“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Acts 16:7.
Paul and Silas traveled from Antioch heading northwest toward Troas when they came to the border of Mysia. They tried to enter Bithynia but were prohibited by the Spirit of Jesus. So instead of going in to Bithynia, they continued on to Troas, choosing to wait upon entering Bithynia until God opened the way for them. It did not appear that Paul and Silas struggled with God saying, “No” to them. For Paul and Silas, “No” was not a negative answer; it was an answer of guidance.
In the world that I grew up in, “No” was very much a negative answer. I didn’t like being told “No” to any of my personal requests. I did not respond well when given “No” for an answer. I would throw a tantrum or at least would pout … loudly. As I have gotten older, I’ve noticed that I still don’t like hearing “No”, yet I’ve learned how to mask my response. After all, it is not the proper Christian response to pout or to throw a tantrum…is it? When God says “No,” I need to respond out of an attitude of humility, as Paul and Silas did, remembering that God knows best.
Questions to consider: How do you respond when “No” is given to your request? How do you respond when God says “No?”
Prayer: Father, I have struggled my whole life hearing “No” to my requests. Please help me to respond to that answer with a humble attitude. Amen.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
December 22,2010 - Luke 2:7
“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to register for the Roman census. Even though Mary was so close to delivering her first born child, they had to take the arduous journey. Once there, they had to negotiate through the throng of people who were also there to register. Mary was most likely beginning to feel the oncoming of her delivery as Joseph sought housing for them. All he could find was an animal shelter that would have to serve as their room. In Mary’s delivery, they had to use only those few things available to them from their trip or from around the stable. The Lord of lords was wrapped in some scraps of cloths (that were most likely not the cleanest!) and placed in an animal feeding trough. They used what they had to deliver Jesus.
The lesson that came to me as I read this familiar passage concerned Mary and Joseph using all that was available to them, even though the resources were very limited. Many of us feel as if we don’t have much, if anything, to give the Lord in return for what He has done for us. There have been times in my journey when I have felt like I had very little to give in service to God. And since I was embarrassed, I did nothing. I have come to realize that limited as I am, God, who made me in His image, would have me give of the resources that are available to me and through me.
Questions to consider: Do you think that, because you have limited ability or resources available, you are unable to serve? Do you serve God even though you have limitation in ability and resources? How do you do that service?
Prayer: Father, as Mary and Joseph did, help me to use the limited resources available to me to bring glory to Your name. Thank You for all you have given me and for how You made me. Amen.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to register for the Roman census. Even though Mary was so close to delivering her first born child, they had to take the arduous journey. Once there, they had to negotiate through the throng of people who were also there to register. Mary was most likely beginning to feel the oncoming of her delivery as Joseph sought housing for them. All he could find was an animal shelter that would have to serve as their room. In Mary’s delivery, they had to use only those few things available to them from their trip or from around the stable. The Lord of lords was wrapped in some scraps of cloths (that were most likely not the cleanest!) and placed in an animal feeding trough. They used what they had to deliver Jesus.
The lesson that came to me as I read this familiar passage concerned Mary and Joseph using all that was available to them, even though the resources were very limited. Many of us feel as if we don’t have much, if anything, to give the Lord in return for what He has done for us. There have been times in my journey when I have felt like I had very little to give in service to God. And since I was embarrassed, I did nothing. I have come to realize that limited as I am, God, who made me in His image, would have me give of the resources that are available to me and through me.
Questions to consider: Do you think that, because you have limited ability or resources available, you are unable to serve? Do you serve God even though you have limitation in ability and resources? How do you do that service?
Prayer: Father, as Mary and Joseph did, help me to use the limited resources available to me to bring glory to Your name. Thank You for all you have given me and for how You made me. Amen.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
December 16, 2010 - Acts 16:5
“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” Acts 16:5.
The early church emerges strengthened after two crucial events that could have left them splintered. First was the council meeting in Jerusalem where it was decided to include Gentiles in the fellowship of followers of Jesus. Next, there was the clash of two of the early church’s stars, Paul and Barnabas. Either one of these crises could have split the church, yet they stayed as one. Through the crucible of conflict they emerged “strengthened in the faith” and they experienced a period of numerical growth.
Being strengthened and growth does not happen without pain of some kind. My body becomes stronger as I work out, and I need to go through discomfort and pain to achieve new strength. Growth in my life doesn’t naturally happen. I must go through struggles and conflict, whether personal or corporate, in order to grow. I can remember trying to avoid conflict, not knowing at the time that I was actually avoiding growth and strengthening. Once I realized that I need not run from conflict, I matured to a new place. The same happens within our communities. The easy way out is to split up, yet that is not what the church did when Paul and Barnabas went their own way. The easy way out for us is to avoid conflict at all cost, and the cost would be our strengthening and growth.
Questions to consider: How have you been strengthened or grown through conflict? Have you been like me, avoiding conflict, and need to learn how to go through helpful conflict?
Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching me to face conflict and, in so doing, strengthening me and helping me to grow. Amen.
The early church emerges strengthened after two crucial events that could have left them splintered. First was the council meeting in Jerusalem where it was decided to include Gentiles in the fellowship of followers of Jesus. Next, there was the clash of two of the early church’s stars, Paul and Barnabas. Either one of these crises could have split the church, yet they stayed as one. Through the crucible of conflict they emerged “strengthened in the faith” and they experienced a period of numerical growth.
Being strengthened and growth does not happen without pain of some kind. My body becomes stronger as I work out, and I need to go through discomfort and pain to achieve new strength. Growth in my life doesn’t naturally happen. I must go through struggles and conflict, whether personal or corporate, in order to grow. I can remember trying to avoid conflict, not knowing at the time that I was actually avoiding growth and strengthening. Once I realized that I need not run from conflict, I matured to a new place. The same happens within our communities. The easy way out is to split up, yet that is not what the church did when Paul and Barnabas went their own way. The easy way out for us is to avoid conflict at all cost, and the cost would be our strengthening and growth.
Questions to consider: How have you been strengthened or grown through conflict? Have you been like me, avoiding conflict, and need to learn how to go through helpful conflict?
Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching me to face conflict and, in so doing, strengthening me and helping me to grow. Amen.
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