@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“I shall not hesitate also to put into ordered form for you, along with the interpretations, everything I learned carefully in the past from the elders and noted down carefully, for the truth of which I vouch. For unlike most people, I took no pleasure in those who told many different stories, but only in those who taught the truth. Nor did I take pleasure in those who reported their memory of someone else’s commandments, but only in those who reported their memory of the commandments given by the Lord to the faith and proceeding from the Truth itself. And if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the elders arrived, I made enquiries about the words of the elders—what Andrew or Peter had said, or Philip or Thomas or James or John or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever Aristion and John the Elder, the Lord’s disciples, were saying. For I did not think that information from the books would profit me as much as information from a living and surviving voice.
~ Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60–130 AD) From the Preface to his lost ‘Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord’
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

A Life of Listening

What is Jesus saying to you today?

Sitting at the feet of Jesus is no luxury. It’s one thing to practice God’s presence on occasions, but something quite different to choose it as a lifestyle. Anyone can go on a retreat, read a book, or watch a video that introduces them to this kind of meditation. But this is not a hobby - it’s a lifestyle choice. Those who are serious about walking with God will want to make seeking Him something that they come to do unconsciously and automatically. A lifestyle is the natural and inevitable outcome of continued practice. Members of the first Christian assembly clearly had this attitude. Following Jesus' ascension, they continued to practice the presence of God with utmost devotion. Theirs was a life of listening. The disciples looked to Jesus daily for guidance, relying on the Holy Spirit to lead them in their decisions, worship, and communal life. They devoted themselves to prayer, breaking bread together, and sharing all they had with one another (Acts 2:42-47). The church's worship and fellowship were permeated by a continuous awareness of Jesus' presence and an unwavering commitment to following His teachings. If this is your attitude, take heart. As you what they did, daily looking to Jesus, you will develop a Spirit-forged character, a Spirit-led lifestyle, and a Spirit-filled ministry.