July 26, 2012 - Acts 26:2-3

            “’King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies.  Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.’”  Acts 26:2-3.

            Paul has been given the opportunity to tell his story to King Agrippa.  He is not on trial before king, as he has already made his appeal to Caesar and is, indeed, on his journey to Rome for his supreme appeal in Caesar’s court.  Therefore, Paul, in coming before King Agrippa, is presenting his “argument” for Jesus and His kingdom.  While it is the Jews that have brought forth accusations against Paul, Paul realizes that it is not he that is on trial.  It is Jesus that is on trial, and he, Paul, is just following through with what he believes the Lord Jesus would have him do in representing Him and His kingdom.  So as Paul comes before King Agrippa, he appeals to him in humility by begging the king to listen patiently to Paul’s presentation.

            As I think about Paul and the preparedness of his message, I am challenged to think through my own presentation of the message.  Am I prepared to give a clear, concise demonstration of what I believe?  And what is my attitude in giving a presentation; am I humble, as Paul was before the king, or am I looking down my nose at others, thinking that I am better off than they are?  Not only do I need to continually refine the message God has grown within me, I, also, need to be aware of my attitude in presenting this message.  Paul’s example of humility is very helpful to me.  How about for you?

            Questions to consider: How clear and concise is the message of Jesus in your own heart and mind?  What is your attitude when presenting this message?  Is there anyone around you that can help you refine the message, as well as help you work on the attitude of your heart?

            Prayer: Father, I am so grateful for giving us Your Son, Jesus.  Help me to continue to clarify the message of Jesus and Your kingdom.  Please give me people around me who will love me enough to help me deal with my pride.  Help me to remember that I am just one beggar helping others to find the bread that You have given to all of us.  Amen.

July 19, 2012 - Hebrews 12:1

            Today’s Thursday Thought is the 500^th that I’ve written since starting in March, 2002.  I hope that they have been a blessing to each of you.  Here’s today’s thought.

            “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  Hebrews 12:1.

            The Lord seems to take me back to this verse quite often, and I realize that I wrote on it around six months ago, but I wanted to share a new image that helped me to embrace a little more the significance of this verse.

            The image that came to me was of a grand bicycle race, such as the Tour de France.  In the race, there is what is called the peloton, which is the main body of riders.  And you have, spread out all along the race route, the crowd.  This crowd of people is shouting their encouragements, waving flags, and in their own way celebrating the accomplishments of the riders.  The riders in these races routinely travel up to and over 100 miles on any particular race day.  It is a grueling event to endure!  And the crowd cheers them on day after day!

            Think of ourselves as the riders in the race – the grand race of life, gathered together in one huge peloton and racing towards the finish line.  And there is a “great cloud of witnesses,” positioned strategically along our route to encourage and cheer us on!  The race is grueling, with all kinds of obstacles to avoid and mountains to climb.  And in this race of life, we can never tell what kind of weather we will encounter.  And yet, the crowd – the “great cloud of witnesses” – cheers us on day after day.

            Questions to consider: How will you run your race of life?  Who is in the great cloud of witnesses, cheering you on?  What obstacles have you encountered and how will you avoid them as your race goes on?

Prayer: Father, give me the strength to move forward daily in my race of life.  Help me to ride so as to win the prize, pressing forward to do the best that I can with Your help.  Amen.

July 12, 2012 - Acts 25:22

            “Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I would like to hear this man myself.’  He (Festus) replied, ‘Tomorrow you will hear him.’”  Acts 25:22

            Festus, the governor of the region, brought Paul, who had been arrested in Jerusalem on trumped-up charges, before King Agrippa.  Before bringing Paul in before the king, Festus explained from his point of view what was the situation concerning Paul’s arrest.  After hearing this explanation, Agrippa was fascinated by what he heard and wanted to hear more of the story directly from Paul.  The story being related to Agrippa was compelling enough to warrant hearing more.  This allowed Paul to stand before Agrippa to tell the account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Paul’s Lord.

            There have been times in my life when I have acted as if the Good News in my life was only “Okay” News.  It wasn’t the powerful, transformational story of the God of the Universe invading this world – and our lives – with the Good News of Jesus, His Son.  There is nothing boring about the story of Jesus in my life, and there is nothing boring about this story in yours!  He is the one who brings excitement and adventure into each of our lives, and that story should just burst out of us.  Unfortunately, in my life, it doesn’t quite do that, and I can, at times, be so complacent.  A close brother of mine inspires me because of the way he chooses to live the story of Jesus in his life.  Paul’s story compelled Festus because of the choice he, Paul, made to follow Jesus.

Questions to consider: Is the story we have to tell compelling enough to make people wonder about the Good News within us?  How good – really – is the Good News we have to share?  Do we live our lives as if it is the best news we’ve ever heard and will ever hear?

            Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us the Best News we could ever hope to receive – the gift of true life in the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus.  Help me to choose to live as if this story was the best news ever.  Amen.

July 5, 2012 - Acts 25:21

            “’But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.’”  Acts 25:21.

            In presenting Paul to King Agrippa, Festus explained how he was going to let Paul go free, except that Paul, as a Roman citizen, made his appeal to Caesar, which meant that it was mandatory for him to be sent on to Rome to have his trial heard by the Emperor.  Paul wasn’t too concerned as to what “court” he was appealing to, for he knew firmly within his heart the stamp of approval he had received from the highest court there is – the court of the Almighty God.  Paul was only concerned about what his God thought of him, and because of that, he didn’t worry about going before Caesar.

            I have wondered at times how confident I am concerning God’s stamp of approval on my life.  I know that there have been times when I was really nervous about sharing my belief in Jesus within the courts of the opinion of the people within my world.  This insecurity and fear of rejection can be paralyzing!  Yet, I recall the extremes that God went to in order to make the hope of His kingdom available to me and to all people, and I realize His great love and approval of who I am in Christ Jesus.  This emboldens me to present Jesus for who He is, as Lord and Savior of my life, and it strengthens me to represent His kingdom here on earth.

            Questions to consider: How concerned are you about the verdict given to you by God?  How do you feel you represent God to those around you?  What can you do to improve your representation of the King?

            Prayer: Father, Your power and Your rule far overshadows that of any Caesar or ruler in any time period.  And yet, You have approved of me.  I am humbled by Your choosing and I seek to represent You as Your ambassador.  Amen.