Acts in Kenya

In this study of Acts, we have learned about some truly amazing things that happened through the power of the Holy Spirit.  As we read through all these amazing stories, it’s tempting to put them in a box on our spiritual shelves labeled, “Cool Things That Used To Happen.”  It seems like today, it’s a lot harder to find these kinds of stories.  I mean, Phillip just happens to be right where the eunuch is passing while reading a scripture prophesying the messiah?  Really?

But I believe that the stories in Acts are not there for us to marvel at what God used to do.  They are there to demonstrate to us the kind of awesome power that is at our disposal when we walk with Christ.  The problem with us “modern” Christians is that we have a hard time seeing these things happen in our world.  When we do hear stories of God’s amazing power at work, we are “amazed.”  But we shouldn’t be amazed that God is alive and active and working to redeem His creation.  It’s the entire story of the bible!

One of our problems is that we are so busy astounding ourselves with what WE can do, that we don’t leave room to see what God can do.  The amazing ingenuity of mankind that brings us technological advancements and modern conveniences can sometimes be a blanket over our heads that blinds us to what God is doing in the world.

Traveling to Kenya so much in the past few years has taught me a lot.  I am profoundly grateful that God chose me to be born where and when I was.  You often hear people who have traveled oversees say they now realize how blessed we are as Americans.  There are so many things we take for granted that bless our lives.  All this is true.  But when it comes to seeing the awesome power of God on display, it helps to be without all of the things that can prevent you from seeing the lost, broken people that God cares so much about.

In America, even our poor are wealthy in the eyes of the rest of the world.  When was the last time you read a story in the paper about American refugees, living unrecognized and uncared-for in a camp outside the city?  Yet in my few travels to Kenya, not only have I read about them, but I have had the privilege of meeting them, and hearing their story of how God actively orchestrated their physical salvation and spiritual salvation.

But not only is God still active in the world, He is using His body, His church, to do his work.  Our involvement in Kenya would not have happened without the church, both here and in Kenya.  There was no orphan’s work before the churches were planted there and there can’t be a continuing orphans work without them.  God uses people to do His work on earth, and His church to bring His people together.

Friends, believe me, the era of Acts is not over.  Acts is not a history as much is it a book of examples of how God was, and is continuing to move heaven and earth closer together through the power of His church.  Our God is alive, AND involved!  It just takes removing the blanket of our “modern” existence to see His glory on display right where He said He would be, in the eyes of His poor, hopeless, suffering children.  I hope during this time of focusing on our work in Kenya you get a peek from under the blanket of a God that truly cares.

- Tim Neale