Acts 1:1-11 For the next few weeks, we will look at some scriptures that deal with the return of Jesus. His return is something that is possible only because he rose from the dead on that third day after he died. In our scripture for today, we read that Jesus told his disciples three things.
How much have you read about the return of Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit, so you have power to be a witness for Jesus? How have you been a witness for Jesus this week so far?
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When people see what we do from day to day, how do they respond? In the first scripture for today’s lesson, we see that many Jews placed their faith in Jesus after seeing what he did. The chief priests and Pharisees believed that if they did not stop Jesus, everyone would believe in him, and the Romans would take away their temple and nation. The things that Jesus did were pleasing to God the Father. He was obedient to God the Father. Yet there were people that were not happy with his actions. The second scripture for today’s lesson is part of a conversation Jesus had with his twelve disciples before sending them out. Jesus said, “If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!” We must be prepared and understand that believing in and following Jesus will not please some people. It will please God the Father and we have to decide if living a life pleasing to God the Father is more important than living a life pleasing to people. Some people will not like us when they learn that we love and obey and follow Jesus. Jesus said it is enough for a student to be like his teacher. Are we living like Jesus did? Do people respond to us and our actions by placing their faith in Jesus? How have you lived like Jesus this week? 1 Samuel 2:1-11 This week we are finishing our study about prayer and looking at the prayer Hannah prayed after she brought Samuel to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. God answered Hannah’s prayers even though she went years without having a child. Hannah kept her word and gave Samuel to the Lord. The first thing Hannah said in her prayer was, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” We know from the first chapter in 1 Samuel that Elkanah had a second wife that provoked Hannah and made life difficult for her. Hannah praised God for delivering her and for who God is. Hannah acknowledged the difference between people and God in her prayer. God is in control of life and death. God humbles people and others he exalts. Hannah also acknowledged that God, “will judge the ends of the earth.” We know that God has made Jesus the judge over all of us and we will face judgment for what we have done and said on this earth. The time for judgment is closer than it used to be, but for now we can pray to God and rest knowing that Jesus is interceding for us right now on God’s right hand. I hope that over these last few weeks you have been encouraged about praying to God and spending time talking with him. How has reading about prayer affected your prayers? Is there only one correct way to pray to God? How has God responded to your prayers? 1 Samuel 1 We will continue our study about prayer today. We are going to look at Hannah today. Next week we will look at a prayer she prayed after what took place in the scripture for today. Hannah and Peninnah were married to the same man. Peninnah bore their husband children, while the Lord caused Hannah to be unable to have children. Hannah was bitter and wept because she could not have children. She did not, however, retaliate against Peninnah when Peninnah provoked her. Hannah prayed to the Lord. She made a vow that if the Lord gave her a son, she would give the son back to the Lord. The Lord remembered her, and Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord after he was weaned. When God allows us to face hardships, do we turn from him or turn to him? Have you ever been so bitter that all you could do was cry out to God? Have you ever made a deal or vow to God? Did you keep your end of the deal or vow to God? |
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May 2024
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