If God is Awesome and you know it praise His name

Acts 2:37-47

"Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

What are we missing? Does this happen at your church? Should it be? (If it's happening please share your experiences!) Can you imagine people living communally as opposed to making sure we have it all first. This seems so simple. If believers are truly seeing that others needs are met first there would be far fewer hungry people, homeless people and orphans.

For me personally, I tend to give out of what's left, or after I've gotten all the use out of something. I don't know that I have ever given the shirt, coat, etc off my back or shoes off my feet.  I put myself in a bubble world that doesn't contain many peeople who have needs such as these. Or at least not that I let myself be aware of. I started to write that I couldn't think of a time in my 34 years I needed to do this but I erased it. I find it very hard to honestly put that out there as a true statement. The truth is my brain just doesn't really think like that, it's not in the habit of looking for opportunities to give in this way. I gladly take donations of things I don't need to organizations that help those in need. And at church I accept donations from others of food, clothing and other supplies to give to those in need. But I can't even say I find opportunities to do that regularly. And thats not even my stuff! So not only do I not give my things regularly, I find it difficult to give other peoples as well... I must work on this, tuning my radar to better detect the very real needs of others. This is how relationships are built aren't they?

And what about the other parts of the verses? The churchy parts, if you will. Coming together and praising the Lord. REALLY praising Him. Praising his name to the extent others want in on it. Devoting ourselves to the apostles teaching. Desiring God's word. They were enjoying one another's presence. They were not gossiping or arguing about carpet color or service times. They just wanted to be together, fellowshiping with other believers.  No matter what. Young, old, black, white, brown hair, gray hair, purple hair, coming together praising God. Miracles were done, you know why? Because they believed they would be. And with no special program or event, more people came, lots more people. They came for Jesus.

As believers are we expressing to people through our lives, through our worship, through our relationships with one another just how amazing Jesus Christ is? On a more personal level do we even take notice daily just how awesome He is and praise His name? Not because He answered a prayer but just because He's God.

I realize I'm full of questions today, feel free to answer any! They are all questions I'm definitely asking myself. So I challenge myself (and you too!) to take time to worship God today and everyday this week.  He's more than worth it! I'm also going to make an effort to look for and personally fill the needs of others. And if I see a need and can't fill, maybe ill share it with someone who can.

Lord,
You are awesome and worthy of all our praise. Forgive me for the blinders I wear that make me unaware of those in need around me. Help me see those needs and prompt to meet those needs. Bring revival in this land Lord. That we would be a people so filled from praising you, that more and more people would come to know you.
In Jesus name
Amen!