What is YOUR story?

 

We all have a story.

In Acts 26, Paul shares his awesome transformation story. He recounts his life to King Agrippa, Festus, and all who were in earshot.

Here is a small part of my story:

I was blessed to grow up knowing that Jesus lived in my heart. I remember asking Jesus into my heart in first or second grade. I grew up learning Bible stories, going to church, and being involved in Church activities. I was also baptized as an infant. I was a good person and knew that Jesus loved me. This was all good and I was going through life just fine, until my Sophomore year in High School.
Up until this time in my life, our family attended a denominational church in town and we were pretty active. My Dad would drop us all off at the front door on Sunday morning and then go to park the car.
One Sunday morning my Mom made a decision that we would attend a different church. I was very uncomfortable. Being an introvert, I did not like new situations and meeting new people. I was introduced to a girl who took me to Sunday School with her and tried to make me feel at home. I have to say, I did not want to be there and make any new friends. I had a Church and friends already. A few Sundays passed, and my family began to change before my eyes. My Dad, who used to drop us off at the front door of Church and go park the car…(we would later learn that he never went to Church , but would go out to breakfast with a buddy and then come back just as Church ended to pick us up!)…began to search His heart and realize He was missing Jesus in his life. I still recall the Sunday morning sitting on the wooden pew watching my Dad, Mom, and sister go in front of the Church to be baptized. Seriously?!?! I already knew Jesus lived in my heart and I was sprinkle baptized as an infant. I did NOT have to be baptized again! I felt alone sitting there by myself watching my family go forward, but I was not in a place to “follow”. A couple of months later we went as a family to watch my brother get baptized at church camp. I still felt in my mind that I did not need to be baptized.

After a few months at the new church, my whole family, except me, had a new faith and family in Christ. Summer came and my parents made the decision that I would attend the youth group trip to CIY (Christ in Youth) conference. They literally had to put me on the bus the morning of the trip. I am pretty sure I got on the bus in tears and had a horrible rebellious attitude. Little did I know that God would change my heart that week. Throughout the week there were many speakers and times to sit and talk to new friends and leaders about what God wants for us as His children. I remember sitting at a night session listening to a speaker talk about what baptism means. I realized that baptism was the outward proclamation to others and to Christ that He is the center of my life. Rebellion ruled my heart, but Jesus came in to soften it and to help me realize that my ways were not His ways. I decided that night to be baptized and to give up my selfish ways. I remember calling my parents that night and telling them. I know they wish they would have been there, but I also know the joy they felt knowing that I came to this decision on my own.

While I did not have the experience that Paul did when God audibly spoke to Him, (verses 12-15) I knew that God was speaking to my heart. We all have a conversion story. We are called to tell our story. Paul knew that once he became a follower of Jesus, his sole purpose in life was to spread the Good News of Jesus. If we believe in Jesus, Paul’s purpose is our purpose, too. Many times, when we are talking to people who don’t yet know Jesus, we fool ourselves into thinking that we need to focus on what Jesus can do for them, rather than simply sharing what Jesus has already done for us. When it comes to spreading the Good News, we start by sharing our story. I shared the story of how I came to know Christ, but i have Many, Many stories that I can share of how Christ has worked in my life.

Paul stood before King Agrippa, in chains and a prisoner, yet, he was given the opportunity to preach the gospel to the highest in the land. As a prisoner, Paul is able to share his testimony. It would have been so easy for Paul to feel that God could not use him during these years in captivity. He could have felt sorry for himself and questioned God. Yet, God was able to use him in his situation for things far greater than Paul ever would have imagined.

There are many times in my life when I am complaining about my circumstances. In fact, in the past month my family has faced quite a few circumstances that I could have gotten very discouraged about, but instead I tried to look at the circumstances as opportunities to see how God would shine through.

We need to take our eyes off of our circumstances and ask god how He wants to use us through them. We might be surprised at the outcome. Do you think Paul was surprised that he got to share his story with the leaders of his time? He was a man of courage and hope. He shared his story without reservation. We are called to do the same.

Have courage and hope as Paul did and…Share your story with someone today.

Constancy of Purpose

Today’s reading:  Acts 25

I spent this past week in Atlanta attending the Shingo International Conference.  If you aren’t familiar with Shingo, it is a model for enterprise excellence.  It takes principles from several of the world’s leading experts like Shigeo Shingo, W. Edwards Deming, Taiichi Ohno, Joseph M. Juran, Eli Goldratt, and Jim Womack, just to name a few, and combines them into a framework to help organizations consistently deliver ideal results by creating a sustainable culture of excellence.

The Shingo model includes ten guiding principles, or foundational rules.  According to the model, these principles:

  • Are universal and timeliness – they apply everywhere, always.
  • Are self-evident – they cannot be invented, but they can be discovered through research and study.
  • Govern consequences – regardless of how well we understand the principle, we are subject to the consequence of it.
  • Help us to make more informed decisions.

One of the guiding principles is to create constancy of purpose.  Constancy of purpose is an unwavering clarity of why the organization exists, where it is going, and how it will get there, such that it enables people to align their actions, as well as to innovate, adapt and take risks with greater confidence.  This is the true north, the vision, mission, values, etc.

As we have studied the book of Acts over the past few weeks, I can’t think of another human being (except Jesus of course) who has ever demonstrated constancy of purpose better than the apostle Paul.  We have seen it ever since we were first introduced to him at the end of Acts chapter 7.  Before God got a hold of Paul’s heart, his unwavering purpose was to persecute Christfollowers.  He was very effective at it.

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison (Acts 8:3).

After his conversion in Chapter 9, we watched a complete reversal.  Paul’s purpose changed from persecuting Christfollowers to helping people become Christfollowers by placing their faith in Jesus Christ.  Over the last seventeen chapters of Acts, have you watched how Paul took advantage of every opportunity to point people to Jesus?  He had unwavering clarity of why he existed, where he was going and how to get there.  With confidence, he took risks and aligned every action to point people to Jesus.

By chapter 25, our text for today, Paul was on trial for wrongs he did not commit.  The Jews were pressuring Festus, the governor of Judea, to transfer Paul from a prison in Caesarea to a prison in Jerusalem so they could kill him on the way (Acts 25:3).  After Paul asserted his innocence, Festus gave him the option of being tried in Jerusalem.  He did this primarily just to appease the Jews, as Acts 25:25 tells us Festus didn’t find Paul guilty of anything that would require him to die.  Furthermore, Festus couldn’t even clearly articulate the charges against Paul.  As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal to Caesar.  But knowing he hadn’t done anything wrong, and there was really no evidence against him, why would he go to all this trouble?  Why did Paul feel the need to appeal to the highest court?  Why would he take this risk?  The truth is, Paul didn’t appeal because he thought it would give him a better chance of winning his case.  Rather, according to Romans 1:10, Paul wanted to go to Rome to carry out his purpose.  He took the risk in order to give him the opportunity to lead more people to faith in Jesus Christ.  This is constancy of purpose!

Think about your own life.  Do you have an unwavering clarity of why you are here, where you are going, and how you will get there?  Do you take every opportunity to align your words and actions to this purpose?  As much as I would like to, I know I don’t.  Thank you God for Jesus Christ who forgives my sin, who covers my shortcomings, and who makes me perfect in your sight.  On my own, I am hopeless.

Source: Discover Excellence Participant Guide, Shingo Institute, Utah State University, 2017

Commandments Not Suggestions

Yesterday’s reading included the description of a plan where more than forty people were conspiring to kill Paul. This information led to Paul being sent from Jerusalem to Caesarea where he would face Felix the Governor.

Today’s reading link: Acts 24

Much like Jesus standing on trial for his life, there were false charges brought against Paul, but Paul stood firm and used this as an opportunity to evangelize. A few of the things that stood out for me here:

  • Paul didn’t argue and directly confront the charges. He gave verbal substantive evidence as to what happened, where he was, and why he was there. When we’re facing false accusations, it doesn’t do us any good to bicker as this ends up being a distraction from the truth.
  • The murderous plot by the forty men. There was no mention of this during the trial even though Felix was made aware of it from a reputable source (Claudius Lysias, a military commander). The accusers weren’t seeking justice, they were seeking their own selfish will to be done.
  • Paul’s accusers were saying that Paul was stirring up riots (Acts 24:5), however wouldn’t the murder by forty plus people have incited some sort of a riot? These people planned this as a group actually shared their plans with the chief priests and elders! Imagine getting together with forty of your buddies, calling the elders of your church and sharing your plan to kill someone via an ambush… The very people who should have been the most upstanding and honoring of The Ten Commandments seemed to ignore the sixth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:17). I’m also reminded of the commandment to not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16).
  • Satan is often deemed as the father of lies and the accuser. I very much sense this theme here with Paul as we read what actually happened as compared to what he was being accused of. Satan’s strategy is to suppress the word, suppress evangelism, and to make us doubt our faith.
  • Paul’s statements remind us of 1 Peter 3:15: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”. What is the reason for the hope that is in you? Are we ready to make a defense and share our faith at all times? Practice plus repetition leads to mastery!

Once again, we see a pattern of sin here that should force us to reflect on our own behaviors. Have we had stirrings in our hearts to falsely accuse? Perhaps not a blatant, intentional false accusation, but I believe through jealously or other feelings we can be deceived into thinking that we’re better (or worse) than others, that someone else is in the wrong and we’re in the right.

Dear God, thank you for your living truth where we can learn more about your will and ways. Thank you for the eternal hope that we have through repentance of sin and faith in your son and our king Jesus Christ. Amen.

Paul on Trial

Heart pounding. Mind racing. Paul stands in front of hundreds of people who will decide whether he is innocent or guilty of his accusations. I’m sure even Paul had fear in that moment with such an uncertain future ahead of him.

 

In Acts 23, Paul was face to face with his accusers and a council that didn’t have any sympathy for him. Sometimes I find myself reading the bible and placing a lot of the people on pedestals because of the life they lived for Christ. If we really dive into the word, you can start to see that these people are just as human as we are. Let’s look at Paul as an example.

 

So Paul is up in front of this council getting accused of many things that aren’t wrong in the eyes of God. The first thing he chooses to say is, “ Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” He is pleading his case, trying to help them understand that he sees nothing wrong in what he is doing…because there is nothing wrong in what he is doing. Instantly the high priest orders Paul to be struck, not just anywhere, on the mouth.

 

I imagine myself in his shoes. I am wrongfully being charged and I want to keep this civil so I start off with a calm statement of my innocence and then BAM! I get punched right in the jaw. Growing up with four brothers has, I would say negatively, gifted me with having the ability of not thinking before swinging. In this situation, it would have been my natural reaction to swing back or tackle the guy if I got hit like that. As we keep reading we can see that Paul reacts in a similar action(He responds in anger and frustration) and that makes him just as human as you and I. Paul says, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!” He didn’t punch the guy, but his words are powerful because they have the authority of Christ behind them. I can also imagine that he isn’t saying that in a friendly tone either. Though he was angry and probably wanted to punch the guy back, he knew that God was the ultimate judge and would take care of it in his timing and grace.

 

The rest of the chapter goes into the plot to kill Paul by 40 men who have sworn to not eat or drink until Paul is dead. This story has always been interesting to me because there has been nothing, so far, in my life that I have hated enough to give up eating and drinking until that thing is dead. The hatred towards God and his people just amazes me sometimes as I read through the bible.

 

Chapter 23 ends with Paul getting sent to Rome secretly to avoid being ambushed by the 40 men so that he can await trial there. Remember that even though there are men and women in the bible, they were sinners just like us. Don’t put these people on pedestals but learn from their actions as you go through similar situations in your life.

Testimony 101

During Paul’s time in Israel, the law was that capital punishment was reserved for the Roman government, except for one condition. The Jewish religious leaders could execute a prisoner if the prisoner desecrated the Temple. Now Paul did not do anything to desecrate the Temple but since this was the only way to kill him they manufactured an accusation that he did.

Even though it was not the law that inviting a gentile into the temple was a capital punishment crime, their accusation that Paul had done this was a way to extended the requirements for capital punishment to Paul by association. That is, he brought a gentile into the Temple and the Gentile desecrated it so, therefore, Paul caused the Temple to be desecrated and so we can kill him. To put it simply they were out to take Paul’s life.

This is a tough situation to be in, yet Paul’s heart focused on the mob and desired to see them saved. To this end, he delivered His testimony.

And from this account we find a playbook for how he gave his testimony:

  1. He accepted the situation was from God.
  2. He created an opportunity to give his testimony. 21v37 & 40
  3. He did what he could to create common ground and win his audience.  22v1-5 &12
  4. He exalted the LORD so that if the people rejected, they were rejecting God, not him. He made it all about God, not him. 22v6-11
  5. He avoided suffering. (this was a particularly interesting point. 22v25 (The sermon below talks about how Paul didn’t have what the pastor called a ‘martyr complex’)
  6. Love governed his attitude. Throughout he was focused on what he could do for the mob.

 

I often listen to sermons to prepare for these posts. These 6 points are from Paul’s Arrest Part Four: the Attitude of Paul by John MacArthur

I am Ready

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased , saying, The will of the Lord be done.  Acts 21:13-14

Are you ready? I reflect on these couple verses found in the middle of Acts 21 and think of how many times I have been fearful, lacked trust, listened to the world, or allowed myself to be influenced by others.  To focus on me and not do the, “Will of the Lord“. My personal excuses in these moments could include; I wasn’t ready yet, no time, over-extended, or, afraid of a perception that others would possibly judge me by. I can be lost or selfishly looking at me at times without letting the will of our Lord take hold of all aspects of my life.

Today, as we continue to grow in the wisdom of what Paul shares with us in Acts, we can be encouraged to show courage.  Paul shows how not to be afraid and to share His word even when fear can be on the horizon.  Be inspired! This courage found in Paul is inside of all of us! Think, what if when Agabus approached Paul and other believers, after taking Paul’s belt for the purposes of modeling to him the bounding that was going to transpire. What if Paul in that moment said, “You know what Agabus, your right let’s stop spreading the good news.” No way!!! Paul’s faith and God’s grace gave him courage. Think,  How many eternal lives would of been lost if Paul didn’t do the Lord’s will.

As a staff our school has been reading a book called Move Your Bus written by Ron Clark.  In this book there is a parable about a bus that doesn’t have a gas tank but  moves based on those that are on the bus.  In the book these people can consist of; runners, joggers, walkers, riders, and the driver. I share this story because I think of Paul.  Paul is a runner.  He is not walking, going for the ride, or choosing his moments to run.  He is a full-time runner.  He’s ready for anything. Whatever needs to be done, and when it needs doing.  Paul is there ready to work  without persuasion. He simply loves God and knows the only way for others to get to have a relationship with Him is through sharing the truth.  Paul doesn’t give in or decide to remain silent. He knew God’s will for him.

Now none of us enjoy physical pain, hardships, or hurt. But through faith, our desire to please God can overshadow the avoidance of suffering. I’m sure Paul didn’t enjoy being bound, beat, and having to go through all the humility and pain.  Yet his main focus was to do God’s will and he accepted it all. In these times like Paul we can say, “The will of the Lord be done.” 

It’s hard for me to say no.  I want to do as much as I can for God, family, friends, and others. But, when God is not involved I can struggle with knowing what is for me and what is for Him. Help our desires to be on Him.

God, I pray now for wisdom and discernment to keep you at the center of all our decisions.  That when you open doors for us we enter. Give us courage like Paul. Let your will be done!  – Amen

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Luke 14:33

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I love verse 15 that follows. (15)And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.  Paul’s courage has an impact on others. After pleading with Paul to not go to Jerusalem, and Paul saying basically too bad, I’m doing the Lord’s will. The rest of the group who all wanted to turn around joined Paul in his mission.  That’s leadership. His courage affected them. God’s will!

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34

Are you ready? 

Dear God,

Thank you for your word. We know you desire a total commitment to you from us. We give up ourselves to follow you and your will. Use us to accomplish all goals planned for our lives.  Amen

Peace I Leave You

Today’s Reading: Acts 20

Hello Friends,It’s been a whole month since I’ve written to you. I’m sure it’s become evident that my Bible Journal journey is often more about my relationship with you, the readers through these “letters” than it is about me bringing any sort of expertise to God’s word! It’s late on Sunday, and I’ve been avoiding putting pen to paper. Acts 20 takes us to a heavy place. Paul is saying goodbye to the Ephesians for the last time. Paul and the Ephesians have cultivated a relationship that serves as a beautiful example to us of Christian fellowship. They cared for one another. They grew close, shared joys and sorrows and held fast to the message of Jesus Christ. Paul leaves the Ephesians with these words:

“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in and among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30

 Paul’s departure from Ephesus is characterized by “much weeping on the part of all…” What follows is indeed a season of wolves for the Ephesians. After reading this chapter a few times, I find myself in a season of wolves. As much as I take hope and solace from the story of Eutychus falling and surviving earlier in Chapter 20, I’m still stuck on the emptiness left by Paul’s departure. The truth is that even after the joy of Easter, some of us find it difficult to hold fast to the Jesus we cannot see. Just as Paul promised, Jesus is alive in our lives each and every day, but we have to cultivate our relationship in order to live that reality. In the last month, our three year old daughter developed seizures. Just like the Ephesians, I felt my foundation crumble beneath me. So many of the wolves that Paul describes have come in the night to tear away my strength, my joy, my Jesus.

Just as Paul forewarned the Ephesians, he is also preparing us. We all know that a certain darkness will come to our lives. He tells us:

“Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:31-32

 Did you catch that? Three years. For three years Paul built up the Ephesians, never ceasing to grow their faith like iron sharpening iron so that they would be able to stand alone in the face of adversity knowing their God and His grace. Our daughter Ruby Mae just turned three. For three years she has remained healthy while our oldest son was tested time and again with physical illness. Our heavenly Father knows our hearts and knows that this new storm is just the next opportunity to bring us closer to Him. As I Mom, I felt the storm coming, saw the clouds on the horizon. When it came, my mind was armed and ready to stand strong but my heart was exposed. Slowly, God is shepherding us through this new challenge and we follow, stumbling, often losing our way. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen. In fact, I think my husband and I would agree that we have had way more bad stuff to face since we committed our lives to Jesus Christ. I know we’d also agree that the love, care and support we’ve received from our church family has taken away so much of that pain. At the end of today’s reading, Paul reminds the Ephesian’s of Jesus’ words:

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’” Acts 20:35

We are so blessed to be helped when we are weak and called to help others when their weakness comes. I hope that our testimony of Christian love in our life gives you hope in yours. We humbly ask for your prayers for our precious daughter. The future is uncertain. We in turn promise to hold fast to prayer for you, our readers that we know face storms of one kind or another.

Peace I Leave You My Friends

Ruby Mae on her 3rd Birthday calling Grandma

 

Thy Word

Today’s reading is Acts 18.

Here we learn about three new champions of the Gospel in Priscilla, her husband Aquila, and Apollos. Although we don’t know for certain that Paul was responsible for Priscilla and Aquilas’ conversion to Christianity, the text does say in Acts 18:2 they were Jewish, so I have to believe Paul may have had an impact on their conversion, or if nothing else, helped them grow in their knowledge, understanding, and love of Christ. How did he do this? We see in Acts 18:3 that “he stayed with them and worked.” He didn’t just give them the Gospel and move on..he invested not only time with them, but was in the trenches with them working which may have been why they were receptive to the message of Christ. It also says in Acts 18:5 that “Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to Jews that the Christ was Jesus.”

What I then find so cool is this investment by Paul leads to Priscilla and Aquila going with Paul in Acts 18:18 to Syria. Now, they are determined to spread the Word. In Ephesus, they come across a man named Apollos who it says in Acts 18:24 was “competent in the Scriptures.” However, it seems he was missing some key things about Jesus and “knew only the baptism of John” from Acts 18:25. Instead of Priscilla and Aquila just saying he was a good man and well intentioned, they go a step further and in Acts 18:26 it says, “they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” It then says they invested in him like Paul did in them and “encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him” in Acts 18:27. As a result of his speaking and teaching the Word that Christ was Jesus, he greatly helped others believe in the grace of Jesus we are told in Acts 18:27-28.

Wow..it is amazing how investing in one person and showing and teaching them the Word can not only change the course of their life and where they will spend eternity, but likely where their  family and future generations will spend eternity, as well as some of those whose lives they cross paths with during their lifetime. When the Holy Spirit starts to move in one, the trickle-down effect and impact is mind-boggling. This is how Christianity went from a few of Jesus’ brave disciples to where it is today in the world, and even right down to you and me knowing Jesus Christ. We owe a great debt to those that had the courage to speak the Word before us.

John 1:1-2 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” John 1:14 then says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father full of grace and truth.” The far-reaching effects of Paul’s witness and investment in Priscilla and Aquila and then their witness and investment in Apollos happened because they focused on teaching the Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16, we learn that “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” We must ask ourselves constantly if we personally, and even the church we attend, are truly following the Word or are instead following traditions passed down that are not in the Word or things present day society tells us is normal and okay because things have changed. If we choose to discredit or ignore even one thing in the Word, then all the rest of the Word is discredited and we are in effect saying not all scripture is breathed out by God. If we pick and choose which parts we want to believe and follow, then none of it is true.

We may be hesitant to correct others when they stray from the Word because we ourselves are not perfect, but Priscilla and Aquila show us the far-reaching effect of helping a man who was well intentioned but just a little off like Apollos. Jesus knows we are not perfect, but tells us we must do so (and also how) in Matthew 18:15-18. Galatians 6:1 says the same and reminds us to take watch ourselves. When we correct others and bring them back to the Word, we must also do so with “grace and truth” just as Jesus (the Word) did in John 1:14 from above. As a side note, isn’t it interesting, and I don’t believe a coincidence, that grace comes before truth here and many other places in the Word.

I will leave you with the words of a song you may know that my 4-year-old son and his classmates recently sang at the Cornerstone Christian Academy Spring concert. The song brought back memories, as I can remember singing it as child. The lyrics to “Thy Word” are just as true now as they were then and as true as the Word has been forever and ever. I pray that today and every day we will let “Thy Word” be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path and that we share it so it can be the same for others we know and then others they know…

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

 

When I feel afraid, And think I’ve lost my way.

Still, you’re there right beside me.

Nothing will I fear As long as you are near;

Please be near me to the end.

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

 

I will not forget Your love for me and yet,

My heart forever is wandering.

Jesus by my guide, And hold me to your side,

And I will love you to the end.

Nothing will I fear As long as you are near;

Please be near me to the end.

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

And a light unto my path.

You’re the light unto my path.

 

Paul in action in Athens

Today’s reading is Acts 17.

As we have seen throughout Acts, Paul moved around quite a bit.   He encountered many different people.  We read about Paul in Thessalonica, in Berea and in Athens. In Berea and Thessalonica, he continued to preach the good news to those who will listen, yet seemed to have danger lurking within the crowds of non-believers. Athens appears to be different. When he arrived, he was concerned with all the idols being worshiped. He was not met with resistance when he first met with the Jews. There were people worshiping, just not worshiping God. They show characteristics of being Christians but seem to be distracted.   They did not throw him out at first sight, but instead were anxious to seek the next big thing or idea.   “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

19 Then they took him in and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

We all know people who are seeking the next big idea or the next generation phone or computer or car. We can get distracted by the next best thing and sometimes need to be redirected back to God, right?

Paul did not turn away from this opportunity. He commends them by stating that he does see worshiping taking place, yet he corrects them by saying “I see that in every way you are very religious”.  Does he see hope that maybe his preaching will focus them on worshiping God?

23 “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”

He recognized the opportunity. H e persevered.  He seized that moment of time to proclaim his faith and share his views on Christianity.

24 “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 human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.”

Paul took action! He tried to clear up some of their beliefs and redirect them. He tried to draw them in toward the end by telling them about Jesus’ resurrection. If they have faith and believe, their sins will be forgiven.

Paul reminds us that we only need God. Paul shares the good news that God provides for us and nourishes us with his spirit. He gives us food, shelter, and direction. Paul wanted the people of Athens to understand that God made the world.  God gave them what they need “life and breath and everything else”.  They seem to be taking it for granted. They are distracted just like we are at times. God provided for them and in return, he wanted them to believe, to seek, to find. The same thing is true for us. May we: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7.  May we believe in his resurrection. May we also find ways to be disciples just like Paul and seize the opportunity to share the good news.

 

For Everything, There Is A Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”

If there’s one verse I’ve been able to resonate with throughout my entire life, this is it. Growing up, the seasons of my life were marked by what grade I was in and what changes were approaching in my life. Even in college, early on after my husband and I started dating, we began to notice how everything in our lives seemed to be so seasonal. For example, we met while we were in college, I was living at home, and we were each on unique degree paths. We lived in that season for a little while. Then came the season where I transferred schools and moved out and onto campus, just five minutes away from each other. We lived in that season for a little while. A few short months later, we got engaged… another new season. Then, four months after our engagement, my husband completely changed degree paths. Six months later, we got married and moved. Four months later, we moved again. (So many new seasons!)

Now that we’re married, I can relate to this verse more than ever before. Our lives seem to always be changing. We’ll complete one goal or stage of life and start the next one. We’ll make plans, and unforeseen circumstances will adjust them. We’ll envision one thing for our year or for the next several months, and then God shuts a door and a new season begins. And here’s the thing, guys: I don’t like change. Change scares me, it shakes me, and it stresses me out.

However, lately, I’ve been forced to realize that God is a God of newness, of change, of growth, and of seasons. For things to grow, things have to change… plain and simple. I simply can’t hold on to my ideas of what I think our life is going to look like, because those things make very lousy gods when the bottom drops out on you and something does change… when another season comes. New seasons are inevitable, and the best thing we can cling to when they come is Jesus, not the thing we didn’t expect to change.

Today, we’re reading Acts 16. I can’t help but wonder what this chapter would have looked like if Paul and Timothy decided they didn’t want to embrace new seasons, changes, and growth in their ministry. Read through Acts 16 with me… Paul started out doing ministry on his own; that’s a season. Then, he added Timothy to the mix… another new season. Then, as you’ll see, the pair stayed only for a season in every single place they preached.

Yet, instead of becoming attached to their current seasons and the work they thought they had to do there, as soon as the Spirit spoke to their hearts, these two got up and were on their way. Goodness, at one point, these guys were convinced they belonged in one place for a season, but God literally would not allow them to travel there! (See Acts 16:7) Some of these seasons were fruitful and full of joy, bringing with them baptisms and entire families converting to the faith. Still other seasons found Paul and Timothy stuck in jail or beaten in front of a crowd. Yet, in each season, God worked. What an incredible example Acts 16 is to a girl like me, who color codes her planner, has goals for her goals, and tries not to panic when her plans for the weekend change!

Friends, I’m realizing so much lately that God has specific work ready for us to do in every season we find ourselves in. Sometimes, the seasons don’t last as long as we’d like them to, think they should, or thought they would. Sometimes, the seasons are hard… we’re stuck in a metaphorical jail for the evening, if you will. Some seasons are full of joy and abundance. But as we see in Acts 16, God’s hand is evident in each and every season. He has plans for each season. And there wasn’t a season of Paul and Timothy’s ministry where the Lord did not do something incredible, come through in a miraculous way, or work through the circumstances of that season.

Truly, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Be reminded of this today, no matter what season you find yourself in.