The Practice of Belonging
Photograph by Beth A. Richardson / Camp McDowell, Alabama “Ubuntu ... speaks of the very essence Read More
Mighty Rasing | Read Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-32
I loved listening to my grandmother’s stories. I marveled at how she and my grandfather crossed the Cordillera Mountain Range in the Philippines to move from the western side to the eastern side of Luzon Island before the building of wide and paved highways. I’ve only read about World War...
Dear God, thank you for the courage and strength of your followers who testify and live out their faith publicly. Help me to do the same. Amen.
As humans, we rely so much on our senses that it is sometimes difficult to believe something we have not directly experienced. We may not have seen Jesus, but through the words and actions of his followers, we experience his love and grace. In Acts, Peter quotes the psalm, boldly sharing about God’s presence in human life and the powerful expression of that presence in Jesus. The verses in First Peter point to the inheritance that God has in store for us. God’s grace sustains us when we face trials. Lastly, the passage from John shows Jesus meeting Thomas where he was while stressing the importance of believing even without seeing him.
Read Acts 2:14a, 22-32. Whose faith story has influenced you in your faith journey? Who can benefit from listening to your faith story?
Read Psalm 16. Reflect on a time when you encountered a disaster. What prayers did you utter? How did God answer your prayers? How can you be an answer to the prayers of others experiencing a similar situation?
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9. What trials have you faced that eventually strengthened your faith?
Read John 20:19-31. When have you wrestled with doubt? How did other Christ followers help you deal with deep faith questions?
Respond by posting a prayer.