“The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.” Acts 23:12.
This verse shows how desperate some of the Jewish leadership was to get rid of Paul. These conspirators were zealous for their faith and were willing to place their lives on the line to keep their faith pure. They felt that Paul was damaging their beliefs, and for that, he was to be killed. They realized that they were losing a grip on Paul and that soon he would no longer be as near at hand. If they were going to get rid of him, they must do it very soon. Paul received word that the conspiracy had been made, and the Roman guard did what was necessary to protect him.
I wonder what went through the mind of those zealous Jews, or what goes through the minds of the terrorists of our day, for that matter. It seems that terrorists who sacrifice their lives when detonating a car bomb do so out of their religious commitment. I would imagine that it takes quite a commitment to come to such a decision. Next, I wondered about my own commitment. How committed was I to my faith? While I have no interest in killing anyone else for any reason, I can appreciate the commitment that it took. They were willing to die for their faith.
Questions to consider: How committed are you to your faith? Have you ever been in a situation where your faith was dramatically on the line? Are there steps that could be taken to be more committed, if that is your desire? Will you make that commitment?
Prayer: Father, while I have no interest in killing anyone, I do desire to have a deeper commitment in following You. Through Your Spirit, strengthen me in my inner man to be willing to die for You. Amen.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thursday Thought - 4/26/12
“The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.” Acts 23:12.
This verse shows how desperate some of the Jewish leadership was to get rid of Paul. These conspirators were zealous for their faith and were willing to place their lives on the line to keep their faith pure. They felt that Paul was damaging their beliefs, and for that, he was to be killed. They realized that they were losing a grip on Paul and that soon he would no longer be as near at hand. If they were going to get rid of him, they must do it very soon. Paul received word that the conspiracy had been made, and the Roman guard did what was necessary to protect him.
I wonder what went through the mind of those zealous Jews, or what goes through the minds of the terrorists of our day, for that matter. It seems that terrorists who sacrifice their lives when detonating a car bomb do so out of their religious commitment. I would imagine that it takes quite a commitment to come to such a decision. Next, I wondered about my own commitment. How committed was I to my faith? While I have no interest in killing anyone else for any reason, I can appreciate the commitment that it took. They were willing to die for their faith.
Questions to consider: How committed are you to your faith? Have you ever been in a situation where your faith was dramatically on the line? Are there steps that could be taken to be more committed, if that is your desire? Will you make that commitment?
Prayer: Father, while I have no interest in killing anyone, I do desire to have a deeper commitment in following You. Through Your Spirit, strengthen me in my inner man to be willing to die for You. Amen.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
April 19, 2012 - Acts 23:11
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” Acts 23:11.
Paul, having been saved by the Roman soldiers from the volatile and violent crowd, was kept safely in the Roman barracks. That night, Jesus came to Paul in the barracks and stood by him, confirming to him that he was now to head to Rome. Jesus affirmed Paul for spreading the message of the kingdom of God in Jerusalem against great odds. Now Paul was told to take the message to Rome, the center of the Roman Empire! Jesus adds that Paul should “take courage” in his proclamation, as if Paul will need even more courage.
Did Jesus need to come to Paul to confirm his move to go to Rome? I don’t think so. Paul was already focused on going there. I think Jesus had some other reason for coming to Paul. Perhaps it was to prepare him for the hardships he would encounter in the days and months ahead. Jesus may have wanted Paul to know without a doubt that He was going to always be with him, especially in the life-threatening, difficult times to come.
About three years ago, I had an experience with God in which He confirmed His love for me; that He actually loved me, personally! It was a deeply moving and special moment in my life. What I didn’t realize was that I really needed that moment with God to help me get through the last two years of struggle and pain. This moment with God helped me in the dark moments of loneliness, despair, and pain. His love for me has been the comfort that I have needed! I believe that Paul, too, took comfort in Jesus’ appearance to him. I believe it aided Paul when he was feeling weak and in need.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed the Lord ever appearing to you? If so, what was it like? Have you ever experienced those dark times when all you had to hold on to was Jesus, and Him alone? Do you know God well enough to know that He is with you, no matter what the circumstance?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unending, unbridled love for me. I am deeply grateful and totally indebted to You because of Your love. When I start to go my own path of loneliness and self-pity, help me to remember Your love for me and Your presence with me. Amen.
Paul, having been saved by the Roman soldiers from the volatile and violent crowd, was kept safely in the Roman barracks. That night, Jesus came to Paul in the barracks and stood by him, confirming to him that he was now to head to Rome. Jesus affirmed Paul for spreading the message of the kingdom of God in Jerusalem against great odds. Now Paul was told to take the message to Rome, the center of the Roman Empire! Jesus adds that Paul should “take courage” in his proclamation, as if Paul will need even more courage.
Did Jesus need to come to Paul to confirm his move to go to Rome? I don’t think so. Paul was already focused on going there. I think Jesus had some other reason for coming to Paul. Perhaps it was to prepare him for the hardships he would encounter in the days and months ahead. Jesus may have wanted Paul to know without a doubt that He was going to always be with him, especially in the life-threatening, difficult times to come.
About three years ago, I had an experience with God in which He confirmed His love for me; that He actually loved me, personally! It was a deeply moving and special moment in my life. What I didn’t realize was that I really needed that moment with God to help me get through the last two years of struggle and pain. This moment with God helped me in the dark moments of loneliness, despair, and pain. His love for me has been the comfort that I have needed! I believe that Paul, too, took comfort in Jesus’ appearance to him. I believe it aided Paul when he was feeling weak and in need.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed the Lord ever appearing to you? If so, what was it like? Have you ever experienced those dark times when all you had to hold on to was Jesus, and Him alone? Do you know God well enough to know that He is with you, no matter what the circumstance?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unending, unbridled love for me. I am deeply grateful and totally indebted to You because of Your love. When I start to go my own path of loneliness and self-pity, help me to remember Your love for me and Your presence with me. Amen.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
April 12, 2012 - Acts 23:10
“The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.” Acts 23:10.
Paul had stirred up the crowd of Jewish leaders by talking about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Pharisees in the crowd believed in the resurrection of the body after death, while the Sadducees did not. These two parties turned on each other, with Paul in the middle. The yelling back and forth was turning violent, so the soldiers extracted Paul from among the Jews and brought him to safety. Paul apparently was not concerned for his personal safety. After all, he had work to do and had a Lord that must be proclaimed. Because of his sold-out commitment to Jesus of Nazareth, Paul had no fear of death.
I do not recall ever having a moment in my life when death could have been the result of my belief in Jesus. I would like to think that I would be willing to die for Him. Yet, I realize that there are times when I am fearful of being rejected, and I draw back from sharing my faith in Jesus. To me, this indicates my lack of faithful commitment to Him. I say one thing, yet do another. I am a hypocrite. The question that I continually ask myself is this: Is Jesus really my all in all or am I just giving lip-service? I want my actions and my lifestyle to match my desire to be totally committed to Jesus. Like Paul, I want to have no fear of death, and I want my life to line up with this desire.
Questions to consider: Would you be willing to die for Jesus? If you say “Yes,” in what ways have you already died to yourself (your flesh), which demonstrates your commitment? Do your actions line up with your words? If not, what needs to happen to line up your actions to your words?
Prayer: I confess to You my failure in having my life line up with my words. I desire to be willing to die for my faith in Jesus. Please help me to turn away from my fears that hold me back and help me to follow You whole-heartedly. Amen.
Paul had stirred up the crowd of Jewish leaders by talking about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Pharisees in the crowd believed in the resurrection of the body after death, while the Sadducees did not. These two parties turned on each other, with Paul in the middle. The yelling back and forth was turning violent, so the soldiers extracted Paul from among the Jews and brought him to safety. Paul apparently was not concerned for his personal safety. After all, he had work to do and had a Lord that must be proclaimed. Because of his sold-out commitment to Jesus of Nazareth, Paul had no fear of death.
I do not recall ever having a moment in my life when death could have been the result of my belief in Jesus. I would like to think that I would be willing to die for Him. Yet, I realize that there are times when I am fearful of being rejected, and I draw back from sharing my faith in Jesus. To me, this indicates my lack of faithful commitment to Him. I say one thing, yet do another. I am a hypocrite. The question that I continually ask myself is this: Is Jesus really my all in all or am I just giving lip-service? I want my actions and my lifestyle to match my desire to be totally committed to Jesus. Like Paul, I want to have no fear of death, and I want my life to line up with this desire.
Questions to consider: Would you be willing to die for Jesus? If you say “Yes,” in what ways have you already died to yourself (your flesh), which demonstrates your commitment? Do your actions line up with your words? If not, what needs to happen to line up your actions to your words?
Prayer: I confess to You my failure in having my life line up with my words. I desire to be willing to die for my faith in Jesus. Please help me to turn away from my fears that hold me back and help me to follow You whole-heartedly. Amen.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
From Apostles Creed - April 5, 2012
“(Jesus) suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead.” From the Apostles Creed.
“It’s Friday! But Sunday’s a comin’!” is the well known quote from an elderly pastor, who really knew how to preach! What Jesus endured was horrific. The flogging, the crown of thorns jammed into His head, being spat upon, and finally being crucified, having His hands and feet nailed to the wooden cross. It was horrible! But what was more horrible was the separation He endured – the separation from His Father, with whom He had always enjoyed intimate communion. Also, there was the pain He endured when He took upon Himself all of the sins of everyone who ever lived in those hours on the cross. He took all death and sin upon Himself, took it to hell, and left it there!
And on Sunday, the first day of the week, Jesus rose from the dead! Glory to God!
We all experience our personal “Fridays.” There is suffering and separation that we endure, whether we bring it on ourselves or not. For me, handling the pain from the CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) is just one level of the suffering and separation in my life. The sin that entangles me and is ever before me is part of my personal “Friday.” But it is important for me to remember: “Sunday’s a comin!” My hope is in a God who entered my world, experienced the same separation that I have, and provided a way – THE WAY – for me to move from death to life! When God raised Jesus up from the dead, He gave me hope of a life that finally and fully overcomes that which brings me into death and despair. Because Jesus lives, I have faith that I will live in freedom with Him! It may be “Friday” for us, but remember…”Sunday’s a comin’!”
Questions to consider: What are the “Fridays” that you are facing? How would God have you deal with them? How can “Sunday” come for you today?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You raised Jesus from the dead and that You give me hope to live in Your freedom today. Help me to be rid of the “Fridays” in my life and to experience the new life that only You can give in the days to come. Amen.
“It’s Friday! But Sunday’s a comin’!” is the well known quote from an elderly pastor, who really knew how to preach! What Jesus endured was horrific. The flogging, the crown of thorns jammed into His head, being spat upon, and finally being crucified, having His hands and feet nailed to the wooden cross. It was horrible! But what was more horrible was the separation He endured – the separation from His Father, with whom He had always enjoyed intimate communion. Also, there was the pain He endured when He took upon Himself all of the sins of everyone who ever lived in those hours on the cross. He took all death and sin upon Himself, took it to hell, and left it there!
And on Sunday, the first day of the week, Jesus rose from the dead! Glory to God!
We all experience our personal “Fridays.” There is suffering and separation that we endure, whether we bring it on ourselves or not. For me, handling the pain from the CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) is just one level of the suffering and separation in my life. The sin that entangles me and is ever before me is part of my personal “Friday.” But it is important for me to remember: “Sunday’s a comin!” My hope is in a God who entered my world, experienced the same separation that I have, and provided a way – THE WAY – for me to move from death to life! When God raised Jesus up from the dead, He gave me hope of a life that finally and fully overcomes that which brings me into death and despair. Because Jesus lives, I have faith that I will live in freedom with Him! It may be “Friday” for us, but remember…”Sunday’s a comin’!”
Questions to consider: What are the “Fridays” that you are facing? How would God have you deal with them? How can “Sunday” come for you today?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You raised Jesus from the dead and that You give me hope to live in Your freedom today. Help me to be rid of the “Fridays” in my life and to experience the new life that only You can give in the days to come. Amen.
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