“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:37-47 NASB
http://bible.com/100/act.2.37-47.nasb
In my reading this morning, I tried to imagine what it would be like if everyone acted like this today. What if 3,000 people were saved in 1 church service; better yet by a missionary standing on the street. Today, we get excited about 1 soul getting saved – can you imagine 3,000? My husband just came back from a mission trip in Cuba and he came back so excited to tell us about the eagerness of the people to learn about God. He said one day they walked through a tobacco field to get to a small home and talk to a family about Jesus. 2 people were saved in that home. Can you imagine what those 2 people can do in that small village if they “go and tell”like we are called to do. Dustin went on and on about how happy the people were wherever they went. There were no cars, a few horses and buggies and bicycles but not even a Walmart! And can you imagine – no WiFi?!!!! I know scary! But these people were happy with what they had. No AC, no WiFi, no shopping besides open markets… and they were happy.
Maybe we are missing the point: happiness is not about the “stuff” you have. It’s about Who you have around you – and the best person to be around you is Jesus Christ.
With Jesus in your heart you’ll want to act like the people in th scripture above, You’ll desire to share His Word, and you’ll find out what real joy is.
One more story and I’m done – last week while my husband was in Cuba for 7 days – my hotwater heater flooded….27,000 gallons or water….under my hous over the last 2 months. Apparently a small leak turned to a big leak and busted a week ago. My water company called with concern and to tell me my water bill was going to be outrageous- so I grabbed my flashlight aka my phone and crawled under my house to check it out. BTW make sure you always kno where a flashlight is in your house. Phones are Great but not for crawling under the house. It didn’t take long for me to find the leak and step in water. I called my dad – no answer. I couldn’t call my husband – no service in Cuba. And then I called on of my church friends, Amber. For some reason, her husband answered. I was almost in tears and asked him if he could come check it out. We’ve only known this couple since last Fall but they have been such a blessing to us – that’s a story for another day – but that day – Jon came to my house, checked out everything and decided I needed a new hotwater heater. $$$ is all I could see. He removed the old one, helped me find a new one with a good cost and rebate from my power company, and the next day he installed it himself for no cost at all. I had hot water by lunchtime. Sometimes sharing God’s love is not by telling others abou Him – it can be by serving others and helping those in need. I tried to tell him we would repay him and he said no, he just loves to help others. Be thankful and be blessed for what you have and who you have around you!
May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!
