S
(Acts 28:26) Go to this people and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
O
That sentence, a quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10, was a third of Paul’s last statement to these people. That statement concluded Luke’s account of the Acts of the Holy Spirit. It is not a happy ending. It describes ultimate misery because it describes the worst possible experience: unending darkness. God perpetual answers both ultimate and immediate questions. He prioritizes meaning and purpose, but some people perpetually close their eyes and ears from being healed by Him.
A
The most frightening, insufferable pain is not physical but relationship and existential. It is isolation, meaninglessness, rejection (death), and loss of liberty (choice and responsibility). Rejecting the Good News of Jesus Christ leaves us only with intolerable answers. That absence leaves only everlasting and dark ignorance of real answers.
P
Lord, I want to know You. I long to know the power of Your resurrection, as well as my share of Your suffering and death. Only that way may I know eternal life. (Philippians 3:10).
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Whom Am I Protecting?
S
(Acts 27:31) Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
O
The sailors demonstrated their heartless logic: by abandoning ship, they could survive though everyone else would be doomed. It would be like an airline crew parachuting mid-flight because of a storm. Adam Clarke said, “God promised to save your lives ... on the condition that you make use of every means He has put in your power to help yourselves.” Paul, like in Acts 23:6, employed the soldier-sailor rivalry to expose injustice and to secure righteousness.
A
Is there any area in my life where I am sacrificing the well-being of others for my personal advantage? Am I employing all the tools available to me (by God’s providence) to grow in Christ-likeness and to promote His kingdom? From innocent jesting to malicious behavior, does my rivalry with others give opportunity for evil or misunderstanding?
P
Lord, thank You for Your necessary high standards. Help me to enjoy life and people in healthy ways. Help me to be a servant more than I am served.
(Acts 27:31) Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
O
The sailors demonstrated their heartless logic: by abandoning ship, they could survive though everyone else would be doomed. It would be like an airline crew parachuting mid-flight because of a storm. Adam Clarke said, “God promised to save your lives ... on the condition that you make use of every means He has put in your power to help yourselves.” Paul, like in Acts 23:6, employed the soldier-sailor rivalry to expose injustice and to secure righteousness.
A
Is there any area in my life where I am sacrificing the well-being of others for my personal advantage? Am I employing all the tools available to me (by God’s providence) to grow in Christ-likeness and to promote His kingdom? From innocent jesting to malicious behavior, does my rivalry with others give opportunity for evil or misunderstanding?
P
Lord, thank You for Your necessary high standards. Help me to enjoy life and people in healthy ways. Help me to be a servant more than I am served.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Scared of the Light
S
(Acts 24:25) And as he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”
O
Previously (as history records it) Festus had persuaded Drusilla to leave her husband, the King of Emesa, and marry him. Here, he revealed his disdain for the duties of justice by imprisoning Paul merely to solicit a bribe (24:26). Perhaps he'd heard that Paul had arrived with funds from Greek churches for the relief of Judean churches. Felix was later recalled to Rome for poorly ruling Judea.
A
I admire Paul’s boldness. Because Felix failed morally, Paul reasoned with him of righteousness. Because Felix was enslaved to his emotional impulses, Paul reasoned with him about self-control. Because Felix disregarded authority, Paul warned him of his accountability before the Lord.
P
Lord, this is an example of bold witnessing as well as a sober reminder of my own need to walk openly, truthfully, and obediently with You. Thank You.
(Acts 24:25) And as he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”
O
Previously (as history records it) Festus had persuaded Drusilla to leave her husband, the King of Emesa, and marry him. Here, he revealed his disdain for the duties of justice by imprisoning Paul merely to solicit a bribe (24:26). Perhaps he'd heard that Paul had arrived with funds from Greek churches for the relief of Judean churches. Felix was later recalled to Rome for poorly ruling Judea.
A
I admire Paul’s boldness. Because Felix failed morally, Paul reasoned with him of righteousness. Because Felix was enslaved to his emotional impulses, Paul reasoned with him about self-control. Because Felix disregarded authority, Paul warned him of his accountability before the Lord.
P
Lord, this is an example of bold witnessing as well as a sober reminder of my own need to walk openly, truthfully, and obediently with You. Thank You.
Bold Enough to Have Joy
S
(Leviticus 26:14,15,36) “But if you will not listen to Me and will not do all of these commandments, if you spurn My statutes and if your soul abhors My rules...I will send faintness into [your] hearts...the sound of a driven leaf will put [you] to flight, and [you] shall flee...and fall when none pursues...”
O
God’s commandments are assignments from an apt authority, and His statutes are helpful etchings my emperor makes in my heart. His judgments are warrants from the treasuries of His wisdom. Our covenant, like the treaties in ancient times that formed alliances of pledged friendship between monarchs, so, too, I’m honored by the covenant Jesus made with me. It keeps us from being intimidated by Satan’s threats.
A
Like David in Psalm 119, I eagerly cultivate a loving respect for all God wants for me. It’s not a sacrificial degradation of my private desires, but an exhilarating exploration of joy.
P
Lord, I am so embarrassed to fall victim to fear as often as I do. How silly I’ve been to not boldly trust You. Yet, it’s by frightening, tiring circumstances that I discover the gift of courage that You’ve planted deep in my soul. Thank You. I worship You by getting courage out, exercising it, and playing with it. I love you, Dad! Your adopted son, ______
(Leviticus 26:14,15,36) “But if you will not listen to Me and will not do all of these commandments, if you spurn My statutes and if your soul abhors My rules...I will send faintness into [your] hearts...the sound of a driven leaf will put [you] to flight, and [you] shall flee...and fall when none pursues...”
O
God’s commandments are assignments from an apt authority, and His statutes are helpful etchings my emperor makes in my heart. His judgments are warrants from the treasuries of His wisdom. Our covenant, like the treaties in ancient times that formed alliances of pledged friendship between monarchs, so, too, I’m honored by the covenant Jesus made with me. It keeps us from being intimidated by Satan’s threats.
A
Like David in Psalm 119, I eagerly cultivate a loving respect for all God wants for me. It’s not a sacrificial degradation of my private desires, but an exhilarating exploration of joy.
P
Lord, I am so embarrassed to fall victim to fear as often as I do. How silly I’ve been to not boldly trust You. Yet, it’s by frightening, tiring circumstances that I discover the gift of courage that You’ve planted deep in my soul. Thank You. I worship You by getting courage out, exercising it, and playing with it. I love you, Dad! Your adopted son, ______
Monday, February 18, 2008
How do you see?
S -
Matthew 6:22 (ESV)
The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness how great is the darkness.
O -
Your eye, your vision, will affect your whole body, soul, and spirit. How do you look at things? Are you struggling with how things look to you? God says how you see it, how you perceive it, will affect your emotions, your thoughts, your spirit and even your physical well being.
A -
How well do you see? Jesus in Chapter 5, went up on the hill, sat down and began to teach. In 5:21 He tells us to not stay angry with your brother but to go to him and be reconciled. In 5:27 he says to not even look upon a woman with lust because that's the same as committing adultery with her. In 5:38 He tells us to turn the other cheek; in 5:43 He tells us to love our enemy. In 6:1 He tells us to give to the needy, and in 6:19 He tells us to store up our treasures in Heaven, not treasures on earth. How can we possibly do these things? They are so contrary to our nature! When someone has wronged us, how can you forgive and turn the other cheek? How do you love your enemy? How do you see past the urgency of our need on this earth and place our treasure in Heaven? How do you look at these things? If we look at them with our own understanding, it's very bleak. I cried out to God and asked "Why?" "I don't get it!" "I don't understand!" "I can't..." and He asked me "How are you looking? Through your eyes or Mine?"
P -
Father, give me your eyes so I can see. With my eyes, I am in darkness and I don't get it, I don't understand. It's dark and it's scary and I don't like it here. Please let me see through your eyes; then I can understand. Then I can have clear vision. With your eyes, the anger subsides and I can forgive. With your eyes of understanding turning the other cheek makes sense now. Thank you, Father, for not leaving me in darkness! Amen
Matthew 6:22 (ESV)
The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness how great is the darkness.
O -
Your eye, your vision, will affect your whole body, soul, and spirit. How do you look at things? Are you struggling with how things look to you? God says how you see it, how you perceive it, will affect your emotions, your thoughts, your spirit and even your physical well being.
A -
How well do you see? Jesus in Chapter 5, went up on the hill, sat down and began to teach. In 5:21 He tells us to not stay angry with your brother but to go to him and be reconciled. In 5:27 he says to not even look upon a woman with lust because that's the same as committing adultery with her. In 5:38 He tells us to turn the other cheek; in 5:43 He tells us to love our enemy. In 6:1 He tells us to give to the needy, and in 6:19 He tells us to store up our treasures in Heaven, not treasures on earth. How can we possibly do these things? They are so contrary to our nature! When someone has wronged us, how can you forgive and turn the other cheek? How do you love your enemy? How do you see past the urgency of our need on this earth and place our treasure in Heaven? How do you look at these things? If we look at them with our own understanding, it's very bleak. I cried out to God and asked "Why?" "I don't get it!" "I don't understand!" "I can't..." and He asked me "How are you looking? Through your eyes or Mine?"
P -
Father, give me your eyes so I can see. With my eyes, I am in darkness and I don't get it, I don't understand. It's dark and it's scary and I don't like it here. Please let me see through your eyes; then I can understand. Then I can have clear vision. With your eyes, the anger subsides and I can forgive. With your eyes of understanding turning the other cheek makes sense now. Thank you, Father, for not leaving me in darkness! Amen
Saturday, February 16, 2008
C'mon Already
S
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
O
Through David, God tells me to wait for Him, and He writes it twice. He also tells me to be strong and take heart. Strength and encouragement ("take heart") are related to the waiting.
A
There's an expectation here that God will show up. He won't bail on me as I wait on Him. David is writing in this Psalm about being in a tough spot. He keeps coming back to the fact that he needs to wait, and God will show up to rescue him, or defend him, or whatever. But there's a strange break in the Psalm at verse four. David writes that all he really wants is God: to be in His presence and see His beauty. After confessing God's faithfulness and inviting His rescue in times of trouble, do I land in the place where I say, "all I really want is You"? It's tough to admit, but sometimes I want God for the benefits He offers, when the greatest gift He gives is Himself. I need to spend less time worrying about being "rescued", and more time just being with God. That's worth waiting for.
P
Dear Lord, will you please satisfy me with Yourself, so that I can say, "One thing I ask..." and leave it at that?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Smack Down
S
Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." Acts 23:6
O
Paul, having been dragged into "court", realizes that it is divided between Sadducees and Pharisees. He identifies himself with the Pharisees, and claims to be on trial for his beliefs, those of the Pharisees: "the hope" and "the resurrection of the dead."
A
Paul is feisty here. He's not backing off one bit. Having been smacked in the mouth at the High Priest's command, he doesn't cower, but tries to turn the debate to his favor. He exploits the differing beliefs between the Sadducees and Pharisees to get one side routing for him. His boldness is really different from the way Jesus acted when He was on trial, but it's clear from later on in the chapter that Jesus appears to Paul in order to encourage, rather than correct him. Paul is both shrewd and bold. Maybe even a bit of a hothead for Christ. Am I, or do I worry too much about giving offense?
P
Dear Lord, make me as bold and shrewd as Paul, for Your sake. Let me always be motivated by my love for others, the hope of their salvation, and never by the desire to "win" a debate.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
3-Cord Callings
S
(Exodus 28:41) And you shall... anoint them, and ordain them, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.
O
After clothing Aaron and his sons with special clothes made “for glory and beauty,” Moses first anointed them with unique oil that represented the filling of the Holy Spirit (literally, the word for anoint comes from mashach, which means “rubbing”). Second, Moses ordained them, which meant equipping them with strength and skill to do great and good work (literally, “filling an open hand”). Finally, Moses consecrated or sanctified them, which meant being clean and purely devoted to God. Secondarily, it meant being separated from defilement.
A
Because all of these rituals were finished when the resurrected Christ gave His Holy Spirit to His church, I am now able to be so equipped, purified, and devoted in ways Moses could only hint at. As part of Christ’s church, I can receive this glorious, beautiful work of God’s greatest creation: His Bride. I can also help provide this gift to His bride. This is an amazing trust from God.
P Lord, I’m writing of things too wonderful for me to understand, yet I thank You for patiently, gradually increasing my understanding.
(Exodus 28:41) And you shall... anoint them, and ordain them, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.
O
After clothing Aaron and his sons with special clothes made “for glory and beauty,” Moses first anointed them with unique oil that represented the filling of the Holy Spirit (literally, the word for anoint comes from mashach, which means “rubbing”). Second, Moses ordained them, which meant equipping them with strength and skill to do great and good work (literally, “filling an open hand”). Finally, Moses consecrated or sanctified them, which meant being clean and purely devoted to God. Secondarily, it meant being separated from defilement.
A
Because all of these rituals were finished when the resurrected Christ gave His Holy Spirit to His church, I am now able to be so equipped, purified, and devoted in ways Moses could only hint at. As part of Christ’s church, I can receive this glorious, beautiful work of God’s greatest creation: His Bride. I can also help provide this gift to His bride. This is an amazing trust from God.
P Lord, I’m writing of things too wonderful for me to understand, yet I thank You for patiently, gradually increasing my understanding.
Unhanding Evil
S
(Acts 12:1, 24) “About that time, Herod the King laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church...But the Word of God increased and multiplied.”
O
As King, Herod put a army’s multiplied, trained, and violent hands into action to do the works of his evil heart. He strategically went after the church’s leaders, but we don’t know how he chose which ones to violate. Herod, with his hate-filled fear of godliness, became a type of anti-Christs.
A
Though evil has some freedom to do its violent work, I don’t need to acquiesce, even for a moment, to its claim to ultimate victory. In the end, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9).
P Lord, You came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). As your servant, help me to understand and fulfill the part you would like me to play in this. Evil is something I want to flee from because of its power to torment, train, and tempt. Yes, deliver us from evil...and show me how to resist it and thereby cut off its hands.
(Acts 12:1, 24) “About that time, Herod the King laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church...But the Word of God increased and multiplied.”
O
As King, Herod put a army’s multiplied, trained, and violent hands into action to do the works of his evil heart. He strategically went after the church’s leaders, but we don’t know how he chose which ones to violate. Herod, with his hate-filled fear of godliness, became a type of anti-Christs.
A
Though evil has some freedom to do its violent work, I don’t need to acquiesce, even for a moment, to its claim to ultimate victory. In the end, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9).
P Lord, You came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). As your servant, help me to understand and fulfill the part you would like me to play in this. Evil is something I want to flee from because of its power to torment, train, and tempt. Yes, deliver us from evil...and show me how to resist it and thereby cut off its hands.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
"Denied!"
S
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”. Acts 16:6-9
O
Paul, Silas, and Timothy were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to evangelize Asia. They, instead, went through Phrygia and Galatia. They were prevented again from entering Bithynia, by the same Spirit. They finally travel to Troas, where Paul receives a vision.
A
I often get frustrated when God doesn't bless my plans. I have everything figured out; how it should all come together, and He fails to bless it. Why? If I'm reading this passage right, it is possible that when He blocks what I intend, it is because He has something else for in mind. In that light, I guess my frustration is often a result of pride: I know better than God what needs to happen. That seems so ridiculous as I write it.
P
Dear Lord, may my response to Your "frustration" of my "plans" always be a sense of wonder and anticipation at what You're about to do next. May I always quickly obey You when you do point the way.
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