February- Acts by John David https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v AthensChurch.com/2022 en-us 2022-02-06 16:57:08 UTC 2022-02-15 01:13:21 UTC hello@padlet.com Avoiding a Spiritual Dead Zone johndavidwalker7 https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2031650477 February 14th is Valentine's Day. There is little known about St. Valentine. However, one point that is generally agreed upon is that St. Valentine was a martyr. Rather than be forced to hide his love for Jesus, St. Valentine surrendered his life. St. Valentine's heart belonged to Jesus, and this exactly what our spiritual dead zones need. We need the one who fills us with joy and contentment, and we need nothing else. Our God is a huge God. Jesus created the entire universe. Even though we are a speck in the universe, Jesus finds us and is faithfully ours every day of our lives. We are a part of the greatest love story ever told, and that love is something every one of us is blessed to embrace, nurture, and enjoy.

Psalm 8:4 "what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?" 


]]> 2022-02-06 17:35:10 UTC https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2031650477 Acts 5:1 johndavidwalker7 https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2031770977 Acts 5:1 (NLT) "But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest." 

Ananias and Sapphira died after lying to the apostles. This is God's parenting- it is perfect and shows that God pays attention to what we do and where we are headed based upon what we do. According to the NIV Study Bible, "If no dire consequences had followed this act of sin, the results among the believers would have been serious when the deceit became known. Not only would dishonesty appear profitable, but the conclusion that the Spirit could be deceived would follow." Although sin in the church seems common now, God made it very clear from the beginning that everything that is seemingly hidden is plainly known by God, and that appearing generous is not the goal of the church. The goal of the church is to pursue Jesus, together. Appearing generous and like you have your act together are characteristics of religion. Being generous and living in a state of surrender to God's will, because you recognize your need for God, is what it means to be a Jesus follower. ]]> 2022-02-06 19:41:58 UTC https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2031770977 Looking to the Sky https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2032709474 “Men of Galilea, why do you stand here looking to the sky?” 

Christians often get accused of not being in touch with reality. Now, this doesn’t mean we’re cookoo, rather we become so focused on Christ’s return and the Heaven that is in store for us that we are no longer grounded in reality. I’ll admit—I get so wrapped up in the personalization of my faith that I forget that faith is outward focusing and outward effective. 

When the angels caught the disciples staring into the sky, they reminded them that Jesus would return at any moment just as he left at any moment. I’m sure this reminded them of the many stories Jesus told about diligent workers and those who are responsible with the time they’re given. 

We have work to do. I want to spend all my time looking beyond this life. I want Jesus to return—just not yet. I want to kick my feet up and enjoy the blessings God has given me. But, that’s a life looking to the sky—one that remains still and motionless, ineffective and irrelevant. 

My goal this year is to be a servant. I want to help people. I want people to see Christ at work through me. My heart yearns for Christ, yes, but I recognize that there is work to be done. ]]> 2022-02-07 10:07:56 UTC https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2032709474 Acts 8:20 johndavidwalker7 https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2047503240 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

I think this is an interesting verse because, firstly, money is demanded within various denominations for various services. It is interesting to consider whether fees for certain services are acceptable to God. Secondly, this verse is interesting because people are used to being asked to give to the church they attend. All of this makes it seem like God is contractual and that He loves some more than others in accordance with their works. This does not match up with the Bible, though, as the Bible repeatedly claims that God does not show favoritism. Furthermore, the Bible, as seen in Acts 8:20, makes it clear that God's love is not bought. God loves us all more than we can imagine. Why give to God's mission? Because we get to, not because we have to. When you are in love with someone, spending time with that person and giving what you have to that person is natural and desirable. I think this is what being a Christian should look like, if things are going as they should.

]]> 2022-02-15 01:13:21 UTC https://padlet.com/johndavidwalker7/h4yq5z0o9u61lp6v/wish/2047503240