Cross My Heart Ministry

“When he saw Peter and John…he asked them for money…..Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you….” Acts 3:3-6

The crippled beggar asked for what he thought he needed most:  money.  He positioned himself in the perfect place to ask–the entrance to the temple.  When Peter and John embraced the interruption, perhaps the crippled beggar expected a few coins.  It would have been easy for Peter and John to oblige and then make it to church on time.  But Peter, surely being led by the Spirit, boldly moved forward to offer much more.  “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” Peter said to the man.

What happened next unleashed not only physical change for this man but spiritual change, as well.  The miracle rippled out as a testimony to onlookers.  The man’s joy prompted praise to God that could not be contained.

Peter did not waste the opportunity.  He launched in to share the good news to the crowd, proclaiming, “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”  Acts 3:16

Lord, forgive me for the self-righteous pride I have felt in offering a few coins or even buying a hamburger for a fellow human who asked for change.  Give me courage to push on through – to go beyond meeting the mere physical need to meet the greater spiritual need.

Live Sent Action Point:  Get together with a friend and practice sharing the gospel using the ABC’s of salvation or the Roman’s Road, or whatever works for you.  Look for an opportunity to feed a hungry mouth and then open your mouth and share the truth about Jesus.

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple…a man crippled from birth was being carried…”  Acts 3:1-2

Life is full.  No doubt about it.  The Christian woman’s to do list includes many items that honor God:  acts of service to her family, her church, and her community that may include VBS, nursery duty, a meal for the family with a new baby, and a zillion other things. The trouble is we are often so scheduled and the list is so long, there is no room to follow our heart and embrace those divine interruptions when they come.  Probably we don’t even recognize them as divine.

Peter and John were on their way to church when the encounter with the crippled man occurred.  They were willing to be diverted from their schedule to listen to the need of a man many would not make time for.  Church was not an excuse.

Lord, forgive me for seeing interruptions as annoying.  Pull back the curtain of eternity and give me a peek to see the divine in the midst of the day-to-day.  Enable me to recognize and then to embrace an interruption.

Live Sent Action Point: Pray over your to do list for today, asking God to give you wisdom to know what is a priority, what can wait, and what just doesn’t need done at all.  Ask Him for eyes to see and welcome the divine appointment that is not recorded on today’s calendar.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  Acts 2:42, 47b

The early believers loved one another.  They studied, laughed, ate, and prayed together. (The scripture doesn’t exactly say “laugh,” but I’ve never experienced real fellowship without laughter, so I’m thinking that surely comes under the “fellowship” umbrella.)

As they came together in genuine sharing of life, amazing things happened.  Awe, wonders, miracles.  As they took care of each other (physically and spiritually), hearts were glad and God was praised.  The interaction of God’s people was a living testimony to others.  When on-lookers saw this authentic love being lived out, they were drawn to it.  The believers did their part, as they opened their homes, shared a meal, and took care of each other. 

And God did what only HE could do:  He saved the unbelievers.  It says people were DAILY being saved.  Amazing!  Could our loving one another unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in such a way that believers would be added to our number daily? 

Lord, forgive me for my failure to love on my fellow believers.  Fill me with the desire to see and meet the needs of others with joy. 

Live Sent Action Point:  Acts 2:46b says, “…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”  Invite a fellow believer to your home to share a meal.  Whether pizza from a box, hamburgers on the grill, scrambled eggs, or your mother’s pot roast —the menu is less important than the hospitality of an open heart and an open home.

“…God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36

Peter’s words cut to the heart of 1^st century listeners then and they cut to the heart of 21^st century listeners today.  Jesus is the Christ and Jesus is Lord. 

For many years, He was my Christ –my Savior.  That relationship happened in a moment.  A snapshot in time.  The light of revelation broke through and understanding of the gravity of sin came, revealing a life found wanting, lacking.  It illuminated my need for a Savior.  I opened my heart to Him and in that moment, He became the Christ who saves. My fate for eternity was sealed from that moment on.  Hallelujah!

But the yielding to Him as my Lord has been a process and one that continues to unfold.  If salvation is a snapshot, sanctification (a big churchy word for growing in Christ) is a video—a series of life events and circumstances leading me to yield more and more, to pry my selfish fingers off my “rights,” my desires, my wants.  And in the upside-down-logic of God’s ways, this yielding actually brings freedom.  My freedom from the bondage of sin leaves me with real freedom.  I am free to live for the one who died for me.  The baggage that sin brought is cast off; the condemnation is gone and replaced with the lightness and joy of serving my Jesus.  I’ve replaced the have-to (legalism), I’ve rejected the don’t-have-to (liberalism), and I’m free to live a life of want-to and even delight-to.  He has become – and is continuously becoming – my LORD. 

A live-sent woman knows Jesus as Savior, and grows and lives for Him and in Him as LORD.

Jesus, thank you for being my Savior.  Fill me with the want-to to live for you as LORD. Thank you for dying for me.  Show me how to live for You!

Live Sent Action Point:  Ask Jesus to reveal one area of life where you are holding on to the old you.  Pray for courage to yield to Him in that choice, right, or desire—making Him LORD in that specific area of life.

The before-the-Holy-Spirit Peter was consumed with fear, concerned about the implications of being identified with Jesus.  The after-the-Holy-Spirit Peter stands with courage and boldness.  He speaks the truth to those gathered on the day of Pentecost. Gone is the fear that consumed him around the fire just a few weeks before. 

Not only is he no longer ashamed, he is no longer confused.  The Holy Spirit has enabled Peter to “connect the dots.”  He quotes Old Testament scripture.  He understands that Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of the prophecy.  Peter gets it:  Jesus brings a spiritual kingdom. 

Jesus is the theme of Peter’s passionate, Spirit-led sermon.  He holds back nothing when he exhorts: “…this Jesus…you crucified and killed….God raised him up…” (Acts 2:23-24).  He offers assurance from the Old Testament prophecy: “…everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21 quoting Joel 2:32.)

The Holy Spirit uses Peter’s words to bring conviction.  The listeners were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37).  The awareness of sin does that.  The overwhelming, sickening, conviction of sin makes our need for a Savior painfully evident.  They asked, “What shall we do?”  I imagine it was more like a wail.  Sin brings despair, guilt, and self condemnation.  The answer then is the same answer for us today: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ …” (Acts 2:38)

Three thousand accepted Christ that day. Three thousand lives were changed.  Three thousand found freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin.  Three thousand found a new life in Jesus Christ.

Peter’s words brought hope and new life to those listening.  If God could use a coward like Peter, I think He could also use the likes of you and me.  Whether He is calling us to speak the truth to 3000, 300, 3, or just 1, we go in the same power, the same Holy Spirit. 

Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that enables me to do through you what I could never do on my own.  To whom shall I speak the truth today?

Live Sent Action Point:  Ask God to give you the name of one person who needs freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin.  Pray for an open door to share the life-changing truth of Jesus and for courage to walk through the door when it opens.

“Then they returned to Jerusalem…They all joined together constantly in prayer…”  Acts 1:12a, 14a

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples followed His instructions to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. What did they do first?  Order a pizza? Form evangelism committees? Plan strategy? Nope.  They prayed.  The text suggests this wasn’t just a two-sentence, rote, string-together-a –few-clichés type of prayer.  In fact, the brief phrase reveals at least three insights into this time of prayer:

1.  They all prayed.  Yes, even the women!  We so often look to the “professional” (i.e. the pastor) to do the praying in a group.  Prayer is the responsibility, the privilege, of every believer.
2. They prayed together.  There is great joy in joining together in prayer.  In fact, I’m convinced that God uses this time to not only spur us on to pray for the object of our prayers, but also to simultaneously unite the hearts and minds of those praying.  It is difficult to be angry or out of step with someone you are praying with.  If a relationship is a bit strained –whether it be your marriage partner, your child, or your ministry partner – why not suggest praying together for a common concern, people group, missionary, or country.
3. They prayed constantly.  Don’t you just love –ly words?  Adverbs change the whole picture! The difference between praying and praying constantly is huge.

Lord, teach me to pray.

Live Sent Action Point:  Choose a missionary from each region mentioned in Acts 1:8. Invite a friend for coffee and then spend the afternoon praying together constantly for those serving Him full time.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

The Greek word translated “power” is the same word we use for dynamite.  Wow!  Best of all, we receive this power as a gift.  We don’t need to try to manufacture it on our own. God always equips for what He calls. That amazing power given by Him enables us to be His witnesses.

And where are we to speak for Him?  Jerusalem, Judea, Samara, the world.  In my life, that means Siloam Springs, all of Arkansas, venturing perhaps to Canada or Mexico, and then to the world.  The list is important and the order is worthy of comment.  Note that Jesus instructs us to begin in Jerusalem. Mission trips to far off places where nobody knows our name are not only more exciting, but sometimes safer from a social standpoint.  We are much more self conscious about sharing Christ with the neighbor across the street than the stranger across the world.  But that’s where our assignment begins. 

Lord, thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit.  Enable me to go in the power of Your spiritual dynamite to be Your witness.  As I drive, walk, shop, live, and work in my Jerusalem today, enable me to see and embrace the opportunities You provide.  Give me courage to be not only a lifestyle witness, but a verbal witness, as well.

Live Sent Action Point:  Bake cookies and take them to your next-door neighbor.  Consider inviting her to join you for a Fall Bible study. Pray as you go.

“So when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’”  Acts 1:6

In response to Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit, the disciples immediately want to know if now is the time for Israel to be delivered from the Roman yoke of oppression.  They could not see beyond the day-to-day challenge.  Their question demonstrates they are preoccupied with the physical and unable (or unwilling) to see the spiritual.

Are we any different today?  How easy it is to fight the political, economic, and social battle–or even the close-to-home battles of laundry, clutter, and bill-paying– and lose complete sight of our call to live sent.

Lord, who do you want to love on, give to, or make time for today?  Bring that person across my path and give me conviction to see the opportunity.  Give me the resolve to push away the immediate physical demands and make room for divine appointments.

Live Sent Action Point: Pray for a divine appointment and then look for it and embrace it when it comes!

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”  Acts 1:4-5

Do you recognize the Holy Spirit as God’s gift to you?  If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is your indwelling, enabling, empowering gift!  Jesus promises we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism symbolizes on the outside the change that has taken place on the inside. After water baptism, you are literally all wet.  Others can see the difference and know you have been baptized.

If we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, it should also be evident to others.  Are you “dripping” with God’s love?  Does His Word flow from your tongue?  Are you making difference choices?  Are you following hard after Him, becoming an imitator of Christ in all you do?

He has transformed us from the inside out and it should show!

Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit!  Hydrate my parched soul with the awareness and comfort of Your presence.  Stir up my heart and mind these next 30 days to listen, follow, and enjoy the leading of Your Spirit. Bless me and make me a blessing.

Living Sent Action Point:  Jesus shared this instruction “while he was eating with them.” A shared meal is a great opportunity for living sent.  Lord, who shall I break bread with today?

If you are joining me for Wellspring this weekend, you are receiving a preview of the “Acts in August” challenge I’ll be issuing there.  Even if you are not attending this women’s conference, I pray you will join us to ponder what it means to live sent by reading through Acts this August.

A message from Laura:

My personal journey with Jesus cannot be separated from my journey to immersing myself in His Word.  From my experience, I’m convinced that to obey Jesus, I must know Jesus.  And knowing Him means meeting Him daily in the Scripture.  If I have any agenda, it would be to turn you on to the Word of God.  My assignment from my Lord is to encourage women to love God and His Word.

If meeting Him daily is something you try to do or know you should do or just haven’t figured out how to do – or even if you are already keeping a daily appointment – I want to invite you to join me in journeying through Acts during the month of August.

The 1^st-century disciples heard the call to live sent from the mouth of our Lord directly.  Their stories, as captured in the book of Acts, tell us how they responded to this assignment.  As women who desire to live sent in the 21^st century, we can be challenged and encouraged by their example.

I’ll be endeavoring to make a daily post to my blog sharing reflections from Acts on living sent.  Please feel free to make comments there (or on my Facebook Page) so we can encourage one another as women of God to live sent!

You can read and/or join in the conversation here:

www.crossmyheartministry.com/category/live-sent

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Women of God, let’s go live sent!