The Creek

06/04/2026

“...[to] the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2.42b)

From the first days of the Church, fellowship has been one of the distinguishing marks of God's people. It is not an optional activity added onto Christianity; it is woven into the very fabric of who we are. Fellowship is a fingerprint of the Church because it flows from our spiritual DNA.

But how closely does our fellowship resemble that in the early Church? In regard to this verse, G. Campbell Morgan writes that “fellowship is not merely a sentimental feeling we experience when gathered with Christian friends.: While affection and enjoyment may accompany it, biblical fellowship is much deeper. Like so many truths of the Christian life, we can easily reduce it to something less than God intended.

The Greek word translated fellowship carries the idea of sharing in common. Acts 2:44 tells us that the believers "had all things common." Christians share far more than a meal or a room. We share a common Savior, a common hope, a common mission, and even a common struggle against sin. Genuine fellowship occurs when believers speak openly about these realities, encouraging one another, praying for one another, and lovingly helping each other follow Christ.

So what turns a fish fry into Christian fellowship? Is it the fish? The company? Or is it the sincere conversation about our shared journey around the table with our brothers and sisters?

QUESTION: We are committed to Christian marriage. Are we committed to Christian fellowship? Or are we happy enough with the redefined version handed down to us by the world?

06/03/2026

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching…” (Acts 2.42)

Over the last couple decades, DNA has become the litmus test for discovering one’s ancestry, identifying one’s predisposition to certain diseases. Its evidence can even place someone at the scene of a crime.

When God gave birth to the Church in Acts 2, He created it with a DNA all its own. Acts 2.42-47 record the fingerprints of the early Church. It defines the Church’s DNA.

Ephesians 2.20 tells us the church is “...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone”. Peter built his sermon on a foundation of the apostles (vv. 32-36) and prophets (vv. 14-21, 25-31). Jesus Christ was and always is the Cornerstone.

God’s word establishes the context for the coming of Jesus. It foretells His coming. It records His coming. It describes the effect of His coming. And it tells of coming again. From beginning to end, the Bible is about Jesus.

The DNA of the early church identifies them as people who were devoted to the apostles’ teaching. Luke could not describe these new believers without describing their devotion to God’s word.

QUESTION: How would your DNA test come out today? Do the markers of your life point back the apostles and prophets? Do they identify Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of your faith? Pray that wherever you leave your DNA, it will point to Jesus.

06/02/2026

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth…So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2.22a, 41)

When the Holy Spirit came upon Peter and the others on the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up to preach Jesus. Boldly, he proclaimed: Listen to what I say about Jesus!

Proclaiming Jesus in the power of God’s Holy Spirit has always been the church’s key to growth. Peter didn’t address the felt needs of those gathered in Jerusalem. He didn’t talk about how to raise godly children, how to manage your finances, or how to be successful in life.

Peter preached Jesus. When Peter’s short sermon was over, God added three thousand people to the first church in Jerusalem. They didn’t “join” the church. God “added them” to the church. From the start, New Testament preaching has focused on Jesus. From the beginning, the Holy Spirit regenerates souls. From the beginning God adds people to the Church of the Living Lord. Salvation remains wholly a work of Almighty God.

In Acts 19, Paul found a worshiping community in Ephesus with a powerful preacher, Apollos. But they did not know the message of Jesus. When Paul preached Jesus to them, they believed and were baptized. It may be that a lot of seemingly relevant worship takes place without Jesus being present. But it’s not a New Testament church until Jesus shows up and changes people’s lives.

QUESTION: Whom do you feel led to reach out to in the name of Jesus? Can you tell them what Jesus has done for you? Will your pray that God will give you the opportunity to do so and the boldness to follow through and let God do His work?

06/01/2026

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8)

Jesus gave the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power to his disciples before He ascended into heaven. And so they waited for God to make the first move.

The Twelve Apostles were waiting for God to move when the Day of Pentecost arrived. The Bible says that they, and other believers – about 120 total – were “all together and in one accord” (Acts 1.14). And when the Holy Spirit fell upon them from heaven, suddenly everything Jesus had promised began to move forward.

Luke, a physician who was the Apostle Paul’s traveling companion, was careful to tell us that the apostles and those who would make up the first church were “together in one accord”. Jesus speaks to this in His high priestly prayer the night before the cross. He prayed that His disciples would “..,all be one…so that the world may believe…” (John 17.21).

God’s people can expect His blessings when they stand in truth before Him and commit to one another in harmonious Christian love. Jesus summarized this truth in the Great Commandment. He said, we must “...love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourself.” Loving Him includes affirming His truth. Loving others means seeing their value as we see our own.

QUESTION: How much time, money and effort might God’s people be wasting simply because they are trying to do His work without being in one accord? What could you do to promote more harmony within the Body of Christ?

05/31/2026

05/29/2026

“Command and teach these things …[and] set the believers an example.” 1 Tim 4:11-12

Whether it is to “train himself in godliness (1 Tim 4.7b), to discipline himself “godliness in this life” (4.8) or to give it his full effort by toiling and striving to please God, Timothy was to do three things:

First, he was to “command these things” to others. You and I have no spiritual authority over other believers, but when we speak God’s word, we speak with authority. It’s not enough to give a command from God’s word.

Second, he was to “teach these things”. We should always see the value and joy of helping others come to a more full knowledge of the truth (see 1 Tim 2.4). It’s easier to command than it is to teach. But we must see the value of investing in other people’s lives, particularly as it relates to their journey heavenward.

Finally, Timothy was to “set an example” for all believers. Teaching falls flat and betrays us as teachers when the words we command and teach do not match the actions and character by which we live. But when we live with integrity, people of all ages will have a picture window into what it means to live like a Disciple of Jesus Christ.

Question: Think of someone who looks to you for guidance and help along their Christian journey. Are you aware of an area of life for which you’d like to provide a better example? Ask God for help in setting a better example for those who look up to you.

05/28/2026

“...we have our hope set on the living God, the Savior of all people…” (1 Tim 4.10)

Jesus is called the Savior of the world because His death on the cross brought grace and mercy into a fallen world. Every person benefits from the restraint of evil, the patience of God, and the witness of the gospel because Christ came. But more than this, the Bible also teaches that Jesus is the Savior in a personal and eternal way for those who believe in Him.

From the earliest days of humanity, sin brought violence and death into the world. Apart from the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, society would collapse into chaos. But God has placed His people in the world as lights in darkness.

That is one reason believers train themselves for godliness. A godly life becomes part of God’s work in the world. As we reflect the light of Christ around us and wherever we go, we point others to the Savior. Godliness is not meant to isolate us from people; it should move us toward them.

“...be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [perverse] generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Phi 2.15)

QUESTION: Is there someone you know who brings the light of Jesus into the room where he or she enters? Can you think of a recent time when the light you shined was not bright for Jesus in a given situation? Ask God for forgiveness and pray for the Spirit’s leading and power to shine better for Christ next time.

05/27/2026

“For to this end we toil and strive…” (1 Tim 4.10)

Different athletes train differently because they are preparing for different goals. A bodybuilder trains differently than a marathon runner. A gymnast does not prepare like a football player. The training always matches the event ahead.

Paul applies that same principle spiritually. He says, “to this end we toil and strive” — meaning there is a purpose behind spiritual discipline. Christians are training for eternity.

The world trains for “a perishable crown,” but believers are preparing for an imperishable one (1 Corinthians 9:25). If our future is on the streets of gold in the presence of the living God, then our hearts and habits should reflect that now.

That is why spiritual disciplines matter. Prayer, worship, Scripture, and fellowship with a local church are not empty routines. Those who plan to spend eternity with God are most at home with Him and His people.

Young people who dream of becoming firefighters spend time around the firehouse. Future EMTs often volunteer early. In the same way, Christians should draw near to the things of God because heaven is their true home. It’s where they’re headed.
“Set your mind on things above, not things of the earth” (Col 3.2)

Question: What spiritual disciple - prayer, worship, scripture, Christian fellowship or other is easiest for you. What is most difficult?