“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48.
Having been rejected by his own people, the Jews, Paul turned to proclaim the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles, who were grateful for Paul’s efforts. At first reading, I thought that it stated that they were “glad and (were) honored by Paul’s proclamation, but I was wrong. It clearly states that the Gentiles “honored the word of the Lord.” There was something in their actions that demonstrated their sense of honor for the word that Paul brought them.
There are times when I sit back, in my smugness, and make judgments on the word that comes forth in a sermon or a message delivered. Instead of submitting myself under God’s word, I act as though I am superior to it by judging and criticizing it. It is vital for me to intentionally ask for God’s help in hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me through whatever vessel He chooses to use. And it is important that I intentionally stop my criticism of the word being proclaimed. This doesn’t mean that I accept any word spoken. It means that I submit myself to the working of the Holy Spirit through the proclamation of His word, and thereby, honor the word of the Lord.
Questions to consider: How do you honor the word of the Lord? Are there tangible ways that you demonstrate your honor of God’s word in your life? What does that look like?
Prayer: Father, I confess my judgmental attitude at the proclamation of Your word. Please help me to intentionally submit myself to Your word, and in doing so, honor You and Your word. Amen.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 24, 2010 - Acts 13:46
“Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.’” Acts 13:46.
Paul had been directed by God to bring the message of eternal life in Jesus to his fellow Jews first, and then to take it to the Gentiles. It is interesting that Paul states that these Jewish people did not “consider (themselves) worthy of eternal life.” It is as if these people just discarded Paul’s words as unbelievable or unimportant. Either way, they turned away from God’s words of life in Jesus.
As I ponder these words, I am challenged by them. With all the words that are communicated in our world, it is so easy to not take any of them seriously or not take them to heart. The challenge is to develop the ability to hear those special, life-giving words that are spoken, often very quietly. Often when I, at first, hear truth spoken, I tend to receive it in a negative way, almost rejecting it. When I take some time to think about it, I come to see the truth that was spoken and make adjustments accordingly in my life. But this takes a sensitivity that is sometimes beyond me, and one that I desperately need to continue to develop. I want to “consider (myself) worthy of eternal life” and of the things of God. Don’t you?
Questions to consider: What is your first response to hearing truth? How do you hear God speaking to you?
Prayer: Father, help me to hear truth when it is spoken and to have a sensitive ear to hear Your words of life. Amen.
Paul had been directed by God to bring the message of eternal life in Jesus to his fellow Jews first, and then to take it to the Gentiles. It is interesting that Paul states that these Jewish people did not “consider (themselves) worthy of eternal life.” It is as if these people just discarded Paul’s words as unbelievable or unimportant. Either way, they turned away from God’s words of life in Jesus.
As I ponder these words, I am challenged by them. With all the words that are communicated in our world, it is so easy to not take any of them seriously or not take them to heart. The challenge is to develop the ability to hear those special, life-giving words that are spoken, often very quietly. Often when I, at first, hear truth spoken, I tend to receive it in a negative way, almost rejecting it. When I take some time to think about it, I come to see the truth that was spoken and make adjustments accordingly in my life. But this takes a sensitivity that is sometimes beyond me, and one that I desperately need to continue to develop. I want to “consider (myself) worthy of eternal life” and of the things of God. Don’t you?
Questions to consider: What is your first response to hearing truth? How do you hear God speaking to you?
Prayer: Father, help me to hear truth when it is spoken and to have a sensitive ear to hear Your words of life. Amen.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 17, 2010 - Acts 13:43
“When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” Acts 13:43.
Many people from the synagogue were touched by Paul’s words and wanted to hear more. After the meeting was over, Paul and Barnabas met with the people telling them more about Jesus and urging them to “continue in the grace of God.” These people heard about Jesus’ suffering and dying, as well as His resurrection. They fully understood the pain and shame of crucifixion and understood that this is what Jesus endured for them. Paul recognized that the grace of God was already coming upon these people because their hearts were open to hear about Jesus and their lives were already being transformed. Their eyes were opening to the movement of God in their lives.
I remember hearing about Jesus when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I was 20 years old that my own heart was warmed by the Spirit of God and I began to see Jesus for who He was and for what He had done for me. It was my first experience of the grace of God in my life. Through the years, I have noticed that, while God is always with me, there are times when it seems that He is more present – more in the moment with me. Sometimes this occurs during times of deep struggle or pain, and His grace helps me to get through.
Questions to consider: How is the grace of God evident or active in your life? When are you most aware of God’s grace in your life? Are you aware of God’s grace in the midst of your suffering?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace. Please help me to continue in Your grace and to live a life of gratitude for Your grace in my life. Amen.
Many people from the synagogue were touched by Paul’s words and wanted to hear more. After the meeting was over, Paul and Barnabas met with the people telling them more about Jesus and urging them to “continue in the grace of God.” These people heard about Jesus’ suffering and dying, as well as His resurrection. They fully understood the pain and shame of crucifixion and understood that this is what Jesus endured for them. Paul recognized that the grace of God was already coming upon these people because their hearts were open to hear about Jesus and their lives were already being transformed. Their eyes were opening to the movement of God in their lives.
I remember hearing about Jesus when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I was 20 years old that my own heart was warmed by the Spirit of God and I began to see Jesus for who He was and for what He had done for me. It was my first experience of the grace of God in my life. Through the years, I have noticed that, while God is always with me, there are times when it seems that He is more present – more in the moment with me. Sometimes this occurs during times of deep struggle or pain, and His grace helps me to get through.
Questions to consider: How is the grace of God evident or active in your life? When are you most aware of God’s grace in your life? Are you aware of God’s grace in the midst of your suffering?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace. Please help me to continue in Your grace and to live a life of gratitude for Your grace in my life. Amen.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 10, 2010 - Acts 13:39
“’Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.’” Acts 13:39.
Paul boldly proclaimed to his mostly Jewish crowd, that following the letter of the law of Moses wasn’t going to save them. Instead, it was only through believing in the redemptive work of Jesus that one’s sins could be fully forgiven. Paul was telling the people that it was not by their works – obeying the law of Moses – that they would be saved. In fact, according to Paul, there was nothing that a person could do to be saved except to believe in Jesus and receive true forgiveness from all sins.
While I don’t consciously work on being justified by the law of Moses, there are times when I will try to do the right actions that will prove my worthiness to God. Does this mean that I shouldn’t be concerned about right actions? Not at all. But my right actions need to come out of a heart of gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for me. This is a good gauge for me to see if I am trying to reach God through my good actions or trusting in His complete work.
Questions to consider: Are there times when you still try to prove your worthiness to God? How grateful are you to Jesus for the justifying work He completed on your behalf? Does this influence your actions and how you live your life? In what ways does it do this?
Prayer: Father, help me to always be grateful for Jesus and the work He completed on my behalf. Help me to never take this for granted or to try to prove my own worthiness. Amen.
Paul boldly proclaimed to his mostly Jewish crowd, that following the letter of the law of Moses wasn’t going to save them. Instead, it was only through believing in the redemptive work of Jesus that one’s sins could be fully forgiven. Paul was telling the people that it was not by their works – obeying the law of Moses – that they would be saved. In fact, according to Paul, there was nothing that a person could do to be saved except to believe in Jesus and receive true forgiveness from all sins.
While I don’t consciously work on being justified by the law of Moses, there are times when I will try to do the right actions that will prove my worthiness to God. Does this mean that I shouldn’t be concerned about right actions? Not at all. But my right actions need to come out of a heart of gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for me. This is a good gauge for me to see if I am trying to reach God through my good actions or trusting in His complete work.
Questions to consider: Are there times when you still try to prove your worthiness to God? How grateful are you to Jesus for the justifying work He completed on your behalf? Does this influence your actions and how you live your life? In what ways does it do this?
Prayer: Father, help me to always be grateful for Jesus and the work He completed on my behalf. Help me to never take this for granted or to try to prove my own worthiness. Amen.
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