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Scripture for the day: Acts 4:4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so that the number of believers totaled about five thousand men, not counting women and children.
Thought for the day: I like reading through the book of Acts. It's a bit like delving into ancient family history. There's always a story or two that takes your mind back or helps to remind you of who you are and where you came from. Most of us have those types of stories in our own families don't we? You know the ones; those that the older folks tell at every family reunion or Christmas get-together. They're always about great great uncle so-and-so or great great grandma Esther or some other famous (or sometimes infamous) relative who'd left an indelible impression on the family for these many generations.
"You remember the story of old uncle Thadeus, don't you? Sure you do; he's the one who was always running out west to seek his fortune. Rumor has it he fell in with the James gang and aided in some of their worst robberies. He came back east and settled down right on the edge of town. No one could ever prove his background but he sure seemed to have all the money he ever needed (actually, that was my wife's side of the family – and not true)."
My favorite story is of the Angel Gabriel (not the real one, but a ship with that name). In the year 1637 the Angel Gabriel arrived at Pemaquid Point on the coast of Maine, loaded with trade goods and settlers bound for the Massachusetts Bay Colony. While there, most of the settlers disembarked and the ship lay at anchor near the harbor. In almost no time at all she was caught in a massive hurricane that had moved up the coast leaving her wrecked on the rocky shore. She was torn to pieces by the fury of the storm. Not one remnant of that ship has ever been located, despite years of searching.
Anyway, in researching the family history of myself and my wife I discovered that there was a relative of hers on the Angel Gabriel when it arrived at Pemaquid. Strangely enough, I too had a relative on the same ship! Both had left England for the colonies and both became stranded in Pemaquid by the storm. Now tell me, how could I come to any conclusion other than that we were simply meant to be together?
Stories help give us a foundation, don't they? They take us back to our roots, remind us of our heritage, and even give us strength to go on today because of the name we've inherited. They can provide a sense of duty, a certain amount of pride in knowing where we came from and the type of people, heroes all, who cleared the way through history for us.
Well, I feel the same way when I read the stories of Acts. These people are our spiritual forefathers; they blazed a trail of glory and splendor as the brand new church began to take root and grow. The story of Peter and John healing the lame man as recorded in Acts chapter three is a thrilling account of the power and glory of the name of Jesus in that early church. Their brave stance when faced with the command to remain silent about their faith is inspirational for us all when our world is trying to tell us when and where we are allowed to speak in Jesus' name. It is these types of stories that give us strength when faced with adversity and aid us in keeping the faith day to day. They are the beginning of "An Endless Line of Splendor," as one author labeled church history.
But they are not the end. I encourage you today; live up to the model they provided for us. As we read of their exploits, trials and persecutions, let us renew our own resolve to stand firm for the name of Jesus, the "only name given under heaven by which man must be saved."
Now go take on your world. - Bill