Daily Devotions
“All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Acts 4:32
Peru, Indiana, annually hosts an amateur circus of dazzling proportions. Formerly the winter home of a major professional circus, Peru involves the youth of the community to produce “the greatest amateur show on earth.” High wire and trapeze acts, jugglers, tumblers, clowns, and a circus band delight audiences from far and wide. Townspeople work closely together with the youthful performers for at least four months of the year to make this July event possible. What unity of heart and mind displayed by this circus community!
How much greater the unity and power of the early believing community in Jerusalem, as stated in our text! Persecuted by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, these believers nevertheless stood firm in the confession of their faith and cared deeply for one another. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The believers shared their possessions with one another. Only the Spirit of God, by His grace, created this unity and this witnessing power.
God established the early Christian church, and He also sustains us. As we devote ourselves “to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42), God assures us of our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and empowers us to live in harmony and work together as witnesses of His love.
PRAYER: O Holy Spirit, keep us strong in faith and guide us to live in harmony and peace with others, as we witness to the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)