JUNE 12 | ACTS 5:12-16

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DAILY READING

Acts 5:12-16

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REFLECTION

Miracles Yet Today!  

by Judy Webb

” The Apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.” (Acts 5:12a)

Signs and wonders! What comes to mind when you hear this phrase? Many things in life take our breath away or make us ponder the way of the world. When something totally unexpected happens, we pause and take stock of that which we know to be true. But isn’t there much more outside the realm of what we know to be true? In a study of Revelation, we read that as the end times approach, right is perceived as wrong, good as bad, and so on. Is this a sign?

The Book of Acts is a fascinating look at life after Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. The Apostles surely felt a sense of wonder each day as they went about doing the will of Jesus. Jesus taught them for three years how to proceed after He left. He gave them instruction how to live as they experienced all the wonder of life as a Follower of Jesus. The hard parts and the pleasant parts surely left them feeling amazed and unworthy at the same time.

These faithful followers had to deal with some of the same oppression and roadblocks as Jesus. The Pharisees and religious leaders are still banging the same drum. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.” (Acts 4:16)

Once again, those pesky Sanhedrin are plotting and scheming to stop the Word of Truth from invading the land. The phrase ‘notable sign’ grabbed my attention. They were referring to undeniable miracles being performed…still in their midst. They thought they eliminated the troublemaker—but not so. Now they feared Jesus even though he was not in their midst.

The followers of Jesus, more united than ever, recognized their purpose. Their clarity was nothing short of a miracle; the Holy Spirit made all the difference, just as Jesus said he would. The signs and wonders are a display of divine power.

Many today question the existence of miracles. Do you? Can you testify to a miracle from your life? Perhaps you are living that miracle right now. I have three grandsons whose birthmothers chose adoption over abortion…signs and wonders indeed!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

What a great text today. Your Word never ceases to amaze and instruct. I love to read and study each text assigned, and then dig into it as I recognize parallels with my life. I am in awe daily, of your Word and how the Holy Spirit uses it to speak into the life of believers. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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June 10 | Acts 4:1-3, 23-31

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DAILY READING

Acts 4:1-3

Acts 4:23-31

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REFLECTION

BOLDLY TOLD

By Pam Mann

When Peter and John went to pray, they had no coins to offer the lame beggar. So, Peter boldly told the lame man that he could instead give him what he had. He boldly told the man: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” Jesus healed the man, formerly lame since birth. What a hubbub this leaping, rejoicing man created! The guy who had been an annoying fixture at the gate was abruptly set free!

As crowds gathered to investigate the commotion, Peter boldly told the assembly that this lame man was healed by faith in the name of Jesus. Of course, the astonished people were eager to hear how such power had come upon humanity.

However, not everybody was eager to hear. The religious leaders were eager to shut down the Jesus ruckus. They arrested Peter and John.

The next day when the two men were interrogated by the authorities, Peter boldly told the assembled leaders that the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The dignitaries were astonished by Peter’s articulate defense. Because probably all the city could recognize this lame guy (now healed), there was no denying the reality of the miracle. The religious rulers grudgingly released the two disciples.

Please note that the bold speaker in all these events is Peter! He’s the guy who had denied even knowing Jesus after his arrest. The Holy Spirit has made a new man out of Peter.

Once freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers with a full report of all the goings on. The group prayed together, rejoicing to see the sovereign hand of the Lord guiding even governmental powers.

What is their prayer at this pivotal moment in the early Christian movement?

They prayed: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word

with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

In the days since Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter had boldly told all that the Spirit had put in his heart, on multiple occasions. Now, in Acts 4, as the church gathered around Peter and John, they sensed more challenges to come. They prayed for

1) God’s provision for whatever governments throw at them,

2) God’s power to speak His word with boldness, and

3) God’s mighty hand to work wonders through the name of Jesus.

For two millennia, the church has treasured this agenda as a prayer guide and action plan. No previous experience required. No formal education needed. Previous failures forgiven.

Are you in?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You for the ways You worked in Peter and John and in the first believers in Jerusalem. Enable us also to pray as they did. Let us also speak Your word with boldness.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.

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June 9 | Acts 3:11-36

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DAILY READING

Acts 3:11-36

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REFLECTION

When God Heals

By Dave Mann

Today’s passage happens shortly after Pentecost, when 120 believers were filled with the Holy Spirit.  Peter preaches a powerful sermon, and 3000 people come to faith and are baptized.

In the opening verses of Acts 3, Peter and John meet a man lame from birth in the temple courtyard.  He begs for money from them.  However, Peter famously responds, “I don’t have any silver or gold.  However, what I do have, I’ll give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”  And he is miraculously healed.

Quickly, a crowd gathers, amazed at what has happened.  Peter clearly states that the man was healed not by power in and of himself, but the power of the name of Jesus has healed this man.  The message is that God still heals today.  I don’t know why God heals some but not others.  I don’t understand why the healing sometimes comes swiftly, sometimes gradually.  But the power and faith in the name of Jesus are still active today.  Not through our power, but by the power of the name of Jesus and the faith that comes from Jesus.

Peter explains and interprets the healing to the crowd.  His message is keenly focused on Jesus.  He is the Holy One of God.  He is the servant of God.  Peter builds a bridge with his audience in verse 13 –“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.”  Peter states that he and his audience come from the same lineage. 

But then he burns that bridge!  He speaks very pointedly – “You handed him over.  You disowned him.  You killed him. You asked for a murderer to be released in his place.”  Nevertheless, it is fair to say that it was not only the Jewish people who were guilty of these acts, but all of us (Jew and Gentile alike) are responsible because Jesus died for the sins of all of us.  If you want to blame someone for the crucifixion, just look in a mirror.  All are to blame.

Peter quickly turns to words of good news (vv. 19-20) –“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” Times of refreshing come when we realize that though we have sinned, God has made us right with him through Jesus Christ.

When God blesses us, it is time to repent.

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you for all the blessings that you have given me.  Some of those blessings I have thanked you for; some, unfortunately, I have taken for granted.  I pray now for a spirit of repentance to rightly acknowledge your hand in every blessing I have received.  May I respond to Peter’s message concerning all your blessings sent my way in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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