THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47, 6:1-4, Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2

In the practices of the early Church, pros-kar-ter-eh-o is one of the chief ingredients. Verse 42 says, “And they pros-kar-ter-eh-o in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” They persevered in the teaching of the apostles and they persevered in fellowship one with the other. Verse 46 says, “So, pros-kar-ter-eh-o daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Their perseverance produced the full measure of what God had promised and He added to what they were doing because of their obedience and faithfulness. Surely there is a call for the same ingredients today. Certainly the warfare demands it as an issue of survival. In Acts 6 the apostles began to understand God narrowing their vision to that which was most important to them. Consequently they were not to serve tables or do the administration of the daily distribution. Verse 4 speaks volumes when it says, “but we will give ourselves pros-kar-ter-eh-o to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The apostles finally came to the conclusion they were not to be making hospital calls, counseling (which is an excellent ministry and needs to be done), but applying pros-kar-ter-eh-o in two areas; prayer and the study of the word so they could accurately minister it. Do we allow our leaders to give themselves to those two areas, or do we demand their presence over other issues that were given to the deacons? Perhaps in our churches we have what we deserve. One final issue of pros-kar-ter-eh-o is the number of times it appears under each major heading. Pros-kar-ter-eh-o appears six times in Scripture over the issue of prayer, Ephesians 6:18; Acts 1:14, 2:42, 6:4; Romans 12:12; and Colossians 4:2. The second major application is unity of relationship, Acts 1:14, 2:42, 46. Pros-kar-ter-eh-o was very much a foundational part of the early Church. Is God trying to weave it into our lives so that once again there can be a sure foundation

Acknowledging what is in you-Phm 1:6.

I will be known as a person of love, who is consistent, persevering in fellowship and prayer. I will also be known as a person of truth, and a person of power. God’s power is available to me, to be used when I deem fit, to be used by me, according to the will of God, which is for things to be done on earth as they are in heaven. His will is my will. I choose His will. I choose His way above my way. It is not my will, but His will that I will do. I will seek to make sure that in every way my will comes into alignment with His will, because His Spirit, His words, His power, and His mind, fill me and dwell in me every day; all day.