In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit came upon the gathered assembly. We are told that “all continued in amazement and great perplexity.” Peter stood before the crowd and declared that God had poured out His spirit on mankind. It is not my purpose here to discuss all that that means, but to look at what happened afterward. We are told that they were “pierced to the heart” and asked “what are we to do?”

Peter then explained that they should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.” Peter gave an invitation and we are told that about three thousand souls were added to their number. At that the apostles then organized new members’ classes. Not really, but that is somewhat the result. 

Several things immediately happened as a result. First, we are told they were continually devoting themselves to the apostle’s teachings. They didn’t wait around to learn by osmosis, they wanted to know more about the Christian life NOW. It wasn’t once a month, it wasn’t weekly. We are told it was continual.  Sometimes we shrink back at that work, but we need a fuller understanding. Continual and continuous are similar words the there is an important distinction between the two. Continual means “an action that occurs frequently or regularly”. For example, Lakeland, Florida has a Saturday morning farmer’s market downtown every Saturday morning (with occasional breaks or cancellations)  That is continual – it occurs on a regular basis. Continuous means “an action that occurs without stopping.”  The Earth’s rotation around the sun is continuous – it just keeps on keeping on. I may enjoy a good steak and eat one frequently but that is not something I do without ceasing. I may wish to receive instruction about Biblical issues and attend weekly Bible studies. This is continual. I would soon get exhausted if I attended a Bible study that went on continuously, 24/7. In his sermon Peter stated that “I saw the Lord CONTINUALLY before me.” Even though the Lord may have always been with Peter, he did not see Him CONTINUOUSLY. 

Secondly, they liked to be together. In addition to continual teaching, we are told they were continually in fellowship and the breaking of bread. They wanted to spend time with other Christians. They wanted to sit down, eat, and talk with each other. AS we do today, I imagine they talked about a variety of things – how their family was faring, how things at work were going, plain everyday events. There was a bond, a commonality, an interest in the believers. 

 I often wonder how much Jesus Christ means to someone who does not desire to be in the presence of other Christians. This has become more of an issue with the COVID pandemic as we all were forced to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together,” for a time. But many have chosen to stay away, watching worship services on line every week. I readily acknowledge that online services have their benefits. Those who are unable to physically attend, may join in worship. If you’re traveling, it allows you to stay in touch with your church family. By not being physically present in worship, I feel many Christians are missing out. We should look forward to weekly worship services, to seeing old friends and making new ones, of being a part of something greater than us. We are told that. As a result of this fellowship of the early believers, everyone kept feeling a sense of awe  with many signs and wonders taking place among them.

Third, they had all things in common and they shared to the extent anyone had a need. The believers met each other’s needs, they shared what hey had. I often think that if all believers tithed (at a minimum) the main problem the church would have would be deciding how to use those funds for the Kingdom. I remember fondly the giving spirit of an elderly gentlemen in a church I once attended. His wife had been ill and he incurred a number of medical expenses prior to her death. A group at church spontaneously took up an offering to help him out. His response showed the depth of his Christianity. He told us that while caring for his wife he had been forced to reduce his tithe to five percent. He told us that he could use this offering to pay back to the Lord the additional five percent he had used to care for his wife. That man got what Christianity was about.

Fourth, we read that daily they were in the temple, they were going house-to-house, eating communal meals. They didn’t have the attitude “Oh,there’s another church group I have to attend today”  They were doing this with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. No interchurch squabbles here.

And what was the result of all this? The Lord blessed them as we are told that people were being saved daily. That’s a far cry from what we see today. I read of once denomination that baptized 154,071 in a single year . And God should be praised for the saving of these souls. But that represents three baptisms per church, one baptism per 100 members per year. Hardly being saved daily. 

This is not meant to castigate any church or individual, but merely to point out that many Christians have lost that sense of awe in the presence of God and wonder at his works.

As the calendar page turned from 2020 to 2021, I was not in the best frame of mind. There were four long-standing issues or concerns that I brought into the new year and none of them seemed to be on any path to resolution. So, I made a list of these issues along with my perspective on each. As time has evolved, I can almost see God in Heaven looking down at me and saying to St. Peter “Watch this!” 

The first issue was my health. I was recovering from serious eye surgery as well as having another issue with skin cancer on my scalp. I had had a series of other health issues over the past three years and I was tired of it. 

Second, I was contemplating a move to Georgia to be nearer my daughter in the event of failing health and my being unable to care for myself. This was not a move of desire but perceived necessity, as I love living in Lakeland. However, it was a frustrating search as I was simply not finding anything in Georgia that filled the bill.

The third issue was my social life or lack of it. Take my introversion, add spending several years of hermit-like behavior as I cared for Gloria, and then top it off with the COVID19 crisis and I felt isolated.

Finally, I was trying to resolve what to do about my part-time tax business. As taxes have gotten more complex the tax season has morphed into a year-long occupation and I didn’t want to work all year long. On the other hand, tax preparation has always been enjoyable for me as I enjoyed solving difficult tax problems and helping people in distress over their tax situation. 

As I prayed, I sensed movement among these issues. I quickly learned that they really weren’t four stand-alone concerns, but interrelated and interlocked parts of my life. As clarity came to one issue, there was an effect on the others.

Probably the first to fall was my concern about the tax business. I received an opportunity to write blogs about church and clergy tax issues which is a tax niche that I like more than the others. This would keep me attached to tax issues but allow me to write, which is something I enjoy. As time moved on I made the decision to close the tax business. Rather than feeling the expected regret and withdrawal from this decision, I felt at peace. I know this was the right decision. I was free to pursue other interests.

In regard to my health, I am recovering well from the eye and cancer surgery. I did some reading and discovered that many of my issues are stress-related from losing Gloria. So hopefully that’s on the upswing since I am learning how to deal with it. But with health you never know, so I continue to pray for good health.

The third issue is my social life. I was on a dating site and my subscription was about to expire. I was giving up if nothing happened. A week before the subscription expired, I got a reply from a message I had sent to someone local. We met, and found we enjoyed each other’s company. At this point neither of us knows where this relationship is going, but we have had several dates and are enjoying our times together. 

Assuming this relationship continues to grow, there is no longer the pressing need to move to Georgia, so that issue seems to be solved. So I am blessed to be able to remain in Lakeland, a place I love.

In looking back over the last three months, it dawned on me that these were more than answers to prayer. They are blessings. Where I was dissatisfied with my life in many respects God showed me how blessed I am. I am 74 years old and people tell me I don’t look or act that old. And I don’t feel that old. I am blessed with good health, despite bumps in the road.

I have had a fulfilling career. My main career of college professor allowed me to help shape the minds of future accountants and tax preparers. When I look around I see large numbers of successful accountants and business persons whose life I have positively influenced. My second career of tax preparation has allowed me to help people who are distressed by their tax situation. Not much is more fearful than an encounter with the IRS. I feel privileged to be able to help them and to reduce their stress levels. I’ve been blessed with two careers that I love passionately.

In looking at my social life, instead of focusing on what I don’t have, God showed me that I should focus on what I have been given. For nearly 50 years I was married to a wonderful woman who loved me unconditionally. Hopefully I will be able to say the same about my current relationship (probably not 50 years, though). I have been abundantly blessed to be so loved. 

As I was thinking about this topic of blessings and perspective, I was reminded that blessings are not given to me alone. When God blesses me, my responsibility is to turn that into a blessing for someone else. I would compare blessings to the Dead Sea in the Holy Land. This sea has no outlet. The water simply evaporates, leaving a high salt content. As such, animal and plant life cannot flourish in the Dead Sea. If we don’t turn our blessings into blessings for others, we become like the dead sea. And that is why we receive God’s blessings. So we can be a blessing to others.

Sometimes when we read scripture we come across a passage that may seem to be out of place, or contrary to another scripture that we have read. In Matthew 5:7, 9:13 and Romans 12:1 we have such passages. They seem to be contradictory, but upon a closer study they support each other and create a full circle.

Mercy

Matthew 5:7 is a part of the Beatitudes.  A beatitude is simply a blessing. In this passage of eight blessings, Jesus does not elaborate but simply lists the blessings. This blessing states “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” So what is mercy?  Mercy has been described as an active virtue that Christians can show to each other because we have been given mercy ourselves. That’s a nice definition, but I need something I can sink my teeth into.  

A person who shows mercy will see distress in people. It’s almost as if they have a sixth sense and can detect when someone is facing overwhelming issues. Their initial response will be one of compassion for this individual and may quietly offer up a silent prayer for the person and the difficulties they face, even though they are unknown to us. But internal compassion is not enough.

We are to enact an external response, where appropriate. A response that seeks to relieve the distress or comfort the one suffering. There are times where just an encouraging word will be all that is appropriate. Other times we may not be in a position to do even that. We must use discernment to determine how to react.  Jesus makes it abundantly clear in Matthew 25:35-43 that when we minister to the downtrodden, we are doing it to Him. So mercy shown to our our fellow human is showing mercy to Christ also.

Finally, mercy knows no enemies. We are to act even when the person in distress is an enemy. God has shown us the distress, we are to act. The parable of the good samaritan comes to mind in this case.

Sacrifice

When we read Romans 12:1, Paul states “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” The first thing that I see here is that Paul references mercy. Our sacrifice is our response to God’s mercy. 

So what is a “living sacrifice?” Simply everything.  Nicky Gumbel said “God wants you to offer all of yourself and all of your lives – your time, ambitions, possessions, ears, mouths and sexuality – as well as your mind, emotions and attitudes. Paul’s description of a living sacrifice also reminds us that you have to go on offering your life as a sacrifice to God, offering the whole of your life for the whole of your life.” If that sounds extreme, it is. Remember that we are talking about sacrifice. The Old Testament concept of animal sacrifice was replaced when Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, but both  sacrifices illustrate the same concept. The sacrificial lamb and the sacrificial Jesus gave their lives. They gave everything.

I desire mercy and not sacrifice

So we have gone full circle. Jesus sacrificed, Jesus died on the cross for our salvation. God extended great mercy to us and we should extend such mercy to others. In making this mercy operational in our lives, we will sacrifice. How often have you had the thought of what you could do with the ten-percent tithe you give to your church? It takes a sacrifice. In a church I once belonged to, there was an elderly widower who was struggling financially. In order to pay his wife’s medical bills he reduced his tithe and it bothered him. The deacons took up a collection to help him out. His grateful response to the deacons astounded all of us. He said this was an answer to prayer, that he could now catch up on his tithe. Mr. Nelson knew about sacrifice.

I have a friend who is a very good counselor. After a long day of meetings, I asked if I could talk with him after dinner. He agreed. He came to my room and I unburdened myself. He was able to provide me some useful counsel that helped me deal with the issue I was facing. As he was leaving, he told me that he really didn’t want to come talk with me. He was exhausted from a long day and wanted nothing more than to kick back and relax. But he felt God calling him. He closed by saying his spirits and body were lifted, “When God is in it, you get energized.”  David Carter knows sacrifice.

Both of these gentlemen were abundantly grateful for the sacrifice and mercy shown them by Jesus. Both lead lives of mercy. Both have sacrificed for the cause of the Cross. 

God had mercy on us. His mercy led to His sacrifice. His sacrifice should lead us to be merciful and to sacrifice everything we have for Him. The scripture is not saying God doesn’t want sacrifice. It is telling us that we must be merciful before our sacrifice is one approved by God. 

In recent days, I have had several encounters that caused me to think about success. Some people are recognized as being successful during their lifetimes. Others may be recognized as a success only after they have passed on. Still others may be regarded by the world as failures. Our goal should be to be a success as a man/woman as opposed to being a successful man/woman. There is a difference.

A high school classmate of mine recently passed on. He was well-liked, successful in his chosen field of education. He had a successful marriage of 52 years. I cannot remember ever hearing anyone saying anything negative about him. Charlie Teague was loved by all and was a friend to all. I am pleased to say he was a devoted Christian and it showed in his life. 

I think of another classmate, this one from college. Jim Dyer has become a success as a man. He has a variety of interests. He served in the military, he has been a chaplain, he is on the town council in his place of residence. But Jim is known for something else. Jim is Santa Claus. He has been inducted into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame. Yet Jim is also a devoted Christian, using his Santa Claus platform to proclaim the real meaning of Christmas.

I recently attended a museum exhibit “Van Gogh Alive,” an immersive experience into the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh. He died young, it is unclear if he committed suicide or if he was murdered. Van Gogh was an obsessive artist. He wanted his paintings to touch people deep within themselves.  He is quoted as saying “I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say ‘he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.’” Over his short lifetime, he produced over 2,000 paintings. Yet only sold one or two. Several paintings were exchanged for necessities such as food. When he died, few would have considered his life a success. People may have called him “Weird Vincent.” But today, the view is different. He is a renowned artist and his paintings sell for hundreds of millions of dollars. His “Starry Night” painting is one of the most recognized paintings in the world. By all accounts, Van Gogh was a devoted Christian.

These individuals were successful in their own ways. All were Christian. I could cite many other “successful” individuals who were not followers of Christ. But it got me to thinking “What is success for a Christian?” The dictionary defines success as “a favorable or desired outcome or the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” While there is nothing wrong with this measure of success, the Christian will look at success in a different way. We can’t be successful by comparing ourselves to others. That gets us back into the Old Testament mindset of legalism. Our success as a Christian is based on our relationship to God. 

Someone has said that when they think of Christian success they try to keep one thing in mind “There is nothing I can do—no way I can perform—that will make God love me any more or less than He does right now at this very moment. I cannot contribute to my salvation since it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Christ.” With this mindset, we should ask ourselves some questions.

1. Am I growing in my understanding of Christ and what He did for me? 
2. Does my life and character align with God’s plan for my life?
3. Do I follow what Jesus said in Matther 25:35? ”For I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

In Proverbs 16:3 we read “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Psalm 37-4-5 is a particularly meaningful passage to me. Before we were even married Gloria proposed that we adopt those verses as our life mission. “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” These passages give us the keys to living a successful Christian life.

If we pursue success in the world we may or may not achieve it. This success may or may not come at all or even in our lifetime. We may leave a path of casualties of our pursuit of success. Christian success, though, can come now and we need to know what it looks like. I think that Christian success is a by-product of our commitment to God. If the goal we select takes our eyes off of Christ, the danger is that we will focus on the world’s recognition and depart from being a servant of God. Whatever the goal, it needs to allow us to keep our focus on Christ.

Choose wisely how you will achieve your success. The old admonition applies here “Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.”