Monday, August 18, 2014

Disciplined Faith--Part I

Acts 10:9-16—About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

This passage of Scripture reveals a lot about Peter’s daily habits and discipline in living out his faith.  Peter was a rule follower, and he was strict with himself.  For example, even though he must have been famished from all his travels, we see him delay his meal so that he can spend time communicating with God.  We also see that he doesn’t just do a quick prayer and then run off to eat.  No, he lingers and allows himself to meditate by falling into a trance.  He takes time not only to talk to God but also to listen to Him.  In our daily lives, it is easy to get caught up in quick prayers.  Sometimes it seems like we barely have time for even a 5 minute devotional—how in the world can we find time to linger and listen to God?  But that is exactly what we ought to be doing so that we become so connected to God that we feel His guidance at every moment in our lives.

Today, as you pray, consciously build in a few minutes to meditate with a clear mind.  Open your ears to hear God’s call.  Pray specifically about how God would like to see you participate in the 30 Days of Silence initiative that begins tomorrow at 6 a.m. at New Covenant.  Embrace this opportunity to mature in your discipline of prayer and meditation so that you might be a vessel for change and a beacon of peace, hope, and light for our city.

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