In a world that often celebrates education, training, and credentials, it’s easy to feel unqualified or unprepared for the great calling God has placed on our lives. Yet, throughout history, God has consistently chosen the most unlikely individuals to carry out His extraordinary plans. This truth is beautifully illustrated in the story of Peter and John in Acts chapter 4.
These two men, described as “uneducated and untrained,” stood before the religious elite of their day with a boldness that left their accusers amazed. What was the secret to their confidence? The text tells us plainly: “they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
This powerful encounter reminds us that our effectiveness in God’s kingdom isn’t determined by our resume or our intellect, but by our intimacy with Jesus. Peter and John didn’t have degrees or formal training, but they had something far more valuable – they had spent time with the Savior.
Consider for a moment the implications of this truth in your own life. How often do we disqualify ourselves from serving God because we feel inadequate? We might say, “I’m not educated enough,” “I don’t know enough Bible verses,” or “I’m not trained for ministry.” But God isn’t looking for the most qualified; He’s looking for the most willing.
The early church was built on the foundation of ordinary people who said “yes” to an extraordinary God. These weren’t scholars or religious professionals – they were fishermen, tax collectors, and other common folk. Yet, through their obedience and faith, they turned the world upside down for Christ.
This should challenge us to reconsider our excuses. Are we too busy? Too scared? Too comfortable? The reality is, if God is calling you to something, He will equip you for it. Your job is simply to say “yes” and take that first step of faith.
Remember Abraham, who left his homeland on nothing more than a promise from God. Or consider Zacharias and Elizabeth, who in their old age believed God for a child when it seemed impossible. These stories remind us that God’s ways often defy human logic, but His plans are always perfect.
It’s crucial to understand that this isn’t about self-reliance or personal achievement. The power that worked through Peter and John wasn’t their own – it was the power of the Holy Spirit. They had been transformed by their time with Jesus, and it showed in everything they did.
This brings us to a vital point: the importance of spending time with Jesus. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to neglect our spiritual lives. We might show up to church on Sunday, but are we truly cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Christ? Are we allowing Him to transform us from the inside out?
The example of the early church in Acts is convicting. They didn’t just meet once a week – they gathered daily, breaking bread together, praying, and encouraging one another. Their faith wasn’t compartmentalized; it was the central focus of their lives.
How different would our communities look if we adopted this same passion and commitment? What if, instead of being busy just for the sake of being busy, we prioritized our relationship with God and with fellow believers?
It’s also worth noting that Peter and John weren’t lone rangers in their ministry. Throughout the book of Acts, we see the disciples working together, supporting one another, and sharing in both the joys and challenges of following Christ. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of Christian community and fellowship.
As we reflect on these truths, let’s challenge ourselves to step out in faith. Maybe God is calling you to reach out to a neighbor, start a Bible study, or even embark on a new career path. Whatever it is, remember that your adequacy comes from Christ, not from your own abilities.
Moreover, let’s commit to deepening our relationship with Jesus. This means more than just attending church or reading the Bible occasionally. It means pursuing Him wholeheartedly, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives.
Finally, let’s embrace the power of Christian community. Seek out opportunities to connect with other believers, to pray together, to study God’s Word together, and to encourage one another in faith.
The world desperately needs to see the transforming power of Christ. And just like in the early church, God wants to use ordinary people – people like you and me – to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
So today, will you say “yes” to whatever God is calling you to do? Will you trust that He can use you, regardless of your background or qualifications? Will you commit to spending time with Jesus, allowing His presence to embolden and equip you?
Remember, it’s not about having all the answers or being perfectly prepared. It’s about being willing to step out in faith, trusting that the same God who used fishermen to change the world can use you too.
In the words of the apostle Paul, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). You are that jar of clay, and within you resides the incredible power of the Holy Spirit.
So go forth with confidence, not in yourself, but in the God who calls you. Be bold in sharing the love of Christ. And above all, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. For it is in Him, and Him alone, that we find the strength, wisdom, and courage to live out our calling.
In today’s society it is so easy to get off track. To run of the road so to speak. After all with cell phones everyone is either watching their phones or watching out for the other person on their phone. Don’t let an accident happen off the side of the road. It seems like everyone who has nothing to do with the accident has to slow down or stop so they can figure out what is happening. It seems like just about anything could cause us to run off the road or get off the path we are on. Our walk with Jesus is a lot like that. You see Jesus said to follow me and when we take our eyes off of Him and begin to watch the ditches or other distractions we lose sight of him. The devil will use any and everything to distract us or even make us crash. You see the more that we can be slowed down or even taken off course the more the devil wins. We are talking about Remembering God is on your side. Depression or lack of self worth will cause us to wreck in our lives. God will be the one there to encourage you even when no one else says a word. Just keep your eyes on the road and out of the ditches.
It is the day that I waited for my whole life. What is that you might ask? Father’s Day!!! All I ever wanted was to be a dad. I was going to do a much better job then all the guys who tried to wear that hat in my life. My kids and I would have the perfect relationships and they would be the perfect children. Well I guess if you know me at all then you have met my kids. I haven’t always been a good dad much less a perfect dad. You see we parent the same way that our parents did us, or we tend to go the drastic opposite. I have done both. It wasn’t until I got saved that I truly understood what it meant to have a dad that would love me regardless of anything that I would or have done. Now when the day comes around I am not trying to be anything that I am not, nor do I expect my kids to be anything that they are not. I love them for who they are and what they will become, just like God loves me. Happy Father’s Day
The week after the resurrection was no doubt an interesting week for the followers of Christ. For those of us who walk the Earth today, it is just as interesting. As we see the world unfold, we remember the things Jesus has said and wonder how they are going to all work out. The disciples were no different than we are. Often times we read about these men and begin to attribute super powers to them. Surely they all had great Faith and Trust in what Jesus had said. They couldn’t have been afraid of what man would do to them, could they? We always think that they just set the world on fire with no fear. What they had to do no doubt was have complete reliance upon God. They had to constantly be reminded by each other and the Holy Spirit that if God was on their side they could accomplish what they were being sent out to accomplish. As we begin this new series we are going to see that God is on our side. With that said it doesn’t mean that you won’t doubt or even be scared sometimes. What it does mean is that if we approach everything that we do with the understanding that God has prepared us and given us everything we need to do what He has asked. Leave the results up to Him and just be obedient.
What are you going to do with it? That is a powerful question to stop and think about. We are all given things by God, and we must answer the question what are you going to do with it? This week we were smacked in the face with a completely different culture. We saw poverty like we have never dreamed of. Now we must ask ourselves the question what are you going to do with it? Our experience may not be yours. Maybe you were given the Gospel for the first time. Now you are faced answering the question what are you going to do with it? Maybe you have had God lay something on your heart to help people. Now you have to answer the question what are going to do with it? We all have times in our lives that God will speak to our hearts and impress different truths on us. Then we all have that time of decision, when we have to answer the question what am I going to do with it? We make decisions everyday that answer that question, we just don’t think about it. We all have had to answer the question when it comes to Jesus. You have heard that He is the Son of God and that He died for you. You have heard it said that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that you will be saved. Then the question comes. So what are you going to do with what God has given to you?
Missions. Missions. Missions. That is what we here from everyone all the time. Next week four of our family here, will leave for a mission trip. We will have a missionary here to present the work God has called him too. We ask for special offerings around Christmas and Easter to support extra missions efforts. We talk about being on Mission in our day-to-day lives. Why so much emphasis on missions? Well let me be frank about it. If we don’t tell people about Jesus who is going to do it? Aren’t you glad that a missionary shared the Gospel with the person who shared it with you? You might say to yourself it wasn’t a missionary that shared it. Well if you trace it back far enough you will see that it was. You see Jesus sent the twelve out as missionaries to carry the Gospel to the lost and dying. Jesus went a step further after His resurrection. He commanded us to carry the Gospel out. Now some might think I am not called to be a missionary. Well let me tell you that you have stinking thinking. If your saved you have been called. It is our responsibility to share the Good News with a lost and dying world. So yes Missions, Missions, Missions. Let us get busy.
As I sit here I ponder the question am I doing enough for Jesus? You know I’m sure that we all ask ourselves that same very question. I would like to see people saved every week, watch peoples marriages improve and watch their lives radically change. Often times I will have ideas pop up about how to reach more people or how to get others to listen to the truth and apply it in their lives. Then that question pops up again am I doing enough for Jesus? To be real I have to answer no. I know that may catch some of you by surprise but before you gather the rocks up listen to me. There is always more that I could do for Jesus. Do I share Jesus in my personal life outside of church? Yes. Do I try and speak wisdom into people’s lives concerning their marriages? Yes. Do I tell others that have a relationship with Jesus that they can do more and allow Jesus to radically change their lives? Yes. So maybe you’re saying that you’re doing fine pastor. You see that is what I don’t want to hear. Jesus gave his life for me. Why can’t I give my life for him? The Apostle Paul whom we all know did all he could, made the statement that he hadn’t attained but continued to push for the mark. You see as much as I accomplish I can’t ever be ok with it. I need to always be trying to do more for Jesus. Imagine this for every person I don’t share Jesus with that is one less person I can ever share with. I know that is a little confusing, but I don’t ever want someone to go to hell because I failed to share what Jesus has done for him or her. So let us all keep pushing, don’t sit down, and don’t shut up, let’s work until Jesus returns.
thful? Doesn’t that seem like a strange question for a pastor to ask? Of course I want you to be faithful. Often times with the New Year come new challenges and new opportunities. We begin to be stretchered in ways physically, mentally and financially. Some of the things look great on the outside but will turn out to be rotten on the inside. Some of the things might look skeptical at the beginning but will turn out wonderful at the end. Some things may look like a waste of money on the front end but the eternal impact will be everlasting. We as followers of Christ are commanded not to give up, not to grow tired in well doing. What does that really mean for you and me? Well I think it means much of what I have already said. When we are doing things for Jesus we should continue to press on regardless of how it may look on the outside. I know that you hear me say a lot about working for Jesus. I know personally it is easy to want to give up or just kind of back off a little bit. Don’t do it. You will fight to ever get started again. I also know from personal experience that it is easy not to give to the local church when things are tight or when there are other things you want to do. Understand that without your giving or your working the ministry of our local church stops. So to answer the why be faithful question? Because people you may know or people you have never met depend upon your faithfulness to hear about Jesus.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 