Rejoice:

Read:

¹² The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

¹⁷ Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

In Grass Lake the local churches are beginning to discuss unification. We see the need to be pressing forward as a collective group not as single outposts all taking on attacks from the enemy individually. As we pursue this vision God has set before us (unity under the name of Christ) we will see a similar story to that recorded in Acts. We will see great things implemented in this city by Christ. God will bring people to Him, turning broken lives into a purpose driven life. As the numbers grow and God moves there will be those who have chosen to stay individual, those who have chosen to stay in their bubble under the guise of “denomination.” We must not be discouraged. We must press on preaching LOVE and UNITY.  Those who have chosen to stay in their own bubble will likely begin to speak out against us, saying sly statements to their congregations and those they encounter. Look at what God does though. There is significant oppression and God seemingly puts the stamp of approval on what these disciples are doing.

If we are following what God has planned we need not worry about oppression! We should embrace whatever the enemy throws our way as we can trust God will work an equally powerful miracle to rescue us or certify His mission. We are starting a revolution, be prepared to see SIGNIFICANT oppression.

Respond:

Oh Lord our hearts are prone to grow weary when people around us do not support our cause. Keep us from growing weary as we seek to follow You. Help us to stay motivated even in the face of attacks seemingly from within. We know that the religious are inclined to oppress those who are zealous. Keep our minds safe from thinking brutal thoughts about those oppressing us. Help us to see the humanity of those who are disagreeing. Help us see the need to PRAY for those against us rather than CURSE those against us. Help us love our oppressors rather than respond in hate.

Relate:

Can we be loving to those who disagree with us? Try to find an opportunity in which you are in disagreement with someone else and PRACTICE being gracious. It can be about anything, but be careful! It is harder than you think to be ok with someone saying YOURE WRONG! Even about something trivial you may find yourself heated. SO practice. 🙂