The Lord Stood By Him

Scripture:

9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation:

Yet again, the Jews are all stirred up because Paul is preaching the Gospel.  He’s been dragged before the leaders in hopes of them doing their dirty work and killing him (again).  In earnest about it, there are about forty of them in this chapter who’ve taken a vow to neither eat nor drink until they’ve completed the job.

Paul knows where their hot buttons are though and he sets them on each other, infighting so severely that the commander of the army was afraid they’d literally tear him to pieces and has Paul forcibly taken away and put under protective custody.

That night, The Lord stands near Paul and tells him “Take courage!  As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” 

Wow.  I would be all like “Jesus has my back!  He’s come to rescue me!  He’s come to get me out of this prison and maybe send some angels to take care of my wounds.  I knew he wouldn’t leave me here like this!”  Wouldn’t you?  Don’t we?  We pray for comfort, for healing, for freedom from our chains… we want Jesus to come and stand beside us and have our back, don’t we?

And He does.  But he doesn’t.  Instead of seeing to his bruises and picking the locks, the scripture in our verse selection today says that he “Stood with him” and he told him to buck up and do it all over again in Rome!  “You’re doing just what I want you to do, keep on doing it!  Don’t give in to fear.” 

Application:

Can you see why I am not an apostle?  My reactions are all wrong.  My human nature seeks comfort, health and wealth. 

I wonder how much more brave I’d be though if I disciplined my spirit better.  I wonder if through study, prayer, fasting, and practicing the fruits of the Spirit if I would be so convicted of my sin, and so motivated to reveal truth to others, that I’d be bold like Paul. 

I don’t know for sure, but I wonder if Paul was going through a crisis of faith in those moments.  I wonder if he was scared and weary in spirit and wounded in body so much that the enemy was tempting him to do whatever it took to make them stop.  And right there in his moment of need, Jesus stood beside him and gave him encouragement.  I wonder if the fear of what might happen had him doubting himself so much that Jesus, made a special appearance for him much like the angels ministered to Jesus in the Garden before he was turned over.

So what does this mean for you and me?  Well, you likely aren’t causing riots – and people aren’t making vows to kill you – but we all have the power to stand beside those in crisis and encourage them don’t we?  We all could stand to practice the spiritual disciplines that make us strong to fight temptations, right? 

Here’s what I know:  Jesus has our backs.  He has a purpose for us.  The witnessing of his name to a dark world is dangerous stuff and will cost us, but he doesn’t leave us alone in the darkness.  Sometimes he gives us a peek into what the plans are, and sometimes he doesn’t – but he always stands beside us. 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for those who read this who are going through a crisis.  I pray you provide someone to stand with them for comfort and encouragement.  I pray that you convict your children of sin and teach them to discipline their spirits so that they can be fit to do your work.  Amen.

  

Words and Names

Scripture:

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13“This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. (Acts 18:9-17)

Observation:

At this time Paul is staying Corinth with Priscilla and Aquila working as a tent maker and preaching in the synagogues.  He causes an uproar among the Jews and declares to them "from now on I'm going to the gentiles".  And he did. This upset the Jews even more and they dragged Paul back to the proconsul Gallio.  He hears the case and tells them "This is about words and names and your own law.  This has nothing to do with me" and he ejects him from court.

As an aside: Because the Jews were governed by the Romans, they did not have the power of capitol punishment (which is why they took him before the proconsul who was a Roman official)

Application:

I keep getting stuck on the phrase Gallio used.  "Words and Names" he said.  What words do people use to describe us?  Are we associated with HIS name? 

Ideas and relationships are the clay, but words are the molds that cast those relationships and ideas into being.  Those words and names shape who we become and the laws we live under.

Gallio analysed the situation and basically decided that he didn't have authority to judge a law he didn't practice.  (That being Jewish law.)  So he ejected them from his court, sparing Paul a Roman execution at that time, just as his vision from verses 9 and 10 promised.

Prayer:

Lord, we live in easy times here in the states in this century.  Much of the danger that these early Christians went through are things we know on an intellectual level, but not a heart one.  We are nervous of embarrassment or loss of worldly reputation to speak, but most of us have never spoken for you at the risk of our lives.  My prayer for myself is that you would infuse my life with boldness to speak, and that you would those words with power.  Amen.

Confrontation

Scripture:

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days.  25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”  (Acts 3:24-26)

Observation:

Peter and John are going to the temple for daily prayers and as they enter the gate called Beautiful, Peter administers a miracle.  The recipient, a man born lame, praises God and draws attention to what God has done for him.  This brings a crowd who react in surprise and are “filled with wonder and amazement.” 

Peter admonishes them, asking them why they look to him as though he did this on his own power or Godliness.  He points them to Jesus, saying: “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.  We are witnesses of this.  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know, was made strong. “

Not once did Peter or John take credit or glory for the miracles.  Because they kept their egos out of it, because they always pointed the people back to Jesus, the Spirit of God was able to flourish – proving that not even death could stop the gospel message. 

While in the middle of admonishing the onlookers for their part in Jesus’ death (something that could have put a wedge of condemnation between God and his people), Peter pulls them in, reminding them of the promises God made to them through Abraham and the prophets.  He reminds them of the prophesy that the “Servant would suffer” (Isaiah).  He reminds them what God said to Abraham in the covenant “Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed”

Then he gets to the best part, he tells them something in their place and time that I can hold on to here in mine.  He says in verse 26 “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you, to bless you, by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

This was the opening door for many people who saw Jesus from a distance.  They’d heard who he was.  Might have been curious about him, but mostly just followed the crowd.  For some, this might have been the first miracle they’d observed (it says they were amazed).  They could no longer pretend he was just a good man, or a teacher.  Peter claimed that they weren’t doing any of those miracles on their own power – but by the power of the suffering servant who was raised. 

Peter uses the miracle to get the peoples attention, but the point of the whole thing was to confront them with Jesus; to get them to repent of their wickedness.

This was the blessing!

Application:

Tomorrow we will talk about the result of this confrontation, but let me circle back for a moment and ask you a question.  Have you confronted Jesus lately?  Have you found sin in your life that you’ve turned away from?  If you have… if you’ve conformed your life to His, then look for the blessing!

If you know you are on the wrong track, avoiding the saving work of Jesus, won’t you stop running and confront him?  Talk to Him about your hurts and your disappointments.  Give him the chance to talk to you and prove how surrendering your wickedness will bring blessings in your life.

Prayer:

Father God, I know that what I just asked them to do is scary.  We often feel so overwhelmed and harbor self-contempt, wondering how you could ever love us when we are so messed up.  It’s hard to believe that you can love us so much when we sometimes don’t even like ourselves.  But I pray for them, Lord, that you would give them the courage to speak to you honestly about their hurts and the things they love that they know are wicked.  Help them see themselves the way you do.  Increase their hope, and pour out your truth in their life so they can see past the delusions and enter into the blessing.  Amen.

Do What You Can

Scripture: Mark Chapter 14

Do What You Can

1Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2“But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

3While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year’s wagesand the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6“Leave her alone,”said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.7The poor you will always have with you,and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.8She did what (she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.9Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

(Mark 14:1-11)

It’s the fourth day of his final week, two days before Passover.  He knows he has only a few days left before the crucifixion.  His heart and mind must be full of all the things he wants yet to say on one hand and the fullness of his purpose weighing on the other.

In this quiet moment before the betrayal, Jesus rests.  He’s finished his public ministry of teaching and healing, and moved into a priestly one.  The anointing by this woman signifies the internal changes happening within him.  A change that goes largely unnoticed by the people around him, and so he gives another clue to what he’s thinking: “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

It’s interesting to me that this is the trigger point for Judas’s decision for betrayal.  Could it be that Judas finally gets that Jesus isn’t going to be a Roman Conqueror?  Could it be that when he hears the comment Jesus makes, his prediction that he’s going to die, he fears for his own life?  Could it be that he is deluded into thinking that betraying him into arrest might save his life – a desire to control a situation he sees unraveling with dire consequences?  Whatever his motivation, this episode moves him into putting the plans into place that set Jesus up.

I also find it touching that Jesus says of the woman who does this for him “She did what she could”.  Something he rewards her for with in an interesting promise that reaches across time and space and links her story forever with his in the telling of the Gospel.

Here’s what I get from this passage for application: Jesus has to transition from the person we originally thought he was when we first meet him, into the person that intimacy reveals him to be in our lives.  Are we willing to let our lives change, let our own ambitions fall, and truly enter into the life of service and sacrifice he calls us to?

Do we betray him, like Judas, wanting to have control for ourselves; or do we honor him and forever link our story to his like this woman with the alabaster Jar?

If you are like me you’ve have moments of both, constantly picking up and putting down that control. 

Father I pray that you use this moment in devotion to talk to those who are reading.  I ask you to reveal their inner ambitions and to give them the courage to “Do What They Can.”  Amen

For Those Who Have Ears To Hear

Scripture: Mark Chapter 4

11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.  But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,

and ever hearing but never understanding;

otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”

33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.  34He did not say anything to them without using a parable.  But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

. 

Observation: 

Why speak parables?  Why not just say it straight out, especially with something this important? 

The best I understand, based on a comment Jesus makes in verses 11-12 is that Jesus knew that there were those in the crowd that had already hardened their hearts, they joined the crowd for their own reasons – likely to catch him saying something that could get him hauled before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling counsel).  This presented a challenge!  How do you speak so that the right people hear the truth, and the others just hear a story?  

Jesus’ answer to his dilemma was the parable.  In this opening set of parables, Jesus reveals what the Kingdom of God is like, and he uses the imagery of seeds to explain it, something that a group of farmers would connect with immediately.

Application:

Fast forward to today.  What do you “hear” when you read the parables?  Do you hear the deeper truths or just a story?  If you don’t, the solution is within the first parable… check the soil of your heart. 

Prayer: 

Lord, I am so thankful that you found a way to speak and teach!  I am grateful to the Holy Spirit who searches out the deeper things of God and reveals those truths to us.  I pray that you open the ears of our hearts.  Amen!

The Last Word

Bible Reading: Revelation 10-22

Scripture
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 122:12-21)

Observation 

Today's selection of reading crosses the finish line for our year-long journey.  In the reading we celebrate the victory of God over the enemy, the thousand-year reign, the judgement of Satan.  Then the dead are resurrected and all are sorted according to who's name is written in the Lambs book of life.

But wait, there's more!  God declares "I am making everything new!" And so he creates a new heaven and a new earth.  This earth has no sea.  (To make room for all who have their names written in the lambs book of life?)  Then he shows John New Jerusalem.  And just like the ark, the tabernacle, and the temples of old, this new dwelling place of God has been lovingly described.  The bible calls it "The bride" and invites all who stay to the wedding feast.

Finally, John steps aside and holds open the temporal curtain so that Jesus can speak directly to us.  The last words in the bible are an invitation to come and warning not to change or take away anything written within.  It's His last chance to speak to us through his written word to all nations, and He says "I am coming soon!"

There is so much here.  So much more than I can unpack in one devotional.  (And honestly, my personal understanding of the book of revelation is elementary)  Here's what I know in broad strokes though:  He promises to hold all of us to account for the things we've done.  No one escapes it - not even Satan.  And when the old accounts are settled, he's going to give us our reward.

Application

How then do we live?  Who should we fear?  What is important?

God wrote it all down through prophets and apostles so that we would have a template.  He gave us history, to learn from our past.  He gave us books of wisdom so we could learn from each other.  He gave us prophesy to learn to trust what he said as the truth.  He even gave us a peek at the end so we could not say we didn't know what his purpose was.  He's laid all his cards on the table and said his final word on the subject.

The only question left is when.   When will this happen?  Here is what Jesus said about it:

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,but only the Father.37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

(Matt. 24:36-44)

Prayer

Lord, I pray a blessing on your word, that it doesn't return void, but accomplishes what you designed it to do.  Come soon!

Bad Habits

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 1-3,  Jude 1

Scripture

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  (2 Peter 1:3-10)

Observation

This set of verses address our effectiveness as Christians once we've been saved.  All of us have stories of people who claim to be Christian, but then don't act very Christ-like.

What is the foul up?  How  is it that we can say the prayer and really mean it, but not show it in our lives?

Great Question!  It's one that's reflected and explored in Romans chapters 8-9 when Paul says "What I don't want to do, this I keep on doing!"  This isn't a radical thought, it's reflected in many other places in scripture, Rom, 12:2 says "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.   Paul addresses this in Philippians 2:12-13, when he says "Work out your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who causes you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  The whole "working out" part is this the practical application of God's character into our nature.  Jesus said that we should be "quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry" (James 1:19) and this is the critical moment where we hold our own gut reaction and on purpose exchange that sinful part of our nature, and submit it to the Lord.  2 Cor. 10:4-5  tells us to hold every thought captive.

Application

Have you ever tried to break a habit?  First you catch yourself doing it and stop after the fact and try to make it right.  After a while, you catch yourself in the act of doing it, and change your actions.  Before too long you catch yourself just as you are ABOUT to do it, and avoid it.  Then, finally you realize one day that you only thought about doing that thing, and didn't do it.  This is basic behavior modification in action.  But it starts with a commitment to stop sinful thoughts and behaviors and exchange them for Godly ones.

The promise is a "rich welcome" in heaven for the long-term.  For the short-term, we will be effective and productive here on earth.  Don't you want the father to say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"  (Matt. 25:23) instead of calling us "shortsighted and blind"?

Prayer

Father, I pray for your Holy Spirit within me to activate and change me from the inside out.  I pray for your grace as I fail at this, for your patience with me as I make the same mistakes.  But Lord, I know that you aren't done with me, that you will continue to work in me as I struggle to submit my will to yours.  I pray I make you happy with my progress, and ask that you find ways to encourage me and keep me motivated.  I pray and ask this in your Holy Name.  Amen.

House Rules

Scripture:Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1-6

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)

Observation:

You've become a Christian.  You heard the gospel, you said the prayer and you are now a member of God's family... now what?  Adoption into a new family means that there are new rules to learn.  Every family has them, even God's.

I love that we aren't left to ourselves to figure it out.  He first sent His son, to teach us and show us... then sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us and direct us from within.  The bible says that The Spirit searches out the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10).   But He doesn't stop there, he also provided us with his Word, and books with in it like the one we read today to teach us.

There is a movement within the church to tolerate all kinds of behavior that directly opposes scripture and these "family rules".    Let's face it, living a Godly life in today's culture is very unpopular.  We don't want to offend, exclude, or prohibit people from coming into the family, nor do we want to seem as though we are narrow-minded or exclusive.  And tragically, this compromises our fellowship with Him when we pick and choose which parts of His Word we are willing to acknowledge and live.

Application:

My challenge to you is to look at the book Paul wrote to Timothy, imagine it was written today... to you.  What sections do you find the most challenging?  What parts resonate and encourage you?  It might feel overwhelming to think of  these standards in your common every day experience,  and you may feel like you don't measure up.

But let me encourage you to trust that the God who saved you, who has a plan and a purpose, has reasons for the rules he sets up.  The Holy Spirit who lives inside of you and searches out the deeper things will teach you, will be your guide as you navigate the transformation of your salvation. (Philippians 2:12-13). 

 Trust Him.

Prayer:

Lord I think you for your love.  I thank you for that amazing thing you did in sending your son who surrendered to the cross, and bridged the gap so that we could call you Father.  I thank you for your Spirit, the part of you that dwells in side of us, so that we are never alone.  Holy and Triad God, I ask that you complete the work inside of us that began with that initial prayer of repentance.  Amen.

What I Am

Bible Reading: Acts 24-26

Scripture:

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  (Acts 26:24-29)

Observation:

Paul knew the end was coming.  He had been warned a few chapters back that he would be captured and imprisoned if he went into Jerusalem.  And still he went.

In this section he has been passed up and up the food chain, no one willing to kill a Roman Citizen, Paul requests to speak to Cesar.  At this point in the journey he is speaking to Festus and Agrippa.  They don't understand him, and call him insane.  Instead of justifying his actions or pleading for his release, he presents the gospel.

Application:

Can I say of my life, as Paul did, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

I can gratefully count myself as one of those who "are listening" to Paul, so many centuries later.   I count myself as one who - like him - is  changing from what I was into "What I Am".

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit who moves within us and compels us to be more like you!  Amen

Affliction

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Scripture:

7b  Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Observation:

Paul suffered from an affliction that he never names.  Many have speculated that it had something to do with his eyes.  There are even many bread crumbs dropped in scripture that support this theory.  Acts 9:30 describes his Damascus Road conversion that includes a bright light.  It was bright enough that he was many days recovering.  Gal. 4:13-14 talks about a "bodily condition".  Gal. 4:15 Paul says, "I know you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me."  Implying that he would have need of new eyes.  Gal. 6:11 says "See what large letters I use as I write you with my own hand."  (As an aside it was common then to dictate to a scribe, where the author would sign the closing greetings.)

In today's reading Paul confesses that he's prayed for this affliction (whatever it was) to pass three times before he heard from God.  And when he did, it wasn't what he wanted to hear.  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Application:

There is a trap that I believe many of us fall into; a lie we want to believe that says "If I love  and obey God well enough, He won't let bad things happen to me."  When you say it out loud like that it's easy to see the fallacy in it.  After all, He didn't spare Job, Joseph or even his own son from terrible things.

It's wrong of course but still, we persist in thinking this way because it's the way we strive to treat our own kids.  It's the treatment we want for ourselves.  We trap ourselves into attaching our feelings of being loved to the level of our comfort.

When each of these  men looked back on their particular afflictions, and tried to make sense of what had happened in their life, Job said "should we accept good from God and not trouble?"  Joseph said "What you meant for evil, God meant for good."   Jesus said "If it be possible, let this cup pass.  Never the less, not my will but thine be done."

God told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  It seems that it was the perfect thing to answer Paul's inner struggles on the matter because he got it.  It made sense to him and he turned his frustration over.  The affliction became the thing he boasted in for it gave him the assurance that he would still be useful to the Lord, that "his power may rest on me."

I don't know where you are in your journey.   Are you going through trials?  Have you asked for God to take it way?  Do you doubt that he hears you?  Have you fallen into the trap of thinking that the terrible thing you are facing is because he doesn't love you?   Are you broken, sick, lonely, tired or afraid?  I confess that I have thought all of those things.

I entreat you to keep talking to Him about it though.  He will have answers for you, if you don't walk away.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for the times I've caught myself measuring your love for me by the events in my life.  I am so grateful for your Spirit that reassures me of your love, independent of the events that shadow me.

I pray also for those who are in crisis, that you would speak to them in their weakness and show them the sufficiency of your power over their circumstances.  I pray that their faith would deepen during this trial and they would come to know you better and trust you even more.  Amen

Let's Talk Turkey

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 5-8

Scripture:Concerning food sacrificed to Idols:

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. (1Cor. 8:6-13

Observation:

I couldn't help but use the verse talking about food on the day after Thanksgiving.  We live in such a different time and place from the culture that this was written to that it's easy to dismiss it as not applying to us.  I mean, when was the last time you knew anyone who actually had dinner with food that had been ritually sacrificed to appease one god or another?  It seems ridiculous to us now, but back then this was happening all the time.  Once the animal was dead and the sacrifice made, the leavings went to use.

It was causing problems in the church, to see people eating at these temples, because of the narrow scope of their understanding.  (If you don't recognize the power of a wooden idol, how can the meat have any power?  It doesn't.  So they ate.  But to the ones who were weaker, they saw this behavior (without the understanding) and participated in it.  This played havoc with their faith, messed up their thinking.  Today we have divisions in the church not based on food sacrificed to idols, but because of viewpoints on alcohol, tobacco, how we dress, dancing, etc..

Application:

While the idea of eating meat sacrificed to an idol seems silly to us now, we still have idols today.  We don't sacrifice animals, we sacrifice our time, energy, resources and ambitions to things that lead us away from God.  We don't wear sacrificial robes, instead we wear team colors, gang colors and business attire.

During this Thanksgiving weekend, while you are numbering your blessings and grateful for the things God has given to you, I urge you to invite the Holy Spirit to help you search your life for the things you have made into an idol.  The two tools to pull out and lay on the table beside your bible to help you make this examination accurate, are your calendar and your checkbook.  Where you spend your time and your money indicates where your treasures are.

Prayer:

Lord, Matthew 6:21 tells me: For where my treasure is, there my heart will be also.  Help me father, to invest in you and your kingdom.  Let me be open and listening for what you want done with the resources that are yours through me.  Reveal to me, Lord the places in my life where my thinking has become clouded,teach me understanding through your Word, then give me the courage to follow you.  Amen

Are You Different?

Prayer Focus: Tanzania

Bible Reading: Acts 15-16

Scripture:

5 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 keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”  (Acts 15:5-11)

Observation:

For the Pharisee's, much of their pride came in being the "chosen ones".  It was their birthright and circumcision was the outward sign of that they were keeping their end of the covenant .  The thought that others could be added and get the same promise seemed unfair to them.  They wanted to first make the gentiles into Jews, hold them to the same rules and restrictions they'd been striving for for generations.  But the Bible is pretty clear that we are saved by faith and not by what we do or who's family we were born into.  (Romans 3:28-30, 4:5, 5:1, 9:30, 10:4. 11:6; Galatians 2:16, 2:21, 3:5-6, 3:24; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9)

Application:

It's so easy to take on the "well of course" attitude of hindsight when applying it to this section of scripture.  The adoption of gentiles (anyone not Jewish)  into The Promise (eternal life in heaven) is something that we have all grown up with.  Western culture predicates it's presentation of the "saved by grace" gospel that insists that we aren't saved by our works or by our lineage, but by this amazing thing that Jesus did for us if we only accept it.  Which makes it sound easy, doesn't it?

But there is more.  It's not just saying yes to an invitation, though that's where it starts.  I'd like to point you to one section in this passage that I think that we can do well to remember. Vs 8 and 9 says:

"8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith."

My question to you today, friend, is this:  what is the state of your heart?  Does God indeed know you?  Do you hear his voice and follow him?

Do you sometimes doubt your faith?  There is a way to know!  The giving of the Holy Spirit brings CHANGE (that's the purification the scripture is talking about, characterized by repentance - a turning away from sin).  Are you different after you made the decision to follow Him?

If not, then start asking the question why, and look at the places where you have justified your sin or only expressed regret instead of turning away from it.  Being sorry for sin and repenting of it are different things.  (2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 1:9)

Faith, the deposit of the Holy Spirit inside of us, is what makes us acceptable to him; not the laws and rules that we keep or break.  We can't obtain it by cultural or racial birthright either.   Being born in a "Christian nation" or from a "Christian household" isn't enough.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that you deal with those who come to you with their lips and intentions and draw them into a deeper relationship one  marked by the change of the Holy Spirit. I pray for them as they struggle with doubts, fears, and addictions.  I pray that you guard them from the enemy while they examine if the life they have, is the one they wanted in you.  Give them the courage to reach for more of you and less of the world.

Amen.

Simon The Great

Prayer Focus: Sudan

Bible Reading: Acts 5-8

Scripture:9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. (Acts 8:9-13)

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”  (Acts 8:18-24)

Observation:

It's so easy to be impressed by power, isn't it?  We go to magic shows specifically TO be impressed.  illusionist devote their lives to the study and practice of their art.

It's unclear if Simon actually had a power or if he practiced illusion, but when the apostles came and laid hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit, Simon was so impressed that he wanted to pay to have that power too.  Peter rebukes him quickly, telling him to repent.

Application:

When it's laid out so bare like this, it's obvious that Simon is wrong.  Obvious that he's chasing after fame and after the apostles to learn where they get their power in order to acquire it for himself.  But before I gloss over this, thinking that it doesn't apply to me, I want to look at it closer.

If I am honest with myself, I have to recognize that I like shows of power.  I am hardwired to want to see signs and miracles.  Harry Blackstone, David Copperfield and many more were like Simon, who called themselves "great" and made their living this way.  It's what drew Simon into the apostle's company in the first place.

The difference, of course, is that God sent Jesus and used signs and miracles as proof of his authenticity.  Jesus sent the apostles, and empowered them with the ability to do miracles to prove their authenticity.   The power they used, the source of it,  was from God - not their own.

Simon's sin was the pursuit of the power instead of the pursuit of God.  It's about who get's the glory, right?  When you are a follower of Christ, and using His power to heal, you act as a conduit, then there is no question about who is great or where the power is coming from.  Right?  Yet putting the issue of miracles or magic aside, I know that I have been guilty of first pursuing my power over pursuing God plenty of times.

While I might not apply the use of magic to myself, I totally understand the want for power, for fame.  I understand the desire to make your mark, be called "great" and leave something of yourself that people remember.  It's what makes this sin look so attractive to me.  So, I'm glad this cautionary tale is left for us here.

Prayer:

Lord, please check my life.  Show me where I transpose my glory for yours.  Test me,and show through any means necessary the places where I try to stand up and claim the victories that you've  secured.  Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Cutting Room Floor

Prayer Focus: Spain

Bible Reading: John 14-17

Scripture:

6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8)

Observation:

It seems to me that no matter if you are producing fruit or not, God will bring out the shears.  The true question is whether you will be cut back or cut off.  There is no escaping the gardener.  Jesus had just said in the chapter before in verse 6, "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me."  The  metaphor here in this section is his word picture to describe this truth.

We are all big fans of the famous John 3:16 verse "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life"  And that verse talks of the sacrifice that both the Father and the Son made on our behalf.  Where Jesus sacrifices himself for us.  But part of the "remain in me as I also remain in you" part is that we sit still for this pruning process, willingly sacrificing the parts of ourselves that are not in line with the purpose and will of the Father.

When it's done to a healthy plant (in keeping with the metaphor) the sap that carries the nutrients is then diverted to make the plant more productive.  The wounds seal and the vines thicken, making a sturdier structure, more able to support the weight of fruit.  The total shape of the plant reflects the intent of it's purpose.

Application:

This observation of course begs the question, "What does the cutting room floor of my life look like?"  What shape has my life taken?  Have I spent time looking at the choices I've made?  Have I submitted to the gardener and allowed my life to reflect a life that cultivates the fruit of His Spirit?  Galatians 5:22-23 list what those fruits are.  That's the litmus test isn't it?  Do I call myself a Christian?  If I do, am I producing the kind of fruit that pleases God and other's can see?

Prayer:

Father God, I declare you as my gardener.  I submit to you and the weeding and pruning you must do to make me fruitful.  Sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes I really don't understand why you do what you do, or allow things in my life that shape me.  I only know that I trust you.  Help me have the courage to sit still when you pull out the shears.  Help me agree with you on what sin is, and not spin it as something that's not that bad.  Expose the things in my life infected with sin and need cleaning out.  Amen!