“We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot.” Acts 20:13.
Paul and his traveling companions left Troas, heading for Assos, with Jerusalem as their final destination. By sea, this trip was about 40 miles, and by foot, it was about 20 miles. Paul sensed that he should go by foot, while sending his friends on by sea. He planned on meeting them in the port city of Assos. We have no account for why they traveled to Assos by different methods, but it’s clear that they split up for a time. Perhaps Paul needed some time alone to think about what was to come in Jerusalem, or perhaps it was for some other reason. I would like to think that Paul had a sense from God, maybe a whisper from His voice, that he should make that hike alone, sending the others by sea. Paul could have had a strong sense of following after God in this particular direction.
As I reflected on this verse, I thought about God’s direction in my life. And I started asking myself some questions concerning His leadings. Suring this time, I realized that there have been many times when I did what I wanted to do without consulting God. There have also been times when I had a sense of God’s direction, yet I chose not to move that way, either out of fear or some other negative reason. Finally, I have experienced times when I sensed His direction and I actually moved as I believed He wanted me to go. In looking back, when I did the first two, I realized, to my own shame, my sin, and I confessed and received His forgiveness and cleansing. When I have done the third, I sensed God’s pleasure. Paul showed himself to be a man that followed after God in the big things, as well as the smaller, seemingly insignificant things.
Questions to consider: Have you sensed God’s direction in your life? In significant ways? In less significant ways? What was your response? How do you sense His direction in your life? What stands in the way of you following through with God’s direction in your life?
Prayer: Father, please help me to hear Your quiet voice as You whisper direction to me. Give me the will and the strength to follow through with it. Amen.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
September 22, 2011 - Acts 20:10
“Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘He’s alive!’ Acts 20:10.
Sometime during Paul’s all-night preaching, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep while sitting in the window on the third floor. As he slept, the young man fell out of the window. Upon hitting the ground, he “was taken up dead”. The people in the house rushed out to see if anything could be done for the young man. Paul came out and wrapped his arms around Eutychus, and brought this young man back to life.
Many times, healings are clearly miracles of God. Jesus performed many during his three year ministry, and many people were healed under Peter’s and Paul’s ministries. In this particular situation, we are not sure what Paul prayed, if he did pray, but this young man who was dead came back to life. A miracle was performed and God was glorified. Many times in our daily life we miss many of God’s miracles. The earth held in its perfect axis. A baby being born. Observing the intricacy of our hands and fingers. God performs many miracles each day that we can observe, and, if we take the time, we can glorify Him for all He does.
Questions to consider: Have you observed any of God’s miracles today? Will you take some time today to watch and write down what you see? How does observing God’s miracles cause you to respond? How could you live your life as a result?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your creative genius in putting all of the cosmos together. When I see from the furthest stars down to the smallest of particles, I am amazed at how You have made it all one seamless universe. I praise You today! Amen.
Sometime during Paul’s all-night preaching, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep while sitting in the window on the third floor. As he slept, the young man fell out of the window. Upon hitting the ground, he “was taken up dead”. The people in the house rushed out to see if anything could be done for the young man. Paul came out and wrapped his arms around Eutychus, and brought this young man back to life.
Many times, healings are clearly miracles of God. Jesus performed many during his three year ministry, and many people were healed under Peter’s and Paul’s ministries. In this particular situation, we are not sure what Paul prayed, if he did pray, but this young man who was dead came back to life. A miracle was performed and God was glorified. Many times in our daily life we miss many of God’s miracles. The earth held in its perfect axis. A baby being born. Observing the intricacy of our hands and fingers. God performs many miracles each day that we can observe, and, if we take the time, we can glorify Him for all He does.
Questions to consider: Have you observed any of God’s miracles today? Will you take some time today to watch and write down what you see? How does observing God’s miracles cause you to respond? How could you live your life as a result?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your creative genius in putting all of the cosmos together. When I see from the furthest stars down to the smallest of particles, I am amazed at how You have made it all one seamless universe. I praise You today! Amen.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
September 15,2011 - Acts 20:7-8
“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.” Act 20:7-8.
Paul, on his way to Jerusalem, journeyed to Troas, which was a port city in the Northwest corner of modern-day Turkey. Paul ended up staying in Troas for seven days. During this time, he spoke or taught whenever the followers of Jesus would gather. On the day before he was to leave, Paul gave a farewell talk in an upstairs room at night. The lamps were lit, and some in the crowd must have drifted off to sleep as Paul’s sermon continued on. It is not clear when this gathering started, but Paul preached until daybreak. The text doesn’t indicate how many were present or whether or not any of them slept, although most listened intently to Paul’s spoken words.
Can you imagine sitting in a room listening to someone preach or teach for six, seven, or maybe more hours at one time? I don’t know about you, but one hour is about my limit! My seat cannot take much more, so I’m not sure how I would have done in that crowd. The difference may have been that this crowd might have realized that this was the last time that they would see and be with their beloved Paul, their spiritual father. Even though it may have been hours that they sat there, this crowd probably hung on Paul’s every word, trying to remember all the wisdom that he shared before his departure.
Questions to consider: Have you ever listened to someone speak for more than an hour? How about 3 or more hours? Is there anyone who would cause you to hang on every word that they taught, especially if you knew that this was the last time you would see or hear them? How thirsty are you for the word of God? Would you stay up all night to feed on it?
Prayer: Father, I confess that I take Your Word for granted. I act like it will be available whenever I want. I don’t hunger for it, as in a dry and thirsty land. Please give me a heart that is thirsty and hungry for Your Word. Amen.
Paul, on his way to Jerusalem, journeyed to Troas, which was a port city in the Northwest corner of modern-day Turkey. Paul ended up staying in Troas for seven days. During this time, he spoke or taught whenever the followers of Jesus would gather. On the day before he was to leave, Paul gave a farewell talk in an upstairs room at night. The lamps were lit, and some in the crowd must have drifted off to sleep as Paul’s sermon continued on. It is not clear when this gathering started, but Paul preached until daybreak. The text doesn’t indicate how many were present or whether or not any of them slept, although most listened intently to Paul’s spoken words.
Can you imagine sitting in a room listening to someone preach or teach for six, seven, or maybe more hours at one time? I don’t know about you, but one hour is about my limit! My seat cannot take much more, so I’m not sure how I would have done in that crowd. The difference may have been that this crowd might have realized that this was the last time that they would see and be with their beloved Paul, their spiritual father. Even though it may have been hours that they sat there, this crowd probably hung on Paul’s every word, trying to remember all the wisdom that he shared before his departure.
Questions to consider: Have you ever listened to someone speak for more than an hour? How about 3 or more hours? Is there anyone who would cause you to hang on every word that they taught, especially if you knew that this was the last time you would see or hear them? How thirsty are you for the word of God? Would you stay up all night to feed on it?
Prayer: Father, I confess that I take Your Word for granted. I act like it will be available whenever I want. I don’t hunger for it, as in a dry and thirsty land. Please give me a heart that is thirsty and hungry for Your Word. Amen.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
September 8, 2011 - Acts 19:30
“Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.” Acts 19:30.
In a very dramatic scene, Paul had already spoken before the crowd in Ephesus and caused an uproar. The local merchants, who made money by selling articles representing their gods, realized that their business was being disrupted by Paul’s message of salvation through Jesus. The crowd attempted to apprehend Paul, but some of his disciples whisked him away. Two other disciples, who traveled with Paul, were taken by the crowd to be judged before the Ephesian city clerk. The mood of the crowd was becoming explosive. Paul, seeing what was happening, desired to go before the crowd again to preach Jesus at this pinnacle moment, but the disciples with him would not let him go. They didn’t just suggest that he not go; they kept him from going for his own protection.
Paul was not afraid of anything. His life had been threatened several times already, yet he continued with great zeal. Yet, he was restrained from going. This protected him from probable death at the hands of the violent crowd.
While not necessarily leading to death, I have been restrained from doing things on occasion by those around me who care about me. I am usually not aware of just how close I have come to dangerous situations, but in looking back on the incident, I have seen God’s protective hand. I am learning to trust that God loves me and has my best interest at heart. I am thankful for those times I listened to those around me and did not go off to do my own thing. There is wisdom and protection in staying connected with those around you.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been in a situation where you were protected from doing something that you wanted to do and were guarded from danger, as a result? Do you have any people around you that have spoken, or could speak, words of protection to you? Are there people around you that allow you to say protective words to them?
Prayer: Father, thank You for having our best interest at heart when You protect us from some situations that could be unnecessarily harmful to us. Thank You for using close friends to speak protective words to us. Amen.
In a very dramatic scene, Paul had already spoken before the crowd in Ephesus and caused an uproar. The local merchants, who made money by selling articles representing their gods, realized that their business was being disrupted by Paul’s message of salvation through Jesus. The crowd attempted to apprehend Paul, but some of his disciples whisked him away. Two other disciples, who traveled with Paul, were taken by the crowd to be judged before the Ephesian city clerk. The mood of the crowd was becoming explosive. Paul, seeing what was happening, desired to go before the crowd again to preach Jesus at this pinnacle moment, but the disciples with him would not let him go. They didn’t just suggest that he not go; they kept him from going for his own protection.
Paul was not afraid of anything. His life had been threatened several times already, yet he continued with great zeal. Yet, he was restrained from going. This protected him from probable death at the hands of the violent crowd.
While not necessarily leading to death, I have been restrained from doing things on occasion by those around me who care about me. I am usually not aware of just how close I have come to dangerous situations, but in looking back on the incident, I have seen God’s protective hand. I am learning to trust that God loves me and has my best interest at heart. I am thankful for those times I listened to those around me and did not go off to do my own thing. There is wisdom and protection in staying connected with those around you.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been in a situation where you were protected from doing something that you wanted to do and were guarded from danger, as a result? Do you have any people around you that have spoken, or could speak, words of protection to you? Are there people around you that allow you to say protective words to them?
Prayer: Father, thank You for having our best interest at heart when You protect us from some situations that could be unnecessarily harmful to us. Thank You for using close friends to speak protective words to us. Amen.
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