Grace
To personally relate with those facing poverty, coming alongside and joining them in seeking their long term well-being.
Readings
Reading Deeper…
Jim Reiher, The Book of Acts: A Social Justice Commentary, pages 249-256.
Devotion 1
Wait: Play the song “Break Every Chain” and allow space for God to speak.
Read: Acts 28:1-5
Reflection: “Paul had been bitten by a deadly snake. The locals knew their snakes and they knew this one was fatal. They expected Paul to swell up and drop dead. They would have tragically seen it happen to some of their own people at times. So when Paul was bitten, they concluded that he must have done something very bad (‘surely he was a murderer!’) and justice was now being done to him. In fact the shipwreck was probably designed by the gods to drown such a bad man, but since he managed to survive that – well, now there is a poisonous snake sent to finish him off!
I have known too many Christians over the centuries who have tried to preach this kind of ‘karma’ message. You know: you get what you deserve, in this life, here and now.
Well Sorry to burst the bubble here, but the reality is that you don’t. Some evil people get a pretty good long prosperous life and some really decent loving people have all the manner of hardship. In fact, sometimes, the hardships make people more decent and more loving. There is no superstitious karma rule happening to us…
When Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake and the locals thought he would die for his sins, they were wrong. Interestingly Paul had been ‘a murderer’ in his earlier days (before his conversion). He had helped kill Stephen and many others during the early persecution of Christians, but he was not being bitten by that snake that day because of those past sins. He had been forgiven, restored and set on a new path that would glorify God and bless many others.
There is no ‘here-and-now law of karma’ for Christ followers. Our destiny is in God’s hands. Good and bad might come our way, but like Paul said on another occasion, ‘I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content inn any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength’ (Philippians 4:12,13)”1
Ask:
- Where have we seen these kind of superstitions or karma ideas at play in our neighbourhoods?
- Where have we put a “Christian” spin on superstitions in our faith? (eg..I haven’t been reading my bible enough so that’s why I didn’t get the job or bad things are happening to me…)
Share: Communion
Pray: Pray for freedom for those oppressed by superstitions and karma in their lives. That God would continue to reveal himself to our neighbours and in our own lives to break the chains which bind us.
1. Jim Reiher, The Book of Acts: A Social Justice Commentary. Dandenong: UNOH, 2014, 249-251.
Devotion 2
Wait: Take time to sit in silence together, allowing space for God’s voice to be heard.
Read: Acts 28:1-10
Reflection: “So what we have here is actually miracles and medicine happening hand in hand. Paul and Luke are a team. One prays and lays hands and sees miraculous healings at times, and the other uses his training and skills and knowledge to help with healings as well. There was no conflict in this for Paul. It is not a ‘lack of faith’ to use medicine as well as pray. The two should go hand in hand for us, just as they did for Paul back then.
The lesson is obvious isn’t it? Don’t let extremists try to put a guilt trip on you if you use medicine or visit a doctor. Don’t be hoodwinked by the naïve and simplistic to think that healing from God and the use of medicine are somehow an ‘either/or’. Not so. They can be a ‘both/and’.
If it is unspiritual to use medicine (as well as pray and trust God) then Paul was very unspiritual here in Acts 28. For an ‘unspiritual man’, he sure does get used by God to do some amazing spiritual things!”2
Ask:
- What stands out in this passage?
- Paul & Luke had different gifts but seemed to make a complimentary team, how gracious and tolerant are we towards people with gifts that are different to ours?
Share: Communion
Pray: Spend time praying for ways we can encourage and value neighbours, teammates and the broader church in their unique gifts.
2. Reiher, Acts, 252-253.
Devotion 3
Wait: Take time to sit in the silence of thanksgiving together, aware of God’s loving kindness toward us.
Read: Acts 28:11-16
Ask:
- Share with each other a time where we have received generous hospitality from others.
- How have you been encouraged by other believers in hard times?
- What are some ways we can offer encouragement to those facing poverty within our neigbourhoods and throughout the world?
Share: Communion
Pray: Spend time in prayer thanking God for those who have extended hospitality and encouragement to us on the journey.
Challenge: Write a handwritten card or note of encouragement to someone today and send it.
Devotion 4
Read: Acts 28:17-31
Reflection: “You know there is no excuse to be idle in Christ. Even if you are in jail there is still something you can do. Even if you are being hassled and persecutes, there are things you can get done. Who would have thought that the writings of a Jewish Pharisee, who joined a despised sect in the first century, would have become best-sellers and read by millions and millions of people all throughout history?
You never know the impact you will have. You should never underestimate the ripple effect your actions and words and achievements will cause. Whatever your situation, whatever your circumstances – God will still work with you, through you, and be with you always.”3
Ask:
- What stands out in this passage?
- Are we willing to be used by God even in the hard times? Share of some experiences where God has used you when you thought you had nothing to offer.
- How can we make the most of every moment and every different thing (big or small) that make up our lives?
Share: Communion
Pray: End with the Lord’s prayer
3. Reiher, Acts, 255.