Called In To Question

 

Just because Peter was in a leadership role and especially one of the apostles, it didn't give him "diplomatic immunity".  He was still accountable to the leadership and congregation of believers.

The curve ball God had thrown at him of going to Cornelious the Gentile, explaining the message of Jesus to them was seen as a serious situation.  Yet good leadership allowed Peter to speak, explain and defend himself.  He spoke truth, as it had happened and how God had directed the appointment and rather had taken it out of his hands when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the new believers automatically, despite their ethnic backgrounds.

It was astonishing times for these Jewish brethren.  In the end, the 'tribunal'

 "fell silent".  

They also 

"glorified God." 

 They said,

"Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life"                     (Acts 11:18 ESV).

As one hymn puts it,

" ... to God be the glory, great things He has done ..."!

The humility exhibited by both Peter and the other apostles at this time can be noted.  The submission, not just to each other, but more importantly to what God had showed them through Peter's encounter with Cornelius.

So when "curve balls" come at us, let's not duck, rather deduce direction from God.  If it is legit, as directed by His Word and the Holy spirit, we need to pay attention and get into action.

When it is an individual in leadership being called into question, it's good to hear both sides of the story and not be too proud to speak nor to listen.

"Pride lurks behind all discord" (Alistair Begg).

Peter and the other apostles averted dissession and discord because they humbly listened to each other.  And it wasn't only because it was Peter speaking.  Rather, it had been God's hand of direction.  It's important to discern the difference.

May there be peace, harmony, humility and unity among God's people ... until He comes.

                                                  ~ERC  February 2026  ~

Based on Acts 11:1-18 ESV.

Sing, To God Be the Glory, along with Reawaken Hymns.

Book Review - The Bitter Chalice - By Sean J. Fitzgerald - Publication Date: 18 March 2026

 War is always bitter.  This book of the 1100's anals of the life and times in Ireland, Wales and with hints of England, have been well described.  Disputing over territory,  factions and loyalites easily made and easily broken seem to be the norm. Power plays and more, garner the pages often with coercion propelling heinious, graphic actions are enough to curdle the innerds of any potential reader who loves bloodletting and gore. At least, this is my opinion.

I was not expecting this and it left me cold.  I also found it somewhat difficult to follow the threads of who's who.  Part of this may be the point with all the switching and shifting allegieances.  I gave up keeping tract of it all.  I did feel sympathy for Aoife though.

All in all, this book 2 in the Hiboerno-Norman Chronicles has been well named - The Bitter Chalice.  It surely lives up to its name, I believe.

                                            ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                    March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads. 

Book Review - The Shopkeeper's Heartbreak - By Evelyn Hood - Publication Date: 16 March 2026

 Another hard-to-put-down work of historical fiction by Evelyn Hood; it's great.  Her story is very down-to-earth, a very plausible small town living scenario.  Her characters resonated with me:  their emotions and actions and reactions.  In my opinion, Hood keeps her characters true to form throughout, creating a cohesive whole.

The time frame is prior to, and the early days of, WWI.  There is the rich vs poor scene of sugar factory and wool factories owners and employees.  There are surging suffragettes, conscientious objectors; scoundrels; physical abuse; unfaithful husbands and more.  There are those who care and help too, Lessie being a typical example.

The Shopkeeper's Heartbreak breaks your heart when the story ends.  You will want more, I believe; at least, I did.  This is actually Book 1 in a series, so potetntial readers can take heart, I'd say.

                                           ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                             March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read reveiw on Goodreads.

The Full Injunction

 No matter how old we get, life still throws curve balls at us.  It happened to Peter.

He was praying and fell into a trance.  In the vision he saw food considered unclean to Jews, being offered to him, with the command from a voice from Heaven to

 "rise, kill and eat."

  You can feel Peter's mortification.  He'd never once in his many years ever touched such food!

But the voice told him,

"What God has cleansed, that call not thou common" (Acts 10:15 KJV).

Enter Cornelius' men.  They stood knocking at Simon the Tanner's door looking for one Simon Peter.  These were Gentile men and considered anathema to the Jews.  In fact, the Jews and Gentiles hated each other.

Nevertheless, God had graciously prepared Peter for this divine appointment and Peter goes with the messengers to Cornelius'.  We know the story that Cornelius' and all who had been in his house that day, came to Christ through Peter's explanations.  They immediately received the Holy Spirit and then were baptized.

I note these because Peter didn't flinch much.  He obediently submitted to God's direction and leading.  It may well have cost him his pride and prejudice.  

I like to think that despite his character, he was humble.  He had grown in humility from his first days of following Jesus; thus, his obedience.

His actions brought the gospel to the Gentiles.  He spearheaded it even though Paul then took up the baton and became the main evangelist to the Gentiles.

Peter was't just reponsible to get Cornelius and household saved and baptized.  NO.  They invited him to

 "tarry certain days" (vs 48).

We aren't told how long that tarrying was, but Peter was still following Jesus' "great commission" to 

"make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... and teaching them to obey/observe all that I have commanded you ..." (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV).

Peter didn't leave these new believers high and dry.  It's good to complete this injunction from Jesus.  It's very important to preach and to teach God's word in its fullness.  It's our responsibilty.

I know of one sister who was saved but then not taught in her church.  She got sidelined into a cult that is very systematic in it's indoctrination of their beliefs to its adherents.  Turns out, she was wanting solid teaching in the truth.  She wasn't taught the truth so now she has imbibed and been blinded by, false doctrine, taking it as gospel truth.

This is a crying shame to all of us believers who do not nurture new believers in the fear and admonition of the Lord (see Ephesians 6:4 KJV), nor build them up in their most holy faith" (see Jude 1:20-21 ESV).  Let's not have Bible Study session that are full of our own opinions and experiences.  Let's REALLY know the Lord through REALLY knowing His word and building a relationship with Him.  Then move forward in obedience to His word no matter your ethnic background.

May we each be convicted of our short-comings in this arena.  May we proactively rectify the situation as it comes to us, especially if there is potential prejucide or racism involved.  Ask the Lord to show you and help you.

                                                ~  ERC  February 2026  ~

Based on Acts 10 KJV/ESV.

Sing, In Christ Alone, alone with Hadleigh Church.

Turned to the Lord

 Ananias started it off.  He was cautious, but the Lord had told him to

 "Rise and go ..." 

So he went to the newly converted Saul of Tarsus, layed hands on him and Saul received his sight.

Saul received his sight both spiritually and physically, regaining sight and insight on both fronts.  He was baptized and promptly began preaching, proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God.

It is of importance here to see just how far-reaching our actions can be.  From Ananias' obedience, to Saul of Tarsus' humble conversion, we then get Barnabas' bravery in bringing Saul to the apostles.  This encouragement towards Saul and the vindication from the apostles, spearheaded Saul's (who became Paul) work among the Gentiles, even as the Lord had explained to Ananias.

"The church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria" now experienced, "peace and was being built up" (vs 31).

What's more, they were seen to be 

"walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit."

And we can't forget the last bit, the church

"multiplied."

Switching over to Peter, we see what he was up to while Paul was sent off to Caesarea and on to Tarsus.  He healed Aeneas.  The results were not to 'worship' Peter nor put him upon a pedestal.  NO.  We read instead,

"And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him [the healed man's] miracle ..."

Pay attention to what they did ...

" ... they turned to the Lord" (vs 35).

Are our actions turning people to the Lord?  I ask myself this too because I'm not so sure of myself. 

Tabitha Dorcas was a woman

 "full of good works and acts of charity."  

She did so much good the people appreciated and loved her.  When she died, they were heartbroken.  They called for Peter.

I find it interesting that Peter did similary to what Jesus had done at times when healing.  He put everyone out.  He did not need an audience.  He went to the core of what was needed.  Quiet.  No audience.  He knelt and prayed.  Then he spoke. 

 "Tabitha, arise." 

 He 

"presented her alive" 

to her people.

The best result should be noted from all this.  It was that,

"Many believed in the Lord" (vs 43)!

Again, we can ask ourselve, "Does what I do turn others to belief in the Lord?"

Let's pray that we live a life of such integrity and steadfast faith in the Lord that our actions and life reflect Jesus to others.  In so doing, pray that we do turn others to the Lord.  It can be a lifelong prayer that sees fruition.

So be it, Father God.  Amen.

                                             ~ERC  February 2026 ~

Based on Acts 9 ESV.

Sing, What You Are, along with Selah Praise Music, and Must I Go Empty Handed, along with Risen Lord.

Lord's Day Devotion - Participation & Suffering

 

Participating and sharing in something, means there is some common bond that otherwise may not have brought people together.  The bond could be environmental,  workmates, mutual friend, or even having gotten caught in the same stuck elevator.

The common bond I refer to here though is that of the bond we have in Christ as followers of Jesus.  It is the relationship we have as a member of the body of Christ.   Each one has the Holy Spirit indwelling, causing us to begin to walk in the Spirit.  We can then say we each

 "participate in the Spirit" (see Philippians 2:1-2 ESV).

We have, therefore, relationship with each other so that when we pray collectively, we are participating and sharing in the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit can even nudge individual believers or groups of believers who are in different parts of the globe, to pray for a common purpose.

For example, a group of believers awakened in the night to gather for urgent pryaer, say in North America, for a lone missionary in far off, shall we say, the African interior regions.  It's an emergency ... a STAT intervention without knowledge even of the situation the missionary is, at that moment, undergoing.

But this "participation in the Spirit" could also be our own personal communion with our Heavenly Father, building our relationship with Him through Jesus and His Holy Spirit.  This is a great gift we have in Christ that should be unwrapped, used and treasured.

We have this because Jesus Christ abolished death through His death and resurrection.  He brought us life, and not only life, but immortality - the gift of salvation and everlasting life.  Jesus, the Light and Life of our life.

With the priveleges of our salvation and the communion we have in the Holy Spirit, there is also another type of sharing.  That is what Paul mentions to Timothy,

 "Share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus ..." (2 Timothy 1:8-10 ESV).

"Suffering for the gospel" is a major thing.  Paul knew what he was talking about because he suffered greatly.  James, the brother of John, was killed to "please the Jews".  John suffered the loss of his brother.  John himself suffered for the gospel of Jesus, as did all the apostles.

We suffer in varying degrees, some more severely even in our times.  We need to pray for each other, especially for those who suffer more severely.

We remember Jesus' suffering for us on the cross, His death and praise God, His resurrection!  Through it all He has cleansed and made us whole.

Let us actively participate and share in the Holy Spirit and even for ...

 " ... the testimony about our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:8).  

We need to be strong and courageous in Him.

For now, this Lord's Day, let us partake of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine, remembering all Jesus went through for us, to give us what we so sorely needed:  life, everlasting life, and His Holy Sprit through whom we live , move and have our being.

Lord Jesus, thank You so much for all You have done for us, and given us through Your selfless act of redemption on our behalf.  Thank You too, for Your Holy Spirit in whom we have participation and communion with You.  We do not like to think about the suffering part but realize, even You suffered greatly.  Help us to endure and to have courage through Your Holy Spirit.

We ask in Your most precious name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on 2 Timothy 1:8-10 ESV.

Sing, Holy Spirit Living Breath of God, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Gathered to Thy Name Lord Jesus, along with Alan Parks.

Effective Philip

 Philip was one of those more 'invisible' people.  We don't hear a lot about him like we do of Peter, James, John and Paul.  Yet he was an effective, despite elusive, evangelist.

It's interesting what's recorded about him in the book of Acts and chapter 8 verse 4-8, and 26-40.  His ministries brought "much joy" to the city of Samaria.

Then we see his willing obedience in a couple of sets of 'twin verbs'.  There's "rise and go" and "and he rose and went."  The Lord had had a specific appointment for him with the Ethiopian eunuch.

The Spirit of the Lord then instructed Philip to "Go over and join" (the Ethiopian in his chariot).  "So Philip ran ... and heard".  Then the eunuch invited, "Come up and sit" (vs 30).  This divine appointment brought this Ethiopian court official to Christ.

Philip was a 'now you see him' and 'now you don't' sort of man.  He himself did't know half of it as he next "found himself" at Azotus because the Spirit of the Lord carried him there.  Can you imagine that experience?

He didn't hone in on this experience though.  He was in Azotus and there he preached.  He continued his ministsrations to the general public.  At last, he "came to Caesarea" (vs40).

Later in Scriptures we find he had a home in this city and several unmarried daughters who prophesied.  He had his house in order.

Would that we could be as humble, obedient and effective as Philip was, as the Lord calls us to do whatever, wherever we find ourselves.  All this until Jesus comes or calls us away to Himself.

                                                       ~  ERC  February 2026  ~

Based on Acts 8:4-6 and 26-40 ESV.

Sing, Humble Heart, along with Matt McClery.