As much as I don’t want to, I know I need to move on past these first 5 chapters of Acts. This short lived period of the church without problems is getting ready to come to an end. You see, there were people in it. And that is the dynamic (problems) that people bring when they come into the church. For this brief period though, they were so full of the Holy Spirit that problems were drowned out.
But who can stay full? Who can always be 100%? Maybe we average 75% with occasional surges of up to 90% or 95%. Being honest about my life as a Christian during my first 30 years, I might could say I averaged 40% or maybe 50%. There were some 75% times but they were offset by some 20% and some flat out 0% times. But the in the past 6 years, I have definitely improved my average.
Ananias and Saphira, in a bit of a depression became greedy. In their downward turn, they dipped even lower by lying. The Grecian Jews were in a slump when they complained that their widows were not getting the attention that other widows were getting. And even Stephen, who was obviously considered to be full of the Holy Spirit, sagged just a bit one day and he got sucked into an argument. That one little moment cost, not only him, but the entire church dearly.
And now, is that not what the rest of the New Testament is filled with. The gospel is shared and people’s lives are changed. But they’re not made perfect; they’re made better. And as they gave themselves to the Apostles teachings, like Paul who pressed toward the mark – who pressed to stay full – they were improving their average.
Hunger and Thirst 
There is just something about how you relate to His word and then relate that to us, that truly speaks to me. I know that feeling of not wanting to leave a part of scripture behind. It’s why I don’t try to do the read a bible in a year plans. I have read my bible from cover to cover. Plan to continue. But sometimes He keeps us at something longer than is possible under someone else’s schedule.
This post . . .is so real and encouraging. That each day, each time we hear the gospel and do our best to live it, we are improving our average. upping our percentage of being full. 🙂 God bless you, Mike!
“sometimes He keeps us at something longer than is possible under someone else’s schedule”.
I have found that to be true. Instead of 3 chapters a day, I will often stay in one chapter 3 days. I know there is something there and I don’t want to leave until I see it. And then, like in this case, I don’t want to leave after I’ve seen it. But I know there will be some cool stuff ahead.
Interesting thought. What has my average been? I would have to say not good. Especially for about the first 20 or so years of my Christian life. I think the Lord has been helping to do a little better the last couple years, but I’m still nowhere near where I need to be. Of course, I doubt if any us are. Great post and great thought!
In Christ,
Ben
Hi Ben,
Thanks for stopping by. I can tell by your blog that you’re doing the thing that I feel has helped me the most to walk with God. I liked the line in your ‘About’ page that refers to that. After 30 years, I started over. That was 6 years ago. I did what you are doing. I read my Bible regularly, and committed to keeping notes in the form of a hand written journal. It has been a cool journey. I expect yours will be as well.
Don’t let up,
Mike
I laughed at your first paragraph. People are always seeking a perfect church. But if they find one, they better stay away because if they join it will no longer be perfect. But to be better – may we continually seek that….