Rev Shadi Diale

The Joyful Road Of Sacrifice And Peace
Acts.2:42-44

Those who had been baptized following Peter's Pentecost sermon knew that they needed to learn more about Jesus and so they continued to study at the feet of the apostles. They would gather for prayer and would break bread together in fellowship. The power of God was still evident in the signs and wonders that accompanied the apostles. In another translation, the word "fear" is translated as "awe." This is probably a better emotion considering that they had witnessed the crucifixion and some of them may have been present when Jesus ascended into heaven. Do you ever wonder what it might have been like to sit with the apostles and listen to their stories about Jesus? They could ask the apostles questions and get some personal information about Jesus. It must have been exciting to be a part of something new. Today we still need to learn about Jesus' teachings even though Christianity is not a new religion. Where do we go to learn, break bread and find fellowship with other believers? For those associated with a particular church community, the answer could be there. For others, it is still important to join with other believers. This is what sustains our faith when we are weak, and we, in turn, provide strength for others in their times of need. Do you attend a Bible study, or have a regular time to sit and reflect on Scripture? I enjoy the insights I gain from the people who attend the two Bible studies I attend the last weeks. The discussions open my mind to see other ways of looking at something I think I know well. We all need to look at the earliest Christians as models for our own behavior.

The Spirit Of Peter
Acts.4:8-10

Peter was so much bolder following Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He and some of the other apostles would walk around the temple area speaking about Jesus and his teachings concerning the resurrection from the dead. The leaders of the community were not happy. They really wanted to arrest them, but because of events like the healing of a crippled man they were afraid of what the people might do. Later, Peter, John and others would be arrested and beaten for continuing to preach about Jesus. There has always been an element of danger for those who have worked to spread the Gospel. In the early days, the disciples had to worry about persecution from the Romans as well as from others who did not want their power threatened. There are still men and women today who go into areas that are dangerous to preach the Good News of Jesus and salvation. Men and women have been murdered, women have been r***d, and churches destroyed by those who fear Jesus' message of love. In spite of this, Christianity continues to spread. Whether we are threatened for our beliefs or not, whether we are missionaries to far off lands, or only in our own households, it takes courage to live Jesus' message of love and justice in today's world. The message remains the same, and the fear of powerful people that this message could make them lose some of that power will always be there. Let Peter and the early apostles be our models. The Holy Spirit was on their side, and will also be with us.

Easter Day
Psalm.118:21-24

Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! This truly is the day that the Lord has made! Praise and glory to you, Lord, because of your great goodness! Because of the Resurrection, we know that we too will rise on the last day! This hope gave courage to the early Christians who were being persecuted and it gives us hope for our lives as well. God could have redeemed us in many different ways, but he chose to send his Son, Jesus into the world so that we would know how to live; we would know of our salvation, and we know that we, too, would rise. Jesus death redeemed us and we would have been redeemed, but without the resurrection, how would we know? We cannot thank God enough for both his sacrifice and his resurrection. If we have prepared for this day during Lent, then our celebration is even more joyful. Joy! That little bubble of something that just wells up in you like the bubbles in sparkling water! More than happiness, more than pleasure, joy is something once experienced you just want to feel it again! That is what God wants us to feel today! This joy comes from God's presence within you. More than new clothes, more than candy or any other gift, God's joy will fill your entire being. The Easter following my grand son's death, I experienced this feeling of joy throughout my entire body. The memory of it sustains me in the days when life seems difficult, and makes me even more desirous of living as God wants me to. I feel that it is a foretaste of eternal life. I pray that each of you will experience this joy today.