We Have Good News!

“He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’” -Acts 11:13-14

God had a purpose for Peter and He had a plan for that household! In bringing them together, salvation would result! Peter would not save the household - that was God’s role! Peter was not the message - that was the Gospel of Jesus! Peter did have a special mission though and it’s one you have been given as well! He got to bring the message (v.14) to the household which resulted in salvation! You get to deliver good news that can change individuals, families, and cities!

Don't overcomplicate your role! Peter simply delivered the solution to the right address!

That means we don’t have to do the saving - God will take care of that and He is really good at His role! It also means we don’t have to come up with the message! The Gospel of Jesus is the message and it doesn’t need any modifications or improvements! We simply bring the Good News to people or bring people to hear the Good News!

God has a special purpose for you that can result in lives being changed and whole households being saved! It’s fun to be the bringer of good news and God assigned that role to you! Have fun bringing it, get creative with it, work hard at it, but make sure you don’t fail to do the one thing that can change everything… bring the Good News!

Who will you bring the Good News to now? Who will you bring to hear the Good News next? Your invitation could bring transformation!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 10-12

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email

Your Limitations Don't Limit God

“’Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ’Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.’” -Acts 9:13-15

Saul was destroying the church and breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples (v.1). Ananias had understandable and significant reservations about going to lay hands on Saul so he could receive his sight. Saul was a threat and a danger! However, the Lord had chosen Saul and prepared a special mission for him as the Apostle Paul! Ananias didn’t see the potential at first, but it would eventually be seen by everyone!

You can’t fully see all that God wants to do through your life right now! We’re blinded by our limitations, our past failures, and a long list of flaws! Others may object as well, but God has the final say and He has spoken! Your value was so unlimited to Him that Jesus gave His life for you on a Roman cross so you’d never question that value! Now He wants to use you exponentially more than you can imagine despite your limitations! God can use anyone!

It’s also fascinating to speculate on why God specifically chose Saul. He may have been the last person Ananias would have chosen. However, Saul was also the perfect person for this mission. Saul was a devoted Pharisee descended from Pharisees (Acts 23:6) and had helpful Roman citizenship. He was experienced and very intelligent! He could provide for himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). He was elite in his discipline and commitment (Philippians 3:4-6). He had developed great strength and skill, but it was all being leveraged in the wrong direction. God can redeem your misapplied skills and your wasted years! Now, imagine the impact of your future if you further developed your skills, expanded your relationships, grew your resources, and increased your knowledge! God can use anyone despite their limitations and God can also repurpose every strength to be maximized for His glory!

No matter what stands in the way between where you are and where God wants you to be, never forget that He is the great Waymaker! Don't give up on yourself, because God will never give up on you! Your limitations don't limit God!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 7-9

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email

Success and Struggle

“They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” -Acts 4:3-4, 12-13

Success and struggle come as a package deal in life and ministry. Peter and John were seeing great success as the mission moved forward in many lives, but they were being attacked personally! Jesus also faced many obstacles and hardships even though His leadership and teaching were flawless. When you are seeing progress in Kingdom work, don’t be caught unprepared for the eventual setbacks and struggles.

Peter and John responded by clarifying their purpose with courage (vv.12-13)! Empowered by the Spirit with great boldness, they declared that Jesus is the way and there is no other way. He’s not one of many options or just a good option, He’s the only option for salvation. They knew exactly Who they were serving and why it mattered! When you experience pain while making progress, refocus your vision on Jesus! He maintained His clarity all the way to the cross, finished His mission, then sat down at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). Our temptation in struggles is to sit down before we complete the mission. When the difficulties rise, our faith in Christ and our determination to advance His cause must also increase!

Peter and John were ordinary men who were unschooled (v.13). They were unqualified compared to the Jewish leaders they stood before. You may feel very average and unprepared at times, but you must abandon your excuses and move forward! Peter and John were transformed from ordinary to extraordinary because of their time with Jesus (v.13)!

Where does our courage come from? Where does our vision get sharpened? Where do we grow the resolve and determination to press on through the struggles? Where do we surrender all our successes? Our power comes from the presence of God! In success or struggle... and often both at the same time, never abandon your pursuit of time with Jesus!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 4-6

Check out today's video...

https://www.youtube.com/@brandonscottbruce

Subscribe By Email