Day 12
Acts 6:4
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
As we move into chapter 6 we find a bit of a "hiccup" in what had until them been a very unified and agreeable Church. Yes, there have been external pressures and internal judgment of sin, but here is really the first time we find that the believers were not in one accord. A dispute arises about how resources are distributed among the widows and the feeling that things are not fair. The apostles realize this and call a meeting. Their answer though is one that we might find a bit surprising. They tell the people, we aren’t going to do anything about this, but pray and preach the word! You need to take care of it!
In today’s church this type of reaction by the church leadership would likely be met with a lot of complaining and accusation. In fact, many church leaders today seem to spend a lot of time trying to quell contention in the church. They often work to keep people happy, and against accusations that they don’t do anything deserving of the pay that they receive in “full-time Christian service”.
Yet, these leaders come to the people and tell them “we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word”, and amazingly enough this saying pleases the people. Continual prayer and ministry of the word is very consuming. It takes effort. It takes patience. It takes discipline. It takes time...a lot of time. We also know that we are exhorted to “pray without ceasing”. So the apostles know their place. They know that the things they are doing are important to God and that it would not be right to leave these needed things neglected. They resist the temptation to look like everyone else with a “normal” job. Sometimes, the work that most needs to be done looks little like work at all to the unbelieving eye. To the work-a-day world it might have seemed the apostles were little engaged in any activity of value. What do you do all day? What takes up all your time? Yet it was in prayer and in the Word that the apostles found their strength and direction. They didn’t need to be pressured into feeling guilty when they were sure they were in the center of God’s leading.
Of course, this is not so much about what church leaders should or should not have as part of their responsibilities. We see that these leaders were extreme servants and hard workers. It is more about commitment and keeping commitments. It is about realizing the difference between what is good and what is best. It is about understanding what is important and the discipline it takes to remain engaged in what we have been called to by God. These leaders understood the importance of continual prayer and the discipline involved in fulfilling their responsibilities before God. So, they remained continually in prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Prayer Request Day 12
1) Health and safety for our family and team - sickness means missed opportunities - as Fall and Winter approach pray for good health - last year we had many canceled plans because of sickness
2) Wisdom for each day to know how to order our days and make the most of opportunities and time
3) Language - growth in use and understanding of Slovene
4) Jim will be preaching in two weeks - pray as he prepares
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1 comment:
The apostles again faithfully demonstrate their priority is the advancement of the Gospel. Not much has changed in 2000 years. Is given that as a church is growing in size, so are the physical (financial) and spiritual needs of the church, including the ministries and people the church serve. We also see conflict growing within the church, but this doesn’t hinder the apostles and their mission.
What is it that keeps us from the Word of God and prayer? I wish it were a cause as important and noble as the feeding of widows. Unfortunately, it usually something far less noble, such as watching television, or indulging in some fleshly pleasure, or perhaps even the upkeep of our body, as good as that might be (1Tim4:8). Such “good” pursuits are worthwhile, until and unless they become a priority in our life which will then cause us to neglect the Word of God and prayer and distract us from what is important….the “ministry of the word”.
I pray as Jim and Olya’s ministry continues to grow, the Lord will continue to bless them and provide for their needs as well as minimizing the distractions which could interfere with their pursuit of sharing the Gospel. …..On the journey with you!--Kathy
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