Arguments

Today’s Reading is Acts 15

One of the hardest issues in my life right now is, how do I deal in a Godly way with people I disagree with? I know from our trip through the Gospels that God tells us to love everyone. But what does it actually look like to love someone you disagree with? I am wading through this with several people in my life, in relationships that are very dear to me. It seems wrong to disagree so strongly on issues with people I love who I know have a relationship with God and also love Him. We have relationship with the same God who has given all of us His Word, so shouldn’t we be able to figure out how to move forward when we disagree?

Today in Acts 15, we see two separate arguments or disagreements between four different parties, all who have deep relationship with God. All parties were serving God by leaving their lives behind and traveling to spread the Gospel to people who hadn’t yet heard it. These people are not just dabblers in their faith, not Sunday morning Christians, they have made a life out of sharing Gods story! These people are invested in God’s plan and are sacrificing themselves for His ministry. So how can this happen, how do they disagree on God’s plan?

The first argument is between some believers from Judea and Paul and Barnabas. The men from Judea believe that “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you can not be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. So what are they to do? How do they solve this situation? In verses 2-7 we learn that some representatives from both sides of the argument travel to meet with more apostles and elders of the church to figure it out. In verse 7 it says, “ after a long discussion”. They did not find an easy answer, it was a long process and discussed from every angle, but eventually Peter stood and spoke the decision for the group. (Lets look at the solution to this particular problem first and then we can look at what we can learn from watching them work through their argument.) Peter said,” God knows peoples hearts, and He confirmed that He accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts through faith. So why are you challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus”. First of all praise God that we who are not Jews are not held to their law for our salvation! Thank you Jesus that we are all saved by Your undeserved grace! Now back to our question at hand, how do these two parties deal with the argument? In this case, they got help. They went to a group of people who knew Jesus personally and got to the truth of God’s plan. The part that I wish we could see better is how the men from Judea reacted to this decision. Basically they lost this argument. The only clue that I can find is in verse 22. “The apostles, and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates to go out and report on this decision.” Obviously the Gentiles were encouraged and full of joy to hear this message, but we never really hear what happened to the men from Judea. Were they a part of “the church in Jerusalem” in spirit or were they frustrated and angry with the decision? I don’t know the answer.

The second argument in this chapter is between Paul and Barnabas. A team of preachers that God put together to spread His story, butts heads over whether they take John Mark on their next mission trip with them or not. Paul says no, he’s not trustworthy and Barnabas wants to take him. In verse 38 it says, “Paul disagreed strongly” and in 39 it says, “Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated”. Wow…who is right? Like in the conclusion of the last argument, I don’t know the answer. The only good I can see from this disagreement is that God ended up with two teams of preachers because Barnabas ended up taking John Mark and going one way, and Paul picked up Silas and went another direction. From God’s eyes, this argument is a win for His truth being spread. From Paul and Barnabas’ eyes, I see hurt and frustration with each other, enough at this point to cause them to separate.

So back to my original questions. What do we learn from this chapter to help us deal in love with those we disagree with? I think we learn from the first argument that getting to a solution is not easy. It takes long discussions. Sometimes if both parties are willing, a third party with wisdom and maybe more knowledge can be brought in to help facilitate discussion, and truth can be found. (Whether the injured party decides to accept the truth or not is another entire post.) From the second argument, I think I can learn that just because two people serve God and love Him doesn’t mean they wont ever argue. It happens, and in this case we don’t really get to the bottom of who was right or wrong about John Mark. After checking in my commentary from Dallas Seminary I learned that Paul and Barnabas remained friends despite their contention over John Mark. They didn’t have to agree on everything to remain in relationship with each other.

I wish we could finish this with a nice step–by-step approach of what works to settle arguments. The truth is that we get some help for some hard and sometimes unexpected situations from this chapter but its not as neat and tidy as I would like. I think for today I have to sit with the fact that it happens. People who love God and are trying to follow Him disagree. Maybe for me today the lesson is to not be surprised or ashamed of these struggling relationships I am wading through. Maybe God wants to use other people to change the way I understand His principles in a certain situation. Maybe I stand on solid ground and He wants me to help bring truth to light in someone’s life. I know I will not be able to change another person’s point of view. God is the only one who can. The thing I am sure of is that I have to stay in close relationship and communication with God for any of this to be able to take place, and it will only happen when it is His plan.

Acts 14: Not Without Testimony

I have read through Acts 14 several times while preparing to write this devotion, and each time, one verse keeps jumping off the page at me.  A bit of context, first, before I share which verse this is.  Paul is in the middle of his first missionary journey.  He has traveled already to Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch and Iconium, and will soon return to Antioch in Syria.  At the point where we pick up the story, Paul is teaching in Lystra and in Derbe.  Those listening to him want to offer sacrifices to Paul and to his co-worker, Barnabas, in response to Paul’s healing of a crippled man.  Paul and Barnabas immediately correct the people, redirecting their worship back toward the God who created them.  It is at this time that Paul reminds the people that God “has not left himself without testimony.” (Acts 14:17).  This is the verse that keeps jumping off the page at me.

The Message version of verse 17 reads like this:  “He didn’t leave them without a clue.”  The NIV version uses the word, “witness” in place of “clue” or “testimony”.  Clearly, Paul intends to remind us that God “made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.”  (Acts 14:15).  Knowing that we humans are prone to forget Him, prone to wander away, God left us evidence of Himself all around us.

Paul uses relatable examples from the natural world to teach about the evidence of God.  He says, “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons…” (Acts 14: 17).  In Romans 1:20, Paul writes about nature again:  “But the basic reality of God is plain enough.  Open your eyes and there it is!  By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see:  eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being.” (MSG)

When I need to feel God’s presence, His nearness, I always head outside.  I go for a walk, roam around our yard, and I can’t help but notice Him in the budding trees and flowers, in the changing colors of the leaves later in the year, and in the the blanket of snow during the winter.  My favorite place, though, to draw near to God is at the ocean.  There is something about standing on a beach and looking over the vast expanse of the sea that always turns my heart toward my Creator.

Perhaps, like me, the testimony of God’s creation reminds you of Him.  And perhaps something different serves as a reminder – a relationship restored from brokenness, coffee and conversation with a close friend, or an answered prayer.  Paul’s words, though, are a reminder to those of us who are looking at unrestored relationships, strained friendships, and unanswered prayers.  In these times, Paul reminds us to simply look outside, even if only for a moment.  We cannot help but see Him there.  His work began at creation and continues to this day.  Thankfully, “He has not left himself without testimony.”

Freed From Decay


Todays Reading Acts 13

Happy Easter Monday

The passage for today’s blog is a beautiful complement of the Easter Resurrection story. Paul and Barnabas are sent on their first mission trip of the gospel. They have recently come from Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover and they meet up with some spiritual brothers to prepare to go to Cyprus. While at Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas encounter several people who want to know Christ for their spiritual growth and some for their personal growth. While at the Antioch, Paul gives a great speech, which showed the completeness and fulfillment of the Scripture.

Acts 13: 15-35

After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with[b]them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’

34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,

“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.

In the New International version of the bible the word for corruption is replaced with decay. This is a really important use of the word and aspect of the Easter story that we sometimes forget. We remember the trial and the beatings and flogging of Jesus. Then we see the crucifixion and burial. Then we see the resurrection of the body. We forget the days in the tomb and the decay that was taking place for three days. Many of the disciples and followers of Christ witnessed the horrible treatment that he endured before the cross. This brutality started to disfigure him, so much that the people hardly could recognize him. Then he was crucified and left in the hot arid sun for several hours. This intensified his disfiguration and appearance. He had bruises and blood dried on him and that left him unrecognizable. Then he is anointed with oils and wrapped in linens and placed in a tomb. Here he lies for three days. This would have left him decaying to a point that no one would be able to know that it was a human before. The image that I imagine is one from those CSI shows where they have to re-create the person face with technology to make a positive identification. He not only was resurrected from the dead, he was recreated and perfected in Glory.

This was not the first time that a person was resurrected; remember the widow’s son and Lazarus, but this is the first time that decay could not hold onto the body or the spirit. This is the first time that decay could not complete its orders. This is the first time that decay could not accomplish its main objective and I am excited for the Monday after Resurrection Sunday. It tells me that no matter what type of decay that I may face in life, family, finances, work, or health the decay will not be able to complete its work because Christ has freed me from that death and given me a new and risen life.   Be Blessed as we start these 40 days of the Easter Season.

Life is hard…but God is GOOD!

 

Does this Easter Sunday give you HOPE?

The Son of God has Risen from the Dead!

What does that actually mean to you?

To me, it means I have HOPE! Life is hard, I can’t imagine getting through some awful and stressful days without knowing that I have the hope of Heaven and an eternity with God in my future! No matter what horrible things we have to go through on this earth…we have but ONE HOPE!

In Acts 12 we read about Peter being imprisoned with no possible way of escaping. Talk about hard! He was chained and surrounded by 4 sets of 4 guards! We don’t read anything about him worrying or complaining about his circumstances. In fact, in verse 6, it says that Peter was actually sleeping! Can you imagine being able to sleep with chains around you, guards standing by, and no chance of freedom?? I have trouble sleeping many nights from troubles much less than what Peter faced. His future did not look promising, but he knew who was in charge of his future and believed it 100%, so he could sleep.

We have that same promise of who holds our future and we are surely reminded of it on this Easter Sunday. Jesus broke the chains of sin when He died on the cross for you and for me! He rose from the grave 3 days later and this is the hope that we have today.

Know that, just like Peter, your chains have been set free by Jesus on the cross. You have the freedom to ask Him into your life, to ask forgiveness of your sins, and He has promised you eternal life with Him.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Who Holds Your Future?

An Invitation for All

Today’s reading:  Acts 11

My son Freddy is in seventh grade. His school was planning a dodgeball tournament for charity a couple of weeks ago.  All the junior high students were invited to participate by forming a team and donating a small sum of money.  Sounds fun, right?  What junior high boy wouldn’t love a contest that involves hurling rubber balls at your classmates for two hours?

Well, Freddy came home from school the afternoon before the tournament upset.  His friends were forming a team.  They didn’t want to mess up their team’s chances of winning, thus they told him he couldn’t be on it because he wasn’t athletic enough.  He didn’t have what it took to be “part of the group”.  His heart hurt.  So did mine.

With two pre-teen kids at home, feeling left out or not good enough to be “part of the group” is an emotion we routinely encounter these days.  As a result, the beginning part of Acts 11 resonated with me.  The chapter started with Peter being criticized by other Jews because he had been ministering to the Gentiles.  He was leading them to faith in Jesus Christ and welcoming them as “part of the group”.  While these Jews embraced God’s new covenant and salvation through faith in Jesus, they were having trouble understanding that salvation was available to anyone who believed and put their faith in Jesus.  It wasn’t just for the Jews.  After reading the entire Old Testament in 2016, can you see why the Jews felt this way?  I sure can.  For 39 books of the Old Testament we studied their long, difficult journey.  They had been God’s chosen people for generations.  Now that they had a new covenant and a new start, they didn’t want to mess it up by letting the wrong people “in the group”.

The Holy Spirit’s message through Peter helped these Jews see God’s bigger plan in Acts 11.  Jesus’ message of salvation is inclusive rather than exclusive – it is available to ANYONE who believes and puts their faith in him.  This was great news for the Gentiles.  It is great news for us today.  But have you ever wondered why God had a chosen race in the first place?  The Jews weren’t exactly model believers.  Remember?  The Old Testament storyline was consistent – God’s people turned away from him, bad things happened, they came crawling back, asked for forgiveness and God restored their relationship.  This happened over and over and over again.  Do you think God just changed his mind?  Perhaps he got tired of this cycle with the Jews and decided to branch out?  Maybe he thought extending the invitation to more people would breed a better result?  My study of Acts 11 this week led me to a variety of Old Testament passages that revealed the truth.  A truth that is consistent with the unchanging nature of God.  He didn’t change his mind, rather his plan of salvation for ALL was the same from the beginning of time.  He just had to have a starting place.  He started with the Jews, then charged them with taking his message to everyone else.  The book of Acts is the account of this transition from a select chosen few to everyone.

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).

And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you (Zechariah 2:11).

Aren’t you glad this was the plan?  I generally don’t like to be left out, especially of a group where the stakes are this high.  The choice of whether we’re in this group is totally ours.  One road leads to life, the other leads to death.  It is a weighty decision.  I suggest we choose wisely.

Caught Doing Things Right

One of my favorite leaders lives by a really great saying, “let’s catch people doing things right”. How uplifting this is in a world where we can easily criticize or be criticized. This theme gives freedom from worrying about mistakes and instead gives freedom to try new things, to turn from an attitude of fear into one of anticipation of good things to come. Freedom from fear brings life to innovation and creativity, and enables us to experience joy that we were meant to experience.

We recently went to our fourth grader’s “student led” school conference. The focus was on accentuating the positive and building on his strengths. He had guidelines to lead us in the conference, but it was his to lead. He showed us his test results, shared what he believes are his strengths, and what he is working to build. We wouldn’t typically refer to him as someone bursting with pride or exterior confidence, but today he was bold and confident, yet humble as he quietly conveyed his progress so far this year. The model is setup to build, not tear down, and it was successful. He was caught doing things right.

Today’s reading link: Acts 10

In our reading today we find two devout men who separately experience a vision from God. The two visions are tied together and are part of a great purpose; to share Christianity with the Gentiles.

Our God is not some lightning throwing bully waiting for us to mess up; he is a loving God, seeking relationship with us, seeking for our hearts to turn to him as father, and to his son Jesus for salvation from our sins that separate us from God. He is the ultimate example of one who is looking to catch us doing things right.

but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. (Acts 10:35)

The thing that caught my attention in this chapter was the description of Cornelius. This  reminded me of Carol’s recent post where she brought Peter’s transformation to our attention. Early on, Peter was a fan of Jesus, but as the earlier chapters in Acts describe the events that occurred when he “finally got it”, he became on fire for Jesus.

As for Cornelius… Acts Chapter 10 verses 2 and 22 refer to Cornelius as devout, one who feared God, a generous giver, in continuous prayer, upright, and well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation.

Peter and Cornelius had their hearts and actions right with God, they were caught doing things right, and that is why I believe they received such great visions and callings. Their prayers, and the way they lived brought them into close fellowship with God, and in both situations after the visions they took immediate action.

Today I want to close with a reflection on Good Friday and paraphrase Acts Chapter 10 verses 38-43. Would you read this slowly and meditate on it?

Jesus lived on this earth, did good things, and healed people. Regardless of his goodness and love, he was brutally tortured and hung on a tree until death. His accusers thinking they had defeated Jesus were dead wrong. Jesus came back from the dead; he defeated death, and commanded us to share this story so that everyone who believes in him will be forgiven.

Here are the actual verses in full. Consider the paraphrased version as you read through and meditate on these sharp and precise words from Peter.

He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:38b-43)

One of the Greatest Conversion Stories of All Time

There are moments in each of our lives that we can remember almost every detail of. Some of these moments are full of tragedy, and some are full of happiness. One moment I think everyone can remember is the moment they gave their life to Jesus.

 

I was sitting in my small town church and it was nearing the end of our week of vacation bible school. I was 9 years old and remember sitting in the sanctuary with all the other kids, right next to me was my younger brother and my cousin. As we were listening to the pastor talk, he started to ask if anyone wanted to accept Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior. I was hesitant at first but eventually decided to go up to the front as long as my brother and cousin came with me. All three of us headed up and asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. It was a simple prayer but I remember distinctly feeling different after it. After the service, we grabbed Dad’s phone and started calling everyone we knew to let them know that we accepted Jesus!

 

I remember that story in such great detail, and if you asked me to pull out another memory of when I was 9, I truly don’t think I would be able to do that. My conversion story had so much meaning to me that it stuck with me.

 

Acts 9 talks about one of the best conversion stories we have come to know. Saul was not the nicest guy around, he was a guy that really enjoyed power and had a deep passion for destroying the Church and the people of the church. As he was headed to Damascus, he was blinded and spoken to by God. I don’t know about you but if God’s first words to me were “ Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I would be a little afraid.

 

Saul was on his way to persecute more Christians and on that path to Damascus, his whole life changed in one moment. That is how it feels to truly meet God. The reason I titled this as one of the best conversion stories is because God took one of the worst of us and showed him the light. God showed Paul that he was fighting the wrong battle and in that moment God showed Paul an unimaginable amount grace that we can’t comprehend.

 

Think of this as someone that really dislikes you or even hates you. Someone that seems to have it out for you and does everything in their power to make fun of you, call you names, physically harm you, and even try to kill you. This person has done this to all of your friends and you are sick of it. Instead of reacting with anger and frustration, you react with love. Loving our enemies is one of the hardest things to do but I think God gave us a great example of how to show grace and love our enemies with this story.

 

Remember that there will always be Saul’s out there in our world, but we need to make sure that people know that Jesus is there too. Take today and reflect on that. Reflect on your story and try to be a light to all of the Saul’s of this world.

A Lesson from the First Missions Trip

Some believe there is a reason that in this account of the first great missionary move of the church there is both the presence of a false convert and a true believer. Perhaps one of the lessons here is that this is a reality of ministry. (Matthew 13:24-30)

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. (Acts 8:5) After hearing and seeing the miracles, Simon, the Sorcerer, having in the same city proclaimed to be great and having been given heed as the same, believed and was baptized proclaiming Christ. (Acts 8:9-13) Simon the Sorcerer, after witnessing a new miracle, the laying on of hands by the apostles that the believers might receive the Holy Spirit, desired this power for himself and offered to pay the disciples to procure it. (Acts 8:18-19) The Apostles exposed him as false and rebuked him. (Acts 8:20-23)

Here we see the intention of Simon’s heart. Apparently he was not interested in God because solely because he loved God in the true sense of the word, that is; loving someone for what you can do for them, but instead, for a selfish, lustful desire, that is; “loving someone” for what they can do for you. He seemingly was not interested in God except that he might procure the power of God. Except that he might then use this power for himself and sow to the flesh more and more. (Galatians 6:7-8) In this case, Simon the Sorcerer seemed interested in the power of God to fuel his prideful quest of being great among the people. It was found out that is was really all about him and not God.

Perhaps some good questions to reflect on and return to:

  • Do we love God for what we can do for Him (serve Him) or are we more interested in what He can do for us? Are we more interested in God or His stuff (blessing, etc.)? In your heart (your deepest and most subtle desires); Are you for God or is God for you? ‘For’ here being in the useful sense of the word. 
  • Do we love others for what we can do for them or what they can do for us?

Painting: Rembrandt, The Baptism of the Eunuch, 1626

Contributions of Stephen

Good Morning Bible Journal Friends and family,

Today, I’d like to share a snapshot of a speech shared by Stephen in Acts 7. Yesterday, Amy set the stage for us and a focus for us to be praying for our opportunity to serve.  In Acts 6 we are introduced to a man chosen to support the widows.  Stephen was at the top of this list, he was a man full of faith,  full of the Holy Spirit, and a man full of God’s grace.  Stephen performed great wonders and signs among the people.  Acts 6:5 and Acts 6:8. Unfortunately, opposition arose and false charges were then brought against Stephen that included; blasphemy of God, Moses, the law, and the temple.

 Stephen then shares a sermon that defends his faith before the council of Israel. This is found in today’s reading of Acts 7.  I’l let you read through this powerful sermon in order to provide you with the full picture and true specific points of this dynamic speech. This speech by Stephen holds so much power, that by his conclusion, and before Stephen could even finish, members of the Sanhedrin had taken his life because it had made them furious and moved them.

In 1 Peter 3:15 Peter tells us, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you regarding the hope that is within you.” Peter is right! In a moments time I definitely wouldn’t have the amazing sixty verse sermon, but I know one word I could start with, “Jesus!” You can view this sermon as a masterpiece for the subject of apologetics.  Apologetics is the subject of information that defends the faith. Stephen knew what he believed. He also knew why he believed as well.

Stephen leaves us a lesson of the boldness in witnessing. We read about his courage. We read about the faithfulness of God. In addition, we can also read about the blindness of hostility, and even though when the members of the Senhedin committee heard this sermon and gnashed their teeth at him, Stephen was still full of the Holy Spirit. While Stephen was being dragged out of the city and being stoned in front of a young man named Saul (who later becomes Paul) Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Stephen fell to his knees and cried out, “Lord do not hold this against them.” Stephen then fell asleep. (was brought to heaven) Stephen prayed the same prayer as Jesus in Luke 23:24. Did this picture of Stephen and his prayer remain with Paul?

Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“

As we move into Acts 8 Stephen’s death was a catalyst that set into motion evangelism outside of Jerusalem. Up to this point in Acts, everything had taken place in Jerusalem. Stephen sermon and death set waves of persecution forcing believers to leave…God always orchestrates life’s events for his purposes.

Dear God, 

Thank you for this amazing brother in Christ, Stephen. Thank you for the words of truth spoken by him. I pray for the courage and boldness that is necessary on this earth as we live out this breath of a life. I pray that we continue to be encouraged and grow in the knowledge of God’s words and to defend the faith when necessary.  I pray that throughout our day in our words, actions, and heart  we share and recognize your presence.  I pray for this Easter week and for open doors that will allow us to share your words, love, and the desire you have for us to be part of your eternal kingdom.  Amen

Happy Easter

Maybe You’re the One

 

Good morning and happy Monday.  As we head into Easter week I hope your heart is opening to miracle of the Risen Christ! Today, I’d like to introduce my friend Amy Perschall.  Amy and I sing together on Eastview’s vocal team. A few weeks ago, I learned that her devotion to Christ and skill in sharing His word goes far beyond the music. After hearing her present a morning devotional for a group of musicians, I knew I had to share her gift here! Amy holds a B.S. in Music from ISU, a Master of Divinity, a Masters in Christian Counseling and is working on her Doctor of Ministry. She has experience as a Pastor, Chaplain, Christian Counselor and Youth Pastor.  She has worked in churches, hospitals, prisons and led missions in the name of Jesus. As she completes her doctoral work, Amy is praying for a new opportunity to share her ministry. She is in the process of ordination and I know the next chapter for her will bless so many. I’m excited to share her with our Bible Journal readers!

Today’s Reading: Acts 6

Have you ever seen a need in the church and wondered why someone wasn’t addressing it?  Maybe there are rowdy kids running around between church services and you think, “someone should give them something to do.”  Or maybe there is a concern in the community with homelessness and you wonder, “why doesn’t a church step up and attend to the needs of this population?”  Or maybe you read an article about a school whose students’ grades are failing and you question, “why doesn’t a group step up and help with tutoring or after-school programs?”

A similar questioning arose amongst the Hellenists (or Grecian Jews) and the Hebrews (or Hebraic Jews) in Acts 6.  The Hellenists were a community of believers from places other than Israel and most likely spoke Greek as their primary language.  Their social and religious practices would probably have differed from the Hebrews as well.  And when bringing two different cultures together, there will always be challenges to overcome.

The dispute between the Hellenists and the Hebrews was over the treatment of their widows.  In the Ancient Near East, widows were often unable to provide for themselves and their care was left to the community.  Israelite farmers were to leave grain unharvested so widows, orphans, and foreigners could glean the leftovers and eat (Deut. 24:17-22).  Also, the tithes given to the priests were to provide for the widows, orphans, aliens and priests every third year (Deut. 26:12-13).  So, when the Hellenists complained because, “their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1b), it was a big deal!

Now, I imagine when the Hellenists lodged their complaint to the Twelve (think Twelve Disciples of Jesus), they were expecting one of the leadership to do something.  However, the Twelve had a different plan.  They needed to continue in the call on their lives to preach the Gospel and spread the word of God.  So, just as any good leader does, they delegated.  In developing a team of seven who are “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3b), the Twelve involve more people in ministry and leadership.  Instead of trying to do everything themselves, the Twelve encourage those who had identified the problem to step up and serve within their giftedness and they were ready to serve!  I’m sure there were growing pains as these new leaders learned how to lead, but in spreading out the work, more people were served in the end.

So, as you notice needs within the church and your community, instead of wondering why someone else doesn’t step up, maybe God is trying to get your attention!  Maybe you are exactly the person God has in mind to spearhead a new ministry.  Are you ready to serve?