WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Give thanks for Jesus, the Light of the world.

Default settings
A rare thing happened recently – my MacBook Pro suffered a bout of corruption. After diagnosing the symptoms, archiving my hard drive and reinstalling the operating system, it was successfully restored to default settings and all was well again.

When things go wrong in our world, what is our default setting? Do we run around in a panic, looking for someone to blame or do we return to a place of restoration and renewal?

Prayer
Immediately after the Sanhedrin release Peter and John, they return to their friends and go shopping. No, sorry, wrong story.

Actually, they pray, lifting their voices and declaring together the might and power of Creator God (v 24). Compared to the stature of the Almighty, everything else is small – threats, persecution, power games, all fade away in the light of the anointed one, Jesus.

Not alone
They remember words once spoken by the psalmist David (vs 25,26). Rebellious earthly leaders, raging nations, God-deniers and rebels have been a familiar theme throughout history and suddenly the disciples are aware of their own war of the worlds.

It is clear what their default setting is though, and as they pray the Holy Spirit shakes the room as if to say, ‘You are not alone. We are in it together.’

Respond: When you are up against it, what is your default setting? Do you pray or panic?

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-06-08