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Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit-filled apostles went out and taught the gospel.
43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
Acts 2:43 NIV
The believers ate together and gathered with glad and sincere hearts (v46). Oh, how I treasure that description, with glad and sincere hearts! Have you ever been somewhere you did not want to be, worse yet, in the company of people you did not want to be around? I have, and although I may have been polite, my heart was not glad or sincere. The new believers with the apostles were filled with a sincere desire to be together as a Christian community and get this drum roll please for verse 47 I am so excited!
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47 NIV
These early believers followed Christ, built a community, prayed, worshipped, and ate together and the Lord brought people to them.
We have a hummingbird feeder at our home and when I remember to fill it, every time I am washing dishes and look out the window I see a hummingbird sipping nectar. When I forget to fill the feeder, and often, I do, the sightings are more uncommon and brief as they quickly realize there is no nectar to be found. When I fill the hummingbird feeder, I do not follow up by sending out tones into the air to attract the hummingbirds; I do not climb the 150-foot trees around my house with a net and try to catch them mid-flight. As Christians, we are responsible for ensuring the nectar never runs dry, and God will do the heavy lifting.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this Word! For the reminder that all we need do is sacrifice ourselves to you, and you will do the rest. Help us, Jesus, to build contagious Christian communities across this fallen World, places where people cannot help but be drawn in by the sweet nectar of your abundant mercy, grace, and love. Renew me this day so I might serve my King with everything I have, all of me belongs to you. I pray these things in the name of Jesus! -Amen
May the words that flow from me Lord be filled with Your message and when I am obedient may they be backed by the Holy Spirit. When I serve righteously let none of the words, I utter in praise of You fall to the ground. Help me to craft every word, may they pierce hearts and refresh weary souls. This gift is Yours; God I simply aim to use it for your glory.
–Love Cortney