WOW! I want to live like that!

Have you ever met some one, read some ones story, watched some one give beyond their ability to give, or observed some one live out their faith in a way that makes you say "WOW! I want to live like that!"? I can think of numerous stories about missionaries, pastors, christian activists, and even people helping those in Haiti right now, that challenge me to be more of a risk taker for God.

Over the past few days I have been reading in the book of Acts. I have purposefully been trying to read slowly through the verses in Acts because there are just so many pieces of Acts that make me say "WOW!" The people and the Apostles that we read about in Acts were risk takers for God. They had the kind of faith that either made people angry to the extreme of wanting to murder them or made people want to live for the God (Jesus Christ) they were living for. In Acts chapters 1-7 we see the coming of the Holy Spirit change the lives of people in such a drastic way that others accused them of being drunk. We see a bold and simple sermon preached by Peter "cut to the heart" of many and 3000 people were saved and baptized. We see believers devoted to the word of God, community with one another through eating together and praying together. In fact even they were saying "WOW" at what was happening, the bible tells us they were in "awe." They weren't worried about imposing on each other, they were willing to sell possessions and belongings to help one another out! They had "generous hearts". We see Peter and John healing a crippled beggar and giving God all the glory! The crippled man went from being overlooked by others and bound by his physical barriers to having a new identity in Christ and leaping and praising God! WOW! We see Peter and John speaking boldly before the council, so much so that they are thrown in jail and asked to never speak of Jesus name again. Their response "We must obey God rather than men." WOW! We read about an angel of the Lord opening up the prison doors freeing Peter and John to preach the word! We witness a Pharisee named Gamaliel held in honor by the people, encourage the council to release Peter and John for "You might be opposing God" is what he told them. We also read about Stephen being stoned to his death by a group of angry people who were convicted by the truth he spoke into their lives.

When I read about the amazing things God was doing around, in, and through the lives of the Apostles and Christians in the book of Acts, I can't help but be amazed at the mighty things he was up too. Some may read these stories and think "whats the big deal?" but for most we read this and think "Man God was doing amazing things in those days!"

The same God that was doing amazing things in Acts 1-7 is the same God that you and I have access to today. I think the people in the book of Acts were aware of just how big and capable their God was. Because of their faith and risk you and I are left thinking "WOW! I want to live like that! The truth is, we can! But faith requires risk and its the faith initiated risk takers that get the attention of people and most of all God! What does your story make people say?


PJ