Summer devotions: The Value of VBS - Acts 8:26-31

Acts 8:30-31    Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Some of the most important work in the church’s year is taking place this week. It’s our annual Vacation Bible School and this year’s theme is all about pirates, Paul and shipwrecks. The kids love the singing, story-telling, crafts and games, and our church is so blessed with many faithful volunteers.

Those volunteers are crucial to passing on our faith to the next generation. Their week-long commitment is a life-long investment in the spirits of our children. Years after the VBS program is over, some of the kids will remember their friends, families, and church workers enjoying the whole experience. Hopefully, it will keep them positively connected to God and the lessons that they learn will give them the godly guidance to help them make good decisions in their lives.

In today’s passage (Acts 8:26-31), the apostle Philip is urged by the Holy Spirit to walk alongside a fellow traveler. The man on horseback is reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah but he does not understand what is written. Philip has been placed there beside him to interpret the writings and tell the Ethiopian about Jesus. The consequences of this conversation will have a profound effect on the travelers and will introduce the Gospel to Africa.

As Christians, we are all called to share our faith and help other people understand who Jesus is. Philip did this for the Ethiopian; our VBS team is doing it for the children. The question we should all be asking ourselves today is this: where will the Spirit place me today to share Christ?

Prayer:                        Holy Spirit, thank You for the inspiration that You have given to Christ’s followers throughout the centuries. Thank You for the work of evangelists like Philip and faithful people like Vacation Bible School volunteers. May their ministries plant seeds of faith, which will bear much fruit in the generations to come. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest moonlight drawings of Maybole Castle in Scotland. If you would like to view a larger version online, please visit the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4735805847_8513427a20_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Participants or Passengers? - Acts 8:18-25

Acts 8:21   You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Do you remember the story of the Little Red Hen? She’s supposed to be making a cake and asks all of the other farm animals to help her. All of them are too busy, but when the cake is finished they all want a slice. The Little Red Hen does not give them any cake because they wouldn’t help in the process.

Every church has its share of participants and passengers. Participants like to get involved in the various events, missions, and ministries that their church has to offer. They cheerfully give of their time and talents to make each church project successful. They don’t count the cost because they do it all for Christ.

Passengers on the other hand, just take as much as they can and sadly miss out on the blessings of doing something beautiful for the Lord. They believe that the Church exists to serve their needs and panders to their personal life-style choices. They forget that the Church exists to serve Christ and His work in the world.

When Simon the Magician asks the apostles Peter and John if he can purchase their powers, he does this to advance his career. He’s not really interested in what this power does for the life, work, and growth of Christ’s Church. He only wants more power, influence, and esteem for himself. That’s why the apostles rebuke him and tell him to repent of his ways. If he truly wants to experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit then he has to get his heart right with God.

During the summer, most of our churches wind down. It’s a good time o refresh our spirits and review our commitment to our local congregations. Come September, a new Church year will begin. Throughout the summer we all should pray over and ponder about how we can employ our time and talents, skills and resources for Christ’s work in our congregations, communities, and across the world. As the apostles expressed so long ago, getting our hearts right with God is the first step towards living for Christ.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, keep us from becoming passengers and taking the easy path. Help us to seek the places and projects, ministries and missions, teams and talents that can benefit from our cheerful commitment and personal participation. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s drawing of a Brown Gulf pelican. He calls it “Pelican Sunset.” You can view a larger version online at http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/4725476749_f2b6049d71_b.jpg