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Aiming to Please

A moving on weekend to you,

A few weeks ago our gravel road starting washing out. So the County decided to cover the rutted part with asphalt. It sure looked good, but sadly, the dirt and gravel around and under the asphalt just kept on washing. The road had to be closed for a while.

It all reminded me of the end of Romans 2. It's where Paul explains the huge importance of our foundation or motivation for service. He says, "No, a true Jew (or Christian) is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law (or baptism or church attendance or good deeds); rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit." (Romans 2:13-26)

And get this final word: "And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people."

Even Jesus says, "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?"  (John 5:44) Mmm....

Lord, help us to aim at pleasing You (thanking You, delighting in You, and obeying Your promptings) instead of aiming at pleasing other people (basking in and working to get their approval and praise). Even though we don't have all the details figured out, aiming at God's way puts us on a sound foundation. 

It will all be clear in the end when "The Lord comes who will ... disclose the motives of men's hearts and then each man's praise will come to him from God" (II Corinthians 4:5). 

Blessings,

Ouida

More on goodnews2women.blogspot.com

Two Roads

A great week-finish to you,

Whew! I have been struggling with this next message. But it's important to know so that we don't presume on God's "kindness and tolerance and patience" that are to lead us to repentance. (Romans 2:4-13)

In front of us is a fork in the road. The left side is marked Selfish Ambition and is for those who "insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance" .(Message) That road goes to God's wrath and fury (not a welcome topic). In fact Paul says these travelers are "storing up wrath for (themselves) ... when God's righteous judgment will be revealed". It is indeed a slippery distressful slope.

But the other road is marked for those "who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality". And their destination is eternal life. Our wildest imagination can't begin to see how beautiful that place is. 

Lord, help us to daily reject the Selfish Ambition road to choose that which brings honor and glory to You. Lord, reveal to us our true motives.

Blessings,

Ouida

More on goodnews2women.blogspot.com

To Judge or Not to Judge

A hope-filled week to you,

Woops! I had been feeling pretty good because I didn't see my name in that list of wicked people in Romans 1:29 - 2:4. Their cheating, wanton killing, and all kinds of evil sounds terrible. 

But then Paul has to say it straight out! "Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." As the Message says, "It takes one to know one."

And Paul goes on with, "You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? ....  God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change."

Mmm.... That does sound like God's ways. And part of the radical life-change must be a humble attitude toward those struggling in obvious sin.

Thank you Lord for Your forgiveness for us who have played the judge.

Love,

Ouida

More on goodnews2women@blogspot.com

Trading in the Truth

Whew! This next truth on our journey through Romans is breath-taking. We must first stop and see that "ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God". (Romans 1:18-32)

Mmm .... But then we realize that a terrible thing has happened! "They (the people) traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise!"

Paul's letter goes on to say that they (we?) wouldn't worship the real God or even give Him thanks but thought up foolish ideas of what He was like. So our minds became "dark and confused". We began to worship idols and focused on other things besides God.

As a result God "abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done". And the list is awful - full of every kind of wickedness including murder and doing "vile and degrading things with each other's bodies".

Wow! This is a lot to take in. How gracious of our God to give us this warning right off the bat. 

Lord, help us to stop trading in the truth about You and worship and praise the real You.

Get a Life!

It's all over the commercials and the foundation of most marketing. Wanna know how to get a life? Just.......

That is Paul's subject as he continues this powerful letter to his friends on Rome. (Romans 1:13-17)

 "A person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives." (The Message) What good news!

As our missionary companion says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power (dynamite) of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (and everyone else)".

Let's hear it again: "It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: 'The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives'." (The Message)

Let's ask God for His grace (the Holy Spirit) to share the same truth with our friends. Trusting God in every detail does get us a life!

A Really Good Friend

But it just hadn't worked out yet. (Romans 1:1-12)

Our companion on this trip through Romans was longing to visit his friends. He is so proud of them because their "faith in (Jesus) is being talked about all over the world". (Whew! That's a lot of faith.)

And how Paul does love these friends at Rome. The letter says, "For God ... is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers ...." (I'd call that commitment!)

But Paul's big motive in hoping for the visit is so that he can bring them "some spiritual gift that will help (them) grow strong in the Lord".

It sure sounds like Paul is the kind of friend to have - a friend who knows what is really important and will sacrifice for you. Paul's gift to his friends will even bring eternal benefit.

Lord, help us to be a friend more like Paul.

The New Road

Today we begin a journey through the "Himalayas" of Scripture. With the help of God's Spirit, I expect us to become familiar with the heights and depths of a new Roman landscape. This masterpiece is written by our missionary, Paul (from Acts), around A.D. 56 or 57.

Paul surprisingly begins his letter to the Romans introducing himself as "a bondservant of Christ Jesus". We're talking a slave!  And this is the guy who was "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord" a while back. (Acts 9:1) 

But on the Damascus road our Lord had dramatically knocked Paul over with His "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting". And the stunned blinded zealot had turned his life around as he began to believe in the love and forgiveness of Jesus. 

So Paul writes the first 101 words of this letter praising the One he had formerly hated. (Romans 1:1-6)  

May we all be so surprised by God's intervention in our lives that we join in the praise He is due.

Serious Business

Paul was so encouraged as he met some of the brethren when he got to Rome. But when he called the leading Jews to his house. It was another story.

Our missionary began his appeal to these leaders by "solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening". (Acts 28:11-31)

Some were persuaded but others would not believe. Such a big argument ensued. As these guys were leaving Paul quoted Isaiah 6:10 - "And they have closed their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them." 

It sure is serious business to miss out on God's healing.

Let us pray to have open eyes and ears and a heart desiring to understand God's truth. We need You healing, Lord.

                    

A Barbarian Reception

I wonder what Paul and his traveling friends thought as they set foot on the island Malta. After all it had been a death-defying sea voyage, and this Malta meant barbarian. (Acts 28:1-10)

But the account records God's continued aid as "the natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all".

And even when disaster struck again as Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake, "he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm".

Paul also had the grace to lay hands on the leading man of the island's father and heal him of recurrent fever and dysentery. So "the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured".

These "barbarians" were so grateful that "they also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed".

God shows up and blesses us in the worst circumstances and strangest places. Let's keep an eye out for Him today!

The Rest of the Story

All 276 of the passengers with Paul were now feeling a bit easier after their two week tempest ordeal. It was dawn, they saw land, and Paul had affirmed that "not a hair from the head of any of you will perish". (Acts 27:33-44) So they were strengthened by eating  and threw the rest of the wheat overboard to lighten the ship.

However, the boat still stuck on a reef as they tried to land. And as the vessel was breaking apart, the soldiers started to kill all the prisoners (including Paul) so none would escape. 

But God and the centurion "wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land". The rest followed floating on planks etc. "And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land."

Such an amazing story of preservation! God had decreed through an angel that Paul "must stand before Caesar". God had also granted Paul all those sailing with him.

God's word was accomplished. It always is. Praise His mighty name!

Paul Saves the Day

What a drama! It has been fourteen long days of storm and terror for Paul's companions. And now about midnight the ship is about to run aground and break up on the rocks. The sailors sure "wished for daybreak". (Acts 27:27-37)

And they hatch up a plan. They decide to let down a boat, pretending to lay out more anchors, and escape the disaster - leaving some 276 people to fend for themselves. 

But Paul tips off the centurions and soldiers who cut the boat's ropes so the crew have to stay. Can you imagine all the yelling, confusion, and even fighting? Fear can cause some awful stuff!

Finally, about dawn, Paul stands up and encourages them all to eat "for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish". Then he "took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food".

The truth is there is no telling when God might use us to be a saving grace to many people. As we learn to trust our Lord each day, we are strengthened to be His grace no matter what the drama.

Thank you, Lord, for Your saving grace

I Believe God

Those sailors taking Paul to Rome had surely messed up. They had wanted a more comfortable winter home than this "Fair Havens". So "when a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore". (Acts 27:11-25)

But then a violent Northeaster drove them out to sea, and as Paul said, "all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned". But Paul had warned them:  "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss."

However, all was not lost. An angel appeared to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you". It's then that Paul declares his statement of faith: "for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told".

What a word to stand on. What an encouragement to us to seek God's will for our lives. 

"For I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told".

Not Suitable

It would make one riveting adventure movie. Paul's boat trip to Italy probably seemed like a lifetime of thrills and finally spills. 

He had warned them not to go on to western Crete. He had said, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." But the soldier in charge "was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul". (Acts 27:1-12)

Besides, their harbor was "not suitable" for wintering there! 

How often do we make decisions based on what seems good in our own eyes. Over and over the Lord reminds up that He will "instruct us and teach us in the say that we should go". (Psalm 32:8)

Lord, help us to remember to look to You to direct our ways. 

The King and Paul

My, Paul has been hounded over and over again by these Jewish leaders that want him dead  ("setting an ambush to kill him on the way"). And now his defense is before King Agrippa. (Acts 24:1-26:32)

And what an auspicious looking deal it is! "On the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in."

Now after all the threats and attacks by jealous Jews, you would think Paul could be wearing down. But his defense before this powerful king is shocking. 

Paul actually gets command of the entire room. He says, "for the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence." Then Paul bravely states, "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

And so we witness the power of God in fearful and ominous circumstances. When we pray for boldness, God answers. 

"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." (Philippians 1:19-20)

Hope in God

Whew! Paul is surely in trouble. Those Jewish officials even hired a special lawyer to do him in. The attorney named Tertullus did an amazing fob slathering flattery all over the "excellent Felix" who now had Paul's case. Then he outright lied in court: "We wanted to judge him (Paul) according to our own Law. But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you." (Acts 24:1-27)

Yep, those religious leaders "also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so".

But our guy stood firm in his "hope in God" and refuted the lies. 

And that hope was not to be disappointed: "But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case'".

It was a full two years that Paul was protected there. Felix "gave orders to the centurion for him (Paul) to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him".

In the midst of trouble, hope in God does not disappoint!

The Hand of God

Paul's enemies are getting tough! Over 40 of them "formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul". In fact they came up with a plot to ambush his arrival at their contrived trial. (Acts 23:12-35)

However, this enemy force did not reckon with God's hand over Paul: "But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul." Then our guy had his nephew tell the commander of the plot.

Yeah! God then used this commander to effect Paul's escape by night surrounded by 270 guards to Caesarea. And our missionary arrived safely on horseback at Herod's Praetorium.

God's sovereignty and protection are once again seen! May we today rejoice and expect to see God's hand in our own life.

The Voice of God

Paul got the centurion word just in time! Our missionary was about to be cruelly scourged when he said, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" This tip put the fear into the commander, and he immediately let Paul go. (Acts 22:24-23:11)

And then as our guy is examined before the council, he tries diverting attention to the opposing parties' diverse doctrine. But in the angry party argument, the "commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks".

So still in custody, Paul could use some encouragement. And what better grace could he have than to hear directly from God.

"The Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."

How wise is is for up to listen and expect to hear from our Father. He wants to encourage us; May we be more and more open and anticipating the voice of God.

Ordinary Ananias

The only time we hear of this Ananias in Damascus is in relationship to Saul (soon to become Paul). This messenger is described as "a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there". (Acts 22:12-16)

But the deal about Ananias is that he was obedient. When God told him to "get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying", Ananias had just one problem. He had already heard that this guy Saul was in town to capture believers. But God said, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to hear My name before the Gentiles and kings and sons of Israel." (Acts 9:10-17)

So Ananias went. 

And God used him to speak healing and truth to a lion of a man. After encouraging Saul to be baptized, Ananias' job was done.

We see how the most influential apostle was turned around and set out on a lifetime of inestimable service to the King.

Praise God that He uses people like ordinary Ananias - and us.

What's Next Right Thing?

I'm thinking Saul (later to become Paul) was surely a "good" boy. He had been discipled by the respected great Gamliel and grown to be very "zealous for God". So when he recognizes opposition to what he had learned was right, he "persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons". (Acts 22:1-11)

But the day came when he got on his high horse to Damascus. And as Saul was approaching that marvelous city, the Lord royally blew up all his well planned schemes. 

About noon a light explosion knocked Saul down and spoke, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" So, of course, Saul replied, "Who are You, Lord?" Our Lord said clearly, "I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting". 

Whoa! What is Saul to do? Heaven had come down and sovereignly interrupted his trip - and life. It's got to be time for a big turn-around. 

So Saul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" Jesus didn't give him the whole answer, but just the next step: "Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do". 

Yes! Saul did it. The next right thing. 

When life seems overwhelming and you don't know how to go on, it helps greatly to remember, "What's the next right thing?".

Ready to Die!

Paul was well warned. As he sailed back to Jerusalem, he had a layover in Tyre for the ship to unload cargo. He looked up the disciples there and during his seven day stay, "they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem".(Acts 21:1-14)

Then when he got to Caesarea, the prophet Agabus came and "took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, 'This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" So the hometown people kept begging Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Paul's answer revealed the passion of his life: "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Lord, give us more passion and love for You. May we be ready for sacrifices ahead.

The Benediction

They had been called. So the Ephesians elders traveled to Paul. See - our apostle had no time to dally because he had "steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem". ((Luke 9:51 - spoken about our Lord). Paul knew trouble was ahead ("the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me"). But his sole goal was to "finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God". (Acts 20:17-35)

So this message to these elders was the last and most crucial. After warning these friends to be on guard against men who "will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them", Paul gave them this commission. 

" 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."

What greater words could be uttered? What a blessing we could pray for our children and others. 

Lord, may we speak blessing today for those we love.

His Great Comfort

Paul was being hunted down! He gets to Troas where several friends are waiting for him. And it's Sunday. Paul's last day with his buddies. So he gives them one rather long message from the Lord. In fact, in that brightly lit upper room, it was nearing midnight. (Acts 20:7-12)

A young man, Eutychus, was listening from a window seat. "He was overcome by     sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead." Paul rushed down and "fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, 'Do not be troubled, for his life is in him'".

Can you imagine the impact of this service? Paul went back up, had communion with them, "talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left". 

What a testimony to the grace and power of God. "They took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted."

Lord, thank You for Your great comfort in all areas of our lives.

Some Foolishness

What will cause a city to riot?

Paul sure found out! 

In Ephesus idol-maker Demetrius got together his fellow tradesmen and declared, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all." The greedy guy added that the result would be lost business and that the great Artemis would be "dethroned from her magnificence". (Acts 19:23-41)

Soon the rage-filled tradesmen started shouting and "the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia".

The crazy thing was that "some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together". What a riot!

Finally, the town clerk quieted the mob threatening, "we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events". That would sure have stirred up the controlling Romans!

How foolish riled-up people can act. How much better to be called a fool for Christ!

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,"

I Corinthians 1:27

Magnify the Name

To magnify means to enlarge or make greater what you are focused on. It happened in Ephesus: "and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified". It came about when the cheaters who really didn't know God were operating in His name. They were trying to cast out demons and got soundly trounced by that enemy.  (Acts 19:9-20)

On the other hand, "those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices". That is when the word of the Lord began "growing mightily and prevailing".

God wants the real deal. He blesses genuine repentant hearts that turn away from evil -even "look good" evil. 

Lord, help us to serve You with sincere hearts.  We want You and Your Name to be magnified.

We're Expecting!

We usually find what we expect. Paul had come to Ephesus and found some disciples (about 12 men). The first question he asked them was significant. "He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'"  Hmm...   Maybe He (the Holy Spirit) is more important than we realized. (Acts 10:1-10)

"And they said to him, 'No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.'" (Something's missing here!)

So Paul finds out that they were baptized into John's baptism. And after teaching them the rest of the Good News, he then baptizes them into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Next, maybe it is a surprise to us that Paul put his hands on them and "the Holy Spirit came on them".  Yep. It was very obvious - with much grace.

So I'm wondering what we expect when we receive the Holy Spirit. 

Lord, give us grace to receive all you have for us from Your Spirit. We're expecting more!

Inviting Them In

There was a new guy in Ephesus. He was a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt, "and a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures. He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm."  (Acts 18:24-28 Message) 

But this fine orator named Apollos didn't have the whole story. He knew the Good News only up to the baptism of John. So the Priscilla and Aquila part of Paul's team "invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately".

It was then like a gate opened and Apollos went to Achaia and "was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah."

Praise God for generous people like Priscilla and Aquila who invite others in and encourage them in the truth. With all his wonderful talents, Apollos never could have been mightily used by God without his knowing the truth. 

Lord, give us generous hearts to invite others into our lives and homes to share Your love and truth. You have been so gracious with Your unfailing invitations!

Precious Encouragement

God has a world of creative ways to encourage us. Our faithful missionary, Paul, had been plugging away on this third trip, "reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks". When two helpers came, Paul gave up his tent-making work and "began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ". (Acts 18:1-11)

But these Jews' resistance and blaspheming almost did Paul in: "he shook out his garments and said to them, 'Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles'".

So Paul moved on to another house and was surely ready for God's encouragement. It came in vision at night when the Lord said to His servant, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."

Yeah! Paul was so blessed by God that he "settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them".

Thank you Lord for all the ways You have of encouraging us. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to receive them.

The Door of Opportunity

Mmm... Paul was angry. He was in Athens - a city well known for its intellectual advancement. But my! The city was "a junkyard of idols". (Acts 17:15-34)

So Paul uses the multitude of shrines as a door to open up truth. He said, "while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you".

What a brilliant lead in to truth in the midst of so much evil! Paul could then teach about the "God who made the world and all things in it" and who "does not dwell in temples made with hands". 

Paul even mentioned that their poets had spoken of this God, saying "For we also are His children." So he exhorts them all to repent of their false worship because a fixed day is coming when the true God will judge all people.

And the response? Well some sneered, but some men "joined him and believed"! 

How important it is to look for opportunity to speak truth in the midst of rampant evil. Some will hear!

In Colossians 4:3-4, Paul urges "praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak".

Lord, equip us to look for that door of opportunity to speak Your truth and love.

Our Nobility

It seems like our Paul replays the same story in city after city on this third mission trip. The leading Jews get jealous of the Good News of Jesus and stir up persecution and pain for Paul. That is until Berea! (Acts 17:10-13)

In Berea "the people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so". What a refreshing difference. What a great example for us!

In the NIV we read, "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true".

How encouraging it is to read of people who act like and know that they are children of the King (nobility).  They have confidence and eagerness to hear what the Father says. 

Lord, may our life today evidence our true nobility.

No, indeed!

Paul and Silas had been greatly wronged. As Roman citizens they had been publicly and sorely beaten by authorities without trial. Then they had been thrown, bound, into prison. (Acts 16:35-40)

And now these authorities and their policemen were trying to sweep it all under the rug of secrecy. "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace."

Can you believe it! But our courageous Paul is all into exposing the lies and deception of evil. He replies to the schemers, "No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out". 

How refreshing it is to hear of those who boldly reject the enemy's lies and advances. Only in Jesus do we have this power and protection - especially when satan comes at us with condemnation. 

Lord, give us courage and fortitude to rebuke Satan's lies. Highlight the Accuser's voice in our minds and hearts so we can say, No, indeed! May we remember who we are in Christ.

All Our Household

My, things looked drastic! The jailer had startled awake as his bed shook in the huge prison earthquake. Since all the doors were swinging open, he assumed that the convicts had escaped. And as that meant certain death - a Roman death, he drew his sword to slash out one quick death. (Acts 16:27-34)

But wait! Paul yelled, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" And the shaking jailer rushed in with lights to see that it was true. Whew! This whole shock had the jailer on his knees begging Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?".

But what a surprising answer he gets! "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 

Do you notice? One man's decision was going to bring salvation to all those in his responsibility. That sounds strange in our world of independent living.

Then after our preachers spoke the word of the Lord to the jailer and "all who were in his house", he was baptized, "he and all his household". 

Now then the jailer was so grateful that he poured out plenteous hospitality to our sore preachers. The new Christian cared for their wounds, brought them to his house and fed them. It's recorded that he "rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household".

Wow! It is the fourth time the whole group is mentioned. There may be several reasons why this jailer's household was so blessed. But one clear thing is that the thankful guy's humbling and obvious turn-around had great effect on the whole group.

Hey, we want all our family to be saved! 

Lord, we ask You to do whatever it takes to save us and "all our household".

A Shakin' Goin' On!

It must be the most profound example of grace and gratefulness ever recorded! (Acts 16:16-26)

Paul and Silas were still trying to get to a "place of prayer" and this loud fortune-teller slave girl started following them around. She's announcing, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." But these proclamations kept up for many days so that Paul was "greatly annoyed" and effectively cast out her evil spirit of divination. 

Well, our fortune teller had been raking in loads of money for her masters and when these hucksters "saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities". Then the magistrates were falsely told that Paul and Silas were "proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans". The authorities tore off their robes, rod-beat our guys profusely, and threw them in the dark inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks.

Whew! How terrible! But it does set up for us the most unforgettable picture of amazing grace. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."  Can you believe such faith and love in this awful condition?

However, our God didn't stay quiet after such a profound offering of gratitude. "Suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened."

"Yeah God"!  It does so matter how we respond in difficult times. God loves to come and shake things up when we stay faith-full and praise His holy name.