thursday thought

January 26, 2012 - Acts 22:3

2012-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

“’I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel, I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.’” Acts 22:3.
After settling down the crowd, Paul began to speak, identifying himself in a manner in which his audience would relate. It seems as if Paul was trying to communicate that he was one of them; he was Jewish, just like they were, and he was zealous to keep his “Jewish-ness” intact. Apparently, he wasn’t attempting to justify himself. Instead, he was passionate to tell the story of his conversion to Jesus. His desire was to see all people of his faith become as he was: a follower of Jesus. Paul used the tools built into his life – his culture, his training and education, even his knowledge of languages – in order to tell anyone who would listen about Jesus.
When I think about where I came from and the tools that God built into my life, I am humbled to think of the many times I did not use them to tell the story of God’s goodness. Yes, there have been times when I used something from my life as a springboard into talking about Jesus, yet there were many times when I didn’t. I sometimes think that my story is not that interesting and that it won’t capture anyone’s attention. But it is my story, and I am grateful for the unique way God has built me. I hope to learn from Paul’s example and be willing to tell my story whenever I have the opportunity.
Questions to consider: What is your story? How do you use it to tell others about what Jesus has done in your life? How willing are you to tell your story, particularly about how you became a follower of Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the unique story given to me, and to each person. May I become more aware of how I can use my story to talk about Your Son. Amen.

January 19, 2012 - Hebrews 12:1

2012-01-18T15:01:00.001-08:00

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such 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 that is marked before us.” Hebrews 12:1.
One time, I heard a speaker say that when you see a “therefore” at the beginning of a verse, you should ask what it’s there for. In this verse, the writer of Hebrews is making a transition from giving many examples of the “great crowd of witnesses” that have gone before to the encouragement of the reader to take action steps and to live out their faith. In looking at the examples of the faithful who went before, the writer states that “by faith” each person was moved to some action. In the verse above, the reader (or listener) is encouraged to show their faith through the actions of one’s life. They are told to throw off the negative and to run with perseverance the race set before us. These are actions that are called for.
There have been times in my journey when I was stuck in the “paralysis of analysis” and in naval-gazing. I would get so introspective that it would render me unwilling and unable to move forward. I have also had times when besetting sins have clouded over my vision and have kept me from moving forward. In every case, it wasn’t until I chose to start moving forward in a deliberate manner that I actually would begin to break free of those things that hinder and entangle me. My faith expressed by my actions is what begins to set me free. I don’t necessarily feel like it, but it is essential that I make that choice. It is by faith that I act; that I do something and start moving once again.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced the “paralysis of analysis”? What was that like for you, and how did you break free of it? What steps of faith has G0d spoken to you about, and what actions do you need to do, as a result?
Prayer: Father, it is amazing to look back through history to the many people who expressed their step of faith by their actions done. Help me to embrace and follow through with the actions that You have for me to do. Amen.

January 12, 2012 - Acts 21:40

2012-01-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

“Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were silent, he said to them in Aramaic...” Acts 21:40
In Jerusalem, Paul had been taken by the crowd of Jews out of the temple and was being severely beaten. It was at this time that Roman soldiers arrived and took possession of Paul. As they were about to enter the Roman barracks, Paul, in Greek, asked the commander if he would allow Paul to speak to the crowd. The commander, startled that this man spoke Greek, allowed Paul to speak. Paul raised his hands to settle the crowd down, and when he began to speak to them in Aramaic, the crowd began to listen intently. Paul, then, began to tell his story. Can you imagine having been beaten almost to death and then having the boldness to stand before those who just beat you and tell them about Jesus and how you met Him? Paul was sold out to Jesus, and willing to die for his Lord.
I find that there are times when I wimp out in sharing the Good News of Jesus to those around me that may not know Him. Whether I am not prepared to share or I chicken out for fear of rejection, I, at times, back off from telling these people about Jesus. It was a risk telling them my story of how I came to know and follow Jesus. Yet, whenever I have told it, people usually respond positively and don’t get too upset. Several times, it led to deeper discussions and questions. I am working on being sold out to Jesus in my life and not just in my words. If I say that I am all in with Jesus, then my actions need to confirm the truth of those words.
Questions to consider: What does being sold out mean to you? Where are you in terms of being sold out to Jesus? If you desire to be sold out, what actions could you take? What could be your first step?
Prayer: Father, may my actions conform to my words, as with Paul, and may I have a renewed boldness to share Your Good News. Amen.

January 5, 2012 - Acts 21:35-36

2012-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

“When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, ‘Away with him!’” Acts 21:35-36.
Before the soldiers arrived to rescue him, Paul was being beaten severely by the crowd of Jews. Upon the soldiers’ arrival, the crowd stopped beating Paul and drew back. The commander and his soldiers took Paul into custody, binding him with two chains and inquiring who this man was. The crowd reacted with various answers concerning Paul’s identity and they grew angrier. Finally, the crowd became so violent that the soldiers had to create a barrier between Paul and the crowd by lifting Paul up and carrying him away. The crowd shouted as the soldiers left with Paul, yelling, “Take him away!” This crowd was definitely not on Paul’s side. In fact, they not only rejected Paul; they wanted him dead.
I cannot recall a time when I experienced a crowd of people who wanted me killed, yet I know some people who have experienced that kind of traumatic encounter. The rejection of the people is so final, passionate, and can be devastating. I remember some times when a view or a stand that I took was not popular, and I stood out as different and was ostracized. It felt like personal rejection. That was emotionally rough enough, but was certainly not near the point of death. Rejection can be a powerful thing, and the fear of being rejected can cause us to choose to act in a compromising manner. Paul stands out as a shining example of one who never compromised his beliefs to ease the rejection he may have felt from a surrounding crowd.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced a time when it was you against a crowd of people? If so, what was that like for you? How do you handle yourself when you perceived that you are being rejected?
Prayer: Father, help me to see Paul as a shining example of someone who took a firm stand on his convictions in the face of such harsh rejection. Give me strength to stand firm when I experience rejection for my beliefs. Amen.

December 29, 2011 - Acts 21:31

2011-12-28T17:57:00.000-08:00

“While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.” Acts 21:31.
Sometimes, we don’t have to go looking for trouble; trouble just seems to find us. While in Jerusalem, Paul was apprehended by Jewish authorities, who sought to do away with him. Paul wasn’t looking for trouble; it just followed him wherever he went. Here in Jerusalem, while Paul sought to follow the instructions of his elders and do what he thought God desired for him to do, the citizens of Jerusalem sought to kill him. News of the crowd’s uproar came to the attention of the commander of the Roman guard, and he stepped in to deal with the explosive situation. God used this commander and his troops to deliver Paul from the trouble that he faced with the crowd.
When we face troubles of various kinds, God can deliver us from them, if He so desires. Or He can deliver us through the troubles, knowing that in the process, we become more transformed to His image. While God chose not to deliver me from the severe pain I have been experiencing, He is using these troubles to (hopefully!) make me more like Him. I didn’t have to go looking for this trouble to happen, yet God allowed it to happen and is using it to transform my heart to be a bit more like His. Paul didn’t go looking for a fight, yet God used the situation for His purposes, and Paul was a willing servant to do God’s bidding.
Questions to consider: How do you respond when troubles come into your life? How willing are you to go through various troubles in order for God’s purposes to be fulfilled through you?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to be your servant, willing to go through whatever circumstances or troubles necessary for Your purposes to be fulfilled. Amen.

December 22, 2011 - Luke 1:38

2011-12-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

“’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered, ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38.
During this Christmas season, I’ve been reflecting some on Mary’s response to God. She faced incredible adversity, considering her situation. Being a young, single teenage girl, Mary understood the severity of becoming pregnant outside of being married. She was betrothed to Joseph, which meant that they were in the year of waiting, leading up to the week of wedding celebration. Her relationship with Joseph was jeopardized, and she was confronted with this dilemma – be ostracized, and possibly killed by stoning, by the citizens of the town, or obey God. In a flash, Mary humbled herself, saying that she would submit to and obey what was said to her by Gabriel.
I must confess that I have had a difficult time embracing a similar attitude as Mary seemed to display. She exhibited true submission of her own will and understanding to the will of God and true humility in releasing her will into His hands. “May it be to me as you have said.” Mary stated. Amazing! I wonder how difficult it was for her to do this. As you take time in this season packed with wonder, please reflect on the courage it took for this poor, single, teenage girl to submit to God’s will nine months prior to the Son’s birth. It would be easy for me to say the same words as Mary as I gaze through my stained-glass, religious glasses, yet she spoke these words in the heat of the moment.
Questions to consider: In the moment, how difficult would it be for you to respond as Mary responded? When you’ve faced adversity, what was your first response? Did you sense God’s leading within the tough times? How did you obey His leading?
Prayer: Father, I desire to be one who says the same words as Mary, yet I know that I come up so short. Please help me to find the grace and humility to submit my will to Yours as You gently speak to me and guide me. Amen.

I hope that each of you, with your family, have a wonderful – a season full of wonder – Christmas!

December 15, 2011 - Acts 21:30

2011-12-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

“The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple and immediately the gates were shut.” Acts 21:30
On the last day of the purification rite, Paul was recognized by some of the Jews that had misrepresented him to the Jewish leadership. Word spread quickly around Jerusalem that Paul, the ex-Pharisee-turned-follower-of-Jesus, was in the city and was to be captured and taken before their leaders. Paul’s reputation had been well known, as he was an up-and-coming Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. It was also well known that Paul had turned away from being a Pharisee in order to follow Jesus, the itinerant preacher that had been crucified in the city. Now, Paul was here in Jerusalem, and many of the people rushed to see this man with such a reputation.
It is interesting the reputations that we have. Each of us is thought of in many different ways by different crowds. For instance, in some crowds, I am considered rather handsome, and in others, not so much! For some of us these reputations may be positive or negative. Sometimes, we have both. We also attribute people with reputations. We have our opinions of some people, regardless of how well we actually know them. Just driving home today, I spoke badly about someone’s reputation as a driver, since he wouldn’t move out of the fast lane! As absurd as this may be, most of us do this sort of thing. Paul, too, was confronted with a bad reputation and faced the Jewish authorities in order to defend it. Sometimes, though, our reputations are indefensible.
Questions to consider: What kind of reputation do you have? What would you like for it to be? Do others around you have reputations? How does someone’s reputation affect the way that you treat them?
Prayer: Father, help me to be the kind of person who does not confine someone to their past reputation but is willing to extend grace, just as You extended grace to me. Amen.

December 8, 2011 - Acts 21:26

2011-12-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

“The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.” Acts 21:26.
To prove that he lived in obedience to the Law of the Jews, Paul joined himself to four men who were to go through a Jewish purification rite in accordance to a vow they had made. Paul not only joined these four men in the rite, but he also paid for all of their expenses. It was the church leaderships’ thought that the serious charges brought against Paul would be dismissed as untrue as a result of Paul’s obedience. Paul went to the temple with the four men and began to fulfill the purification rite, including supplying the offering to be made for all of them. Instead of fighting with the leadership, Paul submitted to their request and sought to bring reconciliation within a volatile situation.
I’ve imagined at times that Paul was a rugged, independent person, who struggled summiting to leadership. This passage clearly demonstrates that Paul was anything but independent. He appears to have humbly submitted himself to the church leadership, as well as having submitted himself to the purification rite. Paul could have stood on his principles and fought for what he believed was right, yet he chose submission. As an American, this is a difficult concept for me to live by. After all, I, like many of you, was brought up to be an independent individualist. It’s all about me, and I am the one who has to make it happen in life or it just won’t happen. Paul demonstrates a living example of honoring the leaders of the church, from which I have much to learn.
Questions to consider: Can you think of a time when you submitted to an authority that you didn’t agree with? What was that like for you? How do you feel about submission, as a principle in your life? Where does submission work in your life? And where doesn’t it?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Paul’s example of submission to his leadership authorities. Help me to learn from his example. Amen.

December 1, 2011 - Acts 21:21

2011-11-30T17:41:00.001-08:00

“’They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.’” Acts 21:21.
Paul arrived in Jerusalem and was greeted warmly by the leadership of the young church. On his second day in Jerusalem, Paul explained all that had happened on his journeys since his last time with them. There was much rejoicing among the leadership, for they had heard false reports that Paul had been telling the Jews he encountered to turn away from Moses and to not live according to the Jewish Law. Being there in person, Paul was able to correct these false reports. The problem was that there were now thousands of Jews in Jerusalem who were following Jesus, yet they were adamant about following the Law of Moses. They had their minds set against Paul, and nothing could be done to change them. Paul was now going to face those who misrepresented him and the purpose of his ministry. It is interesting to see how Paul handled being misrepresented in such a central area of his life.
When I have been misrepresented by others regarding an important (to me, at least) issue, I have usually reacted with frustration or anger and have thrown up my hands in disgust. I take it as a personal attack and have a defensive posture. When I take a breath, though, and catch myself before reacting, I usually will stay calm enough to begin thinking through the issue and considering how I have been misrepresented and how I should, if necessary, respond. It seems that Paul was willing to work through the issue and was willing to do what was necessary to demonstrate this willingness. He seemed to handle himself with dignity and humility.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been misrepresented by others? If so, how did it make you feel and how did you handle it? How did Paul handle it? What can you learn from how Paul handled being misrepresented?
Prayer: Father, I know that there will be times when I am misrepresented by others. Help me to remain calm and prayerful and to not react. Please give me insight as to how to respond in those situations. Amen.

November 24, 2011 - Ephesians 5:20

2011-11-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20.
As I am writing this thought, I am looking around at the many wonderful ways that God has blessed me and my family. My wife and I enjoy a warm, loving relationship with each other, as well as with our children and grandchildren. We have food and shelter and are able to go to some really beautiful locations. He has provided a job with income for both my wife and me (and has provided a wonderful health insurance plan!).
It is relatively easy for us to give thanks for the many ways God has blessed each one of us. Could we be just as thankful for a debilitating or chronic illness or condition? Or for a financial meltdown or job loss? What about being thankful for being mistreated, ostracized, or even persecuted in some way? What is our frame of mind when adversity comes upon us? My initial reaction is usually negative and complaining, yet I am attempting to see things and circumstances in a different light. I realize that God has my best interest at heart and that He would never let anything happen to me unless He knew that I needed the adversity to help me grow closer in conforming to His image.
For this Thanksgiving season, it is my hope that each of us will take some time to reflect on God’s amazing goodness in our lives, and especially His goodness in giving Himself to us…sacrificing for us…in His son, Jesus, and for ushering in His kingdom for us to begin to walk in. It is also my solemn hope that each of us will “always (give) thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Questions to consider: What does it mean for you to always give thanks to God for everything? Are there some things, situations, or people that it is difficult for you to give thanks? How does your frame of mind need to adjust when adversity comes upon you?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You know what I need better than I know myself. Please help me to embrace all that happens in my life in a way that is thankful and grateful for how You are conforming me to Your image. Amen.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

November 17, 2011 - Acts 21:13

2011-11-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

“Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” Acts 21:13.
Paul finally arrived at Caesarea, the last port before traveling by land to Jerusalem. At Caesarea, Paul and his companions stayed with Philip and his family for several days. While there, prophetic words came forward, telling the people of Paul’s arrest and almost certain death. Silencing their pleas to not go to Jerusalem, Paul stated that it was breaking his heart to see all of the people pleading for him to not do something he was being compelled to do by the Holy Spirit. As he stared death squarely in the face, Paul told the people that he was willing to die for the sake of Jesus and His kingdom. This was not just an idle comment but expressed Paul’s willingness to face the reality of death in Jerusalem for the sake of the kingdom of God.
It is somewhat easy for me, in the comfort of my home, to say that I am willing to die for Jesus, but it is quite another when facing that reality. In many parts of the world, followers of Jesus are threatened, beaten, and sometimes killed for spreading the life giving message of Jesus. For them, this is a reality. Most of us in the West are spoiled with all the comforts of a “prosperous” life. These comforts can anesthetize us to the realities of the kingdom of God. Paul was fully aware of these realities and willing to look fully into the face of death as he spread the life-giving message of Jesus and His kingdom.
Questions to consider: What are you willing to die for? How anesthetized are you? Are the comforts you live in dulling you to the realities of the kingdom of God? What can you do about it?
Prayer: Father, forgive me for relying on the comforts that surround me. Please help me to see the reality of Your kingdom, which has come, and is continuing to come, here on earth, and to respond accordingly. Amen.

November 10, 2011 - Acts 21:4-5a

2011-11-09T17:39:00.000-08:00

“Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. Acts 21:4-5a.
On his way to Jerusalem, Paul and his companions landed in Tyre, which is on the Mediterranean coast 80 miles north of Jerusalem. Once there, Paul found some followers of Jesus and stayed with them for one week. These believers heard from the Holy Spirit what Paul was headed for in Jerusalem and urged him not to go. Christians were being persecuted throughout the Roman Empire and especially in this Middle Eastern region, and they didn’t want to see Paul go through pain and possibly death in Jerusalem.
It is interesting that Paul heard clearly from the Holy Spirit that he was to go to Jerusalem and would face very harsh treatment; yet, the same Holy Spirit seemed to have led these believers in Tyre to tell him not to go. It appears there is some confusion. I believe that the disciples in Tyre heard correctly from the Holy Spirit that Paul was headed for trouble in Jerusalem, but instead of encouraging him to stand firm in his faith, these disciples urged Paul not to go. They translated what the Spirit told them in a way that could have actually hindered Paul from fulfilling the mission God had called him to do.
Sometimes I don’t pay very close attention to the power that is in my tongue. I may speak up too quickly or too flippantly, and realize later that what I said had negative outcomes as a result. I didn’t control my thoughts and allowed my tongue to speak. These disciples in Tyre had good intentions and spoke to Paul out of their love for him, but if Paul had followed through with their request, he might have missed doing God’s bidding.
Questions to consider: How can you know if what you say on an issue is accurate and not misleading? What can be done to take more care in controlling the tongue? Is there a situation today that you need to go back and straighten out as a result of what you said?
Prayer: Father, please help me to take care in what I say to those around me. Help me to temper my words with gentleness and thoughtfulness. Amen.

November 3, 2011 - Acts 20-36-37

2011-11-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

1. “When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.” Acts 20:36-37.
Paul was about to leave his Ephesian friends for the last time, as he journeyed on to Jerusalem. Paul and the elders of Ephesus knew that there would be no other time that they would be able to speak to each other. Knowing this, they knelt together, prayed and cried, and hugged and kissed each other. This was a bitter, sweet picture of the tender care and concern that each had for the other. They deeply loved each other.
As I am writing this thought, I am sitting at the foot of my brother’s bed trying to be a comfort to him. My brother is in the final stage of his fight with cancer and could pass away at any time. I sit with my dear sister-in-law, as she seeks to make him as comfortable as possible, and we pray and cry together. She hugs and kisses him, speaks assuring and comforting words to him, and we cry and pray some more. We know that we will never see my brother and her dear husband again. It’s final. This scene must have contained very similar emotions to the tender love that was expressed between Paul and the elders of Ephesus. It was final.
As I sit and reflect on this scene, I remember that the love and compassion that we feel for each other is but a reflection; a glimpse of the deep feelings of love that our Father in heaven has for each of us. Can you imagine that love? We love imperfectly and selfishly, yet God’s love for us is perfect, complete, and sacrificial.
Questions to consider: Have you ever felt that kind of deep love for someone that you knew you would never see again? Can you recall what that love felt like? What kind of love do you think that God has for you? Can you imagine the tenderness and compassion that He has for you?
Prayer: Abba…Daddy…thank You for Your deep love for us. When we couldn’t do anything to deserve it, You did everything that You could to help us receive Your love and Your embrace. Amen.

(Since the time I wrote this thought two days ago, my brother passed away. He is pain free and at peace.)

October 27, 2011 - Acts 20:28

2011-10-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

“’Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.’” Acts 20:28.
Among Paul’s final words to the elders at Ephesus, whom he loved so deeply, was this charge to “watch over” or to take care of the Ephesian people that God had given them. He reminded them that they were to shepherd the flock of God and that these people were owned by God, as they had been purchased with an extravagant price: His blood. God had given these elders the responsibility of caring for the people of the church. It is interesting to me that Paul encourages the elders take care of themselves, as well as the flock. It would be difficult to care for the people without taking care of themselves.
It seems that every year, when I arrive home from the Lake Champion Men’s Weekend, I am drained; physically and emotionally drained. I put so much into the weekend that it empties my emotional and physical tank. If I’m not more careful, I could become physically sick or emotional depressed (or both!) when I come home. I am still in the process of learning what are the activities that refill my tank. For instance, this past Sunday, my wife and I went for a leisurely hike along a stream. We enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and the color of the leaves during the changing season. It fed my soul! It prepared me for a difficult week ahead. I am better prepared to care for others more deeply. Paul’s word to the Ephesian elders applies to us today: “Keep watch over yourselves.”
Questions to consider: What are you doing to take care of yourself? Why should you be sure to take care of yourself? Have you found the things that you can do to fill your tank? When is the last time that you worked on filling your emotional tank? Your spiritual tank?
Prayer: Father, thank You for providing so many various ways for me to take care of myself. Help me to recognize when my tank is getting low and need to do what is necessary to fill it back up. Amen.

October 20, 2011 - Philippians 4:8-9

2011-10-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of verses from Paul’s writings that I would like for us to read through…slowly….taking time to realize how precious our lives really are; the amazing gift of life that God breaths into each of us. A dear friend reminded me of these verses that she holds dear to her during some very rough days.
Please take some time to reflect on these words.

“Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned
or received
or heard from me,
or seen in me –
put it into practice.
And the God of peace with be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
Ask God to speak to your heart. Take some time from the busy-ness of our schedules to reflect on God’s life-giving words. Take some time to “think about such things.” Amen.

October 13, 2011 - Acts 20:24

2011-10-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

“’However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.’” Acts 20:24.
Paul was expressing to the Ephesian elders something that had become such a deep part of who he was. He believed that his whole life was wrapped up in bringing Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Lord of All, to all people, Jews and Gentiles, in this known part of the world. This was not just giving an intellectual assent to following Jesus; it was the total thrust of Paul’s life and his total focus and involvement. He had staked his life on this, and nothing in life came anywhere close to being worthwhile to take its place. Not even life itself was as important to Paul as was bringing the message of salvation through Jesus to all people. He would not stop this mission for the remainder of his life. Jesus was truly Paul’s all in all.
I am deeply challenged to consider whether or not Jesus is my all in all. If that were so, I would not be concerned about what people, even my own family, would think of me. Fear would no longer have its grip on my life. Many other obstacles would no longer stand in the way. My only concern would be to love and to glorify God in each and every area of my life.
Questions to consider: What hinders you from having Jesus be your all in all? How do these hindrances keep you from wholeheartedly following Jesus? What steps can you take to move closer to following Jesus with all that you are? Are you willing to take that step?
Prayer: Father, I confess to You that I do not follow You with all that I am. I still hold things back. Please help me to lay these things aside and follow You wholeheartedly. Make me hungry and thirsty to see that being in Your presence is the only thing that will satisfy all of my needs. Help me to say, with all of my heart that which Paul stated: “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race…the Lord has given me.” Amen.

October 6, 2011 - Acts 20:22-23

2011-10-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

“’And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.’” Acts 20:22-23.
Paul’s journey brings him to a port close to Ephesus, so he summons the elders of the community of believers to come to him. When they arrive, Paul speaks of the commitment of his ministry among them. He encourages them to stay true to the message of Jesus even through tough times. Paul shifts his message to the future of his ministry, indicating that he is going to Jerusalem. Yet he doesn’t know much else. He only knows what the Holy Spirit has been speaking to his heart along the way to Jerusalem. Paul knows that he is going to face even rougher times than he experienced before in Ephesus, yet he is compelled to go.
I would like to think that if God required me to go through hard times or go to prison for His sake that I would stay fully true to Him, glorifying Him in all things. In a sense, I am going through some rough times with the chronic condition manifesting in my foot. It is my desire and my hope that I continue to glorify God through all of the pain. This is a prison of sorts in that I am locked up within this pain. Yet, I have never felt closer to God, and I am learning so many things that I would not have learned if I wasn’t in this condition. The difference is that I had no indication beforehand that this was going to happen. Paul knew that going to Jerusalem meant “prison and hardships.” And Paul knew that for some reason this was God’s clear direction for him. And God was always with him through all of pain that was to come.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been compelled to go somewhere or do something fully knowing that something negative was going to happen? If so, what was it like, and what was your response? Has God told you to do anything that you thought was not going to end well? If so, how did it turn out?
Prayer: Father, help me to know that You are with me through pain and difficult times. You may not deliver me from experiencing rough times, but please help me to know that Your presence is with me in and through rough times. Amen.

September 29, 2011 - Acts 20:13

2011-09-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

“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.

September 22, 2011 - Acts 20:10

2011-09-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

“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.

September 15,2011 - Acts 20:7-8

2011-09-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

“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.

September 8, 2011 - Acts 19:30

2011-09-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

“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.

September 1, 2011 - Acts 19:27a

2011-08-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

“’There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited….’” Acts 19:27a.
Paul’s preaching in Ephesus was so transformative that many people were leaving their old lifestyles and turning to follow Jesus. Becoming a follower of Jesus meant that these people were in immediate conflict with the culture that they lived in. The people of Ephesus worshiped all kinds of gods, and especially the goddess, Artemis. Because the people followed various gods, there was quite a bit of money that was to be made from those paying tribute to their gods, and local venders took full advantage of this. This was the norm for their culture, so when many people become Jesus-followers, it effected the local economy considerably. And conflict with the culture ensued.
No matter what period of time we are in, our stance as Christ followers will be in conflict with the surrounding culture and with the businesses that make their living off of that culture. It may mean that we will no longer do some of the things that we did before. It may mean big changes in our lifestyle, as we no longer conform to the world around us, but, instead, be transformed by the Holy Spirit’s work inside us. And this can have economic ramifications. When we impact people’s money, we come close to their heart. That’s when we start receiving a strong, adverse reaction from the culture. That’s when we need to take a strong stand for what we know is right.
Questions to consider: How much different are you from the culture around you? How much different, if at all, should you be, and in what areas of your life? Where do you take a stand if the gods of your culture – money, greed, sex, and so forth – are running rampant?
Prayer: I praise You, Father, that You are the Living God and not an imposter like so many around me. I pray that You give me guidance in how to live my life in obedience to You, wholeheartedly following You at all times. Amen.

August 25,2011 - Acts 19:17

2011-08-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

“When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.” Acts 19:17.
After the incident in which the evil spirit jumped on the seven brothers for misusing Jesus’ name, the people in the region around Ephesus realized the power that was in the Jesus that Paul proclaimed. Even the evil spirits recognized and submitted to Jesus, and Paul was His representative to the people. This fear translated into having a great deal of respect for Jesus. This incident became widely known among all the people of the region around Ephesus. This incident could have been disastrous for the name of Jesus. Even situations that could have been viewed as negative can work for the good. God’s name spread widely around with fear, respect, and honor.
There has been many times when my actions, which I thought were being done for God and in His purposes, turned out to fall apart or to be a disaster, yet God has used many, if not all, of them for His glory. I remember talking with a man about a difficult issue. He rejected my input and walked away from the relationship. Did I come on too strong? Had I overstepped my bounds? I wasn’t sure how I had blown it, yet the relationship was broken. A few years later, the same man saw me at a meeting and came over to talk. Upon joining another organization, he was challenged with the same input I had given him, and he just wanted to let me know that I was right and thanked me. While many situations fall apart, that particular relationship worked out.
Questions to consider: Have you ever done something that could be viewed as negative that turned out to be positive? Is there a situation that you are currently in that feels very negative? Is there anything that you need to do to improve the situation?
Prayer: Father, because of Your creative touch, You can work all things in my life according to Your purposes. I mess up many times, yet You are there to pick me up, clean me off, and put me on the path again. Thank You. Amen.

August 18, 2011 - Acts 19:16

2011-08-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

“Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” Acts 19:16.
Seven brothers, whose father was a Jewish chief priest in the region around Ephesus, attempted to cast out an evil spirit from a person. They had seen Paul doing this and thought that they could do the same by using the name of Jesus. The spirit turned on the brothers, overpowered them, and beat them, leaving them naked and bloodied. Seven brothers overpowered by one spirit. These men obviously did not go forward with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and in dramatic fashion, they were beaten up.
One of the by-products of spending time getting to know and be known by God is that we can potentially know more clearly God’s timing on advancing His kingdom. Not only will we be in a better position to know what God desires for us to do, but we will know better His timing on doing it. One big mistake we make as followers of Jesus is to presume on God. By this I mean that we sometimes presume we know His timing for doing His work. We may hear the direction that He desires for us to go, but we haven’t been patient enough to wait on His timing. Because these seven brothers may not have had any understanding of God’s direction and timing, it is easy to see why they got into the mess that they did.
Questions to consider: Have you ever had direction from God, yet had wrong the timing for what He wanted done? What was that like for you? How willing are you to wait patiently for God’s proper timing?
Prayer: Father, I desire to do Your will, but I have been impatient and haven’t waited to do those things in Your timing? Forgive me, and help me to wait patiently for Your will to be done in Your proper timing. Amen.

August 11, 2011 - Acts 19:15

2011-08-10T19:32:00.001-07:00

“One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’” Acts 19:15.
In the region surrounding Ephesus, many people experienced bodily healing and release from the grip of evil spirits through the ministry of Paul in the name of Jesus. Having witnessed Paul casting evil spirits out of people, some Jews went about the region attempting to do the same. On one occasion, while attempting to cast a spirit out of one person, the evil spirit spoke back to them, recognizing Jesus and Paul but not the men casting it out. The spirit acknowledged the authority in which Jesus and Paul spoke, but did not recognize the authority of these men. It did not turn out well for those men, of which I will speak next week, but at this point, I desire to have us look at the authority of which Jesus and Paul spoke.
These men attempted to cast out the demon by invoking the “name of Jesus” about whom Paul preached. They used what they thought was a special (maybe even magical) formula to free people. They might have even had good motives for doing this, but were playing with fire, so to speak. When I invoke the name of Jesus, either in my prayers or for other reasons, I need to understand why I am using His name in this way. Is it because of some formula that I learned or is it from a heart-felt conviction that I am under the authority of Jesus? This verse (and the ones to follow) is a sobering to reflect on concerning the authority of God. Take some time to reflect on power of the authority of God.
Questions to consider: When you pray, do you always end “in the name of Jesus?” Do you know why you pray this way? Why do you suppose the evil spirit recognized Jesus and Paul? Would an evil spirit recognize you? Why or why not?
Prayer: Father, it is a mystery why You would allow me to pray with Your authority, but I realize that You do. Please guide me in the use of Your name with reverence, respect, and humility, recognizing that You are the source of all power. Amen.

August 4, 2011 - Acts 19:11-12

2011-08-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Acts 19:11-12.
Illnesses cured by the touch of handkerchiefs? An apron used to heal the sick? That is very extraordinary! Yet that is what was happening, as God was performing amazing miracles through Paul. Paul continued to live and minister in Ephesus for two years, and during that time, God did astounding things among the Jews and Greeks living in the surrounding province. Paul went about doing the things that he normally did upon entering a new town. Only this time, it was different. While Paul did his normal activities, God moved in miraculous ways! Nothing had changed with Paul, yet God moved in a very dramatic manner, much more than what usually occurred in his ministry.
There have been times when I wondered why God wasn’t moving like I thought He should. I was doing all the right things. I prayed. I read my Bible. I said all the right words (in the right order!). I even fasted….okay…maybe I didn’t fast, but I was working hard and was available to be used by God to do miraculous things. So why did God move sometimes and not move most of the time? What I discovered is that I need to live my life doing what I believe God wants me to do, and God will do whatever He desires to do, when He desires to do it. Paul wasn’t concerned about whether or not God was using him. He knew that God was using him, and left the results in His hands.
Questions to consider: Why do you suppose God sometimes did these amazing miracles through Paul but didn’t do them most of the time? Do you think that a person must achieve a certain level of spirituality in order to be used by God? Have you seen God do any “extraordinary miracles?” Why do you suppose they happened?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your involvement in our lives. Thank You for loving us and for stepping into our world, especially most clearly in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

July 28, 2011 - Acts 19:6

2011-07-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” Acts 19:6.
When Paul laid his hands on these twelve disciples in Ephesus, there was an outward display of speaking in other languages and in prophetic words. It is very interesting that there was a public demonstration of God’s blessing in their lives. Everyone who was present became aware of what God had done in that moment. Even these twelve men knew that something different and special had happened in them and through them. They had evidence that the Holy Spirit of God had come to them.
I remember a few times in my life where I was keenly aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in and around me and the group that I was with. Once, I even felt the Spirit was doing “surgery” on me on His “operating table.” I am not exactly sure what work He was doing, but I knew for sure at the time that I was on the ground, as if on the operating table, and that something was happening within me. My eyes were closed and I sensed a peace and a joy all around me and in me. It was as if I was under His anesthesia and He was doing the work necessary on me in the moment. It was an amazing time, and I wish that I could have stayed right there! It was an outward manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, which I am so thankful to have experienced.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced any outward expression of the Holy Spirit’s work within you? If so, what do you remember about that time? If not, would you be interested in having some outward expression of the Holy Spirit’s work within you?
Prayer: Father, I desire to be filled afresh with Your Holy Spirit. It is not that I want to have the experience, in and of itself. I desire to know You better, and if the fresh filling of the Holy Spirit will do that, I want it. Amen.

July 21, 2011 - Acts 19:4

2011-07-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

“Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’” Acts 19:4.
Upon arriving in Ephesus, Paul asked some disciples that he encountered what baptism they had accepted and believed. They responded that they had received John’s baptism for repentance, and that they were trying to live a holy life as a result. Paul realized that they didn’t have the power of God that alone would enable these disciples to actually be successful in living a repentant life. They didn’t know Jesus, nor had they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus had sent to empower His disciples.
Sometimes, I observe that I am trying to live according to John’s baptism; that is, I am trying hard to live a repentant life. As a result, I find myself in a “sin management” phase of my journey. Because I am doing it on my own strength, I continually fall short and mess up. It is not until I receive freely the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, that I am able to release myself into the arms of the One who can do all things within and through me. On my own, I always fail; released into God’s arms, I can walk freely in the Holy Spirit.
Questions to consider: Whose baptism do you find yourself living under, John’s or Jesus’? Have you truly experience what it means to live under the Holy Spirit’s power? Have you ever asked for God to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Father, I desire to walk in Your strength and not my own. I continually fail to walk a repentant life on my own. I need to be filled afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Please fill me in a new way today. Amen.

July 14, 2011 - Acts 18:27

2011-07-13T17:31:00.001-07:00

“When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.” Acts 18:27.
Apollos was having great success in Ephesus, preaching the good news concerning Jesus. He now had a more full understanding about the work of the Holy Spirit, having been taught by Priscilla and Aquila. He sensed that he should travel on to the region of Achaia. This is the region in Greece where Corinth is located. Apollos evidently did not desire to go without the consent of the brothers in Ephesus. These brothers showed their consent to Apollos by encouraging him and writing a letter of introduction to the followers of Jesus in Achaia.
What I found interesting about this verse was Apollos’ submission of his trip to Achaia to the spiritual leadership in Ephesus. These brothers did not appear to function alone or individually. They recognized that their strength and protection lay in seeking the Lord’s guidance as a community rather than relying on their own personal insight. This sense of being sent out with the blessing of the leadership provided a base of support that would carry Apollos through difficult times ahead.
This is definitely not the way it is in today’s culture, where the individual is more important than the community. Personal independence and freedom are lifted up as the way we should live. We rely on our own instincts more than submitting our will to a group of people or a community. This was quite a trip for Apollos and it certainly appears that he relied on the voice of the community for guidance in his life.
Questions to consider: How do you function in a spiritual community? Is there a group of people with whom you can discuss your important decisions? Is it more important for you to function independently or in a community?
Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the importance of connecting with some trusted people when discussing big decisions. Please remind me that “in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Remind me to not act alone, but to build relationships of trust with others. Amen.

June 30, 2011 - Acts 18:24-25

2011-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:24-25.
Upon his arrival to Ephesus, Apollos began preaching about Jesus but only about what he understood to be true. Apollos was a dynamic speaker and was very educated. He knew the Jewish scriptures but was only familiar with the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos, they were impressed with his persuasiveness but knew the incompleteness of the Gospel he was preaching. They sought to talk with him privately concerning the full story of Jesus’ filling the disciples with the Holy Spirit on the festival, called Pentecost. To his credit, Apollos was a good learner and received this additional knowledge with eagerness. Apollos could have reacted out of pride and rejected this new teaching. Instead, he continued to be learner.
Before I went to seminary, I thought that I knew the Bible really well. After graduating, I realize how little I know, and I am more aware each day how little I know. I think that I know some facts about various things, but what I learned most in this process is that I need to always be a continual learner. If I ever do stop learning, I will have died. I look back and am embarrassed at the pride that I had in thinking that I knew a lot. I have also been aware of the pride that comes with acting like I don’t know much. It’s actually more of a false humility. What I am searching for is being in the place where I am an open learner, able to hear the voice of God in various places that I wouldn’t ordinarily look.
Questions to consider: Where are you in the process of learning? Have you learned any new lessons lately? If so, what are they?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to continue to be a learner. Please guide me to those new lessons that I need to learn. Amen.

June 23, 2011 - Acts 18:18

2011-06-22T13:01:00.001-07:00

“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.’” Acts18:18.
We are not told what the vow was, or why Paul took it. It may have been a Nazarite vow, which was a solemn commitment made by a Jewish man or woman. It had a rich and fulfilling history between God and His people, the Israelites. At the end of the fulfillment of the vow, the person, or group of people, would have had their head shaved after having not cut the hair during the whole time of the vow. Paul kept his word – honoring his commitment before God – by having his hair cut or his head shaved before leaving for Syria.
Have you ever made a commitment to God and not kept it? I know that I have. I cannot think of the number of times that I committed to lose weight and broke that commitment. I feel disappointment and shame whenever I don’t keep my word. I am confident of God’s forgiveness, yet I know that I become more calloused and ashamed. For those who know of my vow, they start to think that my word means nothing or at least that it is blemished. I, also, know the satisfaction of following through with my word, especially when I have kept it to my own hurt; that is, when it inconveniences me and requires a sacrifice. I realize growth in my commitment to God as I honor the vow given.
Questions to consider: Have you ever made a commitment to God and not kept it? How did that work out for you? Have you made a commitment that you did keep, or are currently keeping? How does that make you feel? Are there any commitments that you have made that you need to work on or follow through with?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your forgiveness for the times when I do not fulfill a commitment made before You. Help me to remember to keep those commitments, even to my own hurt, if necessary. Please help me, as I desire to be a person of honor and integrity – a person who keeps his word. Amen.

June 16, 2011 - Genesis 3:21

2011-06-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21.
In this picture of God clothing Adam and Eve with the hides of an animal, we already see God at work in showing His grace and mercy toward humanity. Adam and Eve blew it in a big way, and God’s discipline had to be carried out, and, in covering Adam’s and Eve’s nakedness, God had to sacrifice an animal’s life. This sacrifice of an animal to cover the man and woman was a foreshadowing picture of the perfect sacrifice that was to be made on Calvary in order to cover humanity’s sin.
In the story of Adam and Eve, it is easy for me to see how we, as people, could believe that we have to work hard to prove our worthiness to God. The man and woman were expelled from the Garden and commanded to work harder than ever to survive. Guilt and shame at what they had done could easily have driven Adam and Eve to try to earn God’s favor again. In clothing them, God was showing Adam and Eve that there was nothing that they could do to earn God’s favor again and that He was providing another way.
In my life, I have had a difficult time receiving God’s grace. I have always attempted to find a way to please God through my actions. I am continuing to learn that God has already fashioned skins to cover me. There is nothing that I can do except receive the gift that God has given to me in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God has already clothed me.
Questions to consider: How does God clothe you? Have you tried to earn God’s favor? How did that work for you? What does God’s grace in your life look like?
Prayer: Father, thank You for clothing me and drawing me back to You. Thank You for showing me that there was nothing that I could do to earn Your favor except to receive Your covering in Jesus. Amen.

June 9, 2011 - Acts 18:9-10

2011-06-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’” Acts 18:9-10.
Evidently, Paul was experiencing some rough times in Corinth. He might even have been considering leaving Corinth. It was at this point that the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision, encouraging him to hang in there and to not fear any harm from attack. The Lord had many people in Corinth that He desired Paul to reach out to. Paul ended up staying another year and one half, working with and among the Corinthians.
If the Lord appeared to me in a dream or in a vision, telling me not to be afraid, I would probably start looking over my shoulder wondering what I should be afraid of. Actually, I would be very excited that the Lord appeared to me! Next, I would start worrying about what I wasn’t to be afraid of and what harm I was potentially to be exposed to. I don’t think that this was what happened to Paul. After all, he had already experienced near-death situations from beatings and floggings, and death didn’t seem to be something Paul was afraid of. We are not actually sure what Paul might have been afraid of, yet whatever it was did not stop him from doing the mission God desired for him to do. The encouragement from the Lord in this vision must have been enough for Paul to stand firm and proclaim the message of Jesus.
Questions to consider: Have you received an encouraging word today? Is there an encouraging word that you need to tell someone? Do you sense the Lord is near, helping you to handle any fears?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You give me words of encouragement that calm my fears and help me to face rough obstacles. Give me strength to push through those things that seek to bring me down. Amen.

June 2, 2011 - Acts 18:8

2011-06-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

“Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8.
Paul moved on from Athens, going south to Corinth. After proclaiming his message about Jesus and His resurrection, many in the synagogue turned their lives over to God in this new way. And they were all baptized. Crispus, who was one of the synagogue rulers, and his entire family, including their slaves, believed in the Lord and were baptized. This leader, and his household, perceived that what Paul was speaking about was true, and he made the decision to stake his life on it. When Crispus was baptized, he was publicly telling the world that he was dead to his old life and that he had been made alive in Jesus Christ. He most likely gave up his high position in the synagogue and with the Jewish people in order to start a new life as a Christian. His becoming a Christian cost him a great deal, but it was worth it.
In thinking about Crispus’ sacrifice of his life within the Jewish community, I had a difficult time relating to the level of the sacrifice he made. In my life, I have never really made much of a sacrifice in my lifestyle. My language changed, and the way I treated people was more caring, but there was no positional changes – and the people that knew me before where still my friends. I wasn’t treated as if I were dead. I perceived no tangible sacrifice in my decision to follow Jesus. And because of this, I have never really felt a deep sense of dying to my old life and needing Jesus to raise me up into a new life in Him. I have lived a comfortable life and, as a result, seem to have settled into mediocrity.
Questions to consider: What sacrifices did you have to make in moving closer to Jesus? What was that like for you? What changed in your life after making a public commitment to follow Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me a new life in Christ. Help me to connect with You and to serve You with all my heart. Amen.

May 26,2011 - Acts 17:32

2011-05-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’” Acts 17:32.
Paul came to the end of his opportunity to speak to the people of Athens, and told them, in conclusion, about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. A number of the people were skeptical and scoffed, waving this message off as mere fable or story-telling. There were others among the crowd who were interested in learning more about what Paul had to say. There was a curiosity within these people that drew them to Paul to learn more about who Jesus was and to learn about this God who brings people back to life. Paul was not affected by anyone’s reaction or response. He was ready to give an explanation of his faith in Jesus to whoever sought to know more.
Often times when speaking to an audience, I look to the crowd to see their response or reaction. I have been swayed by my perception of what others thought of my message. In fishing for a positive response, I would even ask some individuals how they thought I did. I realized in doing this that my insecurity and lack of a healthy self-image was very evident. I have pushed through to the place where I do not care as much about what the people think, but, instead, I am more concerned about what God thinks. Looking at Paul’s example, I am trying to focus more on what God wants for me to say and focus less on the audience’s response.
Questions to consider: How can you tell when you are too concerned about what people think and too concerned about how they respond to you? How can you tell when you are focused on God and not others? Where is your security, in yourself, others, or God?
Prayer: Father, help me to center on what You want of me and not on what people want. Give me strength to speak Your message through my words and my actions. Amen.

May 19,2011 - Acts 17:31

2011-05-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

“’For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.’” Acts 17:31.
Paul comes to the pinnacle of his proclamation. He states that God’s just judgment of the world is proved by Jesus being raised from the dead. This just judgment by God is applied with mercy and grace, not only punishment for wrongdoing. It is more than that. It is bringing something that is dead and breathing new life into it, most clearly illustrated in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is, also, what we are called to do in taking care of the poor, the disenfranchised, the exploited, and the oppressed. We do this by being agents of change in bringing new life, restoration, and reconciliation out of hopeless and helpless situations.
The other evening in a couples study group, I had an eye-opening experience. Perhaps for the first time ever, I began to realize how blind I have been to the injustices around me in the limited world that I live in on a daily basis. In an intellectual way, I have been ‘aware’ of many injustices around the world – slavery, child prostitution, oppression of the poor and disadvantaged, yet I had blinders over my eyes when it came to seeing prejudice and injustice happening right around me. Part of the working out of God’s just judgment in my life is by representing the resurrecting power of Jesus to those around me by living in a redemptive way. As happened with Jesus, this may involve confronting injustice, which can be costly and even life threatening, but it is the right thing to do.
Questions to consider: How is God’s judgment proven by the resurrection of Jesus? What injustice or oppression have you witnessed personally? What can you do, as an agent of the kingdom of God, to combat such exploitation?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You are a God of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation. Help me to recognize cruelty and repression and to be an ambassador of Your kingdom in the part of the world You’ve put me in. Amen.

May 5, 2011 - Acts 17:28

2011-05-04T14:11:00.001-07:00

“’For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:28.
As he is speaking to the Athenian men, Paul quotes phrases from two Greek poets from their past, Epimenides and Aratus. These phrases would most likely have been known by the men in Paul’s audience, as they were very educated and astute thinkers. Paul uses these phrases as a starting point in proclaiming that God is not made by the handiwork of men but is a living being. We are made in the image of God, not the other way around.
There have been times when I have made God in my own image. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like, but I thought that God was all about love. And one aspect of that love was that God would love and accept me no matter what I did or how I acted. No change in character required! What a rude awakening I had! God does love me right where I am, but He doesn’t want to leave me there in that condition. God is so much bigger than that and there is so much more to Him than we can know or understand. The truth be known: I think that all of us tend to make God in our own image. We are just sure that God acts in this certain way because that is the image that I made of Him. Isn’t it about time that we relinquish our image of who God is and fall face down in worship to this awesome, wild God?
Questions to consider: How do you make God in your own image? Have you ever experienced God’s awesome power or experienced Him in a way that totally surprised you? What was that like? What is your response to knowing that you are created in God’s image?
Prayer: Father, I bow before You. You are awesome, holy, and righteous beyond expression. I am humbled by Your sheer power and strength. I am so glad that You are not made in our image, but that You are the creator of all things. Amen.

April 28, 2011 - John 20:18

2011-04-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.” John 20:18
On the first day of the Jewish week, which is our Sunday, Mary went to the place where Jesus’ body was placed after his death. Upon arriving at the tomb, she discovered that the large stone used to close the entrance of the tomb had been moved and Jesus’ body was missing. She went back to the disciples to report her findings and they returned with her to the tomb. After they searched, the disciples journeyed back to their meeting place. Mary, being very upset, stayed behind at the tomb. A person who she mistook for the gardener spoke to her, and when He spoke her name, she recognized that this person was Jesus, resurrected from the dead. They talked briefly and she was sent back to the others to tell them that Jesus was alive.
What a wonderful thing it was that a woman was the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Remember that the culture of their time was very strongly male-oriented, and patriarchal. I would have thought they would have preferred it had been one of the male disciples that met Jesus before anyone else. Instead, pleasantly enough, it is Mary who is first. That would have been fairly scandalous and controversial back in those times. And yet, Jesus chose to appear to Mary before any of the disciples. Outrageous!
Questions to consider: Do you think that Mary being the first to see Jesus was significant? Why, or why not? What application can you draw from this for your journey with Jesus?
Prayer: Father, Thank You that Mary was the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Lord, You have a purpose for everything that You do. Help me to recognize Your presence in some of the outrageous things that people say, write, or do. Please help me not to judge, but instead, listen for Your voice. Amen.

April 21, 2011 - Easter

2011-04-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

For the Easter season, I decided to print out this famous sermon from Tony Campolo.
Dr. Campolo tells how he preached the perfect sermon in every way and had taken the congregation to ‘the heights of glory’. As he sat down beside his pastor, Tony patted him on the knee and simply said, “Top that.” The older black pastor looked at him and said, “Boy, watch the master.” Then Dr. Campolo recalls for us the very brilliant message which followed.

It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a coming.

It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s coming.
It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.
And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Now it’s Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn’t the only thing that was shaking because now it’s Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it’s Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it’s Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.

It’s Sunday, and the crucified and resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It’s the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.

(At the end of the message the pastor shouts out:)

It’s Friiidaaaay!
(And the whole congregation responds:)

But Sunday’s Coming!

If you would like to see Tony Campolo preach this sermon, here is a link to see it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuYk_D3OwpU&feature=related

Joyous Easter to each of you!

April 14, 2011 - Acts 17:24

2011-04-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

“’The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.’” Acts 17:24. The Athens that Paul experienced was filled with many different temples, dedicated to the numerous gods the Athenians worshiped. These gods were thought to have particular powers that they used at the whim of their emotions. If bad things happened, it meant that one of the gods was angry about something. On the other hand, when things were going well, it was because the gods were appeased or content for the moment. Paul came proclaiming that there was one true God, the maker of all things, and this all-powerful and all-knowing God did not reside in man-made temples. In one of his letters written to the Corinthians, Paul explained that the Holy Spirit now lived within humans and that our body was the temple God lived in. This was not just for people 2000 years ago. This was true from that time forward to the present. Our bodies are temples for God’s presence to come into and make His home. I must admit that I have not taken care of my temple as well as I could have. For years, I ate foods that were horrible for my body. I gained way too much weight and became more sluggish. Because of this, I was less aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the present, I am doing what I can to reverse this. I am trying to discipline myself by exercising and eating correctly. I could also see how exercise and eating right could become my focus and I could totally miss the Holy Spirit’s presence. I realize that instead of focusing on me and my temple, I need to submit to the Holy Spirit within me. Questions to consider: How is your temple doing? How are you taking care of your body? Are there any changes that you need to make? How aware are you of the presence of God within you? Prayer: Father, thank You for helping me to take better care of the temple You have given me. Help me to remember that temples are not built by human hands but only by You. Amen.

April 7, 2011 - Acts 17:23

2011-04-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

“’For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with the inscription: To An Unknown God. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.’” Acts 17:23. In his travels, Paul journeyed to Athens, where he was brought to the Areopagus to tell about Jesus and His resurrection. As he was beginning his message, Paul spoke of the many objects of Athenian worship and of the specific one to the Unknown God. With all the gods that they worshipped, the Athenians made sure to cover all their bases. They made an altar for the Unknown God in case they happened to miss any gods along the way. Paul picked up right there in his effort to make known to the Athenians that which was previously unknown. Paul connected what was around him with that which was all he had to offer – the goods news concerning Jesus. Paul didn’t have anything else of importance to share with these people. All he desired to do was to declare who Jesus was and to proclaim the power of His resurrection. I must admit that there have been times when I have stayed away from sharing the message of Jesus and His resurrection. Whether out of fear or some other reason, I found other issues or subjects to talk about rather than Jesus. “Who do you want to win the Masters (Golf) Tournament?” “What about what’s happening in the Middle East?” “Hasn’t the weather been terrible this winter?” Yet, when it comes to talking about the most important issue, I have clammed up with people who desperately needed to hear the good news about Jesus. Perhaps I can learn from Paul and how he related what was happening around him to his most important message. Questions to consider: Is the message of Jesus and His resurrection the most important message in your life? If this is so, how do you relate the message to those around you? If not, why not? Prayer: Father, thank You for the message of Your Son, Jesus, and the importance it holds in my life. Please give me strength to boldly share this message to those around me who desperately need to hear it. Amen.

March 31, 2011 - Acts 17:22

2011-03-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.’” Acts 17:22. Upon arriving in Athens, Paul was distressed by the number of gods and idols the Athenians worshipped. As he was debating with some of the philosophers of the city, they realized that Paul was talking of a foreign, unknown god. They encouraged Paul to come with them to the Areopagus, which was the place where the philosophers gathered to debate and discuss religious and moral issues. During the meeting, Paul stood up to speak and began with a positive statement that these Athenians were very religious in every aspect of their lives. This was a high compliment to this gathering and it paved the way for Paul to gain their full attention. Without compromising his beliefs, Paul built a platform of acceptance from which he proclaimed the good news of Jesus and his resurrection. Paul had a history of boldly stirring up crowds, yet here in Athens, he spoke in an appealing way so as to win the right to be heard with his audience. It seems that he learned a lesson in understanding the people he was speaking to. There have been times when I have come across in an abrasive way, which would sound judgmental or angry or both. What I thought was speaking with passion was perceived by my audience as something all together different. I actually had someone come to me to apologize for being a disappointment to me after one of my talks. As a result of not understanding my audience, I have been attempting to discover how to communicate in a loving way without loosing my passion. Questions to consider: When relating to people, whether giving a message or just talking, how do you think you come across to them? Does it matter to you how you come across? Should it? What can you do to understand your audience better? Prayer: Father, help me to learn how to communicate in a loving manner, yet with the passion You’ve given me. Help me to win the right to be heard with my audience, whether that be one person or many. Amen.

March 24, 2011 - Acts 17:11

2011-03-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11.
Some of the Jews in Thessalonica made trouble for Paul and Silas to the point that the local brothers asked Paul and Silas to leave for their own safety. Not far from there was Berea, and, once they arrived, Paul and Silas went to the local synagogue to tell the Jews and God-fearing Greeks about Jesus. These people were more gracious in their acceptance of Paul and his message, listening and interacting with Paul concerning the message of salvation through Jesus. Each day the Bereans studied the scriptures to see the truth in what Paul said. As a result, many of the Jews and Greeks were convinced and became followers of Jesus. Paul found in the Bereans a receptive, gracious audience who were eager to listen and examine for themselves the truth in the scriptures.
When it concerns truth of what the scriptures say about God and His Son, Jesus, some of us are very dogmatic and not particularly interested in listening to those who may have a different understanding. On the other hand, there are those who seem to not have a firm belief, but flow from one new idea to the next. One is close minded and not interested in listening while the other is double minded and easily swayed. There seems to be an area where we can listen to other’s thoughts, while holding onto what we believe. Just as the Bereans showed, the challenge for us is to judge what is said without being judgmental.
Questions to consider: In which direction do you tend to lean – the one not interested in listening to others or the one who is easily swayed? Have you discovered that area where you can judge without being judgmental? Are you able to listen to what someone states without judging them for how they look or act?
Prayer: Father, help me to find that place where I can listen to others without being judgmental about them. Help me to hear what they say without rejecting who they are. Amen.

March 17,2011 - Acts 17:5

2011-03-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

“But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. Acts 17:5.
For three Sabbaths, Paul proclaimed the good news concerning Jesus in the synagogue at Thessalonica. Some of the Jews at the synagogue became followers of Christ. There were others, though, who did not like what they were hearing and they were jealous of Paul and his ability to convince fellow Jews to follow Jesus. They formed an angry crowd and came after Paul. They acted on their jealousy by attempting to get rid of Paul and Silas by any means that they could.
Jealousy was a distinct problem that I struggled with, particularly in dating relationships. When those feelings of jealousy rose up within me, I usually said or did things that I regretted later. I was claiming territorial rights over people and in areas that I had no right to control. The Jews, too, where claiming territorial rights over their fellow Jews, and they acted on their jealousy with destructive anger. Instead of latching onto people, as if to control them, it is my goal to approach people openhandedly, placing them into the hands of the One who cares deeply for them.
Questions to consider: Do you have, or remember having, feelings of jealousy? If those feelings rise up in you, how do you deal with them? Have those feelings led you into any actions or statements that you later regretted? How can you avoid this from happening?
Prayer: Father, forgive me for acting out on feelings of jealousy. Help me find appropriate ways to openhandedly love those who I might feel jealous of. Amen.

March 10, 2011 - Acts 17:4

2011-03-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

“Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.” Acts 17:4.
In Thessalonica, Paul and Silas proclaimed the good news concerning Jesus. The two of them visited the synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths and reasoned with the Jews and others who had gathered to seek God. As a result of their efforts, Paul and Silas influenced some Jews and God-fearing Greeks to become followers of Jesus. In making this commitment, these Jewish followers of Jesus were disowned and treated as dead by their families and Jewish friends. All of the followers of Jesus, Jew or Greek, women or men, had to withstand persecution from the Romans, as well as from all those who lived around them. Because there was a big price to be paid by these people when they decided to follow Jesus, they must have really been hungry for this new life in Christ.
When I first heard about who Jesus was, I was intrigued and fascinated. I was at a place in my life where I was hungry for a new life. Since then, there has been many times when I have lost that hunger and I have been complacent, sarcastic, or cynical…or maybe combinations of all three.
With the persecution that was going on during the time of Paul and Silas, these early followers of Jesus did not have the “luxury” or the time to grow negative or become complacent. Possibly, it would have taken being in a time of persecution for me to have kept that hunger for Jesus alive. In other places in the world where persecution is occurring, the hunger for Jesus is alive and well. It’s even growing, as it was Paul and Silas.
Questions to consider: How hungry are you for new life? How hungry are you for Jesus? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to follow Jesus and keep that hunger alive?
Prayer: Father, give me a heart that is willing to do whatever it takes to follow You, even if You ask me to do something that I am resistant to doing. Please give me the strength to say, “Not my will be done, but Your will.” Amen.

March 3, 2011 - Acts 17:2

2011-03-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

“As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” Acts 17:2.
Whenever Paul came into a town or city for the first time, he made it his habit to first go to the local synagogue to meet with the Jews of that city. These were Paul’s people, the people of his own heritage, and, even though he didn’t specifically know these people, he knew that God desired for him to first go to the Jews to present the good news concerning Jesus. Paul didn’t just do his duty and then disappear, he invested time. Paul wasn’t concerned about whether or not he was rejected, he continued showing up to the synagogue. He had a deep burden to share Jesus with all that he met, especially his own people, the Jews.
There have been times when I have just done my duty in sharing Jesus, and, when rejected, I gave up and went my way. I tended to give up on people pretty easily, and I got fairly negative about being rejected. It was not a pleasant experience for me, so I didn’t put myself in that position very often, if at all. Paul seemed to relish going before people that he’d never met so that he could tell them about Jesus. He didn’t care what people thought of him. Paul’s only concern was what God thought of him. And he stuck with it.
Questions to consider: Are you more concerned with what those around you think of you or what God thinks of you? How willing are you to take the risk of reaching out with the good news concerning Jesus to people that you don’t know? What would it take for you to step out of your comfort zone to talk about Jesus with someone you don’t know?
Prayer: Father, help me to be more concerned with what You think of me, so that I would be free to share Jesus without worrying about what people think of me. Give me the strength and humility to do Your will and not my own. Amen.

February 24, 2011 - Acts 16:33

2011-02-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:33.
Soon after the Philippian jailor gave his life to Jesus, he was washing the wounds of Paul and Silas. It seems that this act of service came out of gratitude that the jailer experienced for having been saved from certain death at the hands of his authorities. It is interesting that the first thing the jailer does after becoming a follower of Jesus is to care for Paul’s and Silas’ wounds. He immediately started serving.
When I committed to following Jesus, my first response was not to serve. It wasn’t my second or third thought, either. I was still the selfish, me-oriented person I was before making this commitment. Eventually, I started doing things that could be considered service, but I was still trying to get personal recognition. “What a great guy!” “He is such a hard worker!” “He sure has a giving heart!” These were comments that I heard that just fed my ego. Over the next several years, I went through a step-by-step change, having several “ah-ha” moments. I wish that I could say that I was transformed, like the Philippian jailer, in a moment into a grateful servant of Jesus, but that just isn’t my story. And I still struggle to serve without getting any recognition. There is part of me that still craves it. I hope that one day I can say, as Jesus said, that I am here to serve; not be served.
Questions to consider: What is your attitude toward serving? In what areas do you struggle in serving? In other words, are there some areas that you have a more difficult time serving in? What does God have you doing in service to Him?
Prayer: Father, please help me to continue to be transformed into a person who seeks to serve You with all of my heart? Help me to obey You in Your call to serve, no matter what the area. Amen.

February 17, 2011 - John 14:27

2011-02-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.
Jesus makes this amazing statement to His disciples just hours before their world is turned upside down by Jesus’ arrest, trial, and execution. Jesus conveys His peace on His disciples, fully knowing that they will need every strand of peace possible to make it through this painful time. Please remember that Jesus never made flippant comments, as we do – when He gave them His peace, He really gave them His peace. This wasn’t a peace of appeasement or a peace at any cost. It was more like a peace that helps a person sustain and persevere through the storms of life, no matter how difficult.
It is very comforting to know of Jesus’ enduring presence with me through His Holy Spirit. I get myself all worked up with many of the problems of life, and I find that I am not focusing on His presence and on His peace with and in me. It is when I settle down, get quiet, and refocus that I realize the peace and presence of Jesus that has been with me through the whole troubling time. When I look at unsettling events around the world; when I hear all the problems in our country; when I see terrible things in our city, it is vital that I cling to these words of peace from Jesus. It is a commandment, not a suggestion that we not let our hearts be troubled or afraid. We are to intentionally decide to quiet down, receive His peace, and allow His Spirit to have His way.
Questions to consider: What causes you to lose the peace of God in your life? What can be done to get His peace back? How are you doing right now? Could you use His peace in your life right now?
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us a peace that is different from what the world attempts to give us. Please help us to lay our troubles, fears, and anxieties down at Your feet and receive Your peace. Amen.

February 10, 2011 - Acts 16:29-30

2011-02-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” Acts 16:29-30.
The earthquake that struck the jail where Paul, Silas, and the other prisoners were had opened all the cell doors, releasing them from their shackles. Upon discovering this, the jailer, thinking that the prisoners had escaped, was about to kill himself. From the darkness of the cells, Paul yelled out to the jailer to not harm himself. Grateful for hearing Paul cry out, the jailer got a torch and hurried into where Paul was and, upon arriving, fell at his feet. The jailer was so affected by having been so close to death, that he was willing to do whatever was necessary to live his life for the God of Paul and Silas.
This was a very dramatic, life-changing moment in the life of this jailer. I don’t think I’ve had anything even close to being this dramatic, yet I know that I’ve had some life-changing moments. Some were troubling, such as my parents’ divorce, and some were magical, such as the moment I met my wife, as well as the birth of each of our children. One moment that stands out in my memory happened many years ago. It was late one December night when I was asking more questions about Jesus than my friend Skip cared to answer. He was tired and I persisted in my inquisition. Finally, Skip put the question to me: Was I ready to follow Jesus? I said “Yes” and my life has never been the same since.
Questions to consider: What life-changing moments have you had? What have those moments meant to you? How have they changed your life?
Prayer: Father, looking back on my life, I see how You have given me moments that were important markers in my life. I am so thankful to You for those moments. Help me to have eyes to see those markers as I continue to walk with You. Amen.

February 3, 2011 - Acts 16:28

2011-02-02T18:06:00.001-08:00

“But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’” Acts 16:28.
While in a Philippian jail, Paul and Silas, as well as the other prisoners, were released from their cells by an earthquake. Upon discovering that all the prison doors were open and all the prisoners most likely had escaped, the jailer was going to kill himself. This was going to happen because the jailer’s authorities would have held him responsible for the prisoners escape and would have certainly had the jailer put to death. Knowing that this was the case, Paul shouted to the jailer that none of the prisoners had escaped. All of this happened in the dark, as there was no light in the jail. Paul kept his head about him in the midst of very stressful circumstances to the point of saving the jailer’s life at just the right time.
In reflection, I thought about how Paul handled this very stressful situation in his life. Remember all the circumstances that he and Silas found themselves in? I, then, thought about how far away I am from handling this kind of stress, as well as having as clear a mind as Paul had under stress. Paul and Silas had just prior to the earthquake been praying and singing songs of praise to God. This connection must not have been merely a religious thing to them. It must have been a real lifeline for them, connecting them to a God who loved them and cared about their circumstances. And they absolutely needed this connection. I believe that this was the only way that Paul and Silas could have handled the extreme stresses they faced.
Questions to consider: How do you handle stressful situations? Do you find yourself having genuine connection with God through prayer or singing, or do you get all stressed out and tense up? How can you begin to handle stressful situations in a more clear-minded manner? Is there any action step that you can take in your connection with God?
Prayer: Father, help me to connect with You in such a deep, life-giving way that it affects the way that I handle stressful situations. Amen.

January 27, 2011 - Acts 16:26

2011-01-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:26.
Paul and Silas had been arrested and brought before the magistrate of Philippi. The magistrate had them flogged and thrown in jail. Once in jail, they were taken to the inner jail, which evidently was for the really bad criminals, and they were put in stocks and chains. Sometime during the night, the prison shook from an earthquake and all the prisoners, including Paul and Silas, were released from their chains, as well as from their prison cells. All the doors were shaken and the chains were loosed.
As I thought about this amazing miracle, I started to reflect on the chains in my life that held me down and the locked prison doors that kept me from moving forward. There is no need for me to discuss any of the numerous chains that affected me. I remain thankful that God has shaken up my life so as to release me from that which has imprisoned me. I continue to be thankful for His on-going work in my life that releases me all the more. It seems that I have come a long way until I look at how far I have to go. I see that I have an even longer journey ahead. And the chains will continue to be shaken off.
Questions to consider: Have you seen chains in your life that God has released you from? Are there still chains that imprison you? What are they, and how can they be shaken off?
Prayer: Father, thank You for shaking off so many chains that held me down. Please continue to shake me up so as to set me free. Amen.

January 20, 2011 - Acts 16:25

2011-01-19T11:35:00.000-08:00

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25.
Paul and Silas were arrested in Philippi and charged with being disruptive to the Roman lifestyle in the city. The magistrate had Paul and Silas stripped and beaten severally before putting them in prison. Instead of grumbling about their situation, Paul and Silas focused on their connection with the living God by praying and singing to Him. There were other people in prison with them, and they were paying close attention to what Paul and Silas were doing.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be arrested, severely beaten, and thrown into prison because of my stand of faith in Jesus. Knowing me, I would be really upset, angry and depressed all at the same time! I would be beside myself with emotion. I would hope that I would turn to prayer in that time, but I’m not convinced. I judge this by reviewing how I have handled adversity. I must say that I am getting better, yet I am aware of the emotions that well up inside. I would say things like, “Why me?” or “They shouldn’t have treated me this way!” or “I got a raw deal here!” Needless to say, I would most likely have a different reaction than Paul and Silas. And look who was watching their every move. How they acted during adverse conditions would affect how the other prisoners would respond to Paul and Silas’ words of hope in Jesus.
Questions to consider: How do you respond/react to adversity? Is how you act consistent with the words that you speak? What steps could you take to help you respond to adversity in a positive, God-honoring way?
Prayer: Father, I am amazed at Paul and Silas’ desire and ability to praise You in all situations in life. Help me to have a heart that is so focused on You that I could respond in all situations in similar ways, especially in adversity. Amen.

January 13, 2011 - Acts 16:19

2011-01-12T14:38:00.000-08:00

“When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.” Acts16:19.
Paul and Silas were heading for a time of prayer while in Philippi. They were approached by a slave girl, who made money for her slave owners by telling fortunes. Influenced by an evil spirit, the girl followed after Paul and Silas, as they walked along, shouting out that these two men were servants of God. Paul turned to face the girl and commanded the evil spirit to leave her. The owners of the girl made money from the evil spirit speaking through the girl. Now with the spirit gone, the slave owners lost a source of their income. They overtook Paul and Silas and dragged them into court.
It’s funny, in a strange way, how people react when their stream of money is disturbed or even stopped. These people seized Paul and Silas and had them thrown in jail. That’s a pretty harsh reaction. In my life, when an investment lost much of its value, I was not a happy camper. I moaned and groaned and, in general, moped around, feeling sorry for myself. At other times, I have been really angry when I felt financially taken advantage of. It seems that I get a great deal of security and satisfaction from knowing that I am financially comfortable.
Questions to consider: How do you respond when your finances are disturbed in some way? Where is your security…really? Do you feel a tension between God and your finances? If so, what are you doing about it?
Prayer: Father, my heart wants to find its security in You, yet I wrestle with finding my security in my paycheck and savings account. Please help me to discover a healthy balance in my finances. Amen.

January 6, 2011 - Acts 16:14

2011-01-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia…who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:14.
In Philippi, Paul was speaking about Jesus to a crowd of people, one of whom was Lydia, a woman of high standing in the community. As a Gentile, she always had a heart for God and worshipped Him. When she heard Paul’s message, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond positively. Her openness to God allowed her to take the next step of her journey in life, and she became a follower of Jesus.
Throughout my life, I have tried to be open to truth, and in that process, had various encounters with God as I rambled along. In December, 1970, I took the step of becoming a follower of Jesus, and that’s when the adventure of life really began. On my journey as a Christian I have struggled to be true to the person God wanted me to be. When it seemed like God was leading me one way, it took me a while before I was open to that leading. It took time to get through my thick cranial cortex! I hope that over the years I have begun to soften and be more pliable in God’s hands, trusting in His leading. Just as Lydia was open to taking the next step, I am trying to be open for God’s next step, whatever that may be.
Questions to consider: What are some of the “next steps” in your life? What steps has God helped you to walk through? What is the next step that God has for you? Are you open to God and willing to obey?
Prayer: Father, thank You for guiding me in this journey of life. Help me to be open to Your next step, whatever that may be. Help me to not resist it but instead to embrace it, as Lydia did. Amen.

December 30, 2010 - Acts 16:7

2010-12-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

“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.

December 22,2010 - Luke 2:7

2010-12-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

“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!

December 16, 2010 - Acts 16:5

2010-12-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

“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.

November 25, 2010 - Luke 22:19

2010-11-23T05:21:00.000-08:00

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19.
Jesus had gathered His disciples for what was to be His last meal with them: the Passover meal. He knew that by this same time the next day, He would be dead and His men scattered. With this in mind, Jesus took the bread and gave thanks for it to His Father. He refers to the bread as His body, which was to be broken for them, as well as for all humanity.
I find it so interesting that Jesus, knowing fully what was going to happen, gave thanks. He broke the bread (and even shared it with Judas!). In my case, I can only hope that I would be thankful if I knew that I was soon to suffer for Jesus’ sake. As I reflect on the Thanksgiving season, it is my hope that, no matter what circumstances life finds you in, you will take some time to reflect on what you are thankful for; what you are grateful for. As I sit here, I think of my wife and children, their spouses and children (our precious grandchildren!), and I am moved to grateful tears of appreciation for God’s gift of them to me. I am also deeply grateful for God’s tender mercy and grace poured out for me through Jesus, His dear Son. I am grateful for having the opportunity to be with my brothers, whom I have not been with at the same time in over 20 years. Finally, I am grateful for the friends who have stood by me and have shown me much about the love of Jesus when I was unlovable.
Questions to consider: What are you grateful for? How can you express your gratefulness? How will you express it?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the relationships in my life. I am humbled by Your loving care for me expressed through those in my life. Thank You! Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

November 4, 2010 - Acts 15:28

2010-11-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

“’It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:’” Acts 15:28.

In his letter to the Gentile believers, James explains the results of the special council meeting in Jerusalem, which dealt with the issue of strict obedience to the Law of Moses by the Gentile believers. In presenting the decision, James uses a less authoritarian expression, saying, “It seemed good…” It communicates openness to the possibility of their being wrong or not hearing adequately or correctly the desires of the Holy Spirit. To me, this phrase is an open-handed appeal expressed in a reconciliatory manner.

I don’t doubt that God speaks within our cultures; but I have trouble hearing clearly. Unfortunately, I have been all too aware of how we Christians come across as having all the answers or having the authoritative word when it comes to the things of God. Humility, at least in the American church, is not our strong suit. I am continually challenged to see other perspectives and to not limit my understanding of issues to one narrow approach. This is difficult within a culture that insists on having all the answer to the problems we face. Perhaps we can begin to discover some answers to these problems in the building of closer relationships. As we get to know one another, we can understand each other’s points of view a bit more.

Questions to consider: Have you observed people giving authoritative answers to problems and felt as though something was wrong with those answers? How does it make you feel when someone gives a narrow, authoritative answer to a problem that you know is more difficult to solve? Have you, at times, been too authoritative with your comments?

Prayer: Father, help me to remember that I may not hear clearly or completely Your words that are spoken to me. Help me to say phrases like “it seemed good” to me, as I seek to serve You humbly. Amen.

October 28, 2010 - Acts 15:19

2010-10-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

"'It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.'" Acts 15:19.
James, the brother of Jesus, was addressing the council gathered at Jerusalem concerning the Gentiles who were coming to know Jesus and putting their faith in Him. The council had heard both sides of the argument concerning whether the Gentiles needed to come under the Law of Moses. They also heard the compelling testimony of Paul's work among the Gentiles. At the conclusion of the meetings, James stated the opinion of the apostles: it should not be made difficult for the Gentiles to turn to God. In other words, they were not to be subjected to the Law of the Jews, and specifically to circumcision.
I find it interesting that we, as people, tend to put "laws" on each other. I know that on occasion I do this. I'll say something like, "If this person really loved Jesus, they should...read their Bible, pray more, spend more time in Christian fellowship (or some other "requirement"). Not that any of these things are bad. In fact, these disciplines are very helpful in our journey with God. I get in trouble when, like the Jewish believers at this early council meeting, I require something other than the central focus - putting my faith in Jesus.
Questions to consider: What "requirements" or "Laws" have you projected onto others around you? When have you done this to others? How do you “not make it difficult” for those around you?
Prayer: Father, please help me to not make it difficult for others to come into a relationship with You. Help me to love and to accept those around me, allowing You to do Your work in their heart. Amen.

October 21, 2010 - Acts 15:12

2010-10-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

“The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” Acts 15:12.
Peter had spoken decisively to the council assembled in Jerusalem on behalf of the Gentile followers of Jesus. Attention was then turned to Barnabas and Paul, who told numerous stories of what God had done among the Gentiles on their missionary trip. The whole assembly listened intently as Barnabas and Paul spoke.
There is something to the power of telling stories. Growing up, I remember hearing different stories of adventure and horror, as well as being involved in the story-making of my own life. So often in my Christian journey, I get wrapped up in the head-knowledge of my faith, and I don’t pay attention to the activity – the story – the experience – of my daily walk with the living God. I realize that it is not just about what I know; instead I need to marvel at God’s daily activity in my journey. For example, I have grown to love sitting outside at night, gazing at the stars, and marveling at God’s awesomeness. We have much to enjoy in the stories of God ‘miraculous signs and wonders’ that happen each day.
Questions to consider: What are the stories that are happening in your life? How is God interacting with you in your story? What stories do those around you have to share? Have you taken time to listen?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the stories of my life that You have written in me and through me. Please help me to be attentive to Your miraculous story in me and in those around me. Amen.

October 14, 2010 - Acts 15:11

2010-10-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

"'No. We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.'" Acts 15:11.
Peter reminded his Jewish audience at the council meeting in Jerusalem that they should not put the Gentile believers under the ‘yoke’ of the Law of Moses. Peter stated, of his Jewish brothers' ability to live by the Law, that, "neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear" it themselves, so how could they put such a burden on the Gentiles? No one was able to fulfill God's standards by their own efforts, yet, by the grace of Jesus, all would have access to a relationship with the Father.
Even though I know in my head that I live by the grace of God, I sometimes act as if I find my way to God by my own works. I can tell when I do this by how I get upset at God for the bad things that happen to me. I say things like, "I didn't deserve this!" or "How come this happened to me?!?" or some other such thing. What I'm saying when I do this is that I deserve to be in God's presence because, after all, I'm such a nice guy and look at all the good things I've done! If this were true, Peter's comments are a lie and God's grace through Jesus doesn't exist. But, it does! It truly is by grace that I live. Will I humbly receive it and appreciate God's most incredible gift for me?
Questions to consider: Do you say that you live by grace, yet in some ways, live as if you can find your own way to God? What does that look like for you? What does it take for you to walk by God's grace?
Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I act as though I can make it to You on my own merits, and thank You for accepting me because of the finished work of Jesus dying on the cross. Amen.

October 7, 2010 - Acts 15:8

2010-10-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

"'God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.'" Acts 15:8.
A conflict arose in the early church over the inclusion of Gentiles into the fellowship of the followers of Jesus. Paul and Barnabas were instructed by the leadership at Antioch to go to Jerusalem to argue in favor of Gentile inclusion. At the Jerusalem council, after some debate, Peter stood to speak. Peter reminded the council of how God had used him to bring the message of Jesus to Cornelius and his family, all of whom were God-fearing Gentiles. He recalled how God was the one who filled the Gentiles with His Holy Spirit, as Peter and some other disciples witnessed the event. There was no doubt in Peter's mind what God intended. God was serving notice that all people now had access to a relationship with Jesus.
There have been times when I have conducted myself in similar ways to this group of Jewish followers of Jesus. I excluded some people for various (silly or stupid!) reasons from whatever group in which I was engaged. I realized that there was something within me that wanted to have an "in" group and an "out" group. When I realized this about myself, I was humbled and ashamed of my attitude. I saw that God accepts and includes all who come to Him in faith, so why should I exclude anyone, no matter what their background might be. To this day, I am challenged to be accepting of people and to view everyone on an equal footing with each other.
Questions to consider: Who are those that you have a hard time accepting or including in your conversation and fellowship with Jesus? Is there any group of people that you have a difficulty in accepting? What do you need to do to be more accepting of those around you?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see when I am not accepting of those around me and the heart to change in order to love my neighbor, whoever they might be. Amen.

September 30, 2010 - Acts 15:5

2010-09-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the Law of Moses.’” Acts 15:5.
There was a group of Christians who held closely onto their belief in the Law of Moses. Yes, they believed in Jesus, yet they also believed that keeping the Law was still of vital importance. Their whole life pointed to the maintaining of the letter of the Law, and it was difficult for them to believe that anyone who came into relationship with Jesus didn’t have to submit to the same requirements of the Law, particularly for males to be circumcised.
When I was in my early years as a follower of Jesus, I connected with the use of contemporary music in times of worship. I could not understand how anyone could connect with God using the old, traditional hymns. It seemed that people didn’t sing these hymns with much enthusiasm, while those us who sang the contemporary music seemed to be alive and vibrant. The type or style of music was a dividing line in my judgment of who really believed in Jesus. It took me a while to become aware of my attitude and to let it go. In like manner, there are many issues that we hold to that add to the central importance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is “Jesus and….” Sometimes it is difficult for us to let go of things or issues that we believe are important but are just not as centrally important as we thought. And it is difficult for us not to project these issues on others.
Questions to consider: Are there issues that you hold dearly that you believe others should abide by? What is of central importance to you? How do you project on others those issues that are of central importance to you?
Prayer: Father, please help me to see what is of central importance to You, and give me the humility to recognize my own elevation of those things that are not as important to You. Amen.

September 23, 2010 - Acts 15:2a

2010-09-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

"This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them." Acts 15:2a.
Some men from the Jerusalem church came to Antioch when they heard that the good news of Jesus had been received by many Gentiles, who were not circumcised according to the Law of Moses. These men believed that to be a true follower of Jesus, the Jewish rabbi, each male who was not circumcised should submit to this outward sign of obedience. Paul and Barnabas were convinced that it was not necessary for those who had never been circumcised to do so. Because of this disagreement, the debate became very heated and caused a sharp dispute to arise.
While I am not one who enjoys debate or conflict with others, it is comforting for me to see this conflict in the Bible. There is no sugar-coating this problem. There was a “sharp dispute,” which evidently was more than just a little disagreement. It sounds as though there was a heated argument, most likely with raised voices, with some shouting their point of view at their adversary. I am glad that this interaction was included in the Bible. It relates to our world and our problems. And it shows these early followers working through their problems with one another without leaving community.
Questions to consider: How do you respond to a “sharp dispute and debate”? Do you know of anyone who has left your community because of a dispute? What does that do to community? How do you resolve disputes?
Prayer: Father, help me to hear the point of view of others when sharp disputes happen. Help me to be a peacemaker, not for the sake of peace, but for the sake of Your Kingdom. Amen.

September 16, 2010 - Acts 14:27

2010-09-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27.
Paul and Barnabas arrived at their home church in Antioch and told the many stories of God’s amazing movements in the lives of the people they worked with in the towns and cities visited on their trip. The door of faith in Jesus had been opened to many people and especially to the Gentiles, who were turning to Jesus in large numbers. As they were in the habit of doing, Paul and Barnabas were careful not to take the credit for themselves. They gave total glory to God for the amazing work He did through them.
I must admit that if I were part of Paul’s party, I would have liked receiving some recognition for what took place. Along with God (of course!), I wouldn’t mind people taking notice of me. I am not proud of that fact, but the truth is, it is there. Paul and Barnabas showed no such inclination. They gave total credit to God for all the lives touched and changed for Jesus’ sake and purposes. I am glad that I am aware of my bad attitude, for it aids me in purposely backing away from personal recognition and pointing to God in order to praise and thank Him for His work among us. I am learning to look to God for any recognition that I might need to receive. The important thing is that God “opened the door of faith” to those around Paul and Barnabas, and to us.
Questions to consider: How important is it for you to receive recognition? Who do you need to receive recognition from? How has God worked through you in order for His purposes to advance?
Prayer: Father, help me to be open to be used by You to advance Your kingdom. Help me to look solely, to You, and not others, for any recognition that I might need. Amen.

September 9, 2010 - Acts 14:22

2010-09-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

"...strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.'" Acts 14:22.
Paul and Barnabas traveled from town to town on their return trip to Antioch, visiting places where they had spent time. In each place, they gathered those who were committed to following Jesus in order to strengthen and encourage them in their walk of faith. It is interesting to note that the phrase used in the recounting of their encouragement was: "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."
Paul did not promise them that they would experience the ‘good life’ or ‘prosperity’ in all areas of their lives, if they would do certain things. What he did promise, to all of us, was that in order to enter God's kingdom, we must go through many tough experiences. Growing up as a follower of Jesus in America, it is difficult for me to relate to the experiences of the early believers. A hardship for me might be when my wife and I have to use one car when our second car is getting worked on. Or perhaps it is not being able to buy that 46" flat screen TV and having to continue to use our outdated 27" TV. I can imagine hardships in an intellectual way, but it is very difficult for me to understand experientially what Paul is talking about.
Yet, Paul's audience had begun experiencing what life following Jesus truly meant. They were outcasts from their culture. They were being persecuted in ways similar to the things Paul had experienced. In today's world, believers from many nations can relate to Paul's words because of the severe persecution they have experienced.
Questions to consider: What hardships have you experienced? What do you think Paul means by this statement? How is going through hardships a clear indication that you are entering the kingdom of God?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see what Paul intends for me to see in this statement. Give me a heart that is willing to go through hardships for Your kingdom's sake and that is willing to serve You no matter what happens. Amen.

September 2, 2010 - Acts 14:19-20a

2010-09-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” Acts 14:19-20a.
In one moment, the crowd was worshipping Paul and Barnabas as gods come in the flesh, and in the next moment, the crowd was won over to being hostile toward them, so much so that they dragged Paul out of the city and stoned him to death. As Paul was lying motionless, some disciples gathered around him. Suddenly, he got up from the ground and went back into the city to tell of the good news concerning Jesus. Paul knew that his mission was not complete, and he was going to do all that he could to finish his work in that city.
Paul was so focused on his goal, which was to follow Jesus and spread the good news concerning Jesus to others, and he was not going to let anything get in the way. What was a stoning to Paul? A minor inconvenience! He got up, went back into the city, and proclaimed Jesus. Paul had a passion for Jesus that stopped at nothing.
As I ponder this, I wonder where the fire is within me. Do I have a burning passion to serve Jesus with all that I am? I sense that I come up woefully short, yet I desire to serve Jesus with passion. I desire to get rid of the distractions and those things that encumber me. I want to make this more than a desire; I want it to be my way of life – to serve Jesus wholeheartedly, even if I lose my life in the process.
Questions to consider: What are you passionate about? What distractions keep you away from Jesus? What are you willing to lose your life for?
Prayer: Father, give me a passion to serve You and the strength to stand up for You no matter what occurs. Amen.

august 26, 2010 - Acts 14:11

2010-08-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

“When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’” Acts 14:11.
The people of Lystra had never seen a healing like this before (see vs. 8-10), and they responded in the only way they knew how. They thought that their gods had come in human form and that Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was Hermes, Zeus’ chief spokesman. Evidently, Paul and Barnabas were unaware that the people were responding to the healing in this way, and it was only when the priests of Zeus brought sacrifices that Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening. Paul and Barnabas protested by tearing their clothes, which was an expression of great anguish in their culture. It was, evidently, quite a chaotic scene!
Paul and Barnabas knew that they weren’t “gods”, and they were not about to allow others to celebrate them as such, even if it offended the crowd’s beliefs. Paul and Barnabas knew that they must clearly make a stand for the one, true God that they believed in and followed.
There are times when I have made a clear stand for Jesus. Usually it is within circumstances where I am more comfortable. There are, also, times when I have been more cautious in my stand for Jesus. I am much more protective (read: more fearful of rejection!) of myself. Yet, it is always helps to remember that God is always with me and willing to work through me, if I am willing to allow Him to do so.
Questions to consider: How do you make a stand for God? What would you say to someone who to know more about the God you serve? In what ways do you make a stand for God within your circumstances?
Prayer: Father, give me wisdom and courage to make a stand for you in the uncomfortable situations, as well as the comfortable. Help me to always be ready with a word to share about Your love and goodness. Amen.

August 19, 2010 - John 1:12

2010-08-18T13:03:00.001-07:00

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12.
The right to become children of God! We can become God’s children! This is an amazing restoration of who we were created to be – the children of God. I believe that every human was created with this possibility for their life.
Yet, there are many things that keep us from really embracing this for our lives. One thing that has challenged me from embracing being God’s child is my sin. I allowed my sin to separate me from the love of God. I could believe that God forgives all sin, and that He forgives other people’s sin, but I struggled with embracing God’s forgiveness for my sin. How could He, as my sin was so dark and messy? I understand intellectually God’s forgiveness for all my sins but have struggled believing this in my heart. I came to realize that I was allowing my sins to define who I was.
Since then, I realized that I am not defined by my sins. I am defined by who God says I am and not by my own feelings. I am a personally loved child of God. And because of this, I realize that I am not defined by my sins. I am not my sins. I am a child of God.
It is my hope that each of us will take some time to think through what keeps us from embracing – really embracing – the amazing fact that we are God’s children.
Questions to consider: Do you realize that you are God’s child and that He loves you with all of His heart? What separates you from embracing the fact that you are a child of God? What can you do embrace God’s love for you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your deep, personal love for me. Help me to break through those things that separate me from Your love. Amen.

August 5, 2010 - Acts 14:9-10

2010-08-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

“He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed, and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.” Acts 14:9-10.
Paul was speaking about Jesus to a crowd of people in Lystra when he noticed a crippled man listening intently as he spoke. Paul noticed something different about this man and looked directly at him. Paul saw that there was the seed of faith in this crippled man, and he commanded the man to stand up on his feet. At that, the man, who had not walked in his lifetime, “jumped up and began to walk.”
This miracle is amazing in many ways. One way that I would like to mention in particular, is the fact that this man’s muscles had never been developed to enable him to walk. Plus, this man had never experienced what it was like to walk, yet he immediately started walking around as if he had done so for his whole life. This truly was amazing! All this happened because Paul saw that this man had faith.
As I thought about this, I realized that when I talk to people, I do not look at them with eyes to see the faith within each person. I am convicted, and realize that I need to look for the seed of faith in those I come into contact with. I want to be aware of God’s activity in the lives of those around me, and I want to speak up about what I notice in others.
Questions to consider: How do you look at those around you? Have you ever seen that seed of faith in someone and spoke to them about it? What was that experience like?
Prayer: Father, may I have eyes to see the seed of faith in those around me? Please help me to see Your activity in their lives and to speak encouraging words to them regarding Your plans for their lives. Amen.

July 29, 2010 - Acts 14:8

2010-07-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

"In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked." Acts 14:8.
South of Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas had just been, was the city of Lystra. It was on the road that would take them back to their home in Tarsus. In Lystra, they came upon a man who was sitting in public, most likely begging, who had been crippled from birth and had never walked. The scene is set for an amazing healing to happen at Paul's hands.
Imagine with me some of the possible thoughts going through this man's mind just before Paul came into his view. What are some thoughts that come to your mind? If that had been me, I most likely would have had a hard time looking anyone in the eye, because my self image would have been so poor. I would have worried where my next meal would be coming from. I was always the one who was very needy and could never make it on my own. I depended on others and was very upset – even bitter, when others treated me cruelly or ignored me.
This man struggled greatly, but all of that was about to change. We think that the healing would have definitely been worth the change, yet because of all the new "unknowns" that the healing would bring, he might have been more reluctant. When change happens in our lives, it shakes us up and makes things different from what we are used to. This crippled man was about to have a radical change in his life. I wonder how he adjusted to all the change?
Questions to consider: How do you view change in your life? Has there been anything in your life that has crippled you from moving forward? How did you (or can you) break free from what crippled you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of this crippled man whose life changed radically with his healing. Help me to see those things that cripple me, and that are holding me back from deeper life in You, and help me to be free of them. Amen.

July 22, 2010 - Acts 14:6

2010-07-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

“There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the surrounding country. Acts 14:6.
Paul’s and Barnabas’ work among the people of Iconium was going well. Many people responded to the message of Jesus, and yet, many others were opposed to this message. These people were stirred up and desired to “mistreat (Paul and Barnabas) and stone them.” Once they discovered the plot, Paul and Barnabas pulled up their tent stakes and left for safety. There were times when they stayed to face those who were against them, and yet, there were times when they fled.
As I read this, I realized that I did not remember this scene of Paul and Barnabas fleeing for safety. For some reason, I thought that they always stayed to face those who were against them. It is comforting for me to know that Paul and Barnabas stayed at times to confront the opposition, and at times, they knew that they should flee. This encourages me to know that there are times when I need to stand up and face those that come against me and that there are times when I need to flee for my life, as Paul and Barnabas did. The important point for me is to have a sense of what God would desire for me to do in this situation and to respond with obedience. This is easier said than done!
Questions to consider: Have there been times when you sensed God leading you to stay and face, or to flee, a situation? What was the result of this decision? How did you know that God was directing you in this way?
Prayer: Father, please give me the presence of mind to know when I should flee or when I should stay and face different situations. Give me Your peace in the midst of the turmoil of these situations. Amen.

July 15,2010 - Acts 14:3

2010-07-14T17:25:00.001-07:00

"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 14:3.
Paul and Barnabas found good favor among the people of Iconium and were able to stay among them for a long time. The message preached by Paul and Barnabas was backed up by God's grace made manifest through the display of "miraculous signs and wonders." The focus was not on the signs and wonders but, instead, was on the message concerning Jesus and life in Him. The signs and wonders were used to draw attention to God's words of life and to give authority to the words spoken.
It is easy for us to say that these signs and wonders may have happened in Jesus' time or during the days of the Apostles time of the early church, but they no longer happen in our time-and- space world. Yet, there are so many things that happen during the normal events of each day that seem to be a coincidence, or events that we have a difficult time explaining. Sometimes, it is difficult for us to admit that miracles still happen today and that signs and wonders are still relevant in our ‘modern’ world. I have seen way too many ‘coincidences’ to believe that miraculous things do not happen today. Over and over again, I see God's hand at work and involved in the normal activity of my daily routine.
Questions to consider: Have you seen God's signs and wonders in your life? How have you seen God's miracles active in your daily routines? What would need to happen in your life to help you become more aware of God working in your life?
Prayer: Father, help me to be aware of Your miraculous activity in the daily routine of my life. Give me a sensitivity to see Your movement in and through my life. Amen.

July 8, 2010 - Acts 13:50

2010-07-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

"But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region." Acts 13:50.
Paul and Barnabas had success with people responding positively to their message, but they also frequently met with opposition. Clearly, there were a number of influential people who did not appreciate this outside disturbance coming in to threaten the status quo, especially since these influential people had control of the status quo. The message that Paul and Barnabas brought was opening the eyes of the local people, and those in authority felt that their control over the people was being threatened. It seems that wherever the good news of Jesus was proclaimed, the existing authority structure was threatened and a backlash of persecution was created.
We have seen through the centuries when the existing authority was threatened, they turned up the heat and kept people under their control. The slavery issue in Britain and the United States is one of many examples. When opposing voices came against the oppressive enslavement of a race of people, those in dominance over the slaves used anything within their powers, including violence, to keep the slaves oppressed. On a personal level, it is important for me to work for justice and freedom whenever and wherever it is within my ability to do so.
Questions to consider: Have there been times when you have seen one group of people dominate and oppress another? Have you ever personally witnessed an individual dominating or oppressing another? What is your response to such occurrences?
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to set humanity free – all of humanity. Help me to be an agent of Your freedom and reconciliation in Jesus to a struggling world. Amen.

July 1, 2010 - Acts 13:48

2010-06-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48.
Having been rejected by his own people, the Jews, Paul turned to proclaim the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles, who were grateful for Paul’s efforts. At first reading, I thought that it stated that they were “glad and (were) honored by Paul’s proclamation, but I was wrong. It clearly states that the Gentiles “honored the word of the Lord.” There was something in their actions that demonstrated their sense of honor for the word that Paul brought them.
There are times when I sit back, in my smugness, and make judgments on the word that comes forth in a sermon or a message delivered. Instead of submitting myself under God’s word, I act as though I am superior to it by judging and criticizing it. It is vital for me to intentionally ask for God’s help in hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me through whatever vessel He chooses to use. And it is important that I intentionally stop my criticism of the word being proclaimed. This doesn’t mean that I accept any word spoken. It means that I submit myself to the working of the Holy Spirit through the proclamation of His word, and thereby, honor the word of the Lord.
Questions to consider: How do you honor the word of the Lord? Are there tangible ways that you demonstrate your honor of God’s word in your life? What does that look like?
Prayer: Father, I confess my judgmental attitude at the proclamation of Your word. Please help me to intentionally submit myself to Your word, and in doing so, honor You and Your word. Amen.

June 24, 2010 - Acts 13:46

2010-06-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

“Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.’” Acts 13:46.
Paul had been directed by God to bring the message of eternal life in Jesus to his fellow Jews first, and then to take it to the Gentiles. It is interesting that Paul states that these Jewish people did not “consider (themselves) worthy of eternal life.” It is as if these people just discarded Paul’s words as unbelievable or unimportant. Either way, they turned away from God’s words of life in Jesus.
As I ponder these words, I am challenged by them. With all the words that are communicated in our world, it is so easy to not take any of them seriously or not take them to heart. The challenge is to develop the ability to hear those special, life-giving words that are spoken, often very quietly. Often when I, at first, hear truth spoken, I tend to receive it in a negative way, almost rejecting it. When I take some time to think about it, I come to see the truth that was spoken and make adjustments accordingly in my life. But this takes a sensitivity that is sometimes beyond me, and one that I desperately need to continue to develop. I want to “consider (myself) worthy of eternal life” and of the things of God. Don’t you?
Questions to consider: What is your first response to hearing truth? How do you hear God speaking to you?
Prayer: Father, help me to hear truth when it is spoken and to have a sensitive ear to hear Your words of life. Amen.

June 17, 2010 - Acts 13:43

2010-06-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

“When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” Acts 13:43.
Many people from the synagogue were touched by Paul’s words and wanted to hear more. After the meeting was over, Paul and Barnabas met with the people telling them more about Jesus and urging them to “continue in the grace of God.” These people heard about Jesus’ suffering and dying, as well as His resurrection. They fully understood the pain and shame of crucifixion and understood that this is what Jesus endured for them. Paul recognized that the grace of God was already coming upon these people because their hearts were open to hear about Jesus and their lives were already being transformed. Their eyes were opening to the movement of God in their lives.
I remember hearing about Jesus when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I was 20 years old that my own heart was warmed by the Spirit of God and I began to see Jesus for who He was and for what He had done for me. It was my first experience of the grace of God in my life. Through the years, I have noticed that, while God is always with me, there are times when it seems that He is more present – more in the moment with me. Sometimes this occurs during times of deep struggle or pain, and His grace helps me to get through.
Questions to consider: How is the grace of God evident or active in your life? When are you most aware of God’s grace in your life? Are you aware of God’s grace in the midst of your suffering?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace. Please help me to continue in Your grace and to live a life of gratitude for Your grace in my life. Amen.

June 10, 2010 - Acts 13:39

2010-06-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

“’Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.’” Acts 13:39.
Paul boldly proclaimed to his mostly Jewish crowd, that following the letter of the law of Moses wasn’t going to save them. Instead, it was only through believing in the redemptive work of Jesus that one’s sins could be fully forgiven. Paul was telling the people that it was not by their works – obeying the law of Moses – that they would be saved. In fact, according to Paul, there was nothing that a person could do to be saved except to believe in Jesus and receive true forgiveness from all sins.
While I don’t consciously work on being justified by the law of Moses, there are times when I will try to do the right actions that will prove my worthiness to God. Does this mean that I shouldn’t be concerned about right actions? Not at all. But my right actions need to come out of a heart of gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for me. This is a good gauge for me to see if I am trying to reach God through my good actions or trusting in His complete work.
Questions to consider: Are there times when you still try to prove your worthiness to God? How grateful are you to Jesus for the justifying work He completed on your behalf? Does this influence your actions and how you live your life? In what ways does it do this?
Prayer: Father, help me to always be grateful for Jesus and the work He completed on my behalf. Help me to never take this for granted or to try to prove my own worthiness. Amen.

May 27, 2010 - Acts 13:37-38

2010-05-26T17:30:00.001-07:00

“’But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.’” Acts 13:37-38.
The decay of sin and death did not overcome Jesus when he was in the grave. Instead, God raised Jesus up to life once again, overcoming the effects of sin and death and becoming the channel for the forgiveness of all sins. This is the message Paul delivered to the people of Pisidian Antioch. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, made a clear path to God for all people to come to be forgiven of all their sins and to be made clean. And this path was established by Jesus taking death and sin to the grave with Him and being raised to new life, giving Him victory over death and sin, once and for all time. The sting of death was broken and freedom from sin was now possible.
Yet, at times in my life, I sense the polluting and decaying effect of sin. Most of the time it is a slow process; so slow that it is hardly recognizable. It’s like death on the installment plan. Yet it is still there, and, as I grow older, I am more keenly aware of how this pollution and decay have adversely affected me. Even though the war with sin and death has been won through Jesus, I am still in a daily struggle to walk in God’s freedom from sin’s effects. I am so grateful to know that through Jesus I have a path to receive forgiveness for all my sins.
Questions to consider: How has Jesus’ resurrection affected your daily life? How are you aware of God’s forgiveness in your life? What are you doing to walk in God’s freedom? How are you helping others to find that freedom, as well?
Prayer: Father, help me to not take Your forgiveness for granted. Help me to remember the ultimate price that Jesus paid to make this a reality. Amen.

May 20, 2010 - Acts 13:30-31

2010-05-19T14:38:00.001-07:00

"'But God raised Him from the dead, and for many days He was seen by those who had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.'" Acts 13:30-31.
In Pisidian Antioch, which is in modern day Turkey, Paul was invited to speak at the local synagogue. He told the story of Jesus, culminating with eyewitness accounts of people who saw Jesus after God raised Him from the grave. To Paul, Jesus' resurrection from the dead was the exclamation point of the proof that Jesus was the Chosen One, the Messiah, the Son of God. In one of his letters, Paul stresses the importance of Jesus' resurrection, saying, "if Christ (Jesus) has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17) According to Paul, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is of central importance to our faith.
As I ponder the importance of this central element to Paul's message, I am struck by the power of the message and the hope that is conveyed through it. There is something within me that takes notice and says a resounding, "YES!" to this good news. Sometimes when things are going roughly, if I remember to ponder this, I am encouraged with the hope of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is a comfort and strength to me.
Questions to consider: What does Jesus' resurrection from the dead mean to you? How are you encouraged or strengthened by it? How central or important is it in the story you tell of the life of Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You that You did not leave Jesus in the tomb, but instead You raised Him up to new life. Thank You for the hope this gives me as I journey through rough times. Amen.

May 13, 2010 - Acts 13:16

2010-05-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

“Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: ‘Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!’” Acts 13:16.
As was their habit, Paul and his other traveling companions went to the synagogue to meet with the local Jews and any other God-fearing people. They always made it their habit to go first to the local synagogue upon arriving in a new location. Paul felt that it was important for him to bring the message of Jesus to his people, the Jews, before taking it to the Gentiles, even though he knew his calling was to go to the Gentiles. He was often met with opposition and hostility, yet he continued to honor his commitment to his people.
Paul had the privilege of sharing the message of Jesus with his people, yet, because of the radical nature of his message, it was difficult for most of his listeners to connect with what he had to say. Most of the people in his audience were not particularly open to this radically different message.
There have been times when I have perceived that my listeners were not very open to hearing the message that I believed God would have me share, yet I shared that message anyway. There have been other times when I backed away from sharing the full message for fear of being rejected by my audience. Paul actions in standing up and saying, “Listen to me!” demonstrate for me his ‘sold-out’ heart to the life and message of Jesus.
Questions to consider: How radical is the message of Jesus to you? What kind of reception do you receive when bringing the message of Jesus to those around you?
Prayer: Father, my desire is to do Your will and to seek to please You in all that I do. Give me wisdom in telling the message of Jesus and the boldness to proclaim what You would have me say. Amen.

May 6, 2010 - Esther 4:14b

2010-05-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

“’And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’” Esther 4:14b.
Esther, a beautiful, young Jewish woman, was selected by King Xerxes of Persia to be his next Queen. Meanwhile, Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, who was an honest man, came under the bad graces of King Xerxes' right hand man, Haman. Haman, out of his rage toward Mordecai, managed t0 manipulate Xerxes into signing an edict that called for the annihilation of all the Jews throughout the kingdom. Mordecai sent word to Esther that she would not be immune to the edict, but she could appeal to the king on behalf of all the Jewish people. He told her that, perhaps, she had come to this "royal position for such a time as this." Under the threat of death Esther approached the king to make her appeal. As it turned out, Xerxes was pleased to have her in his presence, and she humbly appealed to him, and was granted her petition. For such a time as that moment, Esther stepped forward, under the threat of death, to appeal for the rights of her people.
This scene, and especially this phrase, so clearly depicts a call to leadership in critical moments, and these moments demand a decisive and active response. We can choose to ignore, over analyze, or even run away, or we can decisively face these moments. It doesn't matter what position in life we hold, whether a "royal position" or not – we must make a decision on how we will respond in those critical times. In my past, I would waffle and be indecisive. The account of Esther, and particularly this phrase, has strengthened me to face tough moments in my life, head on.
Questions to consider: How do you respond to those critical, tough moments in your life? How does Esther's story challenge or encourage you? Are you in a "such-a-time-as-this" moment?
Prayer: Father, thank You for being with me and for guiding me in such times as these. Give me clarity and courage with which to face them. Amen.

April 29, 2010 - Acts 13:13

2010-04-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

"From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem." Acts 13:13.
It was at this juncture in their journey that Paul was recognized as the leader, and Barnabas is henceforth referred to as one of "his companions." Barnabas, to his credit, was able to recognize Paul's leadership, allowing him to become the point person, while Barnabas stepped back.
Barnabas seemed to have been comfortable with serving in whatever position he found himself in, while it seemed that John, called John Mark, left the group under questionable circumstances, and returned to Jerusalem. We only know of the problems from a future conflict between Paul and Barnabas concerning John Mark (Acts 15). Barnabas was committed to the current mission, whether he was in the lead or not. He was committed to seeing Jesus lifted up – rather than being concerned with his own recognition. It was all about Jesus, not Barnabas.
This challenges me, as I know that, at times, my ego gets in the way, and I desire to receive recognition. While I want Jesus to get the recognition, I also know that I would like some, too. Yet, it is a good discipline for me to stop, intentionally step to the background, and let Jesus be the focus.
Questions to consider: When was the last time that you remember intentionally stepping back - becoming one of "his companions" – and allowing Jesus to be the center of attention? What was that experience like for you? What do you need to do to continue to allow Jesus to be in the forefront?
Prayer: Father, it's all about You. It's all about lifting Jesus up and having Him be the central focus of my life. Help me to be one of "His companions" in this journey. Amen.

April 22, 2010 - Acts 13:11b

2010-04-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

“Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.” Acts 13:11b.
Blindness came on the sorcerer, Elymus. He had opposed Paul’s message as Paul delivered the good news concerning Jesus to Sergius Paulus, the regional governor. Paul knew that Elymus’ distractions were keeping Sergius Paulus from responding to the message, so he had to deal with the distraction. While this demonstration of God’s power was clear and evident, it was not the only factor that moved this ruler to commit himself to follow Jesus. It was in conjunction with Paul’s teaching that the Holy Spirit had used to penetrate his heart.
If I had witnessed this blindness coming upon someone as it did in this passage, it would have certainly gotten my attention. I do believe that I would have been so distracted by that incident that I would have missed the message. Yet just the opposite was necessary for Sergius Paulus. He needed Elymus to be silenced in order for his heart to be reached. In a sense, this example is only one of many different ways to present the message, and it is vitally important that we have a sense from God which direction He have us to go. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” method or formula, but instead, a need for us to connect and hear from God and to connect with those around us.
Questions to consider: How did God reach you? What “method” did He use to touch your heart? What various ways have you used to share God’s message with those around you? How have you sensed God’s direction in what to share?
Prayer: Father, thank You for touching my heart with Your message. Help me to sense how You desire for me to share the message of Jesus with others. Amen.

April 15, 2010 - Acts 13:10a

2010-04-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

“’You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!’” Acts 13:10a
In Paphos, Cyprus, the ruler of the region desired to hear from Barnabas and Saul, now known as Paul. A sorcerer named Elymas, who influenced this ruler, spoke against Barnabas and Paul while they proclaimed the message of God. Paul confronted Elymas, calling him a “child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!” Paul, in his boldness, was not going to allow false accusations to get in the way of the message God had for them to deliver, so he spoke sternly to this man, and nothing was going to get in his way.
While Paul’s manner seems abrasive and harsh, he effectively silenced his adversary and, with boldness, delivered God’s message to the people. Was Paul too harsh in his dealings with this sorcerer, or was his method warranted? I would struggle with being so bold, yet I see that there are times when similar boldness would be required. My hope is that I would be more concerned about what God thinks of me rather than worrying about what people think of me. I know some people who are abrasive by nature, and it seems that they don’t particularly care about what God or people think. And I know some others who are more concerned about what people think. I tend towards the latter group. May God give me (and you, if you identify!) boldness in His proper time.
Questions to consider: How would you have handled yourself if you were in a similar situation to Paul’s? If you struggle with boldness, are you aware of why you do? What is the right balance between being too abrasive and being too reserved?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to speak Your word boldly when I sense Your leading. Give me the courage to speak boldly when necessary. Amen.

April 8, 2010 - Acts 13:6a

2010-04-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

“They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos.” Acts 13:6a.
After leaving Antioch on their first missionary journey, Barnabas and Paul landed on the island of Cyprus. They made their way from the eastern edge of the island to the city of Paphos, approximately 100 miles away. This travel was not done by car or even horseback, but by foot. And often, the roads traveled were hilly and over rough terrain, making their travels even tougher. Bands of robbers would roam the countryside, making travel dangerous. Yet Barnabas and Paul pressed on in the journey God called them to do, despite these risks and dangers.
Barnabas and Paul left the relative comfort of their lives in Antioch to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to people who had never heard this message before. It was dangerous, yet adventurous. There may have been a few times when I would have been willing to take that journey, but, sadly, I think that I would hesitate to go now for fear of my safety or, even worse, for fear of my personal comfort. Yet, adventures of all descriptions await me whenever I step out of my comfort zone to follow God’s leading.
Questions to consider: What would it take for you to step out of your comfort zone and to get out on the road for God’s adventure? What have you done in your life to get off your sofa and get out into the world?
Prayer: Father, thank You for calling me to be on the journey with You. Help me to be willing to follow Your leading anywhere, even if it involves risk and taking me out of my personal comfort zone. Amen.

Easter, 2010

2010-04-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Matt. 27:50-51.
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” John 20:1.
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Luke 24:6-7.
“’But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.’” Acts 2:24.
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” Amen. Heb. 13:20-21.

I hope that each of you have an Easter season full of wonder and awe at the incredible price our loving God paid. For, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Happy Easter to you!

March 25, 2010 - Acts 13:2

2010-03-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Acts 13:2.
This is the time when Barnabas and Saul (who was to be called Paul) were called by God to spread the good news about Jesus throughout the Roman world. The assembled followers of Jesus in Antioch, having worshiped and fasted, gathered around these two men to acknowledge that God had set them apart for this new venture.
Very recently, an ordination service was conducted for a very close friend whom God had called and the people had recognized. It was so touching to see family and friends from years past gathered to pray for this friend, and to witness the local community’s support of their new pastor. In the message delivered at the service, the speaker stated that each follower of Jesus is called and set apart for the ministry. Our pastors, teachers, and other ‘professionals’ are all here to equip all the believers and to prepare them for the work of the ministry, and it is our responsibility, as Jesus followers, to intentionally and prayerfully seek to know His calling and then to do it.
Barnabas and Saul set out from Antioch on a long and difficult journey, yet they knew full well what God had called them to do, and they sought to do it.
Questions to consider: Do you know what God has called you to do? If you know, what is it, and are you doing it? If not, are you seeking to know what He wants you to do?
Prayer: Father, thank You for calling each of us to do Your work, for Your kingdom. Give us the heart to understand what You have for us to do, and the courage to do it. Amen.

March 18, 2010 - Acts 12:23

2010-03-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

“Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:23.
This gruesome event served as a marker of the transition that occurred in the life of the community of followers of Jesus. Before Herod’s death, the early church had experienced a harsh persecution, with deaths and imprisonments, at the hands of the Jewish authorities, as well as the Roman rulers. And the small community of believers was scattered throughout “all Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In this transition, they began a period of relative peace and experienced numerical growth, as they expanded throughout the Roman world. They had remained faithful through the harsh, tough period, and, even though the persecutions were not over, were now entering into a period of refreshment and growth.
Likewise, each of us goes through different periods in our life. And there are usually markers that aid us in remembering the transition points. One such marker for me was the restlessness that I felt around the time I transitioned from owning my own business to going into ministry as a vocation. I struggled for a period of time, questioning my direction and wrestling with God, until finally realizing that the ministry direction was where God desired for me to proceed. Once the decision was made, I moved from experiencing restlessness, worry, and anxiety to peace and joy. In my life, markers have served to help me see God’s faithfulness and care, and, it’s in looking back that I see His hand at work.
Questions to consider: Have there been any markers in your life? What are they, and what purpose do they serve in your life?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the markers in my life and the transitions that You give me in my journey. Help me to be attentive and aware of these movements and help me to embrace them as being from Your hand. Amen.

March 11, 2010 - Acts 12:14

2010-03-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

“When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’” Acts 12:14.
After Peter was set free from the jail by an angel sent from God, he walked to a home where he knew the followers of Jesus would be meeting. Upon knocking at the door, a servant girl responded. She was so excited to hear Peter’s voice that she ran to tell the others the great news, instead of letting Peter into the house. In her excitement, this young lady left her brain at the door and ran to tell everyone the news. They didn’t believe her, but Peter kept knocking until they answered and were astonished to find Peter standing there.
There have been times when, in my excitement over something, I left my brain at the door. In my reaction to the event, I do not exhibit much, if any, self-control. In most cases, such as with the slave girl in this verse, there is no damage done. But it could have been much worse for Peter, as well as for all of those in the household. And it could be a bad situation for me if I do not exhibit self-control. This fruit of the Spirit (from Galatians, chapter 5) is an important quality to receive, and to develop. Most of us are not necessarily born with self-control. It needs to be continually worked into us by the Holy Spirit. It’s not one of the “glamorous” fruit, such as “love,” “joy,” and “peace,” but it is an essential one for many areas of our lives, and it is a discipline that will make a big difference in our time of need.
Questions to consider: Have you been in a situation when you wish you had more self-control? What are you doing to encourage or develop this fruit of the Spirit in your life?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for modeling for me a life that exemplified self-control. Give me a heart that is able to receive a deepening of this spiritual fruit in my life. Amen.

March 4, 2010 - Acts 12:9

2010-03-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

“Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.” Acts 12:9.
Peter thought he was having a vision, which is another way of saying that he thought he was dreaming. And who could blame him? After all, he had been shackled and in jail for his faith. It was now night and he was sound asleep when an angel from God appeared in his cell. The angel woke Peter up and led him out of the jail, with no shackles or guards to deal with. Yet, Peter seemed to be in a fog, as if he were dreaming.
Sometimes in my faith walk, it seems as though I am floating along in a dream-like state. It is as though I were gliding through life. Actually, at times it seems as if I were ricocheting through life – yet, I am not fully engaged in the present moment. The word, “intentional,” has much meaning for me lately, and it seems that when I make myself intentionally be in the moment, my faith becomes alive and present; very actively engaged.
Once released from the prison, it was as if Peter awakened from his dream-like state, took stock of the reality of the moment, rejoiced in God’s deliverance, and returned to where he knew the followers of Jesus were gathered. He was back in the moment, fully alive and fully engaged.
Questions to consider: Do you feel as though you are sometimes walking around in a dream-like state, too? If so, how do you shake yourself out of it? How do you live in the present moment? What do you need to do to be fully alive and fully engaged?
Prayer: Father, thank You for showing me the way to know Your active presence with me in the moment, and for making me alive in that moment. Help me to walk in the moment more regularly. Amen.

February 25, 2010 - Acts 12:7

2010-02-24T12:51:00.001-08:00

“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” Acts 12:7.
Peter had been arrested and was in jail. He was aware of the death of his fellow leader, James, and was not sure what his own fate would be. Yet, that did not seem to bother him too much because he had been sound asleep when an angel from God appeared inside his jail cell. The angel’s appearance caused a bright light to shine in the darkness, yet Peter still did not awaken. The angel had to wake him up. Peter seemed to be at peace within his circumstances and certainly wasn’t losing any sleep over his arrest.
Imagine what it must have been like to be arrested and jailed under those conditions! Jails in this period were horrible places, and the conditions of his arrest were life-threatening. I am not sure how I would have held up in his situation, yet Peter maintained his peace. Peter bore within his heart the scars of his rejection of Jesus, and now, under the power of the Holy Spirit, he was willing to lay his life on the line for his Lord. And God gave him a peace that is beyond human understanding. This is a peace that I, also, desire to walk in.
Questions to consider: What usually disturbs your peace? Have you experienced a peace that is beyond our human understanding, especially within difficult circumstances? What was that like for you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your peace that You freely give to me in all of my circumstances. Help me to recognize Your presence, and the peace that Your presence brings, especially within difficult circumstances. Amen.

February 18, 2010 - Acts 12:5

2010-02-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5.
James, the brother of John, had been killed by King Herod. Peter, along with some others, had been arrested and thrown into the darkness of a jail cell. As he was there, all the early followers of Jesus gathered to pray to God on Peter’s behalf.
Not too long before this, Peter and the others had received some final instructions from Jesus just before He left them to return to His Father’s side in glory. Jesus’ final words were, “and I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth.” Interestingly enough, Jesus did not promise them safety; He promised that He would be with them in whatever circumstances they might find themselves. Even in the depths and darkness of the jail, Peter knew Jesus’ presence was with him.
I can think of many times when I have prayed for safety for travelling or in other situations, but I can rarely remember times when I have intentionally asked for or have thanked God for His presence with me in my journey of life. As I read this verse, I was suddenly struck by how privileged I am to have the continual presence of the living God, both in me, and working through me. Peter, while definitely not in a safe place, knew that the comforting presence of God was with him.
Questions to consider: Have you recognized that God will always be with you, even in the most difficult or dangerous of situations? In what ways have you seen His presence in your life – no matter the circumstances – and especially in the hard times?
Prayer: Father, I know that You never promised that I would be safe, even though my whole life experience has been safe. Instead, You promised that You would always be with me. Thank You, Father, for Your presence, no matter what my circumstances are. Amen.

February 11, 2010 - Acts 12:1-2

2010-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” Acts 12:1-2.

The persecution of the early followers of Jesus intensified, and James, son of Zebedee, brother of John, and one of the first disciples, was martyred. Several other followers, including Peter, were arrested, and no one knew what their fate might be.

These words hit me pretty hard. I realized the life-or-death seriousness of the journey facing these followers of Jesus. Or possibly it was just that I was becoming more sensitized to their situation! I began to think about what this group of people had to endure. What do you suppose this would look like today? How would you react in similar circumstances? It was be sobering for me, causing me to think deeply about my convictions.

I am not so sure how I would respond to persecution. My hope is that I would stand firm in my conviction that Jesus is my Master, my Lord, and my Savior. But how would I respond if my government was trying to “cleanse the land” of us? We say that this could never happen...but what if it did? Consider what happened to the Jews in Europe under Nazi savagery.

Questions to consider: What would be your conviction if persecution started happening in your country? How serious are you about following Jesus? How would you follow Jesus, obeying His most important commands to love, in the face of persecution?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me this wakeup call and for helping me to think about the seriousness of what Your early followers had to face. Give me a heart that is willing to follow You no matter what the circumstances. Amen.

February 4, 2010 - Acts 11:24

2010-02-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

“He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” Acts 11:24.
Barnabas, a follower of Jesus who had the nickname, “encourager,” was sent to Antioch in order to check out the stories that Gentiles were becoming followers of Jesus. The leadership in Jerusalem must have recognized Barnabas’ character and his gifting, and they entrusted him with the responsibility of assessing this new move of the Holy Spirit in Antioch. Interestingly enough, after his arrival, it is stated that a “great number” became followers of Jesus evidently because of his work among them. In early church history, it is interesting to note that this same city of Antioch was, in a short amount of time, to become a transitional center of the Christian faith, which was moving from Jerusalem toward Rome.
Barnabas’ work there was very important, yet on his initial entry into the city, he most likely was not aware of how valuable his presence would be to the early Christian movement there. At this point, he was said to be a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” To me, that sounds like what a normal disciple would be. It is amazing what God can do with a person of good character, who makes himself available to be used by the Holy Spirit.
Questions to consider: How available are you to the Holy Spirit? Has your character been developed to a place where you could be used by God in any way that He desires? How does your character get worked on? In what areas are you strong? In what area is your character not so strong? What can be done about that?
Prayer: Father, I am available to be used by You, if You so desire. Please continue to work the character in me that You desire, and please do it in Your way for Your purposes. Amen.

January 28, 2010 - Acts 11:20

2010-01-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

“Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20.
Out of Stephen’s stoning arose a persecution, which caused many followers of Jesus to be scattered throughout Judea, Samaria, and beyond. God used this persecution to spread the story of Jesus, as these new followers travelled about. One particular group of men from the island of Cyprus and the North African city of Cyrene travelled to Antioch, in modern-day Syria, and began speaking about Jesus to the inhabitants. And the Lord’s hand was with them.
Here is another situation where God used the negative experiences for a positive result. It seems that these men from Cyprus and Cyrene could no longer stay in Jerusalem because of the threats against all of the followers of Jesus, so they took the story on the road. They could have complained about their situation, but instead, they went on their own missionary trip, excitedly sharing the good news about Jesus.
Often when negative experiences occur in my life, my initial reaction is to feel sorry for myself and have a pity party. More recently, I have been attempting to see these situations as opportunities instead of obstacles. Instead of being glum, I am trying to choose to be more excited about life and to share the good news of Jesus, no matter what the circumstances are.
Questions to consider: How do negative circumstances affect you? Have there been times when you were able to share the love of Jesus in the midst of rough circumstances? Do you remember any missed opportunities?
Prayer: Father, thank You for making good things happen in the midst of some of my bad experiences. Help me to see that interruptions in my life are opportunities instead of obstacles. Amen.

January 21, 2010 - Acts 11:18

2010-01-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.’” Acts 11:18.
Peter responded to the objections of his brothers back in Jerusalem concerning his involvement with the Gentile household of Cornelius. Peter’s closing question ended any further concerns, and, finally, the whole assembly gave praise to God. They recognized that God had done the work and that Peter had just followed along, giving an eyewitness account to what had happened. The assembly realized that “repentance unto life” in Jesus was no longer restricted to the Jews, but was now opened up to the Gentile world.
One thing that I have noticed among many people is that we tend to bring our own list of restrictions to whatever we are involved with. I am surprised at who gets involved with an activity because it is often the people that I was not expecting to, who get involved, and the ones that I thought would be involved, do not. It doesn’t happen all the time but often enough for me to notice. Fortunately, I usually do not restrict anyone’s involvement. Yet in my mind, I have already restricted them, by purposely not extending an invitation. Fortunately, in many instances, God has touched their hearts. And when God is moving, who am I to hold my petty restrictions against them?
Questions to consider: Have you restricted anyone from being involved with something you were involved with? What were the circumstances around that, and how did that work for you? Have you ever been restricted from participating in something? How did that make you feel?
Prayer: Father, Thank You that You have not restricted me, or anyone, from coming close to You or from getting involved with anything You are doing. Thank You that You are a God who accepts and does not reject. Amen.

January 14, 2010 - Acts 11:17

2010-01-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

“’So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?’” Acts 11:17.
Peter reaches the end of his explanation for his actions at Cornelius’ house, finishing with this potent question. God had poured out the Holy Spirit on this Gentile household in a similar manner as He had done with Peter and the other Jewish followers. To their credit, they recognized that it was God’s activity and decided, as a result, that they could not oppose it. Interestingly enough, it was another group of leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, who rejected God’s activity in Jesus Christ. God was doing something new, and these early followers of Jesus recognized Him and followed after Him.
Sometimes, we can oppose God by not recognizing something new that He is doing around us or in us. (The truth of the matter is that, most likely, it is not necessarily new; it is just new to us.) There have been times that I get so used to doing things in a certain way, even if it takes me much longer or at greater inconvenience. I am a creature of habit. When a new, more efficient way is presented to me, my initial reaction is to resist or oppose it. This carries over into the spiritual realm. Something new is revealed, and yet, I stay stuck in my old patterns and beliefs. Or someone becomes a follower of Jesus that is “surprising.” Yet, who am I “to think that I could oppose God.” God has His agenda, and I need to try to recognize it and follow.
Questions to consider: How do you resist or oppose God? Are you open to the possibility that you could be resisting Him? Is there anyone who God has accepted that you struggle to accept?
Prayer: Father, it is not my heart to resist or oppose You. Yet, I know that there are times that I do. Please help me to recognize these moments, as these early followers in Acts did, and say, as they said, “Who am I to think that I could oppose You?” Amen.

January 7, 2010 - Acts 11:5

2010-01-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

“’I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.’” Acts 11:5.
Peter had returned to Jerusalem after being directly involved with a Gentile household that subsequently became followers of Jesus. Peter’s fellow believers in Jerusalem had not previously had any experience with Gentiles becoming followers of Jesus, and they were not certain that this was permissible, and so confronted Peter. Peter began his explanation by recounting how God had spoken to him in a vision. It is almost as if Peter was saying, “I was in prayer minding my own business when God put me into a trance and gave me this vision. I couldn’t help it.” He was put into a position where he had to justify his actions, and he did so by patiently retelling each detail of his amazing story and by explaining it truthfully.
There are times when, in an attempt to justify my actions, I am tempted to build a story that ends up making me look good. In other words, I am tempted to lie. When I read of Peter’s response to his brothers, I sense that Peter is not withholding any of the facts from the story, nor is he embellishing it. He is telling the story as completely as he experienced it. I am challenged to do the same in my life – to tell a story, particularly of God’s movement and activity, without embellishment or exaggeration. The challenge is to state the facts as they are and to let them stand on their own merit.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been tempted to change a story of God’s activity in your life in order to make you appear better than was really the case? How does it make you feel when you know that someone is embellishing a story for whatever reason?
Prayer: Father, help me to say “Yes” to speaking the truth, no matter how bad it may make me appear. Help me to always speak the truth, seasoned with Your love. Amen.