
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23: 33-34 (The Passion Translation)
I put my Bible, books, notes and journal down to take a deep breath and to feel the compassion and Love of our God for us, his children to forgive us for our sins, doubts and anxieties and be reconciled with Him to walk in His love as free men and women of Jesus Christ.
For if you embrace the truth,
it will release true freedom into your lives.”
John 8:32 (The Passion Translation)
Let us embrace God’s love of freedom in faith and truth to understand that there are always greater things ahead for those who believe in His way, His word and His promises.
Directives
Take a breath to sit and read the word and be quiet with God.
How does the word speak to you today?
How is God calling you to pray more?
Are there things or people in your heart that need your forgiveness? Open your heart to the forgiveness of others. Pull out those weeds of hurt and let them be flowers of forgiveness.
Have the strength to open up to more. Know that he is always with us to give us strength.
