Peter and John were arrested, jailed, threatened, and told to shut up about God's word (Acts 4:3ff). They refused to stop (Acts 4:19-20). The apostles were then arrested, jailed, threatened, told again to shut up about God's word, and whipped (Acts 5:17ff). However, "day after day, both in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus the Messiah" (Acts 5:42).
No outside pressure stopped the early Church from proclaiming God's word. So the devil tried an inside job. Through an administrative oversight and/or a demonic strategy, the widows of the Greek-speaking Christians were "neglected in the daily distribution of food" (Acts 6:1). The apostles were tempted to neglect the word of God and to make sure the widows of the Greek-speaking Christians would no longer be neglected. They probably were tempted to think this would only be temporary, but a temporary neglect of our God-given callings often goes on indefinitely. However, the apostles did not fall into the trap. They continued to concentrate on the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4), while appointing deacons to better administer the food.
Are you neglecting your God-given responsibilities because of sin, selfishness, or fear? Are you neglecting them because of misguided attempts to help or rescue others? Is a temporary neglect becoming permanent? Concentrate on your calling.
| PRAYER: | Risen Jesus, send the Holy Spirit to keep me focused and to help me overcome distractions. |
| PROMISE: | "He told them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' They wanted to take Him into the boat, but suddenly it came aground on the shore they had been approaching." –Jn 6:20-21 |
| PRAISE: | Pope St. Martin I accepted the faith, the papacy, torture, imprisonment, and martyrdom. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College