WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Begin by praying the Lord’s Prayer, pausing on the words ‘Your kingdom come’. How might you be used by God to build his kingdom today? Challenging criticism Jesus warned his followers that they would be persecuted as he was. It must have hurt Peter that criticism came from inside the believers’ community. He patiently explains what happened, particularly how the Holy Spirit came on the Gentiles just as he had come on the disciples, and how this reminded him of Jesus’ words (v 16; Mark 1:8). He ends up with a challenge (v 17). It is a carefully reasoned argument, which sets out the facts, and concludes in a way that nobody can refute. Working on the edge Today there are many Christians who are working on the edges of society and the boundaries of what is considered ‘Christian’ lifestyle. For example, Christian motorbikers who witness to Hells Angels and who look very similar to them! Also, eco-Christians, Christians who work in clubs and pubs, Street Pastors, and those who work with addicts and the homeless. They can all suffer misunderstanding and limited support from Christians, especially when they bring their still-being-saved friends to a church service. It can be hard to accept different types of people into our Christian family, but if we only welcome people like us, how does that show we are different from anyone else? Respond: Thank God for accepting you. Find out about and pray for those brave enough to work in rough, tough places on the fringes of society. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-12-12