February 12, 2020
Acts 9:10, 36

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.

New International Version (NIV)
Do you know a disciple?  In my lifetime, Christian has become the most common description of those who follow Christ.  Interestingly, this is not true in the scriptures.  Dallas Willard observes that the New Testament uses the word disciple 269 times but the word Christian only three times.  Most people claim to be Christians.  Are we disciples?  How would we know?

A disciple is a learner.  If we are still learning about Jesus as his followers, then we are his disciples.  There are disciples in all kinds of places.  In this chapter of Acts, which recounts Saul’s conversion, we read about two disciples.  Perhaps their stories inform our understanding of discipleship.  What do disciples do?

Ananias talked to God who came to him in a vision.  When God called, he answered.  He did not phone-snub God.  When God told him his plan, he expressed his honest reservations about going to see a man who had come to town to imprison and kill people like himself.  But when God told him to go, he went.  He called Saul “Brother,” because he trusted God’s miraculous power to save Saul.  Ananias, the disciple was the first follower of Jesus to welcome Saul to the family.

Tabitha or Dorcas was a disciple in Joppa.  She was always doing good and helping the poor.  Disciples not only love God with all that we are, but we love people.  God is good and his deeds are good.  As we learn from him we do the good he would do if he lived our lives.  But why did Tabitha help the poor?  Because God cares about the poor.  She demonstrated her concern by making clothes for the widows. 

As a reminder:  Ananias was a disciple in Damascus and Tabitha was a disciple in Joppa.  Where will we be disciples this week?  In Houston.  Yes.  And everywhere else we go.  A visiting pastor stood to preach in a vociferous gathering of Christians.  Before he began the leader of the conference stood up and said, “Yes.”  The congregation responded, “Yes!”  “Yes, Lord.”  “Yes, Lord,” the voices rang back.  After fifteen minutes of glorious chorus of “Yes,” the leader prayed, “Lord, we have given you the answer.  Show us what you want us to do.”  Then the preacher stood to preach.

When God calls us this week as his disciples, let’s answer.  When he tells us what he wants us to do, let’s say “yes,” and obey.  When we see someone in need, let’s do good, like Jesus would.
Pray with me:       
Father, would you make us disciples of Jesus.  We want to know you.  Teach us more about Jesus until we begin to live as he lived and love as he loved.  Then if someone wants to know what a disciple looks like, others will be able to say, “There is a disciple in Houston, named . . .” and point at us.  Make it so, by your grace and for your greater glory.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.   
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:13-14
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.   You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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