“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-Day Challenge, Day 29?

Acts 29...  as you come to the end of the book of Acts one of the things that becomes obvious is that it doesnt really come to a definitive “end...”  In other words, it’s ending itself is “open ended.”  So, what are the implications for us, for me, for the Church, for now?

As the Book of Acts “concludes,” Paul (formerly Saul, the least likely person you would ever expect to surrender his life to Jesus) has spent his life (from Acts 9 forward) traveling as much of the accessible Roman Empire as he could, preaching the Gospel, proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, teaching the Word, planting, establishing and strengthening churches, raising up leaders, appointing elders and personally and relationally witnessing to innumerable scores of Jews and Gentiles alike, literally witnessing to anyone and any group he could get to listen.  As a man on a mission from God, he had seen it all, and had boldly and faithfully lived out God’s Word and the vision God gave him, placing his life on the line and cheating death more times than perhaps anyone (even Paul himself) could actually know.  And, at the conclusion of the Book, here he was, under House arrest, for two full years, awaiting an opportunity to appear before Caesar, not knowing what would come of it... and yet, he just tenaciously “kept on keepin’ on in Jesus,” regardless! 

I think the implication is clear, this is... us, or a picture of who, what and how we are supposed to be, both as individual believers and as the Church, the Body of Christ.  That we are “Acts 29,” and that We are to daily be about Our Father’s business, taking the Word and the message of the Gospel to all those who will listen, tenaciously refusing to give up, back down or sell out, purposefully endeavoring “...to seek and to save that which was lost.” (See Luke 19:10).  But, are we?  I mean, are we really?!?  Listen, as I pointed out on the last night of the “FULL Contact!” Revival series, we have now come to the “two-minute warning,” it’s time NOW to “suck it up,” pour it all out, and leave it all on the field.

The “FULL Contact!” Community Revival at Medicine Lodge, Ks, October 8th - 11th was truly an amazing experience.  During those four days, as we looked closely at the Book of Acts, through the lense of Football, and some of the best coaches to ever touch the game, God moved among us in powerful ways.  And, as people responded they experienced an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit in real, personal and life changing ways.  It was awesome!  Those days of Revival were gifts from God and were great moments of feeling and experiencing God’s Power, Presence, Mercy and Grace.  I personally, will never forget them.

For the last 28 Days since the revival came to an end, many of you who were a part of it have been on a journey of daily re-encountering the Book of Acts by reading a Chapter a day, choosing a verse from the Chapter that spoke to you, writing it out and then writing a few sentences to God about why or how that particular verse spoke to you personally.  Then, you took a few minutes to Pray each day and asked God for the courage to take action that was reflective of the verse that stood out to you.

I wonder how all God has moved in your life since the “FULL Contact!” Revival, and through the “28-Day Challenge?”  The reality is that if you accepted the challenge and daily spent time in God’s Word, daily interacted with God and daily prayed for the courage to take action on what you read from God’s Word, you have just begun a habit (a Spiritual Discipline) that will change the course of your life from this point forward.  And, THAT is Awesome!  This is what God created us to have, live, and daily experience with Him, a personal, intimate, living relationship with Him.

My hope and Prayer from this day forward is that this “28-Day Challenge” will become a consistent part of your daily walk with Jesus and that you will continue on daily through the rest of the New Testament, the Gospels, and then on through the Old Testament as well.  One thing is for certain, you will never regret it if you do.

Remember, this Jesus thing that we call Christianity, is a “FULL Contact” sport.  It’s not something you watch, it’s something you are... Your goal is to daily live in the “Two-Minute Warning,” giving all that you know of yourself to all that you know of God.  Keeping it real, not religious.  Leaving it ALL on the field.  Putting your WHOLE heart into this game of life.  Remember, the “best” with Jesus is not behind you, it’s always still to come, so keep on keepin’ on in Jesus, no matter what, no matter where, no matter how.  So that, it may be known of your life and your walk with Jesus that you were one of “Those... who have turned the world upside down...” in Jesus Name! (Acts 17:6)

- Rob Schmutz

“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-Day Challenge, Day 28

Acts 28:23-24 “And when they had set a date for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the Kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.  And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.”

Thank You for these verses, Lord.  Thank you for the reality that some will hear and receive and others... will not.  Help me, Lord, to be one whom You use powerfully to communicate the good news of the Gospel.

Grant me, Lord, if it be Your Will, multiple opportunities to speak, write, explain and testify about the Kingdom of God.  Empower me with and through Your Holy Spirit to use Your Word to persuade others about Who You really are.  Open Your Word to me, Lord, and use me to open Your Word to others.

Truly, Lord, do with me what You will...  I’ll go wherever You call me to go.  I’ll do whatever You call me to do.  I’ll speak whatever You call me to speak.  And, I’ll be whoever You Call me to be. Let my life make an eternal difference in Your Name.

- Rob Schmutz 

“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-Day Challenge, Day 27

Acts 27:22-25 “And yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  For this very night an Angel of The God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul: you must stand before Caesar: and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’  Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.”

Draw me close, Lord, and create a desire in my heart to draw closer to You than I have ever been.  Let me be so close to You that I know exactly what to say and exactly when to say it. Use me, Lord, to awaken Your people to the Spiritual reality that surrounds them, and the eternity that awaits them.

Speak to me, Lord.  Help me to be a man who hears and heeds Your Word. Give me clear instruction and help me to take bold, decisive and effective action.

Empower me, Lord, to be a timely encourager of men, and of all who will open their hearts to Your Will, Your Word and Your Spirit.  Let me be one who hears from You and who believes it will all turn out exactly according to Your Word.  Let my voice be a voice of godly direction, instruction and encouragement in the midst of whatever storm or circumstances may be raging all around.

- Rob Schmutz

“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-Day Challenge, Day 26

Acts 26:13 “...At midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.”

Acts 26:19 “Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision...”

Acts 26:28 “And Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”

Thank You, Lord, for the Power of Your Blood, and the free gift of Salvation it has bought for all who will believe.  Thank You for all of the ways that You pursue us and find us, no matter where we are, how we hide, or how fast or far we try to run.  Thank You, Lord, for Your relentless pursuit of us!  Thank You for not giving up on us!  Thank You!

And, thank You, Lord, for the Power of Testimony!  Thank You for how what we ourselves have been through and our own personal experience of You can resonate so clearly in the hearts and minds of those whom You give us opportunity to share with.

Help me, Father, to be a witness who transparently lays it all out there.  Help me, Lord, to use every opportunity You give me to the fullest extent possible.  Let my life make the difference You desire for it to make.  I surrender all of me, to all of You!

- Rob Schmutz 

“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-Day Challenge, Day 25

Acts 25:23 “And so, on the next day when Agrippa has come together with Bernice, amid great pomp, and had entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in...”

Thank You, Father, for all of the ways You set the stage and arrange circumstances.  Every day, Lord, and in and through every situation, You, and You alone, are in control.  Thank You for the moments You have given me to speak and to share Your Word.  

Thank You for the times I have had opportunity to stand.  Let There be more, Lord, and prepare me fully for those times.  Make me continuously aware of Your arrangement of circumstances.  Give me confidence that all is as You have arranged and that Jesus is always the answer.  Show me how to speak of, and live for, Jesus, in and through each and every moment I encounter.

Use me, Lord.  Use me!

- Rob Schmutz

“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-day Challenge, Day 24

Acts 24:5 “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”

Acts 24:25 “And as he was discussing righteousness, self control and the judgement to come, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you.’”

Make me a “pest,” Lord!  Let me be a “pest” in Your Name, in Your Word, and in the Path that You lead me down.  Fill me with tenacity, and empower me with Your Holy Spirit in such a way that in You, and through You, I refuse to back down.  

Give me Your Words, Lord, in times of conversation, conflict, and confrontation.  Let Your Word be that which guides all that I do in and through every situation I encounter.  Make me to be ready at all times to give a defense of the faith.

Speak to me, and through me, Lord.  Show me how to inspire Your people to be, become and to do all of that which You have created and saved them to be, to become and to do.  Use me God to help others find their way to You, and to all that You have in store for them.

Give me a heart for Holiness, Lord.  As I share the Gospel and Your message of Salvation, use me to be a proclaimer of righteousness, Holiness, Complete Surrender and the Freedom that Your Spirit can bring.  Shape my life to be a genuine example, and mold me into the man that You have saved me to be.

Let Now be the time for a New Great Awakening!  In this time, Ignite in Your people a hunger for Holiness and for the Complete Freedom that only Your Spirit can bring.

- Rob Schmutz

“FULL Contact!” The Acts of The Apostles 28-Day Challenge, Day 23

Acts 23:1 “And Paul, looking intently at the Council said, ‘Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.’”

Acts 23:11 “But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, ‘Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.’”

Thank You, Jesus, for the forgiveness of sins!  Thank you for the fact that Your blood cleanses us from all of our sins, and that the past is truly, irretrievably... the past.  Empower me, Lord, in the now, and in this present moment, to live like a man ablaze with Your Holy Spirit.  Empower me to be a bold witness, with a perfectly good conscience before both God and man.

Thank You, Lord, for ALL of the times I have known and felt Your presence.  And, thank You even for all of the times I have not, and yet, You have been there.  Thank You!  Truly, Lord, You have never failed me.  Even when I have stood completely alone, You have always been there, encouraging me, standing with me, speaking both to, and through me.  Thank You Jesus, for Your faithfulness.

- Rob Schmutz