“’God spoke to him in this way: “Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own….”’” Acts 7:6a.
Stephen retells the story of God speaking to Abraham to the religious authorities of his day. He reminds this audience how God said to Abraham how he and all of his descendants were to be strangers in a strange land. They were not to be “at home” in this new land. This “strangeness” in the new land would allow them – Abraham and his descendants – to be totally dependent on God and to make a new life according to His purposes.
In the summer of 2001, my wife, my youngest son, and I moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania, which does not sound too dramatic. Yet we left a life that was comfortable to us. It was one that we were accustomed to, and, at the time, we did not think that the move was going to be that dramatic. It proved to be very dramatic for us and forced us to come to terms with who we were serving and for what purpose. We very much found ourselves as “strangers in a strange land,” and, even though the ministry went great, our personal lives were challenged by how different the culture was compared to what we had been used to. Our dependence on God was challenged in a positive way.
What I have also discovered is that I do not have to move geographically to be challenged in this way. What it comes down to is whether or not I am going to live for my own comfort, with its own selfish endeavors, or choose to live for God’s kingdom, doing that which He bids me to go and to do.
Questions to consider: What country do you focus on – the kingdom of this world (the kingdom of self) or the kingdom of God? What does it look like in your life to live as a “stranger in a strange land?”
Prayer: Father, help me to see how I am not depending on You as I go through the comfort of each day. Forgive me for not relying on You and for getting lazy and too comfortable. Help me to know how I can get out of my comfort zone for You. Amen.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
August 21, 2008 - Acts 7:5
“’He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.’” Acts 7:5.
Stephen, speaking of the great father of Judaism, Abraham, recounts the irony of Abraham’s situation in life. Even though he had not even one foot of land in his possession, God promised Abraham that he would possess the land. And even though he had no children and he was advancing in age, God promised Abraham that he would have descendants, who would possess the land after him. It is important to remember that Abraham grew up in a culture that was basically poly-theistic, or had many gods, and that humans in those cultures did not necessarily hear from any one of them directly. Abraham received a vision from God, which required him to move counter to the culture around him. He sought a land that God was directing him to and was looking to be the father of many descendants when he could not even have one child. This required an amazing amount of faith to keep him moving forward toward that vision.
I love to hike, and when I am on a longer one, sometimes there are wonderful views – vistas that give me a sense of being part of something much grander than my small existence. Yet much of the time, when I am hiking, I am down in the trees, moving along the path. Sometimes, it seems as though the trail is never going to end and I am just trudging along, wondering how I am ever going to make it. Then one of those rare moments comes, and a beautiful, panoramic vista comes into view. Our journey in life is much like this. Those “vistas”, or visions from God, are what keep us on the path; on the journey of our lives. Abraham had his vistas, and they kept him focused forward, even through the lean times – down in the trees.
Questions to consider: What is the vision that God has given you that keeps you moving forward? Are you seeing the “vistas” or are you down in the trees, trudging along? Can you take some time today to remember the vision(s) that God has given you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the visions that You give each of us. Thank You for Abraham’s example of faithfulness to the vision that You gave him. Help me to remember the vision You have given me in order to be encouraged as I journey on the path of life. Amen.
Stephen, speaking of the great father of Judaism, Abraham, recounts the irony of Abraham’s situation in life. Even though he had not even one foot of land in his possession, God promised Abraham that he would possess the land. And even though he had no children and he was advancing in age, God promised Abraham that he would have descendants, who would possess the land after him. It is important to remember that Abraham grew up in a culture that was basically poly-theistic, or had many gods, and that humans in those cultures did not necessarily hear from any one of them directly. Abraham received a vision from God, which required him to move counter to the culture around him. He sought a land that God was directing him to and was looking to be the father of many descendants when he could not even have one child. This required an amazing amount of faith to keep him moving forward toward that vision.
I love to hike, and when I am on a longer one, sometimes there are wonderful views – vistas that give me a sense of being part of something much grander than my small existence. Yet much of the time, when I am hiking, I am down in the trees, moving along the path. Sometimes, it seems as though the trail is never going to end and I am just trudging along, wondering how I am ever going to make it. Then one of those rare moments comes, and a beautiful, panoramic vista comes into view. Our journey in life is much like this. Those “vistas”, or visions from God, are what keep us on the path; on the journey of our lives. Abraham had his vistas, and they kept him focused forward, even through the lean times – down in the trees.
Questions to consider: What is the vision that God has given you that keeps you moving forward? Are you seeing the “vistas” or are you down in the trees, trudging along? Can you take some time today to remember the vision(s) that God has given you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the visions that You give each of us. Thank You for Abraham’s example of faithfulness to the vision that You gave him. Help me to remember the vision You have given me in order to be encouraged as I journey on the path of life. Amen.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
August 14, 2008 - Acts 7:3
“’Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’” Acts 7:3.
Stephen, speaking in his defense to the Sanhedrin, began by recounting the history of Israel and was telling the story of Abraham. God called Abraham to pack up all of his belongings, to leave his country and his people, and to travel to some strange land. Amazingly, Abraham believed that God – the Only True God, in the midst of a culture that believed in many gods – had spoken to him. And that this God had told him to leave all that is familiar to him and go to a place that He, God, will show him.
I am deeply challenged by this verse, both personally and corporately, in that I believe that God is looking all over the earth for those who will say “Yes” to Him in a similar way that Abraham had said “Yes.” I believe that He is looking for those who are willing to leave the familiar; leave our comfort zones and “go to the land I will show you.” How am I responding to His calling? How are you responding to His calling? I sometimes feel that I am only making feeble attempts at responding to His call, and I wonder if I am truly trying to find that “land” that He is speaking of. And when I look at the lives of those around me, I wonder why so many of us seem to be stuck; seem to be so restless and unfulfilled. And I wonder if we are in that safe, familiar, comfortable land, and God is calling us – each of us – to an adventure that only He can lead us in. I am not talking about “salvation.” I am talking about being part of bringing God’s Kingdom to earth….the whole earth; not just our comfortable, safe, little gated communities.
Questions to consider: Do you believe that God speaks to you? If so, what does He say? Do you believe that God is calling you out of your comfort zone, whatever that would look like, and lead you to a place that causes you to be totally dependent on Him? What does that look like in your life?
Prayer: Father, may Your Kingdom come, here on earth, as it is in heaven. Please help me to hear Your voice calling me, and give me the courage to say “Yes”, no matter what that may be. Help me to step out of my comfort zone and into Your adventure. Amen.
Stephen, speaking in his defense to the Sanhedrin, began by recounting the history of Israel and was telling the story of Abraham. God called Abraham to pack up all of his belongings, to leave his country and his people, and to travel to some strange land. Amazingly, Abraham believed that God – the Only True God, in the midst of a culture that believed in many gods – had spoken to him. And that this God had told him to leave all that is familiar to him and go to a place that He, God, will show him.
I am deeply challenged by this verse, both personally and corporately, in that I believe that God is looking all over the earth for those who will say “Yes” to Him in a similar way that Abraham had said “Yes.” I believe that He is looking for those who are willing to leave the familiar; leave our comfort zones and “go to the land I will show you.” How am I responding to His calling? How are you responding to His calling? I sometimes feel that I am only making feeble attempts at responding to His call, and I wonder if I am truly trying to find that “land” that He is speaking of. And when I look at the lives of those around me, I wonder why so many of us seem to be stuck; seem to be so restless and unfulfilled. And I wonder if we are in that safe, familiar, comfortable land, and God is calling us – each of us – to an adventure that only He can lead us in. I am not talking about “salvation.” I am talking about being part of bringing God’s Kingdom to earth….the whole earth; not just our comfortable, safe, little gated communities.
Questions to consider: Do you believe that God speaks to you? If so, what does He say? Do you believe that God is calling you out of your comfort zone, whatever that would look like, and lead you to a place that causes you to be totally dependent on Him? What does that look like in your life?
Prayer: Father, may Your Kingdom come, here on earth, as it is in heaven. Please help me to hear Your voice calling me, and give me the courage to say “Yes”, no matter what that may be. Help me to step out of my comfort zone and into Your adventure. Amen.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August 7, 2008 - Acts 7:2a
“To this he replied: ‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham….’” Acts 7:2a.
Accusations were brought against Stephen and he now stands before the Sanhedrin, the religious ruling body of Israel. Stephen has the opportunity to speak on his own behalf, and he begins by recounting a historical overview of their mutual past. He does this in a manner that was understandable and relevant to his listeners. He calls the audience to attend to him by speaking out, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!” He begins by calling them his brothers and, with a tone of humility, his “fathers”, honoring their positions of authority. And he immediately draws their attention to the most significant father in their heritage – Abraham.
This simple opening line is rich, and I learn so much from it. In this short line, he seeks to identify with each person in this audience. He, in essence, is saying, “I am one of you, and we are in this together.” The use of “brother”, “father”, and “Abraham” is significant. For me, it is important to begin be having some common points of identification that is relevant to my audience. This means that I need to be familiar with those with whom I am speaking. It is so tempting for me to just talk about stuff that I know without considering my audience. And it is easier, as well. It is much more difficult for me to gain some understanding of my audience and speak in a more inclusive manner.
Questions to consider: How aware am I of the “audiences” that run in my world? On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being high), how important is it to me to identify with my audience? What do I do to actively learn how to identify with others?
Prayer: Father, give me an eye to see and an ear to hear how I can identify with those around me. Help me to relate Your story of love for all humanity in a way that is relevant to my listeners. Amen.
Accusations were brought against Stephen and he now stands before the Sanhedrin, the religious ruling body of Israel. Stephen has the opportunity to speak on his own behalf, and he begins by recounting a historical overview of their mutual past. He does this in a manner that was understandable and relevant to his listeners. He calls the audience to attend to him by speaking out, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!” He begins by calling them his brothers and, with a tone of humility, his “fathers”, honoring their positions of authority. And he immediately draws their attention to the most significant father in their heritage – Abraham.
This simple opening line is rich, and I learn so much from it. In this short line, he seeks to identify with each person in this audience. He, in essence, is saying, “I am one of you, and we are in this together.” The use of “brother”, “father”, and “Abraham” is significant. For me, it is important to begin be having some common points of identification that is relevant to my audience. This means that I need to be familiar with those with whom I am speaking. It is so tempting for me to just talk about stuff that I know without considering my audience. And it is easier, as well. It is much more difficult for me to gain some understanding of my audience and speak in a more inclusive manner.
Questions to consider: How aware am I of the “audiences” that run in my world? On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being high), how important is it to me to identify with my audience? What do I do to actively learn how to identify with others?
Prayer: Father, give me an eye to see and an ear to hear how I can identify with those around me. Help me to relate Your story of love for all humanity in a way that is relevant to my listeners. Amen.
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