Series: The Mvmnt 
Message: Four Ways to Be
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira 
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira 
Live Wonder: Zan Long 
Live Adventure: Zan Long 
Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert 
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin today in prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Acts 2:42–47 in the New International Version (NIV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: I was having breakfast the morning that I wrote this week’s Daily Walk, when a close friend shared without any prompting their own insight on the story from John 21. This is the same story I mentioned yesterday, about Jesus cooking fish on the beach and talking with Peter. My friend said that he imagines Peter couldn’t really see Jesus on the beach. His fishing boat was not quite close enough for him make out that the person cooking on the beach and calling out to cast his net on the other side was Jesus. Still, Peter somehow felt the call to approach. As he rushed to the beach and broke bread, Jesus asked him three times—gently nudging him—to confess his love. That is what our Church should be about. It should be a space that allows each of us to hear and feel the Spirit of God nudge us, so that we too may confess the name of Jesus. 

When the disciples preached the Gospel, what did they say that was so attractive that thousands joined the Christian movement every day? What spoke to their minds and hearts? J. Bradley Chance, in his commentary on Acts, shares this insight:

Could the Jesus we meet in the Gospel of Luke—the Jesus who speaks of the Good Samaritan, who teaches Mary at his feet, who visits the home of the tax collector Zacchaeus—really inspire us to find texts that allow us to exclude anyone from all the benefits and gifts of God’s spirit? The gospel shapes our selection and reading of the Scriptures. And the gospel we preach is one of inclusion. (p. 61)

To be loved and to belong has always been the message. From eternity past to eternity future. How could His Church be about anything else? This is one of the many reasons I have always enjoyed celebrating communion. Seriously, if I had my own way I would celebrate communion every week. I have had people tell me that this is a bad idea, since communion has to be special. If we celebrated it every week it would lose its value. I wonder. What about the way we say “I love you” to our spouses or children frequently—perhaps every day or even many times a day? Or the way we eat challah bread on Friday evening? Or have a date night once a week? Or take a weekly Sabbath morning hike? Frequency is not what makes something special—or ordinary. Lack of attention and engagement is what takes away specialness. Anything that brings us together with Jesus more often is good. 

Recalibrate: What traditions or customs should you celebrate more?

Respond: Pray for healthy community.

Research: What role does the foot-washing ordinance play in communion?

Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose

During breakfast, lunch, or dinner, talk about how Jesus takes care of us.  He makes sure we have food to eat. Pray, “Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of me and for filling my tummy with food today.”

We can share every time we sit down to eat with our friends and family. Practice sharing not just the food. Ask questions and tell stories about your day and theirs.

Maybe you pray out loud before each meal or maybe it’s a silent prayer as you’re already chewing your food. As you eat today, take a couple of seconds to thank God for the food.