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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?".