“The commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.” Acts 22:24.
The Roman commander wasn’t certain what to make of this man, Paul, who was cast away for dead by the Jewish crowd. The commander decided to interrogate Paul by flogging and, then, questioning him. Flogging involved being struck by a whip with three leather straps that had pieces of bone or metal attached to it. The trauma of a flogging was intended to bring the accused near death, and would sometimes kill them. They intended to flog Paul first and then ask questions of him.
I believe that flogging is an absolutely brutal, inhumane way to treat anyone. While we don’t allow this type of punishment to be executed in our culture, there is the distinct possibility that we emotionally “flog” some of those around us. I know that there have been times when I have done this to those around me, and, especially and most unfortunately, to those whom I love the most. I would “flog” them and then ask questions. This was totally cruel and uncalled-for, yet I did it. Fortunately, Paul spoke up about his Roman citizenship and avoided the punishment. I wish I could say the same about those whom I “flogged”. Repentance and forgiveness have been my necessary steps.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been emotionally flogged, or have you flogged anyone? If so, what was that like? What is the remedy for such actions? Is there anyone that you need to get straight with?
Prayer: Father, thank You for not emotionally flogging me. Please forgive me for the way I have treated others who bare your image. Please help me to walk in love with those around me. Amen.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
February 16, 2012 - Acts 22:21b
“’Then the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’” Acts 22:21 – part 2.
The crowd was on edge, yet was attentively listening to Paul’s every word. He spoke of his zealousness in serving God as a Pharisee; how he sought out followers of Jesus to beat, to imprison, and, as in the case of Stephen, to kill them. Paul was speaking of his being disqualified from service to the Lord, but Jesus had other plans for him. Paul told the crowd of Jesus’ call for him to take the Gospel “far away to the Gentiles.” At this, the crowd, who had been listening carefully, began to shout out against Paul, pleading that the earth should be rid of this man. Yet Paul was recollecting for the crowd the crucial moment of Jesus’ call for his life. This is the moment that Jesus laid out the direction that He desired for Paul to journey for the remainder of his days. Paul clearly understood this call and submitted to it out of gratitude and willingly and boldly proclaimed this at every opportunity.
In my journey, I have struggled from time to time discerning what God has called me to do. It was crystal clear that He called me to be a loving husband and father, yet beyond that, it became cloudier. In looking back, I am not so sure that I would have been all that willing to follow through with His call, even if I had known it. I was a very self-centered and strong-willed person who needed God’s character refinement. As I learned more about laying my own will down and submitting to God, I started to have a clearer understanding of God’s direction. It is clear to me that, whatever direction He wanted me to go, He called me to walk faithfully, honestly, with integrity and a willingness to serve His purposes, no matter where I am. And that is my heart’s desire.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed God’s call in your life? If so, what has God called you to do, and are you doing it? If not, do you desire to know His call? Do you know how you discern His will? What is God’s direction for your life?
Prayer: Father, I don’t doubt Your call on my life; I doubt my ability to hear Your call clearly. My desire is to hear You and to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.
The crowd was on edge, yet was attentively listening to Paul’s every word. He spoke of his zealousness in serving God as a Pharisee; how he sought out followers of Jesus to beat, to imprison, and, as in the case of Stephen, to kill them. Paul was speaking of his being disqualified from service to the Lord, but Jesus had other plans for him. Paul told the crowd of Jesus’ call for him to take the Gospel “far away to the Gentiles.” At this, the crowd, who had been listening carefully, began to shout out against Paul, pleading that the earth should be rid of this man. Yet Paul was recollecting for the crowd the crucial moment of Jesus’ call for his life. This is the moment that Jesus laid out the direction that He desired for Paul to journey for the remainder of his days. Paul clearly understood this call and submitted to it out of gratitude and willingly and boldly proclaimed this at every opportunity.
In my journey, I have struggled from time to time discerning what God has called me to do. It was crystal clear that He called me to be a loving husband and father, yet beyond that, it became cloudier. In looking back, I am not so sure that I would have been all that willing to follow through with His call, even if I had known it. I was a very self-centered and strong-willed person who needed God’s character refinement. As I learned more about laying my own will down and submitting to God, I started to have a clearer understanding of God’s direction. It is clear to me that, whatever direction He wanted me to go, He called me to walk faithfully, honestly, with integrity and a willingness to serve His purposes, no matter where I am. And that is my heart’s desire.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed God’s call in your life? If so, what has God called you to do, and are you doing it? If not, do you desire to know His call? Do you know how you discern His will? What is God’s direction for your life?
Prayer: Father, I don’t doubt Your call on my life; I doubt my ability to hear Your call clearly. My desire is to hear You and to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
February 9, 2012 - Acts 22:21 (part 1)
“’Then the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’” Acts 22:21 – part 1.
With the Super Bowl just being played, I heard several people having a difficult time picking the team that they wanted to win. It wasn’t because both teams were so evenly matched, which would make for a close and exciting game. For most of the people I talked with the problem was that they each had their own favorite team, and their team did not get along with one of the teams in the Big Game! Eagle, Redskin, and Cowboy fans did not want to see the Giants win, and most everyone did not want to see the Patriots win (only a slight exaggeration!).
In Paul’s day, Jewish people felt even more hostile toward Gentiles. If you were not Jewish, they would not associate with you. Paul, having been trained as a Pharisee and a Jew of Jews, would have been zealous in his hostility for Gentiles. Yet, after Paul called Jesus his Lord, he was called to take the Good News concerning Jesus to the Gentile world. He was challenged to go into an extremely difficult ministry field for a Jewish person. And, because of his willingness to serve his Lord, Jesus, Paul gladly went to the Gentiles.
Questions to consider: Has God ever called you into a situation where you were very uncomfortable? If so, how did you respond to God, and what was the experience like for you? If not, why not, and what would it look like if God called you to relate to a group of people that you did not like?
Prayer: Father, please show me the limitations of who I will go to with Your Good News. Give me the courage to lay down those limitations and the strength to take Your Good News wherever You desire for me to go. Amen.
With the Super Bowl just being played, I heard several people having a difficult time picking the team that they wanted to win. It wasn’t because both teams were so evenly matched, which would make for a close and exciting game. For most of the people I talked with the problem was that they each had their own favorite team, and their team did not get along with one of the teams in the Big Game! Eagle, Redskin, and Cowboy fans did not want to see the Giants win, and most everyone did not want to see the Patriots win (only a slight exaggeration!).
In Paul’s day, Jewish people felt even more hostile toward Gentiles. If you were not Jewish, they would not associate with you. Paul, having been trained as a Pharisee and a Jew of Jews, would have been zealous in his hostility for Gentiles. Yet, after Paul called Jesus his Lord, he was called to take the Good News concerning Jesus to the Gentile world. He was challenged to go into an extremely difficult ministry field for a Jewish person. And, because of his willingness to serve his Lord, Jesus, Paul gladly went to the Gentiles.
Questions to consider: Has God ever called you into a situation where you were very uncomfortable? If so, how did you respond to God, and what was the experience like for you? If not, why not, and what would it look like if God called you to relate to a group of people that you did not like?
Prayer: Father, please show me the limitations of who I will go to with Your Good News. Give me the courage to lay down those limitations and the strength to take Your Good News wherever You desire for me to go. Amen.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February 2, 2012 - Acts 22:9
“’My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.’” Acts 22:9.
Paul began to tell the story of how he was confronted by Jesus while on his way to arrest and imprison Christians in Damascus. While riding along with others, Paul was quite suddenly knocked off his feet and was lying in the dirt. A light shown all around him and the voice of Jesus spoke to him. While those who came with him were aware of the light, no one understood what was going on. They knew something had happened to Paul but did not understood what it was all about.
There are times when those around us just may not understand what has happened to us. We became a follower of Jesus, and those around us wondered what happened. One of my closest friends didn’t understand what happened to me when I chose to follow Jesus, and when I attempted to explain, he refused to accept my answer. It stayed that way for 40 years. On his death bed, something amazing happened and he finally understood. Sometimes it just takes that long…or maybe even longer. Paul was determined to journey onward, no matter what those around him thought. He now had a higher purpose and decided, with conviction, to move toward the new Light.
Questions to consider: Do you have people around you that just don’t understand what has happened to you? How does that make you feel? Does that, in any way, hinder you from moving forward in your faith journey? If so, how can you break through?
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful for what You have done in my life. Help me to press forward in my journey with You in order to better serve You and those around me. Amen.
Paul began to tell the story of how he was confronted by Jesus while on his way to arrest and imprison Christians in Damascus. While riding along with others, Paul was quite suddenly knocked off his feet and was lying in the dirt. A light shown all around him and the voice of Jesus spoke to him. While those who came with him were aware of the light, no one understood what was going on. They knew something had happened to Paul but did not understood what it was all about.
There are times when those around us just may not understand what has happened to us. We became a follower of Jesus, and those around us wondered what happened. One of my closest friends didn’t understand what happened to me when I chose to follow Jesus, and when I attempted to explain, he refused to accept my answer. It stayed that way for 40 years. On his death bed, something amazing happened and he finally understood. Sometimes it just takes that long…or maybe even longer. Paul was determined to journey onward, no matter what those around him thought. He now had a higher purpose and decided, with conviction, to move toward the new Light.
Questions to consider: Do you have people around you that just don’t understand what has happened to you? How does that make you feel? Does that, in any way, hinder you from moving forward in your faith journey? If so, how can you break through?
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful for what You have done in my life. Help me to press forward in my journey with You in order to better serve You and those around me. Amen.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January 26, 2012 - Acts 22:3
“’I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel, I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.’” Acts 22:3.
After settling down the crowd, Paul began to speak, identifying himself in a manner in which his audience would relate. It seems as if Paul was trying to communicate that he was one of them; he was Jewish, just like they were, and he was zealous to keep his “Jewish-ness” intact. Apparently, he wasn’t attempting to justify himself. Instead, he was passionate to tell the story of his conversion to Jesus. His desire was to see all people of his faith become as he was: a follower of Jesus. Paul used the tools built into his life – his culture, his training and education, even his knowledge of languages – in order to tell anyone who would listen about Jesus.
When I think about where I came from and the tools that God built into my life, I am humbled to think of the many times I did not use them to tell the story of God’s goodness. Yes, there have been times when I used something from my life as a springboard into talking about Jesus, yet there were many times when I didn’t. I sometimes think that my story is not that interesting and that it won’t capture anyone’s attention. But it is my story, and I am grateful for the unique way God has built me. I hope to learn from Paul’s example and be willing to tell my story whenever I have the opportunity.
Questions to consider: What is your story? How do you use it to tell others about what Jesus has done in your life? How willing are you to tell your story, particularly about how you became a follower of Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the unique story given to me, and to each person. May I become more aware of how I can use my story to talk about Your Son. Amen.
After settling down the crowd, Paul began to speak, identifying himself in a manner in which his audience would relate. It seems as if Paul was trying to communicate that he was one of them; he was Jewish, just like they were, and he was zealous to keep his “Jewish-ness” intact. Apparently, he wasn’t attempting to justify himself. Instead, he was passionate to tell the story of his conversion to Jesus. His desire was to see all people of his faith become as he was: a follower of Jesus. Paul used the tools built into his life – his culture, his training and education, even his knowledge of languages – in order to tell anyone who would listen about Jesus.
When I think about where I came from and the tools that God built into my life, I am humbled to think of the many times I did not use them to tell the story of God’s goodness. Yes, there have been times when I used something from my life as a springboard into talking about Jesus, yet there were many times when I didn’t. I sometimes think that my story is not that interesting and that it won’t capture anyone’s attention. But it is my story, and I am grateful for the unique way God has built me. I hope to learn from Paul’s example and be willing to tell my story whenever I have the opportunity.
Questions to consider: What is your story? How do you use it to tell others about what Jesus has done in your life? How willing are you to tell your story, particularly about how you became a follower of Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the unique story given to me, and to each person. May I become more aware of how I can use my story to talk about Your Son. Amen.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
January 19, 2012 - Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race that is marked before us.” Hebrews 12:1.
One time, I heard a speaker say that when you see a “therefore” at the beginning of a verse, you should ask what it’s there for. In this verse, the writer of Hebrews is making a transition from giving many examples of the “great crowd of witnesses” that have gone before to the encouragement of the reader to take action steps and to live out their faith. In looking at the examples of the faithful who went before, the writer states that “by faith” each person was moved to some action. In the verse above, the reader (or listener) is encouraged to show their faith through the actions of one’s life. They are told to throw off the negative and to run with perseverance the race set before us. These are actions that are called for.
There have been times in my journey when I was stuck in the “paralysis of analysis” and in naval-gazing. I would get so introspective that it would render me unwilling and unable to move forward. I have also had times when besetting sins have clouded over my vision and have kept me from moving forward. In every case, it wasn’t until I chose to start moving forward in a deliberate manner that I actually would begin to break free of those things that hinder and entangle me. My faith expressed by my actions is what begins to set me free. I don’t necessarily feel like it, but it is essential that I make that choice. It is by faith that I act; that I do something and start moving once again.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced the “paralysis of analysis”? What was that like for you, and how did you break free of it? What steps of faith has G0d spoken to you about, and what actions do you need to do, as a result?
Prayer: Father, it is amazing to look back through history to the many people who expressed their step of faith by their actions done. Help me to embrace and follow through with the actions that You have for me to do. Amen.
One time, I heard a speaker say that when you see a “therefore” at the beginning of a verse, you should ask what it’s there for. In this verse, the writer of Hebrews is making a transition from giving many examples of the “great crowd of witnesses” that have gone before to the encouragement of the reader to take action steps and to live out their faith. In looking at the examples of the faithful who went before, the writer states that “by faith” each person was moved to some action. In the verse above, the reader (or listener) is encouraged to show their faith through the actions of one’s life. They are told to throw off the negative and to run with perseverance the race set before us. These are actions that are called for.
There have been times in my journey when I was stuck in the “paralysis of analysis” and in naval-gazing. I would get so introspective that it would render me unwilling and unable to move forward. I have also had times when besetting sins have clouded over my vision and have kept me from moving forward. In every case, it wasn’t until I chose to start moving forward in a deliberate manner that I actually would begin to break free of those things that hinder and entangle me. My faith expressed by my actions is what begins to set me free. I don’t necessarily feel like it, but it is essential that I make that choice. It is by faith that I act; that I do something and start moving once again.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced the “paralysis of analysis”? What was that like for you, and how did you break free of it? What steps of faith has G0d spoken to you about, and what actions do you need to do, as a result?
Prayer: Father, it is amazing to look back through history to the many people who expressed their step of faith by their actions done. Help me to embrace and follow through with the actions that You have for me to do. Amen.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
January 12, 2012 - Acts 21:40
“Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were silent, he said to them in Aramaic...” Acts 21:40
In Jerusalem, Paul had been taken by the crowd of Jews out of the temple and was being severely beaten. It was at this time that Roman soldiers arrived and took possession of Paul. As they were about to enter the Roman barracks, Paul, in Greek, asked the commander if he would allow Paul to speak to the crowd. The commander, startled that this man spoke Greek, allowed Paul to speak. Paul raised his hands to settle the crowd down, and when he began to speak to them in Aramaic, the crowd began to listen intently. Paul, then, began to tell his story. Can you imagine having been beaten almost to death and then having the boldness to stand before those who just beat you and tell them about Jesus and how you met Him? Paul was sold out to Jesus, and willing to die for his Lord.
I find that there are times when I wimp out in sharing the Good News of Jesus to those around me that may not know Him. Whether I am not prepared to share or I chicken out for fear of rejection, I, at times, back off from telling these people about Jesus. It was a risk telling them my story of how I came to know and follow Jesus. Yet, whenever I have told it, people usually respond positively and don’t get too upset. Several times, it led to deeper discussions and questions. I am working on being sold out to Jesus in my life and not just in my words. If I say that I am all in with Jesus, then my actions need to confirm the truth of those words.
Questions to consider: What does being sold out mean to you? Where are you in terms of being sold out to Jesus? If you desire to be sold out, what actions could you take? What could be your first step?
Prayer: Father, may my actions conform to my words, as with Paul, and may I have a renewed boldness to share Your Good News. Amen.
In Jerusalem, Paul had been taken by the crowd of Jews out of the temple and was being severely beaten. It was at this time that Roman soldiers arrived and took possession of Paul. As they were about to enter the Roman barracks, Paul, in Greek, asked the commander if he would allow Paul to speak to the crowd. The commander, startled that this man spoke Greek, allowed Paul to speak. Paul raised his hands to settle the crowd down, and when he began to speak to them in Aramaic, the crowd began to listen intently. Paul, then, began to tell his story. Can you imagine having been beaten almost to death and then having the boldness to stand before those who just beat you and tell them about Jesus and how you met Him? Paul was sold out to Jesus, and willing to die for his Lord.
I find that there are times when I wimp out in sharing the Good News of Jesus to those around me that may not know Him. Whether I am not prepared to share or I chicken out for fear of rejection, I, at times, back off from telling these people about Jesus. It was a risk telling them my story of how I came to know and follow Jesus. Yet, whenever I have told it, people usually respond positively and don’t get too upset. Several times, it led to deeper discussions and questions. I am working on being sold out to Jesus in my life and not just in my words. If I say that I am all in with Jesus, then my actions need to confirm the truth of those words.
Questions to consider: What does being sold out mean to you? Where are you in terms of being sold out to Jesus? If you desire to be sold out, what actions could you take? What could be your first step?
Prayer: Father, may my actions conform to my words, as with Paul, and may I have a renewed boldness to share Your Good News. Amen.
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