Having finished Mark’s testimony of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, I decided to read the Acts, as I have never been able to concentrate through them before.

Inspired by how far I have come, with the help of God, in my year’s bible reading plan, I decided to take on this book which I have always found hard to relate to.

It starts off with the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples and their followers, and them starting to talk in the languages of the devout Jews from other lands who had come to live in Jerusalem. They told them the Good News about Jesus, in their own tongue.

Then Peter starts preaching throughout Jerusalem under the power of the Holy Spirit. On his travels, a man who has been disabled since birth asks him for money. Peter says: “Silver and Gold I do not have, but what I have I give you” and then heals him in Jesus’ name.

Peter also criticises the way the Jewish leaders condemned Jesus to die, and starts spending time in prison. But the prison walls fail to hold him and he is arrested preaching again in the temple about Jesus, how He fulfilled all the prophesies of old.

The leaders wish to kill him, but one scribe says: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.” He then gives the examples of two rebels who gathered men against the leaders, and talks about how their people were scattered after their death.

“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;

“But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Dear God, We trust that our faith is of you, 2000 years after our Saviour rose to heaven to be with You until the day You send Him back in Glory. We trust that with Your divine help we can learn to see You – that You will reach us – through all the human foibles and downright mistakes of our church. Forgive us our sins. I pray that You will give us the words and the tasks to do as the disciples did and preach Your word. Even though we are saved through Jesus, yet I mostly feel that I cannot find You and have lost my way from Your path. If that is true, in the words of Psalm 80: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock…. stir up Your strength… come and save us! Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine and we shall be saved! In Jesus’ name I call for You, my Father God, Amen.