Adam and Jesus

Rom. 5:12-21

This passage portrays a vivid contrast between Adam, a type of the One to come, and Jesus Christ. To begin with sin entered the world because of Adam's singular act of disobedience. With sin came death, a death that spread to all men. Death and sin reigned even over those whose sin differed from Adam's.

But the free gift is not like sin. Many died through 1 man's sin, but the free gift and the grace of God have abounded for many through the death of one man, Jesus Christ. Adam's sin [just one man's sin] brought death and  judgment to all, but even though many sinned one man's death [Jesus Christ] brought grace and life to all. Just as through Adam's sin death reigned over many so too those who receive grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life because of Jesus Christ.

Adam and Jesus are like the flip side of the same coin. On one side is condemnation and death for all through Adam's sin [disobedience]. The many to follow Adam had no choice because Adam's sin determined the course of life from that point on. But on the reverse of the coin are many sinners coming to Jesus. His death provided a way out of Adam's colossal failure. His obedience to God was the supreme example of love [death on a cross], a death that  brought righteousness to many. Where sin increased, grace abounded even more. Just like sin reigned in death so grace reigns in righteousness leading to eternal life in Christ Jesus.

What an amazing picture! Adam changed the course of life in a downward slope resulting in sin, death, and condemnation. As each new generation was born, the earth became even more evil. But the answer came with Jesus. With His one act of complete self-sacrifice, He gave all men the opportunity, the choice to transform their human nature. Even though this entire concept is hard to understand, I definitely understand grace, righteousness, and eternal life. Whereas man's choice was gone with Adam, Jesus offers a choice. I choose Jesus and all the provisions He has made for me.

Father,
What a glorious gift that You would send Your only Son to change the course of history and allow sinful man to have a transformed life. Grace, righteousness, and eternal life are my transformers. You have given me so much. Grant me to walk worthy of Your call.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Hope for the Future

Rom. 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom. 5:1-12

The central idea in this passage is that believers have hope for future glory and eternal life because they have been made righteous by the blood of Christ. It is amazing to me that Christ died for us while we were still steeped in sin. When He looked at us, there was no redeeming quality. But His blood changed all that. Through Him there could be redemption. 

But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. 

Through His Son, God was making the way possible for those whom He called to be saved, to be reconciled to Him. Once we are saved, then our lives become right with God. We have peace with Him. What is better than having peace with the God of the universe! But wait, there's more. Through Jesus we have access into the grace in which we stand. Without this grace, we would have no standing before God. 

But wait, there's more. Through Him and His great grace, we can rejoice in our sufferings. Now that is hard to believe! Humanly speaking, no one rejoices in suffering. In fact, they become depressed and hopeless. But we are not without hope. We have a  future that promises eternal life. What makes this rejoicing in suffering possible? We can rejoice in suffering because it produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given us.  God has changed it all. Our lives have now been transformed. Instead of thinking only of the flesh, we now see life through the eyes of Jesus. We want to be like Him, and the way to do that is through suffering. Did Jesus suffer when he died? Yes, it was an horrendous death full of suffering to the max, and we are called to follow in His footsteps. He does not call us to do this alone. He fully equips us to stand strong and to endure. The only possible for us to do this is through His grace and strength. Then step by step we grow in His image. But wait there's more. We rejoice in God through Jesus, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 

Returning to verse 1, it says we have been justified by faith. Where did this faith come from? The faith to be saved was a gift from God as well. It is all a gift of God so that no man can boast save in Jesus Christ. So to sum up, because of His blood, we have been saved, justified, and reconciled. We can rejoice in God and in our suffering. We have a new direction and purpose for our life. We now live constantly looking forward to our great hope that is eternal life and the glory of God. We have access into the grace in which we stand and peace with God. We have the grace that we need, and we have the Holy Spirit to lead and teach us.

Father,
My heart rejoices as I see all that You have given me. I am so thankful for Your grace that helps me live each day. Thank You, Father, for calling me to be Your child and giving me peace with You. Thank You, Spirit for pouring God's love into my heart. Thank You, Jesus for making all of this possible, for shedding Your blood and losing Your life for me.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Fully Convinced

Rom. 4:20-21

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

Abraham was not justified by works, but by his faith. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. This opportunity to believe God is there for all. It requires no works but a simple belief. So why is this hard for so many people? Why does man like to do works and be rewarded for those works? I think because he can take pride in what he has accomplished and then offer it to God apart from anything that God has done for him. God says believing is a gift so that no man may boast!

Abraham was circumcised as a seal of his righteousness. The circumcision was not the act that made him right with God. The same goes for us who are circumcised in heart. Our circumcision is a seal of our salvation based on the gift of grace and faith. Certainly, we have in obedience to God cut away the desires for the flesh and replaced them with the grace and faith God has given us. Nothing man does can count as a way to heaven. It is all of God lest any man should boast.

The promise was to Abraham and his offspring that he would be father of many nations. This did not come because of his works, but it came through the righteousness of faith. In hope Abraham believed that he would have an heir. Even as years flew by, his faith did not weaken  When his body was old and when Sarah was beyond child bearing years, he still believed. No distrust made him waver concerning the promises of God. What a lesson to me! Distrust sounds like a horrible thing. To distrust God is heinous! Yet often that is what we do when we can't wait for God to work. 

Not only did he trust God implicitly, he grew strong in his faith and gave glory to God. He wasn't waiting passively, sitting and enduring. He trusted God to work in His time, and in the meantime, he would continue to live his life as someone who loved God. Certainly this should be an example for us The phrase it was counted to him is there for us as well. If we believe in Him, who was raised from the dead, delivered up for our sin, and raised for our justification, then it will be counted to us as righteousness. Abraham fully believed in the promise of God and that God was able to fulfill the promise in His time. Do we fully believe in the promises of the word? While we wait for God to answer specifically, do we continue to grow and bring glory to God?  

Father,

Abraham's life makes me think about so many things. Increase my faith so that I will have no distrust of You. I know Your promises are precious and very great. I want my belief in them to control my life.  Thank You for covering me in the righteousness of Jesus. 

In His name,

Amen

The Wedding Feast

Mt. 22: 1-14

Jesus was using parables to teach the people some very important truths about the kingdom of heaven This kingdom could be compared to a wedding feast that the King is giving for His Son. He sent His servants out to call those invited to the wedding, but they would not come. He did this again telling his servants to say the the the oxen and fat calves had been slaughtered, but still they did not come. One went to his farm, and another to his business, while others mistreated his servants to the point of killing them. The king was angry and sent His troops to destroy those people and burn their city. Then He said to His servants, those who were invited were not worthy. Go to the main roads and invite as many as you can to the wedding feast. They did and the wedding feast was full, but when the king came in he saw a man with no wedding garment. The king said, Friend how did you get in here without a wedding garment? The man was speechless. Then the king said, Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called but few are chosen. 

Did the Pharisees understand any of this parable? Were their hearts pricked? Did they know they were the ones that were rejecting the Son? The very next verse says they plotted to entangle Him in His words. Sad, so sad when people are so steeped in their religion that they can't see the truth from error. The Father's invitation was rejected by the Jews. His servants, the prophets, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself, were rejected. More than that, their rejection meant the killing the servant who came  not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

The invitation was then given to those on the main roads, that is the Gentiles who eagerly came to the feast. But when the King came into the feast, He immediately spotted the one without the proper garment. He was cast into outer darkness. There is only one way to get into the wedding feast, that is clothed in the righteousness of the Son with sins forgiven and covered by His blood. It reminds me of Mt. 7. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Those rejected said, did we not prophesy in Your name,and cast out demons and do mighty works? And Jesus said to them, I never knew you.; depart from me you workers of lawlessness. There is no substitute for the blood of Jesus. Those who do great works in their flesh may look good on the outside, but on the inside there is all manner of sin. The counterfeit will not make it!  Those saved who are called by the Father and indwelled by the Spirit will hear the call and run for the wedding feast of the Lamb. They are the long-awaited bride dress in garments of pure white. What a glorious day! 

Father,

Prepare my heart for this great day. Teach me so that I may grow more nad more each day into the image of Your Son. Thank You for sending Jesus so that I might be made Yours. 

In the name of the Servant-Son,

Amen

Obedience

Rom. 2:28-29

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

The issue is obedience whether a person is a Jew under the OT laws and commandments or is a believer under grace. Both must be obedient! Circumcision must be present whether it is an OT physical circumcision or a NT cutting away of the flesh of our hearts., The flesh must be eliminated! As I read the OT codes, there is so much detail for every area of life, but for the the NT believer there is grace. Are we misusing the grace that we have? 

The NT is replete with many put on's and put off's. Yet what is our attitude about them? Do we struggle with the same issues because we are enjoying them, and are consequently neglecting to put them off. I know that God has said He will not be mocked. Are we mocking the very gift that cost so very much? Sure, I am not saying that perfection is required. What I am saying is that when we fall, confession should immediately follow. A sinful practice should never be allowed whether it is a flaw of the personality, or a sin that we feel justified in keeping. For instance if a believer or a family member has hurt us. What they did was wrong, but it doesn't give us the rite to give them an equally sinful response. Our relationship with God should mean so much to us that we refuse to let anything in our lives interrupt it. Confession and grief over our sin and communion with God should be our go-to, that is unless we are not sorry, unless we have excused this sin as something that will always be there, unless we have forsaken the battle and not claimed the promises of God in this area. Even in grace, I think there is a line in the sand that can not been blurred by the tide of evil.  God's word says to put off and put on.

Father,

Help me to be true to You all the time. Give me that grief and sorrow for my sin. Open my eyes to see how abhorrent it is to You. Lord, forgive me. Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice and the gift of Your Spirit. Thank You for Your very costly grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Unashamed

Rom. 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Paul was unashamed of the gospel. His life proved it on so many levels. He would share with anyone anywhere. He would limit his personal freedoms if it meant someone would come to know Jesus. In Rom. 1:1, Paul stated that he was set apart for the gospel of God, a gospel that had been promised beforehand through the prophets concerning His Son, a son who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Wow! There you have it, the full scope of the gospel. Paul had established his apostleship with these people. Rejoicing in the great bond he had because of Christ, he wanted to share his heart with them so that they could encourage each other. 

Like he does in other epistles, he began with a prayer thanking God for these believers whose faith is proclaimed world-wide. His prayers are the stuff of which we can pray for one another. The very things that he prayed so many years ago are the same things we need to pray today. His heart wanted to see them to impart a spiritual gift to strengthen them--that is to mutually encourage each other. How great is that! Whenever believers meet this should happen. What a bond we have in Christ! Paul was eager to preach in Rome, to share the gospel with the Greeks, the barbarians, the wise, and the foolish. Christ is all and in all.  

It is with this introduction that he stated the great verse that I memorized as a child. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Do I have those same feelings for the gospel? Is spreading the message foremost in my thoughts? Do I want to encourage other believers when I am with them? Like Paul, I am set apart for the gospel. Is this calling seen clearly in my life?

Father,

I am unashamed of the gospel, yet fear strikes a note in my heart. Take that out of me. Open the doors for me to share the gospel of Jesus. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Presumption

Mt. 20:27-29

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

As Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem, He was telling them what was going to happen. He would be delivered to the Jews , condemned to death, mocked and flogged and crucified by the Gentiles, and raised on the third day. From the text it seemed as if the disciples understood all this. Perhaps in their heads, but they had no clue what the suffering would be like. 

With those walking with Jesus was the mother of the James and John. She had a question for Jesus that had to do with the future of her sons. So much like a mother, seeking to control the details of her sons' lives when only God controls the details of anyone's life.  She wanted her boys to sit on the left and right of Jesus in heaven. Whoa! That is presumption in its truest form, to come to the Son of God and ask for a heavenly promotion for her sons! What a lesson for a mom!  Jesus replied to her"You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."  I wonder how she felt after Jesus said this. Was her heart pricked with the foolishness of what she had done? Did she make an apology to Jesus? Hopefully, she was not indignant. 

However, when the 10 heard this, they were indignant. I imagine they were thinking or even saying, 'Are you kidding?' But Jesus pulled the conversation back in and used this incident as a teaching moment.  Paradoxically, whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Now that is heavy! What Jesus taught was completely the opposite of the model they had seen in life. The priests and scribes wanted to advance to higher positions thus giving them more power, but a Christian seeks to serve, to put himself last. Phillipians 2 says, Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Jesus is the model. His words and His life were in sync. What He calls His followers to do is live as He did. 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Father,

I know that this is true, yet still within my flesh is the desire to be noticed, to be praised, and to want prominence. I confess. Purge that desire from my body. Teach me to live as you lived. Give me Your grace and strength.

In His name,

Amen

Ps.43

Ps. 43:3-5

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

In the depths of despair, David cried out to his God to vindicate his cause against people who were deceitful and unjust. Even though David's struggle has long since been past, people today feel the same way. I think of Saeed in the Iranian prison. I imagine he has prayed something similar to this. I know that I have. The same goes for the Egyptian Christians who were executed. This persecution of Christians is growing worldwide. It should drive us to our knees to pray for others around the globe and to pray for Americans here at home. 

What should I pray? for deliverance? for strength to withstand? I know that I should pray that my thoughts about these horrible events should be the same as God's thoughts. That is why verses 3-5 are exactly what I should pray. I should ask for His light and truth to be my guide to take me into His presence. There I should praise God for what is true about Him. He is my exceeding joy. Is there a reason to despair? Humanly speaking the conditions are bleak, but spiritually I can hope in God. Hope will lead me to Him, my salvation and my God. Perhaps God uses these horrible circumstances to draw us to HImself. We must rely on Him. There is nothing we can do but hope and pray.

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. [Ps. 86:11]

Father,

I need Your light and truth to guide me to You to unite my heart to Yours. You are my joy and my life. I praise Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

In a Short Time

Acts 26:28

In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?

As Paul shared with King Agrippa, he explained his background, his defense, and his conversion. By background, Paul was a Pharisee who had obeyed the law implicitly even going so far as to persecute those who were of the way. Why mention this? Would it give him more credibility? Perhaps, but it would also make him aware of all the prophesies concerning Christ. He firmly established that the issue separating he and the Jews was the resurrection, that God could raise from the dead.

As he recounted his conversion, he shared the dialogue he had with Christ. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against goads. And I said, Who are you Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Pretty powerful words! He went on to state his mission, that is to open the eyes of the Gentiles so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. All this so that they could be forgiven of sin and have a place among the sanctified by faith in Jesus. By quoting Jesus, his testimony established the fact that salvation is between each individual and Jesus. This goes for a king or a tribune.

Paul then shared his itinerary. He had preached the same message in Damascus, Jerusalem, all throughout Judea, and to the Gentiles. He emphasized that his message was straight from the law and the prophets, that Christ would suffer, rise from the dead, and proclaim light to the Jews and the Gentiles. So why would the Jews object since it was in their own documents?  Did they feel Paul was stealing their thunder, or had they become so jaded that they couldn't recognize the fulfillment of prophesy.

Some doubted his rationality, but not Agrippa, and Paul knew that. Seizing the moment, he asked Agrippa if he knew the prophets, in essence pushing for a commitment. Instead of saying yes he tried to make light of it by replying, In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am--except for these chains."  And that was the heart cry of Paul and should be the heart cry of every sinner saved by grace. But when the king arose, his entourage went with him. Talking privately, they all agreed he had done nothing worthy of death, but since he had appealed to Caesar, he would go to Caesar. From a human standpoint, his appeal was misguided, but from a divine standpoint, it was where he should be. For Agrippa and those there that day, it was an opportunity missed, an opportunity with eternal ramifications.

Even though Agrippa used those words [in a short time] to evade the issue, he revealed the truth of the gospel. It only takes a short time to respond to the call of Jesus upon the human heart. It doesn't require study, education, prestige, or possessions, it requires a simple yes. Such a short word uttered in a short time!

Father,

I want a heart for Jesus, one that is ready to share the gospel. Give me courage. Help me see the doors you want me to enter.

In Jesus name,

amen

Friends

Ps. 41:9-10

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. But You, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up...

Even though having a friend is often a difficult relationship to maintain, most would still choose to have one because having none is horrendous. What does being a friend entail? Having someone's back, loyalty, support, loving through the mess-ups...What happens to friendship when ideas and philosophies conflict? Choices have to be made. Sometimes those choices are difficult to make, but even harder to receive. If you have ever been on the receiving end of a broken friendship, you can identify with David. When this person dumped on David, they broke trust. Even more than ending the friendship, this person rose up against David. Would this be a fair weather friend, or are these things just the risks of friendship. Why is friendship such a risky business? Basically because people are selfish. What suits a person for awhile might not always suit them, or they could only be a friend until a better friend could be found, a friend with connections, money, or influence. 

If unselfishness is a determining factor, where would someone ever find a friend? From a purely human point, this could be a search that would take you entire life. But in the spiritual realm, the possibilities are much better. In fact, Jesus would be the best friend ever! Talk about unselfishness, he died so that others might live.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our friendship. With Him there will be no philosophical differences because He indwells us as does His Spirit. He fills us all in all and transforms our lives. He has promised to be with us til the end of the age. Definitely not the quality of a fair weather friend! He has promised to come back and take us to His home in heaven. Certainly such a friend as this would never have an enemy.

Not so! Judas was one of the 12 who broke bread, traveled with Jesus, witnessed His miracles,and was taught just as the other disciples were. Jesus even washed Judas' feet. Yet, Judas betrayed the best friend he would ever have. For Judas it was a betrayal that he couldn't forget. Throwing back the money could not touch his internal pain. He ended up taking his own life. What a terrible choice and friend! David and Jesus both experienced betrayals at the hands of  friends, friends whom they had trusted. But David was reassured because His God was his friend. His God delighted in him and would not let his enemies triumph over him. 

For me, Jesus supersedes all earthly friends. All He has allowed and will allow in my life is for my good. He has perfectly planned my life so that I can magnify the Father. I can talk to Him at any time sharing all my ups and downs. He can give me peace so that the world does not infect me with its love of the flesh. Jesus has impacted me in so many ways that I could never record them all. But I can truly say Jesus is my best friend!

Father,

Thank You for allowing me to be a friend of Jesus. Your love sent Him to earth for my way to become Your way. And because of that, I am a new creature in Christ. I love You and I love Him.

In His name,

Amen

To Rome

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said---Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.

Acts 25:1-12 is the fulfillment of what Jesus told Paul in Acts 23:11  God had a set plan for Paul's life, and it did not include death by the hands of the Jews. Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem. Try as they might, the Jews could not get Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem. Their ambush was foiled. Taking men of authority with him, Festus and the Jews traveled to Caesarea. 

When he arrived in Caesarea, Festus asked for Paul to be brought to him. He answered the charges by saying he had done nothing against the Jews, the temple, nor against Caesar. He continued saying,  If I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing in their charges against me, I appeal to Caesar. Paul's life was right on target. Rome was his goal. Paul's life was totally at the disposal of the Lord. Whatever God wanted for him, he was for it. Such obedience!

Father,

Give me a heart of obedience. Whatever you have for me, I want to do that is through Your strength. Help me to bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Clear Conscience

Acts 24

After 5 days the high priest, elders, and their spokesman came down to where Paul was being held. They accused Paul of stirring up riots among the Jews, being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and of profaning the temple. With a nod from Felix, Paul began his defense. Paul verified that it was within the last 12 days that he was in the temple where he neither disputed or incited a riot. In fact, they had no proof for any of their charges at all. 

Paul continued. According to the Way, he worshiped God as was laid down in the law and the prophets. He hoped in God that there would be a resurrection of the just and the unjust. So he always took pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. The very fact that there will be a resurrection means accountability. One day Paul knew that he would face Jesus and be accountable for what he had done with the call of Jesus upon his life. But back to his defense, it had been several years since he had been in Jerusalem, and now he was bringing alms to his nation and presenting offerings. He was in the temple completely purified without a crowd at all. In fact, the only thing that he did was express his belief in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine that was of key importance. Without it where would the followers of Christ be? 

Felix  put off his decision making until the tribune would come down. He gave orders that Paul should be in custody but with many privileges. However, repeatedly Felix and his Jewish wife, Drusilla would come to talk to Paul. I am sure he listened intently but didn't take the crucial step. He was hoping for money from Paul, essentially a bribe to make this all go away, but it never came. Before long, he was replaced by Porcius Festus. Sadly, he had listened but without a consequent change in his heart. How close and yet how far away!

Do I operate on the same idea as Paul, seeking always to have a clear conscience toward God and man? If I kept this idea in my mind, would it make my disobedience a thing of the past? Would I have more of am impetus to obey, to walk worthy of the calling to which I have been called? We don't talk about being accountable much. It seems as if we focus more on grace and forgiveness. Have I cheapened grace by making it a catch-all for my willfulness? Really some things to think about. 

Father, 

I ask that You always help me see the truth about myself, that You touch my heart even if it hurts. Help me live with a clear conscience toward You and man. Help me to love as You love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Plot Foiled.

Acts 23:12-35

Our story continues [from yesterday]. Soon the Jews formed a plot in which they bound themselves together with an oath not to eat until Paul was dead. They intended to go to the Tribune asking that Paul be brought down to the council for more questioning. On his way down, they had men ready to ambush him and kill him. Such hatred! When the evil in the heart is exposed, the flesh rises up to assuage its injury, to vent its venom, and to rid itself of the irritant. But the plot was foiled. God's purpose for Paul was to keep him alive, but there would be a time when this was not so. 

Paul's nephew heard of the plot and warned Paul.  Paul immediately sent him to see the Tribune and tell him the information. The Tribune called for 2 centurions to assemble 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to travel to Caesarea at the third hour of the night taking with them Paul and a letter explaining the situation. The object was to take Paul to Felix the governor to present his case there. While there, he was lodged in Herod's praetorium until his accusers arrived. What the Jews meant for harm, God meant for an open door. Paul would share the gospel with Felix, the governor of Judea. 

How encouraging to see God's hand at work in the affairs of men! This angry, hate-filled mob was no match for God's plan. All things, events, and people are His servants. This account makes me think of Saeed imprisoned in Iran. He has no one to hear his case, to protect him from deep-seated anger, or to give him food or medical treatment. From a human standpoint, we might think the situation is hopeless. But not so with God! We might wonder why God doesn't act and bring him home. But God's timing is best. 

Father,

I know You work in the affairs of men. I know You hear and listen to all our prayers. Comfort our hearts in the case of Saeed. Be an ever-present stay for His wife and children. Help us rest in You and Your will and purpose.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Dissension

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.

With the Roman Tribune observing, Paul faced the Jewish council composed of the high priest, the Sadducees.  Of course the Jews were livid almost mad with hatred before Paul even spoke. He began his defense stating that he had lived his life in all good conscience. What a wonderful thing, to live in all good conscience! I wonder how many men in that room could say the same thing.Yet, the high priest ordered those closest to him to strike him on the mouth. Yikes! He hasn't even said anything yet. Definitely reveals the heat in the room!

Paul answered, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! [metaphor for hypocrisy] Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" Because of all Paul's training he could poke them right where it hurt the most. Their lives were not what their words said they were. They were judging others for the same thing that was found in their own lives. In Paul's confrontation, we can see some tactics to use in a situation like this. First, he struck them full force with stinging words. I guess we could call that the shock effect.

Then Paul divided the room as a means to shift the heat from himself. Full well knowing that the Sadducees and the Pharisees differed on the resurrection, he took a stand with the Pharisees. A full-blown dissension arose, a great clamor. One of the Pharisees stood up declaring that they saw nothing wrong with this man. By this time the dissension was violent. The Tribune feared for Paul's life so he removed him to the barracks. And it was on the following night that the Lord stood by Paul. So cool! What a great visual! Not only was the Lord there standing, He spoke, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. I am not sure whether this was good news or not. But Paul was willing to testify anywhere because the Lord stood by him in all that he did. [The account continues tomorrow. ]

Salvation

Acts 22

What a life changing event and a testimony! To go from being a strict Jew to  the worst persecutor of the way, and then finally to being a radical believer of the way! Saul was brought up short on the road to Damascus. The light was blinding. He could go nowhere else. Jesus had him captive. Just think He was meeting the very person he was persecuting. The result was he became just as hot for Jesus as he had previously been to persecute believers.

As soon as he was taken to Damascus, he met with Ananias, a devout man who was well-spoken among the Jews. His sight was restored. And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'  And just like that, his life work had taken a drastic turn? And he rose, was baptized, had his sins washed away and called on the name of Jesus.

As he was telling this account to the group in Damascus, an angry mob began shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and flinging dust. Obviously, his message was not well received. The Roman tribune was going to have him flogged when he mentioned that as a Roman citizen he should be condemned. Even though the tribune had had to buy his citizenship, Paul did not. He was one by birth. So the examination had ended without flogging at all. God had his hand on Paul. 

Father,

I thank You that You chose me as well. I know I have a purpose in Your eyes even though it is nothing like Paul's. You are amazing and have flooded my life with so much.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Glory of God

Ps. 19:1

. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

This week with terrorists plotting, burning people, disease outbreaks, and my wonderful, 90 year old mom in the hospital, God is still in control.  In and through all of this, a new day dawns and the sky is lit up with radiant pinks and oranges all to declare the glory of God. All things are His servants even wicked, foolish men. In the grand scheme of things what is my mom's 90th birthday party?  Not much! But in my scheme of things it is big! I know that I am held firmly in His hand, and He knows my heart and answers my prayers in the way that is best for me. 

Father,

You know my heart. Will you uphold my mom? You have promised to uphold the weak and raise up the bowed down. You have promised that a bruised reed You will not break, and a smoldering wick You will not quench...But I trust You to do what is best for her. She is in Your hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Shout for JoyYou

Ps. 33:18-19

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 

What is the response of believers to the great blessings of God? Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.  Sadly, shouting is barely existent within the church today. Why would that be? Are we too sophisticated to shout? Or has shouting disappeared because we are not that excited about the things of God? Whatever the reason, we should shout for joy. Joy because God has chosen us, has worked in our lives, has grown us in holiness, and has given us strength to endure. The list could go on and on. 

We are to Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to Him with the harp of 10 strings! Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. Even though this is a musical response, there is still shouting. Our thankful hearts and our songs of praise should reverberate into shouting. Praise belongs to our God! What specific areas does this Ps. 33 reference as cause for shouting?

• The word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness.
• He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
• By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
• Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
• The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
• Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
• The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; 
• Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

What is our response to these great blessings of God? Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in You. Our lives must be totally His. Waiting, trusting, hoping, singing, shouting... He is our entire life. 

Father,

Thank You for Your care and watch over me. Thank You for Your word and Your faithfulness. Help me to sing and shout for joy because You are my God. You are my all. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Eutychus

Acts 20:7-12

Paul spoke to the believers who were gathered together on the first day of the week to break bread. Apparently, he continued speaking until it was midnight. During this time the long sermon resulted in a tragic accident.  A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window when he fell into a deep sleep. Not a good move! He fell out from the 3rd story and was taken up dead. Was he actually dead? How injured was he? Paul went down and bent over him. Taking Eutychus in his arms, Paul said, do not be alarmed for his life is in him. The service continued until daybreak, and Eutychus was alive. 

What a strange story! What is its significance? Is it saying that some sermons are too long for physical endurance? Or is it a warning against sitting in a window? Some things are certain. First, Eutychus was there. He wanted to hear what Paul had to say. Perhaps he was in the right place but at the wrong time. Secondly, Paul saw his accident as something that needed to be fixed. If Paul had been trying to teach a lesson on falling asleep in church, he would have left him injured or dead. But this was not the case. Paul had compassion on the young man and on those who were gathered there. No doubt Eutychus had family there, a family whose heart was distressed at the accident. Thirdly, this story shows that God cares about the small things. In the grand scheme of things someone falling out of a window is not a high priority. But to God the needs of all His children are important. Fourthly, the story shows the importance of ministering to people on all levels. Paul, the traveling preacher who had ignited the church, was there. I am sure that this group of people wanted nothing better than to sit at his feet and listen without interruptions. And now into the mix was this accident! Before the congregation could figure out what to do, Paul was there investing new life into the injured lad. Paul was not so important that he couldn't meet the need of this one, young man. He was not so important that he traveled with body guards who wouldn't allow him to touch people. Finally, whether or not any of these reasons are valid, the story does show compassion and concern. The early church was not just your regular church. It was a living organism growing at an astounding rate. Eutychus was part of this organism. Missing him would be like losing a limb. This is the body of Christ in action! Caring, loving, helping, rejoicing! Thank God I am part of that body as well.

Father,

I am not sure what this story is saying. Continue to teach me. Help me to be concerned about the physical needs of my local body of Christ. Help me to see the needs of people, and then give me the grace to help them.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Fear and Faith

Ps. 31

In Psalm 31 David put forth words of fear and words of faith. Is it that way in any situation? Does faith in God always blot out the fear of man? We would hope it would, but it doesn't always. David demonstrated this situation perfectly. He began acknowledging his source of refuge, God. His words reflected his faith in God. In your righteousness save me...be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress...You are my rock and fortress...He cried out to God, his guide, to take him out of the enemy's net,  Into God's hand he commits his spirit because God has redeemed him. David knew Him to be a faithful God. Thus far in the psalm David has connected with God, presented the problem, and then has waited for God to act. 

But does this lessen the severity of the problem? No. The waiting for God is so hard when the enemy surrounds us. David expressed his hatred of those who worship idols and his own personal, deep distress. The physical act of crying has wasted his soul and his body. His life is spent with sorrow, and his years with sighing.  He has become a reproach and the object of dread. He feels forgotten and useless like a broken vessel. He even goes so far as to say that he hears the whispering of many who are making plans to take his life. The problem is bad, very bad! It is at this point, when negativity has nearly consumed him, that David has a choice to make. Will he indulge in self-pity or rise above the situation with God? This choice is there for all of us. Events and situations become intolerable, and often we are blind to see a way out. But always in the throes of our distress, our flesh presents itself as the problem solver, the one who has the comfort that we need. But these are lies! David did not fall for them and neither should we. 

David did choose the upward path. It all changed when he said But. What a simple word, but one with such meaning. Taking the upward path does not mean that the enemy will instantly flee or that the distress of our soul will instantly fade. What it means is that we throw ourselves in God's hand  to let Him act trusting that all He does is for our good and all the time remembering that His good is not the world's good. David finished the psalm with thoughts like these: I trust in you, O Lord...My times are in Your hands...Make Your face to shine on me...save me in Your steadfast love...How abundant is Your goodness...Blessed be the Lord for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love when I was in a besieged city...

To end the psalm David admitted that in his alarm, he was cut off from God's sight. What created this blockage? It was David's own personal fear. We also allow circumstances or events to alarm us to the point that we don't see God in our lives, but He is always there. David wanted all the saints to love the Lord because of who He is and what He does. He abundantly repays those who act in pride [the enemy]. Be strong, and let Your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.  Wait for the Lord! Wait for His timing! Be brave, God will act. Our times are in His hands!

Father,

Thank You for reassuring me this morning. Help me like David to make that right choice, to shun self-pity and rise above with You. I know that my times are in Your hand. I rejoice in that, but at the same time, know that it is hard. You are my God, my Savior, the One in whom I trust!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Extraordinary Things

Acts 19: 17

And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 

Paul traveled to Ephesus where he found a group of believers who only had the baptism of John.  On hearing this Paul laid his hands on them baptizing them in the name of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. They began speaking in tongues and prophesying. The nucleus for the church had been formed! I love it! It is so cut and dried!

For about 3 months Paul taught boldly about Jesus in the synagogue until some were not receptive and began speaking evil of the Way. So he left and began teaching in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for 12 years. Amazing! To be under Paul's teaching for 12 years! The results: all the residents of Asia had heard the gospel message both Greeks and Jews. The command of Acts 1:8 was being obeyed. 

God was doing extraordinary things at the hands of Paul so much so that even something he had touched had power to heal both physically and spiritually. It looked so easy to some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists. As they began to cast out evil spirits, they did it through the name of Paul saying by the Jesus Paul proclaims. However, this did not fly in the face of the evil spirits. They simply said, Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you? And the evil spirits in the man jumped on them and overthrew them. They ran away wounded and naked. [ more humiliation] As you would expect, when this became known, fear spread throughout the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.  Such power in Jesus! The result: many believers who practiced magic arts came, confessed, and brought their books for a book burning. The value of all these books was 50,000 pieces of silver. [6 million in today's currency] So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. 

There are two great warnings in this passage.[v. 1-20] Don't mess with spiritual things unless you are truly spiritual! Everything looks easy in the hands of a professional. The same goes for those who are truly spiritual. We only see the outward appearance of their lives. We do not see the surrender of their hearts. Really, trying to have this power apart from the Holy Spirit and a surrendered heart is just another fleshly activity, an activity motivated by jealousy. Most people want the limelight, but the truly spiritual person wants Jesus to have the glory. 

And secondly, eliminate from your life the things from your past that will drag you down. Jesus is all or He is nothing. These people saw explicitly what would happen if they tried to blend their old life with their new life. Sadly, people like to hold on to what they have, to what has given them validation or credence. But once people are saved, Jesus must be the only validation! All is said or done to the glory of God. Personal glory is trumped by God's glory! 

Father,

Thank You for teaching me this morning. I do give the glory to you in all things. Help me to see clearly what is in my heart. Have Your Spirit enlighten me so that I might confess and clean out the corners of my heart so that only You are glorified.

In the mighty name of Jesus,

Amen

Ascribe to the Lord

Ps. 29

David begins with a command to heavenly beings as well as to himself: Ascribe or give in a very directed manner. We ascribe this praise because of who He is. He is glory, strength, and holiness. There is no one else who would qualify for this praise. Knowing full well how God is all-holiness, we come accordingly meeting Him in His holiness.

David then continues describing the voice of the Lord that epitomizes strength, holiness, and gloriousness.

• His voice is over waters. His voice thunders over many waters.-- Definitely powerful! Proving Him as the God of the universe. 
• His voice is powerful and full of majesty.-- Like the king He is!
• His voice breaks the cedars and makes Lebanon skip like a calf.-- Control of  nations and resources
• His voice flashes forth flames of fire.--Instant judgment and destruction
• His voice shakes the wilderness.--Earthquakes
• His voice makes the deer give birth and strips the forest--Life and death. 

There are so many ways his voice is heard, but all of them show His glory, strength, and holiness. I see why no man is without excuse. God's person and power are revealed in nature, a nature that man cannot control.  [Rom. 1:19-20]

Where is the Lord in all this? He sits enthroned over the flood as king forever. He is all-powerful to the point that man has no power apart from God! David ends this psalm with a prayer, May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace. Peace in the midst of the storm. Peace in our hearts and minds. Peace that comes only through Him!  

Phil. 4:6-7 says do not be anxious about anything, [storms, thunder, flooding, earthquake], but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

We must come to Him for peace acknowledging He is the God of all creation. Then His peace can flood into the heart that fully praises God for all that is in their life, all that causes anxiety. God's voice calls us in many ways, getting our attention in the storm so that we may come to Him in praise to receive His peace. 

Father,

I ascribe to You all the praise and glory You require. I know that You are the God of creation and the God of my life. If I am straying, get my attention in the storm so that I may sit at Your feet in peace. 

In Jesus name,

Amen