“The commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.” Acts 22:24.
The Roman commander wasn’t certain what to make of this man, Paul, who was cast away for dead by the Jewish crowd. The commander decided to interrogate Paul by flogging and, then, questioning him. Flogging involved being struck by a whip with three leather straps that had pieces of bone or metal attached to it. The trauma of a flogging was intended to bring the accused near death, and would sometimes kill them. They intended to flog Paul first and then ask questions of him.
I believe that flogging is an absolutely brutal, inhumane way to treat anyone. While we don’t allow this type of punishment to be executed in our culture, there is the distinct possibility that we emotionally “flog” some of those around us. I know that there have been times when I have done this to those around me, and, especially and most unfortunately, to those whom I love the most. I would “flog” them and then ask questions. This was totally cruel and uncalled-for, yet I did it. Fortunately, Paul spoke up about his Roman citizenship and avoided the punishment. I wish I could say the same about those whom I “flogged”. Repentance and forgiveness have been my necessary steps.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been emotionally flogged, or have you flogged anyone? If so, what was that like? What is the remedy for such actions? Is there anyone that you need to get straight with?
Prayer: Father, thank You for not emotionally flogging me. Please forgive me for the way I have treated others who bare your image. Please help me to walk in love with those around me. Amen.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
February 16, 2012 - Acts 22:21b
“’Then the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’” Acts 22:21 – part 2.
The crowd was on edge, yet was attentively listening to Paul’s every word. He spoke of his zealousness in serving God as a Pharisee; how he sought out followers of Jesus to beat, to imprison, and, as in the case of Stephen, to kill them. Paul was speaking of his being disqualified from service to the Lord, but Jesus had other plans for him. Paul told the crowd of Jesus’ call for him to take the Gospel “far away to the Gentiles.” At this, the crowd, who had been listening carefully, began to shout out against Paul, pleading that the earth should be rid of this man. Yet Paul was recollecting for the crowd the crucial moment of Jesus’ call for his life. This is the moment that Jesus laid out the direction that He desired for Paul to journey for the remainder of his days. Paul clearly understood this call and submitted to it out of gratitude and willingly and boldly proclaimed this at every opportunity.
In my journey, I have struggled from time to time discerning what God has called me to do. It was crystal clear that He called me to be a loving husband and father, yet beyond that, it became cloudier. In looking back, I am not so sure that I would have been all that willing to follow through with His call, even if I had known it. I was a very self-centered and strong-willed person who needed God’s character refinement. As I learned more about laying my own will down and submitting to God, I started to have a clearer understanding of God’s direction. It is clear to me that, whatever direction He wanted me to go, He called me to walk faithfully, honestly, with integrity and a willingness to serve His purposes, no matter where I am. And that is my heart’s desire.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed God’s call in your life? If so, what has God called you to do, and are you doing it? If not, do you desire to know His call? Do you know how you discern His will? What is God’s direction for your life?
Prayer: Father, I don’t doubt Your call on my life; I doubt my ability to hear Your call clearly. My desire is to hear You and to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.
The crowd was on edge, yet was attentively listening to Paul’s every word. He spoke of his zealousness in serving God as a Pharisee; how he sought out followers of Jesus to beat, to imprison, and, as in the case of Stephen, to kill them. Paul was speaking of his being disqualified from service to the Lord, but Jesus had other plans for him. Paul told the crowd of Jesus’ call for him to take the Gospel “far away to the Gentiles.” At this, the crowd, who had been listening carefully, began to shout out against Paul, pleading that the earth should be rid of this man. Yet Paul was recollecting for the crowd the crucial moment of Jesus’ call for his life. This is the moment that Jesus laid out the direction that He desired for Paul to journey for the remainder of his days. Paul clearly understood this call and submitted to it out of gratitude and willingly and boldly proclaimed this at every opportunity.
In my journey, I have struggled from time to time discerning what God has called me to do. It was crystal clear that He called me to be a loving husband and father, yet beyond that, it became cloudier. In looking back, I am not so sure that I would have been all that willing to follow through with His call, even if I had known it. I was a very self-centered and strong-willed person who needed God’s character refinement. As I learned more about laying my own will down and submitting to God, I started to have a clearer understanding of God’s direction. It is clear to me that, whatever direction He wanted me to go, He called me to walk faithfully, honestly, with integrity and a willingness to serve His purposes, no matter where I am. And that is my heart’s desire.
Questions to consider: Have you ever sensed God’s call in your life? If so, what has God called you to do, and are you doing it? If not, do you desire to know His call? Do you know how you discern His will? What is God’s direction for your life?
Prayer: Father, I don’t doubt Your call on my life; I doubt my ability to hear Your call clearly. My desire is to hear You and to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
February 9, 2012 - Acts 22:21 (part 1)
“’Then the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’” Acts 22:21 – part 1.
With the Super Bowl just being played, I heard several people having a difficult time picking the team that they wanted to win. It wasn’t because both teams were so evenly matched, which would make for a close and exciting game. For most of the people I talked with the problem was that they each had their own favorite team, and their team did not get along with one of the teams in the Big Game! Eagle, Redskin, and Cowboy fans did not want to see the Giants win, and most everyone did not want to see the Patriots win (only a slight exaggeration!).
In Paul’s day, Jewish people felt even more hostile toward Gentiles. If you were not Jewish, they would not associate with you. Paul, having been trained as a Pharisee and a Jew of Jews, would have been zealous in his hostility for Gentiles. Yet, after Paul called Jesus his Lord, he was called to take the Good News concerning Jesus to the Gentile world. He was challenged to go into an extremely difficult ministry field for a Jewish person. And, because of his willingness to serve his Lord, Jesus, Paul gladly went to the Gentiles.
Questions to consider: Has God ever called you into a situation where you were very uncomfortable? If so, how did you respond to God, and what was the experience like for you? If not, why not, and what would it look like if God called you to relate to a group of people that you did not like?
Prayer: Father, please show me the limitations of who I will go to with Your Good News. Give me the courage to lay down those limitations and the strength to take Your Good News wherever You desire for me to go. Amen.
With the Super Bowl just being played, I heard several people having a difficult time picking the team that they wanted to win. It wasn’t because both teams were so evenly matched, which would make for a close and exciting game. For most of the people I talked with the problem was that they each had their own favorite team, and their team did not get along with one of the teams in the Big Game! Eagle, Redskin, and Cowboy fans did not want to see the Giants win, and most everyone did not want to see the Patriots win (only a slight exaggeration!).
In Paul’s day, Jewish people felt even more hostile toward Gentiles. If you were not Jewish, they would not associate with you. Paul, having been trained as a Pharisee and a Jew of Jews, would have been zealous in his hostility for Gentiles. Yet, after Paul called Jesus his Lord, he was called to take the Good News concerning Jesus to the Gentile world. He was challenged to go into an extremely difficult ministry field for a Jewish person. And, because of his willingness to serve his Lord, Jesus, Paul gladly went to the Gentiles.
Questions to consider: Has God ever called you into a situation where you were very uncomfortable? If so, how did you respond to God, and what was the experience like for you? If not, why not, and what would it look like if God called you to relate to a group of people that you did not like?
Prayer: Father, please show me the limitations of who I will go to with Your Good News. Give me the courage to lay down those limitations and the strength to take Your Good News wherever You desire for me to go. Amen.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February 2, 2012 - Acts 22:9
“’My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.’” Acts 22:9.
Paul began to tell the story of how he was confronted by Jesus while on his way to arrest and imprison Christians in Damascus. While riding along with others, Paul was quite suddenly knocked off his feet and was lying in the dirt. A light shown all around him and the voice of Jesus spoke to him. While those who came with him were aware of the light, no one understood what was going on. They knew something had happened to Paul but did not understood what it was all about.
There are times when those around us just may not understand what has happened to us. We became a follower of Jesus, and those around us wondered what happened. One of my closest friends didn’t understand what happened to me when I chose to follow Jesus, and when I attempted to explain, he refused to accept my answer. It stayed that way for 40 years. On his death bed, something amazing happened and he finally understood. Sometimes it just takes that long…or maybe even longer. Paul was determined to journey onward, no matter what those around him thought. He now had a higher purpose and decided, with conviction, to move toward the new Light.
Questions to consider: Do you have people around you that just don’t understand what has happened to you? How does that make you feel? Does that, in any way, hinder you from moving forward in your faith journey? If so, how can you break through?
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful for what You have done in my life. Help me to press forward in my journey with You in order to better serve You and those around me. Amen.
Paul began to tell the story of how he was confronted by Jesus while on his way to arrest and imprison Christians in Damascus. While riding along with others, Paul was quite suddenly knocked off his feet and was lying in the dirt. A light shown all around him and the voice of Jesus spoke to him. While those who came with him were aware of the light, no one understood what was going on. They knew something had happened to Paul but did not understood what it was all about.
There are times when those around us just may not understand what has happened to us. We became a follower of Jesus, and those around us wondered what happened. One of my closest friends didn’t understand what happened to me when I chose to follow Jesus, and when I attempted to explain, he refused to accept my answer. It stayed that way for 40 years. On his death bed, something amazing happened and he finally understood. Sometimes it just takes that long…or maybe even longer. Paul was determined to journey onward, no matter what those around him thought. He now had a higher purpose and decided, with conviction, to move toward the new Light.
Questions to consider: Do you have people around you that just don’t understand what has happened to you? How does that make you feel? Does that, in any way, hinder you from moving forward in your faith journey? If so, how can you break through?
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful for what You have done in my life. Help me to press forward in my journey with You in order to better serve You and those around me. Amen.
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