[The apostle Paul wrote,] “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).

The every day is a challenge for me, dear Lord. I try to live as your disciple, doing my best to align my will with your will. But my line is always crooked; and your line is always so incredibly straight. I’ll need some help today. My own foolish heart sometimes makes me want to deviate from the line to go my own way. Sometimes Satan places temptations before me. And other times the secular way of the world is so inviting. Give me a will that is pure and right with you. Make it an iron will that does not give in to temptation. And, through my will, working in concert with your will, do your work in me and through me. Amen.

In today’s text Saint Luke captures the warmth and unity of the fellowship among the early Christians in Jerusalem. God used this energy to bring many unbelievers to saving faith.

[Luke wrote,] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-47).

Oh Lord of the Church, I am like so many others, wondering what plans you now have for me and the people of your church in North America. The opportunities seem overwhelming and the workers seem to be so few in number. Challenges surround us on so many fronts. The difficult time we have in dealing with change and adjusting to a rapidly changing culture seems to be a monumental hurdle to your people. Help us learn from the developing early Christian church that change is an essential element in ministry. Use us as salt and light—agents of change—and let our love for one another and those to whom we are reaching out to shine as a way of preparing the hearts of unbelievers for the saving gospel message. Unite your people, Oh Lord. Make us one in faith and one in mission, even as you and the Father are one. Bring us together in a spirit of genuine fellowship and love. And remove all human inclination to judge one another or the way we carry out your work. Make us humble for the work that needs to be done now in the daylight, before the night comes. Amen.

The author of the Book of Acts was Saint Luke, the apostle. Luke was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry on earth. He recorded the earliest stirrings of the New Testament church in Jerusalem. He narrated the events of Pentecost and recorded Peter’s marvelous Pentecost sermon, after which Luke records for posterity that about three thousand were converted to the Christian faith and were baptized. In our text for today, Saint Luke describes four key activities that helped the people of the early church grow in their faith and in their love for one another.

[Saint Luke wrote,] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42).

Lord Jesus, bless the fellowship of your people as we devote ourselves to studying your Word, as we care for one another and minister to each others spiritual and physical needs, as we look for opportunities to commune and communicate with one another in selfless agape love, and as we come to you regularly and often in prayer to seek your blessings. Be with your people this day and every day, so that all we do and say may be to your glory. Amen.

[Paul wrote to young Pastor Timothy,] “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:9-10).

Lord Jesus, I want to work for you. Make my faith in you strong and my hope in your enduring promises sure so that I, too, might experience the joy of telling another person about your love for them. Amen.

Now that same day [Easter] two of [Jesus’ followers] were going to a village called Emmaus, . . . They were talking with each other about everything that had happened . . . Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days [the crucifixion]?”

“What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied . . . we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel . . . Some of our women . . . went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive . . .”

. . . [Then Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us” (Luke 24:13-32, selected verses)?

Dear Jesus, the promise that I too will physically rise from the dead and enter into your glory makes my heart also burn within me. Thank you for that victory promise and all that it means for my eternal future in heaven. Amen.

[In his general letter to all New Testament believers, the apostle James wrote,] “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Your light is constant and unchanging, my Lord. You mean exactly what you say and I know that you would never lie to me or change your mind about sending the good gifts that you continue to shower upon me. But there are those times when I wonder and doubt. I sometimes get the notion that you may have forgotten me. It is a temptation I would think all Christians must suffer at some time in their lives. When I am feeling low, help me think about all the gifts that you have already given to me—wonderful gifts: my Savior’s life-blood, your unending forgiveness, the promise of my resurrection, the astounding truth of your pure and holy Word, the constant reminder of your grace in my baptism, the renewal of my soul, my new nature that wants to be like Jesus, this heart that now lives for others and the sharing of your salvation, the support and encouragement in my faith-life from other believers, the promise of one day being with you for the rest of eternity. When I think of all these miracle gifts and remember that I don’t deserve any of them, I must surely be lifted up and filled with new joy for all that I have. I bless your name today for your great and gracious generosity to me, a humble sinner/saint, who trusts you to make all things turn for my good. Amen.

[Jesus said,] “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Lord God, you are the Creator, the source of all light in my world. The One you sent into this world declared, “I Am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” How grateful I am to be among those, whom you have shined your light of life upon! Continue to shine, O Lord, in my heart—first to expose the darkness of the sin that still remains, and then to lead me to live a life of faith in Jesus my Savior. Make me a city on a hill to draw the lost and the seeker to your precious light of the cross. Let me shine brightly to all who know me. Help me reflect your love to a world that continues to wander about in the darkness of unbelief. Amen.

I don’t often take the time, Oh Lord, to tell you how much I appreciate your blessings. I know I grumble, whine, and complain often. I come to you for relief from an illness or a financial concern or fears about my future. But coming to you to tell you how happy I am to have this special relationship with you—that I neglect to do. I just take your blessing for granted, day in and day out. Today I am asking you to help me change that trend. The truth is that I am glad to belong to your family. I am satisfied that you have loved me all the way to the cross and forgiven my sins. I am overjoyed to know that my future in heaven is secure. Turn my day today into a living song of praise, glorifying your name in everything I do and say. Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; . . .” (Proverbs 3:5).

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