Author: Good Life

Scripture:

Vs 3 … being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
Vs 4 I, (Paul), persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women

Vs 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
Vs 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

Vs 17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
Vs 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Vs 24 … the tribune ordered (Paul) to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging …

Observation:

Paul must defend himself before both the Jewish and the Roman authorities.
Trouble is coming at him from all sides.
Paul’s defense is his honest retelling of his experience with Jesus … his testimony.
Paul was once in their seat. He was the one making the accusations. He was the prosecutor.
Now he was the one bound, and in prison, stripped of his authority and on the verge of being killed.

Application:

There’s a common belief that “coming to Jesus” makes your life “easier” … “better” …   “problem free”.
This would come as a shock to the early followers of Jesus.
In a sense this is true, but there is a huge difference between “better” and “problem free”.
In a much truer sense, coming to Jesus will not eliminate problems from my life, but add them.
(Paul was doing the binding before Jesus, now he’s the one bound.)
But Jesus will make my life better IN my problems.
Jesus can actually complicate my life, not simplify it.
Before Jesus, I could just pursue my own wants, my own desires, my own ambitions.
But now I must fight against this, and this creates conflicts … inner conflict and external conflict.
Internal conflict … flee selfish gain, fruitless pleasure, laziness, etc.
External conflict … people around me will question my ways and reasons for doing things.
When Paul was questioned for his actions, he replied with his simple, truthful testimony of Jesus.
Do I? … Will I? … Are people even questioning the reason I live the way I live?
Does my life look that different from those around me? … Is my life even worth asking questions about?
I think what often prompts a question is how I respond to problems and complications in my life.
Somehow, it’s become tempting as a Christian to act like there are no problems in my life.
“How’s it going?” … “Great!” … Really?
Isn’t an honest testimony of conflict, and problems, and strife a better testimony?
If I act like my life is problem free, then I’m the hero. … “Look at this wonderful life I’ve made for myself!”
But if I have a testimony of contentment, and peace, and joy during my problems …. then Jesus is the hero!

Prayer:

Thank you God for your Word
Thank you for the testimony of Paul
Help me have his truthfulness and boldness in my problems
Help me to share my testimony of you as Lord
In Jesus name
Amen

Scripture:

vs 10-13

[10] After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. [11] Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
[12] When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. [13] Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Observation:

In Acts 20 Paul already said that he was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. And he already said that the Holy Spirit warned him that in every city prison and hardship awaits him.  The prophecy of Agabus here is confirmation of the same. This is nothing new for Paul.

Luke and the others here were interpreting God’s will for Paul based only on the prophecy of Agabus.  The problem is, the Holy Spirit wasn’t working through them to tell him not go go.  They were interpreting this on their own, not knowing the Holy Spirit was leading Paul to in fact go face the trials.  Paul knew he was being led by the Spirit, that we was following God’s will for him, and that God would use him through those trials.  Paul was ready to to the Lord’s work no matter the cost.

Application:

While we should all seek godly advice from other Christians and validate our decisions through them, at times we need to simply let the Spirit lead us.  Validate through the Word, validate through the Spirit.  It’s easy for well meaning Christian friends to misinterpret God’s will for us when they themselves aren’t hearing from the Holy Spirit within us.  It’s easy for well meaning Christians to lead us away from God’s will because they are trying to protect us from pain or trials.  Basically, they don’t know all the facts.

This is absolutely not to say that we shouldn’t listen to advice of our Christian friends but if we feel the Spirit is leading us and we’re not sure how to respond, use other forms of validation as well as advice, and give advisors all the facts.

Prayer:

Lord help me discern your will for me as I navigate small and large decisions day to day.  Thank you for giving me Your Word as I look to validate what I seem to hear from Your Spirit.  Thank you for other brothers and sisters in Christ who will help guide me when I need it but Lord, I ask that their advice not move me away from your will.  Amen

Scripture: 

After the uproar ceased Paul sent for the disciples—and, after encouraging them he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.  When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.

(To the elders from Ephesus)  “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers—to care for the church of God which he obtained with his own blood…Therefore be alert remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.  And now I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified….And there was much weeping on the part of all….  (Excerpts from Acts 20 verses 1-2; 28; 31-32; and 36). 

Observation:

There are underlying key words or phrases throughout every book/chapter in the Bible.  In Acts 20 I see encouragement, exhortation, admonishment, and more encouragement being given by Paul.  What is different between me and Paul? 

Application:

In Acts 20 a lot of travel is being talked about, compressed into a few sentences.  Paul went here and then there, etc. etc., ending up lacing up the old sandals on his way to Jerusalem. 

There is something extraordinary in Luke’s account to pay attention to: Paul encouraged the disciples on his way out of Ephesus; in Macedonia he encouraged the disciples on his way to Greece; he encouraged the elders on his way to Jerusalem.

Encouragement: Really a big thing from the scriptures—and something I don’t do very well.  Heb 3:13 says “Encourage (or exhort—same word in the Greek) one another every day as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  I can name it as “Looking for evidences of Grace” in others.  What it can be is “Looking for evidences of the Fall” in others if my head isn’t screwed on correctly.

Why is that?  Indwelling sin is the overarching definition but drilling it down it is the “I am better than you” attitude—pride in action, pride in attitude, pride in emotion, pride in execution.  Oops, I can’t forget the most important: Pride in separating myself from the Presence—because with all this pride stirring around I am definitely not going to be in the presence of God.

Ok, encouragement is downright important if not critical in my Christian walk.  But what about the other words: “exhortation” and “admonishment”?  Encouragement can be “feel good” stuff, but Exhortation and Admonishment aren’t exactly in the “feel good” category—in fact, they can seem almost judgmental and (gasp) condemning.  

Hooray for the Word of God for the Spirit gives the clue/hint on what must accompany all these descriptions of “encouragement”: Tears—or more precisely my expressed emotion for the well-being of my fellow Way-Walker.  I may have hard things to say and remind someone of, but if I am doing those things out of an attitude of a drill sergeant (like I have encountered in some Accountability relationships) then I am quite out of the sweet spot from where the Holy Spirit wants me to operate in.

So what is my action plan, then?  Take it simple: Look for and identify evidences of Grace in others and then tell them about what I see.  Take care to be specific to action, time and day if possible, and relate it to a description of Grace found in the Word of God.  Here’s one: Use the Fruit of the Spirit list found in Gal 5.  Make it a task game in finding one person for each Fruit before starting over again—and time limit the game to a week or so.  Remember: Steady plodding (repetition) reaps results.

Prayer:

Father, You have shown me over and over again that leadership expressed in bossmanship isn’t the way of the Kingdom—in fact, You have pounded over and over again on that subject in me; of which I am so so grateful.  Please stir me up to care for others; not to see faults, failures, or inconsistencies, but to see evidences of Your Grace abounding in them—even if I have to really squint to find it.  Your word says by doing so it contributes to avoiding a hardened heart by the deceitfulness of sin.  That’s where I want to be; that’s what I can do to contribute to the health of the local Church.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 19:20 – So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.  

Observation:

Paul taught daily for two years in a hall so everyone in Asia could hear the word. God was performing miracles of healing through Paul.  The people of Ephesus began to fear God and praise Jesus. People who practiced magic confessed and burned their books, turning to the Lord.  

Application:

In spite of persecution, the word of the Lord continues to grow with strength over other belief systems. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus to Jew and gentile alike without adding or taking anything away from the gospel.  There is power in the name of Jesus when someone chosen by God through the power of the spirit proclaims his name. We must share the gospel of Jesus with all as it is the truth and everyone’s greatest need. The power of the Holy Spirit will convict people to respond to the good news of Jesus.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word.  Help me to share your word in a gentle and kind way to others who do not know you.  Let your spirit move people to respond to your love.

Scripture:

… Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. v5

Observation:

Paul was consumed by the Word, he had seen it, he had caught a glimpse that Jesus was the Christ and he was compelled by that reality. He was occupied by it.

Application:

Very simple: Are we occupied by the Word? Are you occupied by the Word? Am I occupied by the Word? Does it consume me, is it all I think about it?

If it isn’t we have a very simple application: go to it. Sit in it. Read it. Meditate on it. Do really practical disciplined things to make it so. Set a schedule for when you are going to read it, wake up earlier, go to bed later, whatever it takes. If we come to the word, we cannot help but become occupied by it.

The word is consuming and worth it. We find Jesus in it, on every page and line. Go to it.

Prayer:

Give me, give us, give the family at Good Life the grace, the power to be consumed by the Word, to go to the word. Kill off all the sin in our hearts that makes excuses for why we can’t go to the word, why we don’t have time, or whatever it is. Give us eyes to see you on every page!

Scripture:  

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  And Paul went in (as was his custom) and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures—explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ!”

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”  Acts 17:1-4

Observation:

Paul had customs.  He had habits.  His custom and habits kind of revolved around the Word of God and especially the Gospel.  Had results that some would sort of call “success”, other results that some would call a “riot.”  I am afraid of riots.

Application:

Something I am committed to in posting these Journal entries is being transparent.  I wonder about reading Christian stuff that isn’t talking about where the rubber meets the road.

Paul is a guy to imitate.  By the way, he wasn’t afraid to tell folks “follow me as I follow Christ.”  He understood his life, full of warts like it was, was still something to imitate because he had his eye firmly upon the “prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

I am stirred to imitate his customary Synagogue appointments.  Not that I have a hankering to hang out at the nearest Temple, but that his mind was on “reasoning from the Scriptures…”

Talking, discussing, and yes, reasoning was a pastime that wasn’t foreign to Paul.  But it is in this day and age.  Talking about the Scriptures like what is described above is viewed as arguing, or puffery concerning knowledge.  What I have encountered as a result is a lowest common denominator sort of tacit, peaceable, agreement concerning the Scriptures.  “Don’t talk about anything and I won’t call you [insert a name of a favorite legalist here].

Not good.  I need to be speaking night and day about my Lord; seeking Him; peeling back the curtains of my mind and fervently exploring the Scriptures.  Paul did: 3 Sabbath days in a row—spoke confidently, thoroughly….as a result of a lot of practice.  I lack practice.

Today I want to keep my mind steadfast on Him.  I woke up thinking about the Eternalness of God, my chained temporal point of view and how I might exert myself, there is no way I can understand God’s omniscience—I don’t have the tools necessary.  What does this mean?  It means that as much as I want to talk about God walking in time duration with me, I shouldn’t—it diminishes the view of God in my mind.

I wish I could at least speak like Paul to the face in the mirror.

Prayer:

Father, I am glad for the ups and downs of my physical and emotional state.  I can tell in my writing that emotionally I have headed for the pits.  But writing this entry makes me understand how I need to rule my heart, renew my mind, not forget all Your benefits.  When I am down and feeling alone, I know I am not.  Emphatically not.  Why?  Because Your Word is greater than life.  “Where am I to go, Lord?  Only You have the words of Life.”  AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 16:3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 

Observation:

Paul was a part of the counsel in Jerusalem where he argued hard that circumcision was not required for salvation. He later circumcised Timothy, knowing that people would be aware of his gentile heritage, for fear this would be a distraction. 

Application:

Freedom is a right in American culture. We are raised to believe that we have rights given to us by God and that we should fight, even to the point of death, to keep those rights. My culture simply does not understand Paul’s decision in this passage , nor Timothy’s obedience. A few things…

-Paul knew circumcision was not a requirement for a relationship with Jesus. He had witnessed the Holy Spirit fall on  uncircumcised gentiles and that the circumcision that truly mattered was a circumcision of the heart. However he also knew that it was a highly debated issue and that it could become a distraction to the effectiveness of their mission.

So Paul decides its best to circumcise Timothy for the sake of mission. (Mission trumps freedoms)

-This was a sacrifice for Timothy. He was a teenager at this point. Circumcision was typically performed on the 8th day of a child’s life in accordance with the law. Putting myself in this situation it is hard for me to think I would go for it, especially since I knew the guy telling me to do it preached that it wasn’t necessary. There was a level of trust, respect and honor here that I don’t think I have experienced. However the effectiveness of their ministry was directly connected to the trust between them. Timothy trusted Paul and when things got hard this helped them both stay true to the task. (Respect and trust in ministry is essential to effectiveness) 

-Tough decisions were made with other people in mind. The decision to circumcise Timothy was a decision for other people. Paul knew that the distraction an uncircumcised preacher would have on the Jews in each city would potentially limit the gospel being preached and people responding. Therefore the sacrifice was made. In a modern day church culture that sacrifices until its hard, Paul and Timothy exemplify a culture of sacrifice until it’s enough. (Love others Enough to share the good news and life, even at a high cost to myself) 

Prayer:

Father thank you for this word this morning. Please help this shape the way I lead and minister. May I sacrifice, even my own comforts for the sake of others.

Scripture:

Vs 1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Vs 2 Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them …

Vs 11 “But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Vs 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree …

Vs 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.

Vs 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, along with the whole church …

Vs 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden …

Vs 31 They rejoiced because of its encouragement. 

Vs 36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 

Vs 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Vs 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Observation:

Two major conflicts arise in Acts 15.

One relates to theology: How are we saved? Works of the law or the grace of God?

The other relates to personality: Do we continue to work with someone who abandoned us previously?

The theological debate was resolved with thorough discussion with “apostles and elders”, and reference to God’s Word “the word of the prophets” and seeking guidance the Holy Spirit “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit”.

Their own experience also showed them they were saved by grace and should not lay a burden of law on the people they themselves couldn’t bear.

This encouraged the church and led to rejoicing.

The personal conflict led to separation of individuals who could not agree on working together.

They resolved to move on separately, but it was still after consultation of others “commended by the brothers”.

And they did not abandon the greater mission of “strengthening the churches”.

Application:

Conflict is inevitable. I am a sinful human and so is every person I will encounter.

So what then do I do? Unfortunately, my first inclination is to avoid it.

I can seem righteous by just saying I want to seek unity rather than conflict.

But, really, by avoiding conflict I am avoiding people … and very likely people God has placed in my path.

So what then must I do?

I must seek wise counsel… “the apostles and elders, along with the whole church”.

I must also seek agreement with the word of God …”the words of the prophets agree”.

I must also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit … “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit”.

And what then if a mutual reconciliation can not be had through the conflict? (Like Paul & Barnabas)

I must not make my personal preferences priority over the greater mission.

I must recognize that all personal conflict may not be resolved with hugs and handshakes.

Maybe people will go their separate ways.

But as believers in the grace of God and fellow workers for the gospel, I must continue to work for the mission of “strengthening the church” even if it is not with whom I anticipated it would be.

God is in control. God is sovereign. God’s kingdom reigns.

And God works all things for His good … even conflict.

Prayer:

Thank you God for your grace

Thank you that it saves me,

But also that you lavish me with it when I’m stubborn and full of conflict        

Help me Holy Spirit in leading me with wisdom

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

Vs 8-10 [8] In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Observation:

Paul had discernment – enough to know that the lame man had faith and that Jesus would heal him. Paul allowed himself to be used by Jesus

Jesus enabled Paul – He showed his power and authority through Paul

The man listened – step 1

The man had faith – step 2

The man obeyed and acted – step 3

Jesus did not necessarily heal him because of his faith and obedience but certainly without his faith and obedience Jesus would not have healed him.

Application:

Applications from two different perspectives – one from the Apostle Paul’s perspective and one from lame man’s.

From Apostle Paul’s perspective:

Know that, as believers, the we have the same power that raised Jesus from the grave living within us.

We may never be used by Jesus to directly heal a faithful lame man to walk, but certainly that same power is enough to get us through our rough times and circumstances, and enough to help someone else who desperately needs it.

From the lame man’s perspective:

As we face our battles (social issues, sickness, financial, and so on..) we need to act as the lame man did.

Listen – read the Word, pray, worship, live life with other believers and go to them for advice.

Have faith – have faith that Jesus is who He says He is, that He is omnipotent and omnipresent, that He loves us..

Obey and act – when we hear from God (Word, worship, Godly counsel, or however we hear from Him) we must obey.  There will always be an action step we must follow, even if the action is to be still, know that He is God and let Him handle it.

Having faith and exercising obedience doesn’t guarantee a life without pain, stress, and strife, in fact, we are guaranteed to have trials.  Listen, obey and act through the trials and use them as the Lord will have us use them.

Prayer:

Lord I love You and believe in your promises.  Let me have the faith and obedience of of the lame man.  Help me remember that Your power lives in me and that with that power, I can overcome my fears and trials of this life. Let me use these for Your good.  Amen

Scripture:  

“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…”
Acts 13:36a 

Observation:

Serving the purpose of God in my generation…David’s vision.  Is it mine? 

Application:

I am at that time of life that I think about my obituary a little.  This scripture reference has gripped me for years.

David: A man after God’s own heart.
David: Died, having served the purpose of God in his generation.

What am I like?  What fills my eyes every day?  What fills my mind every day?
When I gaze on the horizon of my life, do I stand solid on the Rock?  Or am I paying attention at all?

Prayer:

Lord God: You said “without vision, the people perish.”  There are a few things that you have provided vision upon.  This is one.  I want to serve You with all my heart (dark and stony as it is).  At the end of my days, may it be said “He served the purpose of God in his generation.”  I wholly trust You to bring that selfishly and silently to pass, O Lord of my life.  Thank You for the reconciliation of the Cross.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 12:5,23-24- So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worm and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied.

Observation:

Herod was persecuting the church, had James killed, Peter arrested and put in prison. Herod is in direct opposition to the work of God as he sought acclaim for himself. The church gathered together in prayer to God for Peter. An angel of the Lord appeared and rescued Peter, a man who feared God and who was serving him. An angel of the Lord struck down Herod who was harshly treating the church while seeking his own glory. During this time of persecution by Herod, the word of God was increased and the church multiplied.

Application:

Earnest prayer to God by the body of believers is heard by God. Many were praying from the time of Peter’s imprisonment till the angel released him and he appeared at the home of Mary. Prayer should always be our first option not our last resort. Everything we do as believers should be to point to God thereby giving Him all the honor and glory. Even in ministry or however we are serving we need to be careful that there is less of us and what we doing rather more of God. The word of God can not be stopped. In places where there is persecution, like India, we see God working in a powerful way and the church multiplying.

Prayer:

Father,
Help me to be someone who seeks you powerfully in word and prayer. Let me serve you and whatever I do be to glorify you and spread your gospel.

Scripture:

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Observation:

From the beginning of the chapter to this point, the Jewish Christians, these new believers, who are still working out what they believe, realize for the first time that salvation through Jesus isn’t just a jewish thing, it is an everyone thing. This is powerful to see. It is also amazing for us as we walk through life realizing that as we grow in the Lord, our heart will be shaped & molded and changed to more align with Jesus & his mind.

Application:

These men who held the belief that the Cross was only for Jews were really devout men, believers, saved. They really knew Jesus. They had walked with Jesus but they were wrong on this reality. They thought Jesus only saved the Jews or only was for the Jews. But they learn here that was not true. They wake up to the truth of gospel that it is for all people groups, all tribes, all tongues.

As we grow in the Lord, we are constantly being molded and shaped and matured. The theological word is: Sanctified. Daily, we are becoming more like Jesus, not only in our actions but our thinking as well. As we gaze on Jesus, through the Word, we become more like him. Expect it. Assume it. Don’t be surprised when it happens.

We aren’t where we are supposed to be, we are growing & changing. And that is a good thing.

Prayer:

I pray that I would see, that our church would see that you are growing & maturing us and sometimes that takes hard conversations, that takes wake up call moments. Let us be ready for those times Lord!

Scripture:

“So Peter opened his mouth and said…As for the word he (God) sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened…from Galilee…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.  He (Jesus) went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (for God was with him).  And we were witnesses…they put him to death by hanging him on a tree…but God raised him on the third day…and made him to appear…And he commanded us to preach to the people and testify that his is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead….”  Excerpts from Acts 10:34-42

Observation:  

The Spirit gave Peter instructions that went against all of his background and experience.  “Here (the angel said), have a big bite of snake.”  What would I do given the same circumstances? 

Application:

“Have some bacon, Peter…If I say it is good, who are you to contradict me?”  Besides, bacon is real good.

It has only been recently that I have thought about this scene; and, taking the serious subject being addressed off to the side, it had to be a hoot.  Peter is gagging, turning green, and all that.  And in a vision, no less.

But it led to a serious subject: Gentiles in the Kingdom.  God answered it concretely—“If I say good, it is good.”  Yea for us!! 

But what I thought really interesting was Peter’s reaction at Cornelius’s home—not the resisting response Peter had initially in the vision—but when Peter saw the Gospel being played out and presented in Gentiles no less, what did he do?  Peter recited the Gospel.

Now, it wasn’t fully thought out yet.  Those Apostles were still trying to put what they knew into words so as to become doctrine.  It really wasn’t until Paul came around that the Gospel as a doctrine started to take shape.  But that is not the point.

Even then, Peter was thinking of the Gospel.  He was looking through the lens of the Gospel.  He was renewing his mind to conform to the Gospel.  The scripture referenced above said “So he opened his mouth and said…”  I can’t help but think “Peter did this flat-footed.  It just blurped out.”  Peter appears to have prepared by constantly pondering and musing on the Risen Messiah and the implications of being the appointed Judge of the Living and the Dead.

I am set back on my backside again.  I don’t do this.  Not much anyway.  How can I mirror Peter so that I can be ready to give an account for the faith?  I wrote “the faith” on purpose.  Defend my faith?  I am already on shaky ground if I am offering a defense for MY faith.  Who cares about man?  An account of ‘The Faith.”  Ah, there’s the ticket!!

Peter didn’t talk about what Jesus meant to him (although he could eloquently I imagine), he talked about the objective truth, eye witness stuff AND what he has come to know as the unalterable facts concerning the Son of God.  Peter said things that are without refute.  He spoke about God. 

The Gospel can be told from an experiential point of view, no doubt.  “What has Jesus done for me?” and I can list out reams of pages.  But a better question may be “What has Jesus done?  What are his Works, what are his Ways?  Why is the Gospel the Gospel?”  These are the things the world needs to know.

And are the things I need to plow deep into the soil of my heart. 

Prayer:

Lord God: the Sin of Israel “They soon forgot!!”  Stir my heart mightily with this stuff, Lord.  I don’t want to forget or downplay your Word.  Peter did a little later in the record of Acts—forgot the vision given to him in lieu of fearing man.  I am old, and still dealing with that same thing.  Help me O God.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Observation:

The Lord tells Ananias to go to Saul and he responds with “but…”. The church feared Saul and on the surface, this looked like a bad idea or an oversight by God. God responds with His own “but…”, revealing His predetermined plan for Saul’s life. Ananias responds in obedience.

Application:

Sometimes God tells me things through His Word or through His Spirit that seem like mistakes. The initial response from me is “But God!?” in a whinny voice. I can act or assume God is working without all the details or facts. “Invest in this person”, “give this”, “let this go”, etc. However, as it was with Ananias, so it is with me. The one working with the limited info and cloudy judgment is me, not God. I must change my “But God?!” response to a “BUT GOD CAN” response.

A few things…

-For every “but” I give, Jesus has a “but” to follow. Every excuse I give to ignore or disobey a directive from God will be met with a “but” from Him to redirect me back to what He originally called me to do. I sang last night, “I quit all negotiations with the God of all creation”. There is no negotiating. I just need to do it.

-People have a purpose. I don’t define that, God does. Therefore I must treat everyone like they have a divine purpose by loving and supporting them, whether it is a noble purpose or a common purpose. Both are divine.

-Our purpose, even our suffering is all part of God’s plan. Saul’s ministry victories and church planting legacy as well as his sufferings, imprisonments, near death experiences and his death itself were all planned by God. Suffering only makes sense when we see it as part of His story for our lives. Paul walked boldly into pain and sorrows because he knew that even those were God’s plan for him. Here I am 2000 years later still talking about it. (Even the pain is His plan)

Prayer:

Father thank you for this insight today. You know better than I do. Your plan is better than mine. My whole life, even the suffering is in your hands. May I love people well today and live out my calling to share the good news and my life as well.

Scripture:

Vs 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go …”
Vs 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian …and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
Vs 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join …”
Vs 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Vs 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Vs 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this … ?”
Vs 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Vs 36 “… and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
Vs 38 … and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Observation:

There is a tremendous amount of immediate Action/Reaction going on here between Philip and the Ethiopian.
“Rise and go” … “And he rose and went”
“Go over and join” … “So Philip ran to him”
“Someone guide me” … “He invited to come over”
“I ask you” … “Then he told him”
“What prevents me” … “They both went down”
The Ethiopan is hungry for something, but he’s not sure what he is hungry for.
Philip has exactly what the Ethiopian wants and needs.
When those two come together, the results are amazing

Application:

Response … so many immediate responses here!
Responding to the angel … responding to the Spirit … responding to questions … responding to answers!
So often the world clamors to see God at work.
I think I often want to see God make things happen that I can be a spectator of.
But God, in His grace and in His sovereignty, chooses to include us in His unfolding work.
It’s incredible, really! He doesn’t need to do that.
He wants me involved, He wants to include and use me and us in His plans.
The big question is … Am I willing to respond and be obedient?
Of course, the question that goes along with this is … Am I listening for the Spirit?
In a world of distractions, it’s easy to drown something out if I don’t want to hear it.
But I think the more intentional I am about hearing something, the more I will hear it.
This includes the Spirit. … But am I willing to response in obedience?
“And Philip rose and went …” … “So Philip ran to him …”
Philip not only heard, but responded to the Spirit and was used mightily by God.
(Not necessarily publicly, but mightily.)
Another big recognition here … Wherever I am, I am not there by accident.
There is someone around me hungry for the good news of Jesus.
When an eager obedience meets with a hungry heart the Kingdom reigns!

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for good news
May I be willing and obedient to share it
Show me the hunger around me
In Jesus name
Amen