From a Lamp Unto My Feet (a devotional) ...

First Be Quiet

Out hectic lives involve many changes, and changes require decisions, and decisions must often be made in the midst of a multitude of confusions.  We run here and there asking advice.  Often we make decisions without sufficient deliberation because we simply haven't time - or so we tell ourselves.

There is a marvelously helpful practice that we usually overlook.  It is quietness.  Notice how often in the Gospels we find Jesus going away alone, even when people needed Him.  He deliberately chose solitude.  The more hectic our lives become, the more necessary is this quietness.  When it is impossible to break away physically to a place of solitude for a day or so in order to think and pray over a hard decision, there is one thing that I think helps - do not speak about the decision to anyone but God for 48 hours at least.  Just hold it before Him alone.  Keep your mouth shut for two days. Pray. Listen. Seek His counsel.

Try this too - sit before Him for 15 consecutive minutes in silence, focus your mind on the words of Psalm 86:11: "Guide me, O Lord, that I may be true to thee and follow thy path."

- Elisabeth Elliot

From Our Daily Bread (a devotional) ...

 The Church

God's People and Possession

When we hear the word church, it's common to have an image of a physical structure.  From what we read in Scripture, however, we're compelled to think "people" over "place," "believers" instead of "buildings."  Indeed, the Greek word ekklesia, translated "church," means "assembly," and in most cases in the New Testament it refers to a gathering of believers in Jesus in a specific location.

God's special relationship with and plans for the church are reflected in the words used to describe it.  "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).  Peter's language is reminiscent of the way God has spoken of His covenant people in the Old Testament (see Exodus 19:5-6).  Furthermore, believers in Christ are welcomed into a family of people who are crowned with mercy and dubbed as "beloved" (1 Peter 2:10-11 ESV).

Those who are precious to God are to value and care for each other.  Peter uses "one another" phrases to emphasis how we should relate to each other.  First Peter 4:8-11 states that those who belong to the family of God should "love each other deeply" (v.8), "offer hospitality to one another without grumbling" (v.9), and use their gifts to serve each other so that God is honored in everything (vv. 10-11).

- Arthur Jackson, Our Daily Bread author

A church service in Ukraine

"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer.

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Acts 2:40-47

fellowship over food at a church community in Chile