A Stumbler's Walk | GRACE AND POWER

And Stephen, full of grace and power...

- Acts 6:8 

There is no power for living without grace first. (That was a negative way to start off, so I'll turn it around)... Power to live a purposeful life comes as a result of grace. 

We must come to the understanding that every good and perfect gift comes from above," (James 1:17), and that God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

There is a flow to the life of faith: Seek... Open up... Receive... Live.

Our job is not to act so that we receive. We are to receive so that we can act. Power to live the spiritual life is not in proving to God our faith and fortitude. Power for living is a gift of God to be received and acted upon - even when we don't "feel" like we've received. And that's the rub. Faith is …the confidence in what we hope for, the assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Powerful grace doesn't come in a Price is Right sized package with candy-striped wrapping paper and neon bow. It is quiet; nearly silent. It is in the whisper of God as we spend time with him and join him in his mission. It is filling us; infusing every part of our soul and mind and heart.
…EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness.

We can't live looking backwards (though many try… and stumble). However, it is good time-to-time, to stop and take a look down the path we've walked. What we notice, is that when we thought we could not take one more step; we did. When we thought our circumstance was the final straw; it wasn't. There was power for life. There was grace.

God, fill me with your grace and power. I will act, even if I'm unsure.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | REJOICE

…rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

- Acts 5:41 

Where is the line in the sand drawn? What is acceptable sacrifice? For you… for me?

Peter and the Apostles (sounds like a 60's one-hit-wonder pop group) were arrested for teaching in the name of Jesus. They were doing what was right, fulfilling their commission from Jesus. 

They were arrested by those who were wrong; wrong motives, wrong hearts. Where is the justice?

During the night in jail an angel shows up, opens the door to the cell and tells the men to go back to what they were doing. Justice! (I love how Luke almost makes it a side note that an angel shows up... and that the men weren't shocked!)

Peter and the Apostles go back to their mission. Once again they are detained. (Note that they go willingly.) Peter unapologetically lays out the message of Jesus to the leaders, who are enraged by it, and him. But what can they do to someone with no fear? Someone who is willing to sacrifice?

The leaders threaten the Apostles… no good. They've seen angels and walked with a living dead man. In another seeming side note, Luke writes, "They (the officials) beat them and…" Wait! What? Broken noses, split lips, bruised and cut… Where is the justice? And what is the response of these men? Anger? Revenge? Whining? No, these guys REJOICED they could suffer for Jesus!

The message of TV Christianity is not one of sacrifice and surrender. It is instead, self-focused; "What can God do for me?" It is an extreme divergence from the call to, "Take up your cross and follow me." True faith is not clean and comfortable. It is messy (because we are all a mess) and seldom comfortable. Peaceful, yes. Comfortable, no.

I believe with all my heart there is joy in the journey. I believe God gives us incredible gifts and he takes care of his children. I believe he empowers us for life. But he also calls us to sacrifice; daily and thankfully, usually in small ways.

"Rejoicing…" I challenge you to do a search for the word "rejoice" in scripture. It is a perspective changer. Rejoicing is not a reaction. It is a CHOICE based on a relationship with the God who loves us.

God, help me to rejoice… in you… no matter the circumstance.

For now…
D

A Stumbler's Walk | WITH

And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.  - Acts 4:13 

What is it others notice about us? What do they see in us? 

Jesus often pointed out the ugliness and futility of outward displays of religion that missed the target of inward authenticity. However, true inner transformation always works it's way to the surface. It is noticeable.

There were those in established positions who opposed this new movement (the church). It threatened comfort and status quo because it was carrying on what Jesus had begun. And in this story, the old guard didn't know how to handle Peter and John. Though they had no formal training, and they weren't from the right families, schools, clubs, etc., there was something noticeable about these two. 

They had been with Jesus.

Bottom line: when we spend time with Jesus things change. Attitudes, behaviors, habits, character, purpose; things change. Because we change… from the inside out. 

Our goal is to carry out Jesus' mission. Whether we "fit in" or not is secondary. (By the way, when NOT "fitting in" becomes the goal, we've missed the bulls-eye every bit as much).

When we purposefully spend time with Jesus, through the scriptures, worship, the community of faith, and performing acts of mercy and justice, he transforms us. 

It is authentic. It is powerful. It is noticeable.

God, transform me from the inside out.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | NEED

"…I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you."

- Acts 3:6 

God doesn't ask of us what we don't have. It might be more accurate to say he doesn't require from us what he has not already given to us. And in an mysteriously incredible and divine way, he matches our gifts, talents and resources specifically to meet the needs of someone else.

On the other side of the equation, we often don't know what we really need. God has a way of sorting past our wants and addressing the deep need.

Two disciples are going about their day when they come across a man who had never walked a step in his life. The man asked them for money; as he did everyone on the way to the temple. It was what he knew. It was his life. It was what he thought he needed. 

He had a deeper need.

Peter and John didn't have any money that morning. What they had however, was what the man needed. "…in the name of Jesus… rise up and walk!"

He did.

Today, you and I will find ourselves on both sides of this equation. We will have the opportunity to be the touch of God to someone. It may require our looking past the surface. And we have needs that God will meet today, through the touch of someone else. It may require allowing them to look past our surface.

God will not ask of us what we don't have. But he will ask everything of us.

God, help me to meet a need today... God, I need…

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | STANDING

But Peter, standing…

- Acts 2:14 

Jesus words to Peter on the night of his betrayal and arrest: "… but when you have turned…"

This is Peter's turning.

Peter was acquainted with failure. He knew doubt; more in himself than anything else. He could be impetuous, brash and overbearing, He could be brave and gutless. He often spoke first and listened later. I think he was probably voted "disciple most likely to drop an F-bomb at an after church potluck." And the last time Peter was in a crowd, he failed. 

Worse, he betrayed.

"But when you have turned…" Peter finds himself in a crowd once again. It's much like the crowd that screamed, "Crucify him!" at Pilate a little over a month before, sending Jesus to the cross of death. Sweat runs down Peter's back. His hands tremble a bit. His knees are rubber. And then... strength!

"But Peter, standing…"

The first "sermon" preached in the era of this new thing called the church, was preached by a redeemed failure, a forgiven betrayer, a turned man. 

The sermon would not make it to air today. Not enough smiling; not enough "feel good about yourself." But a turned man, an empowered man spoke true words. People were changed and a movement was born.

"But Peter, standing…" I should note that Peter would fail again; in smaller ways. We all do. I am thankful the Bible doesn't gloss-over flaws. But standing for Jesus became habitual for Peter.

You? Me?

God, help me stand.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | TURN TOWARD

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

- Luke 23:42 

The man was nailed to a cross next to Jesus. 

He had not lived a lifestyle worthy of mention in the Bible to say the least. He was not a moral man. He was not a good man. 

We know him simply as Thief #2.

The man died that day. 

He died a brutal death - legs broken, flesh nailed to a rough piece of wood, hanging on display. But it was not the most significant thing that happened to him on his cross. 

Thief #2 was given life that day. He didn't adhere any religion that we know of. He didn't even pray the right prayer. He didn't hop down to be baptized, go to class, or do good works. He didn't follow the proper formulas or rituals.

He simply turned to Jesus.

Life begins with a simple turn to Jesus.

God, thank you for life in Jesus and help me every day to turn to you.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | TURN

And when you have turned again, 

strengthen your brothers.

- Luke 22:32

Jesus told Peter three things: 1) You have a target on your back and will falter; 2) I've prayed for you; 3) You are already forgiven, and you will (re)turn. When you do, you will be a rock to many.

God sees what we cannot. He knows what we do not. He is preparing us for his purposes. 

Swash this around in your brain:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

- 1 Corinthians 2:9

You and I will fail at times. We will have moments of doubt and faithlessness. But that is not the end of our story. 

As in Peter's case, Jesus prays for us. (Take a quick look at Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25). His offer is not one of condemnation, but forgiveness. He has a future planned for us, and he is preparing us for that future.

"... and when you have turned..."

God, I turn to you.

For now...

D