Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

Acts 24:25 And as he 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.”

Observation:

Felix was in complete control of this situation. He knew Paul was innocent yet he kept Paul in jail to appease the Jews and/or to get money from Paul. Felix was obviously concerned or frightened by Paul. How much did he believe? How convicted was he by Paul’s testimony? But, what Felix did not do was make a decision. He said “when I get an opportunity”.

Application:

One of the biggest lies we often tell our selves is that we have plenty of time. We may say it in different ways. “I have plenty of time.” becomes “I’ll do it when the kids are older” or “I will get around to it when I have more money”. I will do it this summer, or this weekend, etc. The excuses are plenty but the result is the same. Often it is a misplaced priority, missed opportunities to achieve all we could have achieved. Procrastination only pleases Satan.

Paul preached an uncomfortable message to Felix. Felix did not respond to his message. Rarely does anyone respond the first time. It is a process that requires patience and consistency. Not just in our message but an understanding that people we try to reach may not respond to us at all. But, like Paul, we must continue to speak the truth.

Prayer:

Give me the spirit of boldness and a focus on righteousness. Help me to be consistent in my message and in my manner. Help me to be consistent in my message and obedient to your priorities for my life.

Scripture:

Acts 23
Vs 1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
Vs 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
Vs 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
Vs 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?”
Vs 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Vs 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.”

Observation:

Paul is brought before the religious leaders for a heresy trial.
Paul strongly defends himself and his actions.
When Paul is threatened to be struck, Paul then sharply rebukes and disparages the high priest.
Upon hearing that is was the high priest, Paul is apologetic for his manner and speaking and acknowledges God’s law.
Later, when alone, the Lord then reaffirms to Paul that he will need courage to continue his ongoing testimony.

Application:

One thing Paul does not lack is boldness.
He will say anything he needs to, to anyone he wants to.
This is not a new trait for, though. He was doing that before his encounter with Jesus.
So much so, that he was having people charged and killed.
Paul now finds himself on the other side of charges.
He still needs that boldness to defend himself, but this bold defense would only be trustworthy under one circumstance:
He “lived my life before God in all good conscience”.
So then, this begs the question of me and my desire to have a bold defense and testimony when asked:
Do I live my life before God in all good conscience?!
Certainly anyone asking or accusing will be comparing my words and deeds.
Do they correlate? Will my testimony make sense to a questioner when compared to my actions?
In other words, does my said testimony match my lived biography?
Going a bit further, Paul recognizes the need to respect his accusers in line with the Word of God.
Paul honors his ruler even though he does not honor the accusations of the person.
So, while previously Paul had a “reckless boldness” that was destructive,
Now Paul has a “respectful boldness” that honors that Word of God.
It’s easy to have a reckless boldness.
Juist decide what I want and then go after it no matter what!
A respectful boldness, however, considers the other person.
I need to remember these examples of Paul in what was a very difficult situation:
Am I able to defend my life before God in all good conscience?
Am I testifying with an honorable boldness of God’s word?

Prayer:

Thank you God for Your word.
Thank you for the example of Paul and those you put in my life.
Help me Holy Spirit to follow their example
In Jesus name
Amen

Scripture:

Acts 22:9
9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

Observation:

Paul is sharing the story of his transformation with Fathers and sons in hopes they will hear of this testimony and turn from their sin and follow Jesus. This way is the way that Paul as Saul persecuted yet in a moment bowed and then followed because of his interaction. What interesting is that Saul saw and heard and was changed. The men with Saul saw but heard of which they did not understand…..we don’t hear of them being changed to follow the way….

Application:

What is seen but not heard changes nothing. MANY people saw Jesus but did not hear him and left confused and frustrated and in many cases angry. These men with Paul saw the light but could not understand the voice….why? Sin in their life? What else hinders is from hearing Jesus? I know one thing many people would see Jesus heal and would believe and Lord willing they were changed!!! But men that saw and HEARD Jesus changed the world. When I hear clearly from Jesus I am always filled with Joy and inexpressible passion to share what I HEARD. Faith comes from HEARING and HEARING the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Couple things
-Do I position myself to not only see Jesus move and reveal himself but also HEAR from Jesus.
-Am I listening when Jesus speaks to me or am I distracted with life when he does?
-Am I sharing what Jesus has said.
-Do I know his voice and what he is saying?

Prayer:

Father God thank you for speaking through your Son Jesus and by revelation of your spirit. You are Good Father and I pray I hear you everyday and I am placing myself before you to hear you. Take all distractions away and speak to me Jesus. Let your voice and words change me.

Scripture:

And having sought out the disciples, we (Paul and his posse) stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they (the disciples at Tyre) were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem….On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea and we entered the house of Phillip the evangelist (who was one of the seven) and stayed with him. He (Phillip) had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us he (Agabus) took Paul’s belt…and said “Thus says the Holy Spirit…” etc. etc. Acts 21:4 and v. 8-11.

Observation:

Ah, the function of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. How we miss them in contemporary Christianity as it is practiced in America…

Application:

I long for the Church to be made whole again. Not that the Church doesn’t function after a sort, or not that it isn’t a beacon in our local community. Our Lord Jesus is in charge of the state of the Local Churches everywhere. It is because I read in the Word (God’s testimony of Himself and His plans and intentions) of a similar but also different picture of the Local Church.

Note that reading on (in Chapter 20 as well as throughout the balance of 21 and into 22) that the prophetic word spoken by the daughters of Phillip and Agabus didn’t make a difference on Paul’s conviction and decision to continue to Jerusalem. Why? Don’t know-scripture doesn’t say. My guess is that Paul had a different (and deeper?) word from God to continue despite the communicated cost.

The result in this case doesn’t matter: the Girls and Aggy-baby were faithful to the Holy Spirit. That is what I take away…

At another time Paul wrote to a church who was having issues with practicing the Gifts. “I got a Gift, lookit what I can do with it…” and certainly abused the Gifts until that Church received a just reputation: “What a bunch of weirdos…” and brought dishonor on the Name of Jesus in that community. But Paul, being a wise master builder, didn’t give up on this aspect of the character of the local Church. Paul identified with them as practicing Gifts himself and encouraged them to pursue them even more—but, Paul said, let me give you a guardrail or two (see 1st Cor 12, 13 and 14 as well as the rest of the NT). However, in chapter 14 of 1st Corinthians (right after the Love chapter #13) he wrote: “Pursue Spiritual Gifts” and then a particular focus “but especially that you prophecy.”

I think that we have lost that injunction over the decades. I grew up in Christianity as a Charismatic, I saw (and shamefully in spots) participated in overzealousness and abuse. You could count me among those crazy Corinthians back then. Now I sort of identify as Reformed (Calvinist if you recognize that better) and with a significant Charismatic component in my Christianity. Now, older and a tiny bit wiser, I pray for the Holy Spirit to alight in our Community again, the Gospel being preached, folks turning away from their sin and pursuing fully the Lord Jesus and His coming Kingdom. While they are at that, progressing and maturing as Biblical disciples in every aspect-including 1 Cor 14.

Prayer:

Come Holy Spirit, Come. Illuminate our hearts. Make us thirst for Your Presence in our daily life-from the morning that Your Mercy shows anew to the Peace You give us as we lay our heads down each night. Make us, take charge of our growth and the process of our maturity, and cause us to be consumed with You. Make us FAITHFUL disciples of You. AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 19:25-28
These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Observation:

Men, concerned with how a turn to the gospel in their city could negatively impact their business, gather together a group of similar tradesmen and address the issue. They start with addressing the bottom line but then manipulate the crowd by spinning it as a spiritual and cultural concern and threat. The people become enraged.

Application:

It happened in Ephesus and it happens today. People, concerned with how an issue might impact them financially, stir the crowds to believe the real motive is spiritual and cultural. If this isn’t America politics, I don’t know what is?

The love of money is the root of all evil. We see this on display here. When we love money and that money is threatened, we will spin anything into a cultural or spiritual issue to protect it. All the while people get played like fiddles. The real issue in this text is that worshipping Jesus would stop people from buying idols and therefore put them out of business. This was the primary concern. However, to ensure everybody would get behind them, they made it into an attack on Artemis and the Ephesians culture. It worked and Ephesus rioted.

A few things:

-As a leader, I must be honest about my motives. Masking a fleshly motive with spirituality is evil.

-People have hot button sensitive issues. We all know them. When they feel those are being impacted they can be moved to violence. I must not resort to the hot button issues and then be surprised by people’s response.

-I must be wise. Politics plays this game all the time. I must not get caught up in the argument and in my own passions and miss the fact I could be getting played for someone else’s agenda.

Prayer:

Father thank you for this insight. May I walk in your ways. Be honest about my motives, and be wise enough to discern other people’s motives.

Scripture:

Acts 20:24 – But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Observation:

Paul is giving advice to the Ephesian elders and tells them that his life by itself has no value. In spite of beatings, imprisonment, Paul lives to preach the Good News of the grace of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s life is the mission to share the gospel with both Jew and Gentile, plant churches, develop and encourage their leaders. Paul allows the Holy Spirit to guide him and give him strength to continue his ministry and finish strong.

Application:

The love and the undeserving grace God offers us through Jesus is the most powerful thing in the world and has overcome death and can change lives. Paul, who once lived to persecute Jesus and believers is one of the greatest missionaries ever and author of letters to guide the church body. I must recognize that my my life, my value comes from God and live my life with the purpose to share the love and gospel of Jesus in a relatable way with everyone. This is Jesus last words and it my responsibility to live life on mission for Him.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for creating us and your love and grace in saving us through Jesus. Help your Spirit guide me to live on mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus.

Scripture:

Acts 18:26

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Observation:

Apollos was a passionate and gifted preacher. He was effective and spoke the truths of Jesus accurately. However he was not in total understanding of the Spirit. So Priscilla and Aquila took him aside privately and shared with him the truth of the the baptism of the Spirit (indwelling) instead of the baptism of John. (repentance). He received it and was better for it.

Application:

Couple things…

Apollos was teachable even though he was an effective communicator. Many preachers get stuck in their ways and in their grasp on theology that they are closed off to correction or suggested alterations.

Priscilla and Aquila handled this right. They took him aside, identified themselves as followers of Christ and presented information and doctrine he was unfamiliar with. We know that historically, Apollos responded and becomes an integral part of the church’s growth and leadership.

Preachers need to be humble and teachable and mature listeners must be humble and caring. If these factors were not in play, this could have gone down quite differently.

Prayer:

Father keep me humble and teachable. May your truth be my pursuit. May I keep growing as a leader and preacher for the ultimate goal of kingdom expansion.



Scripture:

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Observation:

Paul showed us an example of how we are to spread the word. The men and women of Berea showed us an example of how we are to receive the word.

Application:

Paul spoke boldly of Christ wherever he went. First to the believing Jews and then to the non believers.
Wherever and whenever he went he spoke out of love and obedience, not out of condemnation or hate. Pal obviously knew that what he preached and how he was living was not a popular message. But, like Paul, wherever I go, and whomever I meet with, they should see an example of God’s word and truth in my life. I need to wrap myself in boldness that comes with the word of God.

On the flipside, we are also given an example of how to receive the word. Like a map that is used to guide people to a specific destination, the Bereans used scripture to seek and determine the true path. They received the word, examined the scripture daily to see if what was preached was true. God’s word guided their life so they would not stray. I need to study daily. I need to use God’s word as a map for my life.

Prayer:

Give me the spirit of boldness. Help me to be consistent in my message and in my manner. Let me receive the word in a manner that honors you; always studying, always being consistent and speaking the truth in love.

Scripture:

Acts 15:9-11
9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Observation:

Peter is giving clarity to the legalism and prideful statement of the elders and teachers. As they are trying to withhold the hand of God over traditions Peter pipes up and speaks up for the Gospel of Jesus.

Application:

Who do I place expectations on for receiving the Gospel? God has looked at mankind and saved ALL by his son Jesus. When I look at people and how they were raised, what denomination they are a part of, what tradition or statute they choose to follow how do I treat them when it comes to their faith in Christ by his grace? Peters words, “why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke they can not bear” is convicting to me. How many times have I placed a yoke on people by the traditions or legalism of western Christianity? By grace I have been saved, bit of works but by the previous blood of Jesus. Then he changed me and still changes me. May I focus on the proclamation of the Gospel that saves dead people like myself. May I preach that we are saved by the grace of God through faith and not place yokes of slavery on people by the law.

Prayer:

God you are good and your love endures forever. May I not place in people what you have not placed on me. May I not hinder people from you but be the one who leads people to you. Forgive me for misrepresenting you at times and help me and lead me by your spirit to be an ambassador for you.

Scripture:

Scripture:

When they had preached the gospel to that city (Derbe) and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Anticoch, strengthening the souls of the disciples encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22

Observation:

What follows the Gospel? Not exactly what folks think, I would guess. I wonder why I don’t think about “continuing in the faith” and the corollary “tribulations.”

Application:

Every time I do one of these postings I want first and foremost reveal my heart and mind. I don’t want to parade knowledge but humbly tearing open my chest and looking at my soul. I hope the reader of these postings sees that.

This is what caught my eye today: Paul and Barnabas, making disciples by: strengthening the souls of the disciples; encouraging them to continue in the faith; not making any secret that “entering the Kingdom of God” will be through many tribulations.

 I want my soul to be strengthened; I want to be encouraged; I want to continue in the faith; I want to enter the Kingdom of God. Candidly I want no part of tribulation at any degree, soft to hard.

Why is that? The Word of God indicates that tribulation and the Way to the Kingdom sort of goes hand in hand, right? For me, the answer is simple: I like the soft life. I don’t want to hurt. I don’t want to be in need.

Let me be clear: I am thinking about the tribulation stuff because while it isn’t true for me, it is true for others. They have a hard life, hurting, and in need. But how to prepare? It is by having my soul strengthened and continuing in the faith.

 Danny preached this past Sunday with the admonition of “presence, not performance” attitude about Jesus—-making the priority of knowing Him before anything else. Who is the ultimate encourager, the ultimate soul-strengthener? That would be the Holy Spirit.

Ok, now that I have provided the Sunday School answer, what else? Heb 3:12 “Encourage one another day by day as long as it is called “Today” so that (or lest if you have a King Jimmy version) none would fall into the deceitfulness of sin.” (my butchered translation)

 It is not enough to keep myself private (just me and You, Holy Spirit) when God says unequivocally that we are to engage with each other. I should look to find evidences of Grace in another and put courage in them (encourage) so that they avoid sinful thoughts, musings, and actions. We PARTICIPATE in each other’s lives. We are the community of Believers.

Prayer:

Father, I took a long step from Paul and Barnabas preaching the circuit to talking about Encouraging one another. It seems to be to be the right step though. I forget to look for evidences of Grace in others. I forget to encourage others to continue in the faith, to strengthen their souls, etc. This isn’t just the pastor’s province: As I pursue You, I should share the good good things You have provided. Oh, God of goodness and mercy: Thank You. AMEN.

Scripture:

Acts 13:47-49 – For so the Lord has commanded us saying, “ I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you my bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”  And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.  And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.”

Observation:

The Gospel message being preached to the Gentiles was always part of God’s plan as Paul and Barnabas reference their calling in Isaiah 49:6.  The Gentiles response was to rejoice and bring glory to the word of the Lord.  As many believed, the Gospel spread throughout the whole region. 

Application:

The Gospel message is for everyone, both Jew and Gentile.  The saving message of the Gospel being carried to all ends of the earth has always been God’s plan.  The salvation offered by the grace of God in the Gospel is a gift for all, should we choose to receive it.  My first response to the Gospel needs to be that of the Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia, one of celebration, rejoicing and brining glory to God through the truth of the word.  This is the greatest news, we are forgiven of our sins and offered a relationship and eternal life with the Father!  Second, I must take the word of the Lord and share it in our region, Manatee and Sarasota counties wherever I have influence – Love Enough.  Then as we are called, the Gospel is to be shared in our state, nation and world.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love and grace in the Gospel.  Help me to be joyful as I share the greatest news in my community and to all.

Scripture:

Acts 11:27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers[d] living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Observation:

The church was experiencing growth, health and expansion in Antioch. However, the leadership was informed through a prophet that a famine was coming that would impact the known world. The church leadership responded by preparing an offering and sending it to other churches so they could better be prepared for the coming issues. 

Application:

A few things…

-The church leadership was receptive to the prophet’s message. In other words, the local church leadership stayed humble and submissive to a word from God from other trusted and proven people.

-The early church was generous. When facing a coming famine, they thought of believers in other places and not just in their local church.

-The church sent missionaries out to meet both physical and spiritual needs of other believers in a different region. 

Church can easily become a Sunday show. We work hard perfecting services, pleasing our attenders and pushing our people in steps of discipleship. However, if all our efforts only are within our local congregation, we are missing the heart of the church. Being moved to serve and support other congregations was at the heart of the early church. It must also be at our heart as well. I also love that the local church leadership stayed open to the needs by receiving a word from outside the congregation. The elders of a local church, including ours must remain open to the movement of the Spirit through trusted spiritual leaders form outside our church. We are leaders, but we are not the final word. Though we are responsible for the people of our congregation, God speaks from outside of us to lead us to mission and ministry. We must stay open to that. 

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the word this morning. You want our local church to stay humble and keep meeting the needs of the local congregation and other believers in different places.

Scripture:

Acts 10:34-35 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Observation:

This chapter is about conversion. Not Cornelius’ conversion but Peter’s conversion. From the legalistic laws of the Jews to now accepting that Christianity was meant for all believers.

This meeting between Cornelius and Peter could only happen through divine intervention. A Roman officer and a Jewish disciple living a day or more journey from each other and seeing a vision and hearing from God. Both were obedient. It was not coincidental that both men were devoted prayerful men.

Application:

I cannot put God in a box. Today’s Christians still put up barrier’s. Dress, music, location and even race. I must remember that God does not put up barriers to believing. He has no cultural, ethnic, monetary or even religious barriers in front of us. There are no conditions that need to be met. We just must believe.

There are no “us versus them” mentality. The cross is open to anyone who believes. I have heard it said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. That means, when Christ died on the cross, he died to save everyone sins, not just the sins of one particular group of people. My actions towards others need to reflect that everyone needs to hear about God’s word, not just some.

Prayer:

Remove the various physical, mental, emotional barriers that stop me from spreading the gospel at all times. Help me to be obedient to your calling no matter where it takes me.