Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Acts 21 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “On the following day, Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders (of Jerusalem) were present.  After greeting them, he (Paul) related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  And when they (the elders) heard it, they glorified God!

 

(Changing the subject) And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who believed.  They are all zealous for the law and have been told (about you) that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.

 

What then is to be done?  They will certainly hear that you have come.  Do therefore what we tell you: We have four men under a vow; take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads.  Thus, all will know that there is nothing in what they (the Jews) have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.”” Acts 21:18-24

 

Observation: How do I feel about reporting my progress to others and then take direction from leadership that may (or may not) go against the grain, conviction-wise.

 

Analysis: The background above is blanketed with the prophetic word that this is NOT a good idea for Paul to be there.  I think it is important that it is remembered; Paul certainly is remembering.

 

Paul, under the authority of the Council at Jerusalem (lack of a better descriptor), is reporting all the things occurred while traveling to the various churches and locales where believers were; preaching topics, probably; signs and wonders maybe; conversion and baptism counts most likely; rejections and oppositions and the nature of them perhaps, and others.

 

Still overall, James and the elders give a mighty “thumbs up” and glorified God.  I don’t know what “glorified God” looks like in this case, but I would like to hope it was sincere, heartfelt, and praiseworthy stuff—a pause in the meeting that lasted more than a “well done, thank you Jesus, and let’s move on—we only have 30 minutes left to get through the agenda.”

 

Side note: I am increasingly aware of the “tyranny of the clock” in my life, especially when it pertains to Jesus and meetings.  Paul was not bound by the clock.  Review Acts 20:7-12 where Paul talked until daybreak, even after a fellow fell from the window, died, and was revived—Paul kept on talking because he had something to pass along to the attendees.  Some probably excused themselves (“I have to get home, work tomorrow…”) but enough hung around attentively to keep Paul engaged.

 

The report was done, and the subject was changed: Paul is being counseled to do “eye-service” to the Jewish community.  Did this rub against the grain of Paul’s understanding of the Gospel?  Maybe not, but why not?

 

If I intently look at the life of Paul reported up to this point and beyond, I must see the following:

 

1. Paul was powerful, but humble.  He knew whom he served intimately and just not through feelings, but knowledgeable convictions.
2. Paul wasn’t just street smart concerning the Scriptures, he actively and daily embraced them.
3. Paul knew what he knew, but also there was a good dose of mystery he didn’t know.  But, at the same time, in these unknown “mysteries”, solid principles bracketed them.  I can call them the “hands of God” and fall back on those principles in faith until God sees fit to reveal them to me.  I think Paul was comfortable with the theological phrase: “I don’t know.”
4. Paul was ok to take direction from authorities.  All authorities are appointed by God—therefore…

 

Why didn’t the elders go tell the local church to figuratively “pound sand?”  What they were looking for is not what the Gospel indicates?  Where is the effort to teach new testament doctrines?

 

Beats me.  Best I can tell is that they haven’t gotten there yet.  Sustainable revolutions are done a piece at a time, I guess.

 

Later, it is seen that Paul completes the directives proposed, and…. got arrested anyway.  It didn’t make a difference; the nay-sayers got their man.

 

But, from the vantage point of the future looking backward, we are aware that the purposes of God were carried out and successful.  Praise His Name.

 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being who you are.  You give us this historical perspective so that we don’t repeat mistakes; we become aware of how you work and are not surprised that the curve ball I perceive is really a fast ball down the middle.

 

Make me grow in awareness of Your ways, O Lord.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Acts 20 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Now from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.  And when they came to him, (Paul) said to them:

 

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable and teaching you in public and from house to house—testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

And now—behold—I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

 

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 that I received from the Lord Jesus—to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”” Acts 20:17-24

 

Observation:  Conviction, cloaked in confident resolve: that is what I see here.

 

Analysis: Isaiah prophesied about Jesus: “But the Lord God helps me; therefore, I have not been disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” Is 50:7

 

This is what comes to mind about this passage.  Paul knows full well what is about to happen from the testimonies from every city Paul has visited.  How?  I think it can be confidently inferred that the word of testimony comes from prophets from many local churches.

 

Nevertheless, however these pieces of intelligence came about, Paul is “setting his face like flint” to whatever comes his way.  Note that the language is ambiguous: The Holy Spirit is warning Paul, but not saying to avoid.  (I am glad it was mature Paul, and not chicken Rick.)

 

Therefore, I think that I can confidently say that the Holy Spirit not only gives direction, but also provides commentary, personal commentary to my daily life.

 

How about that thought?  How many of the folks indicated in this passage had to man up past their fears and doubts to serve God for Paul’s continuation?  How many gave in faith?  How many prophesied?  How many got a nudge from the Holy Spirit to give Paul a testimony of what he would encounter in Jerusalem and actually spoke?

 

Is this what Jesus meant by, “Those who have an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying?” (Rev 2:7) I am certain the context of that passage is directed to another subject, but is it applicable to my personal walk in the Lord?  How do I walk worthy of the Gospel by studying to show myself a workman approved, but also inclining my ear to His Whisper moment by moment?

 

1 Kings 19:12 “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper…”

Job 4:12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it.”

 

Both of these references reveal a method of how God speaks to a clumsy person like me.  This is why I embrace continually in my prayers that God gives me ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.  Why?  Because I am more prone to act like this:

 

“But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears…”  Acts 7:57a reacting to Stephen speaking.

 

Hearing is passive, it requires no effort.  Most believers would approve of “hearing” God.

 

Listening is active, it requires effort; concentration, brushing away distractions, being disciplined to not have a running commentary about who is speaking ready to jump into the conversation when there is a space available.  Hear what is being said as a part of concentrating with worshipful, fervent, desire of the Spirit.

 

This is hard.  It requires cultivating a desire; it is practiced on how I treat other people.  If I can’t quite do it in the natural, how will I do it in the supernatural? (1 Cor 15:46)

 

Prayer: Father God, I am so glad there was a guy like Paul.  I am also glad there were those unnamed dozens of radical believers at that time, serving the local church and serving Your purposes in their generation.

 

Please raise up in obscurity those same folks for this and future generations that Your Name may be hallowed in all the earth.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Acts 19 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus.  There he found some disciples.  And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

 

And (Paul) said, “Into what then were you baptized?”  They said, “Into John’s baptism.”  And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”

 

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.  There were about twelve men in all.

 

And (Paul) entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”  Acts 19:1-8

 

Observation:  Two things I noticed: 1) I guess it is OK to ask about the personal history of believers/disciples and OK to talk about it in a candid and transparent manner; 2) These twelve talked freely and accepted what Paul had to add for their growth.

 

I wonder what would have occurred if any of these guys said, “I’m sorry, that is something personal for me—I don’t want to share”, or otherwise walked away from Paul, saying, “I reject that; that is not for me.”?

 

Analysis: I find that the current cultural environment is generally one of intense personal decisions and convictions; that is, “I believe what I believe—it may not be what you believe—that’s ok, you do you and I will do me…”

 

When it comes to salvation through the Gospel, I have seen mild responses of “keep your nose out of my business; it is between God and myself…” and the most foolish response of, “We have an understanding…” or some rot like that.  Mild in this case doesn’t mean light importance, it is still of great importance to address somehow.  Note: Rarely have I been able to.  Takes ears to hear, you know.

 

However, on the subject of the Holy Spirit?  That can have some violent reactions meted to it, especially on what side of the aisle someone happens to be on.

 

Full disclosure: I fancy myself embracing Reformed Doctrine (as a doctrinal framework) and having a significant charismatic component.  Maybe I should call myself a thinking man’s charismatic (work in progress).  To be able to categorize the Gifts of the Holy Spirit accounted for in the Scriptures, I have started to think of them as Jesus’ Toolbox to Believers.

Nevertheless, in these eight verses we have God (not Luke, not Paul, but God the Holy Spirit) indicate in His Word, that there may be (is) a differentiation between a baptism of repentance and reception of the Holy Spirit.  It is clear and should be non-arguable IF I am a student of His literal Word.

 

So, we have Paul, investigating these twelve men who identify as disciples, inquiring about the kind of baptism they had and, seeing that they were deficient, re-baptized them in the Name of Jesus AND laid hands on them.  Period.

 

I have to stop there because there are circles in which flesh and blood think they can bestow the Holy Spirit on someone.  Frankly, I think they are in error and should perhaps be avoided.  It is the principle of being a vessel, someone that God uses, a willing servant, etc. and that is all.  Somehow, believers are the instrumentality that God uses to dispense miracles of every kind.  Note that because God is omnipotent, He doesn’t need man for this; He could do stuff out of thin air—but according to His mysterious Wisdom, chooses to use believers. Emphasis on mystery….

 

In this section of Scripture, I can confidently infer that Paul was what I would call a charismatic.  But while the Gifts are fully in His repertoire, he doesn’t haul them out of his toolbox every moment he can.  He relies upon speaking boldly, reasoning back and forth, and persuasion in the local synagogue.

 

Another way of saying this is that Paul immerses himself in the Word of God, increasing in knowledge and wisdom, developing/discovering the doctrines and precepts that he could use in reasoning and persuasion and preaching about the Kingdom of God and the Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

I lament that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not respectively practiced; shucks, they are not even promoted much in the local church.  Where are we to find someone to teach about being filled, baptized, or receiving the Holy Spirit that doesn’t sound off his rocker or says, “Don’t worry about this subject, it is not that important…”, “It’s already been done at conversion…”, or otherwise explains them away.

 

The Scripture shows that there are circumstances where an encounter with the Holy Spirit is a separate encounter—one size doesn’t quite fit all…

 

Prayer: Lord God, this is a contentious subject, I get it.  Once upon a time I didn’t “get it” because I would say, “Look, it is in the Scriptures, here and here and here.”  Fear does lousy things with our thinking.

 

Please allow me to continue to say, “Anything You will, O God.  I am open to being your disciple in everything You say in your Word.  Help me to discern properly, with wisdom that is only from You.”

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture –

Acts 17:11 –13 – 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.  Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.  But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

Observation –

When Paul was in Thessalonica preaching the gospel, the Jews formed a mob and caused havoc causing he and Silas to travel by night to Berea.  In Berea, the Jews received the Word of God eagerly and studied it every day seeing that it was true.  As a result of hearing the word and their study, many believed as well as both Greek men and women.  When the group causing trouble over Paul’s preaching Thessalonica heard Paul was proclaiming the gospel in Berea they travelled there to stir up the Bereans against Paul and Silas.

Application –

Some people are going to be closed to hearing the truth about the gospel and the forgiveness of sins by faith in Jesus.  Others are going to hear be eager and study the Word.  The Bible is God’s living word and we better study it daily as the Bereans did and allow it to show us of the truth. When expository preaching is combined with Bible study that is a powerful combination for committed believers from many backgrounds.  We need to share the truth of the gospel within our circle of influence and invite others to study the word in fellowship.  There will be those who will try and stop the Word but the Word of God can’t be stopped and we have a role to advance the Good News.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and the forgiveness of sins when we believe in the name of Jesus.  Let the Spirit guide me to share the gospel and encourage others to be in your word to study and believe.  Give me strength, courage and the right things to say and do to be a witness to glory you.

Journal Acts 16 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra.  A disciple was there, named Timothy—the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer (but his father was Greek).

 

He (Timothy) was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

 

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 (Timothy’s) father was a Greek).

 

As they (Paul, Silas, and now Timothy) went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them (the Believers in those cities) for observance of the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.  So, the churches were strengthened in the Faith and they increased in numbers daily.” Acts 16:1-5

 

Observation:  How serious did the believers take being part of the local church?

 

Analysis:  Does any ever experience that reading through the Scriptures can become skimming through the Scriptures?  I have, especially if I have colored a scripture or ten.  My eyes then go from highlighted sentence to highlighted sentence, functionally ignoring the stuff in-between.

 

I have gone from my personal, printed Bible, to a Kindle copy of the ESV, to now ESV.org, especially when I am writing for the journal.  How many copies of the Bible do I have?  A lot, by anyone’s count.  How many do I read?  Two, both electronic.

 

I only say this to emphasize the bad habit of skimming, something of which I am most guilty of.  Writing for journaling purposes, chapter by chapter, makes me attempt to focus for that assignment of the day.

 

I picked up on two things in chapter 16.

 

1. I wonder how many would aspire to leadership in the local church if the first examination would be “are you circumcised or not?”  Now, it is fully understood through the doctrines of Grace circumcisions are not a requirement for salvation.  But apparently it was a consideration for executive missionary work.  Do you want to be taken seriously preaching to the dispersed Jews?  Apostles and Elders say, “Let’s go behind this curtain and chat about your ‘calling’.  How called are you?”

 

Makes me think twice and be grateful for this time we live in.

 

2. The churches were serious, really serious.  My bet it wasn’t far from their minds that the guy Jerusalem sent out was the same guy (not too long ago) was out for their blood.  So, it took some solemn, earnest self-deliberation to receive Paul in the name and honor of the Lord Jesus.  All Paul, Silas, and Timothy were doing was delivering observations, decisions, and the like.  But the results were astounding: the churches were strengthened in the Faith (made strong in understanding and knowledge of the Gospel) and they grew numerically daily.

 

These are the usually “skimmed” over parts, I think.  But not skimming perhaps opens a page or two of wondering and consideration, footnotes to the larger message of the Gospel.

 

At least it does for me.

 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your Word.  Even in this small talk, I have faith that it pulsates with Life.  Help me with the story of Acts and why what I read isn’t being replicated?  If it is being replicated, help me see it.  If it is coming, help me pray for it and anticipate it prophetically.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Acts 14 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Now at Iconium (in Greece) they (Paul and Barnabas) entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of other Jews and Greeks believed.

 

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.  So, they (Paul and Barnabas) remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

 

But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.  When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews (with their rulers) to mistreat them and stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe (cities of Lycaonia) and to the surrounding country and there they continued to preach the Gospel.”  Acts 14:1-7

 

Observation: The Acts of the Apostles recounts what the early church did, using the focus of a few of the Apostles’ stories.  Paul and Barnabas (especially Paul) are the focus of the mid to end of the book of Acts.

 

Analysis: I couldn’t help but think of the end of the preamble to the TV show Law and Order: “…And here are their stories…”  Or Joe Friday in Dragnet: “Just the facts, ma’am…”  That is what Acts is for me.

 

Fact: There is a Jewish community in Greece (Iconium).

Fact: This Jewish community has been there long enough to establish a synagogue.

Fact: There is an open forum to speak that Paul and Barnabas take advantage of.

Supposition: The Word of the Risen Savior is not unknown, just needed to be explained better.

Fact: Due to Paul and Barnabas speaking, there becomes a division: Believing and Unbelieving.

Fact: Due to unbelieving Jews speaking, Gentiles became poisoned in mind (thinking and reasoning) against Believers and perhaps Paul and Barnabas specifically.

 

So how did Paul and Barnabas respond?

 

This is interesting: In the previous chapter, resistance at Antioch incited Paul and Barnabas to shake the dust off their feet as a sign against them—significant preaching but no signs and wonders.  Here, resistance in Iconium caused Paul and Barnabas to dig in.  Luke (the reporter) recounted that they spoke boldly about the Word of Grace and performed signs and wonders.  Only when the threat of bodily harm became at such a level that they needed to take notice did Paul and Barnabas fled.

 

So here I am, not in the Early Church, but in a later generation of the Church.  Using Antioch and Iconium as biblical examples, what should I do (given a similar situation)?

 

If anyone is thinking like me, the obvious answer is, “Shucks, I have no idea!!”  The question I have is that the decision at Antioch vs. Iconium would be, “Are these knee jerk decisions?”  My thought is no, they are not; but neither are they planned in advance options.

 

I think these decisions were accounted for in Paul’s injunction to Timothy: “Study to show yourself approved; a workman not ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth.”  Not just getting the Doctrine right (muy important) but training myself in the word and works of righteousness so that, if I come to a decision point like the difference between Antioch and Iconium, I decide in righteousness and in being honorable and worthy of the Gospel.

 

Frail man that I am, I probably make an extraction plan given my perception of the environment, but hopefully not out of fear of man.

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for these lessons/case studies.  They are necessary to be able to ascertain the direction of your Spirit, although not absolutely needed.  As these are studied and peeled apart, they become foundational and reflexive later.

 

Help me continue to learn and grow in the knowledge of You and your ways.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Acts 13 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And when (God) had removed him (Saul), he raised up David to their King (of whom (God) testified and said, “I have found in David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will).”  Acts 13:22

 

“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption…” Acts 13:36-37a

 

Observation: I am always taken with the testimony of God that David was a man after God’s heart, who will do all God’s will, and the testimony that David served God’s purpose in his generation.

 

When I read the historical story of David, it is just a little difficult to reconcile God’s testimony and the historical testimony together.  God’s testimony must predominate, but why and what am I missing?

 

Analysis: Was David lily white?

 

By any measure anybody currently employs in this day and age, David was anything but lily white.  In fact, with what David actually did and if he said, “But I love God with all my heart and soul”, we would scoff and ridicule him mercilessly.

 

If that would be the case, why does God (through the Scriptures) say differently?

 

This is a difficult precept to walk through, and I am tiptoeing on my way to splitting hairs.  The best precept I can hang my hat upon is “persevering to the End.”

 

Most folks would look at success as being attaining some kind of proficiency and then adding to that success progressively over a period of time until some sort of plateau is reached, or the game is called.  For instance, if I want maturity, then I increase in things adding to becoming mature until attained.

 

But that is not my experience.  I don’t experience a smooth flow upward to the target.  I experience an up and down life.  If I graph it, it is like a saw-tooth line.  Imagining the graph, I would like to think I have a 45 degree climb from conversion.  Reality is probably less than 1 degree over my lifetime—and still a saw-tooth line.

 

My experience could lead to a sense of either I don’t care about my failures OR successes in the Faith, and I fall back on “once saved, always saved” or I press into the “high calling in Christ Jesus” and persevere to the End of my days.

 

I am beginning to believe that David and the Psalms were given to Believers for understanding the day-by-day dynamics that we go through; using David as that model and helping fools like me to keep plodding/stumbling forth in the Faith.

 

The point that I am seeing is that, however bumbling David was, he NEVER lost sight of his love of the Most High.  How he did that, I am not sure, because he really went off the rails at times, but David PURSUED God all of his days.

 

Additionally, I can be sure that Sovereign God never lost sight of His love for David, from before David was born.  God, the Father, pursued David.

 

I can see the principle “once saved, always saved”, but only in the context of God’s Sovereignty—and I can presume on His Goodness in error.  My obligation to God, not as a matter of works but as a matter of devotion, is to be in pursuit of Him all my days, that at my End, I may be found to have “served the purpose of God in my generation.”

 

To have faith in His Grace, but not to assume on His Grace: I think that is the sum of David’s life.

 

Prayer: Father, there are some things that are just plain hard to explain.  Today, I think this is one.  But I thought it necessary to write out so that some day in the future I will be able to review this—hopefully after growing a bit more.

 

“To have faith in Your Grace but not to assume on Your Grace”: This may have gotten close…

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Scripture

 

Vs 9 “But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, …”

 

VS 12 “And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. …

bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, …”

 

VS 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, …”

 

VS 17 “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

 

VS 18 … they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

 

Observation

 

Peter is reporting to the church his, at first reluctant, encounter with Cornelius.

 

Peter responded to the calling to deliver the message of salvation.

 

As he did so he remembered the words of Jesus.

 

Application

 

God incredibly uses people to accomplish His purposes.

He doesn’t need to.

 

I don’t think I would if I was an all-powerful all-knowing God.

 

But God, in His wisdom that is beyond me, chooses to use me … use us … to deliver His message

 

… His message of salvation.

 

But what stands out to me this morning further is it’s still God doing the doing …

The verbs over and over credit God …

 

God did the giving . ..

The Spirit did the falling …

God did the saving …

 

Can I really stand in His way????

 

What did the people do?

They did the glorifying!

They responded to the doing of God with the glorifying of God!

 

Prayer

 

Thank you God for you word

Lead me to do your will

Help me remember your word as it’s done

And may I glorify you as you use me

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture

Acts 10:28 – And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.  

Observation

Peter is talking to Cornelius along with his family and friends.  Peter explains to the crowd about typical Jewish custom to not associate with people from another nation. However, Peter shares what God showed him in the vision that no person is to be viewed as common or unclean.  This means no difference between gentile and Jew as God sees us.

Application 

God’s plan is for the Gospel to go to everyone and all people groups!  What God has made clean of sin through the blood of Jesus I cannot call dirty. As a follower of Christ, I need to be involved in the mission of God to expand his glory amongst the nations. Once I realize this is God’s plan, then I have different ways that I can serve to spread the Gospel. I must not be deceived to doubt the work of Jesus to save us of our sin as God sees us as cleansed by the Lamb.  

Prayer 

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace in mercy in sending Jesus to save me of my sins.  Let the Spirit give me boldness to be part of your plan to share your love and gospel in a winsome way here and to the ends of the earth.  

Journal Acts 12 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. (Herod) killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also…

 

And when (Herod) had seized (Peter), he put him into prison, delivering him over to 4 squads of soldiers (approximately 45-50 soldiers) to guard him…

 

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between 2 soldiers, bound with 2 chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him and a light shone in the cell.  (The angel) struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying: “Get up quickly,” and the chains fell off his hands.  And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.”  And (Peter) did so.  And (the angel) said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me…”  Acts 12:1-8

 

Observation: Sometimes I look for “special” things, other times I look for a good story.  This is one of the latter times…

 

Analysis: Acts 12 is a good story.  I think it gets better with imagining rather than just dry reading.

 

I think about Herod, the wicked man that he was, killing off James and basking in the praise of the equally wicked Jews.  Maybe covered with martyrs’ blood, Herod is working off the high that comes with committing violence realizes the crowd likes this—it is like a professional wrestling match: “Hit him again with the folding chair; Atomic knee drop!!”

 

So, Herod decides to go after Peter, the dangerous man that Peter is, and sends 4 squads of soldiers (45 guys) to pick him up—like sending two full SWAT teams after John Piper.  Peter is so dangerous (came in peacefully, right, although he does have a record of wielding a deadly weapon.  Remember that story?  Whacked the ear off a soldier at Gethsemane but Jesus put it back on, so no charges filed.) that he is shacked, manacled, made naked, and forced to sleep between two soldiers, another set of soldiers at the cell door, another set of soldiers guarding the prison, etc.

 

Dead of night and an angel appears.  Lightly (maybe not so lightly) kicks Peter’s side, “Wake up, Pete, wake up and get dressed—don’t forget your shoes…” and waltzes out of the prison without any being the wiser.

 

What I think is cool about this is the abundance of detail Luke gives.  I short-cutted the story to not type as much and Luke could have as well.  But look at the details!!  Just wait until Peter shows up at the door: “Knock knock”  “Who’s there?”  “Peter”  “Peter who?”  Come on, let me in!!  Nuh-huh, you are dead.  Am not.  Are too..and on it goes…

 

What’s the point?  Well, no point, really, except for how thorough the Holy Spirit is.  This is the way the Bible should be read—not dry, but with life.

 

It isn’t the living Word for just yucks.

 

Prayer:  Father, thank you for this reading.  Buoyed my spirit, thinking about how this went.  Herod was a bummer, and I am sorry for James; Peter and the Angel was a hoot.

 

It goes to show that you are Sovereign God, maker of heaven and earth and the earth is your footstool.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Scripture: “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias.

 

The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”  And he said, “Here I am Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

 

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

 

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.”  Acts 9:10-15

 

Observation:  There are two characters being highlighted here: Saul is the famous one, but Ananias is more than a bit player…

 

Analysis:  The Damascus Road incident is a favorite story among Christians.  It shows the ability of the Holy Spirit to stop someone in their tracks and turn them into the Road of Righteousness and cause them to follow Jesus.  Side note: Notice that Jesus didn’t quite give Saul a choice?

 

Ok, that is the Saul side of things.  After this, Saul regains his sight, becomes a member of a local church, studies and is discipled for approximately 17 years, and then is released by the Elders of the Jerusalem church to herald the Kingdom and the Cross.  His name is changed to Paul and becomes a rock star and a best seller contributor for the next few thousand years.

 

My focus today is on Ananias.  Without Ananias, this story is a non-starter.  Ok, God could have selected someone else, but He didn’t.  He spoke to Ananias.  Why?

 

1. Ananias was identified as a disciple.  What differentiates a disciple that God could call upon from the run of the mill believer that He would not?
2. Out of all the converts in Jerusalem (over 3,000 by the accounts of Acts), Ananias was listening—even in his sleep.
3. Not only listening, but responsive: “Here I am, Lord.”  Reminds me of Samuel the youngster who was to become a major prophet for Israel.
4. Conversive, able to engage in a conversation with the Holy Spirit.  “Wait a minute, Lord; isn’t this the guy who is arresting, abusing, and even murdering your saints?” Reminds me of Jonah and Nineveh.
5. And at the end, obedient. Thoughts: was Ananias enthusiastic? Hesitant? Faithful, or faith half-full?

 

I remember that God specifically endorses following/modeling after people in front of us and of saints that have gone before.  Check out the writer of Hebrews and chapter 13: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Heb 13:7)

 

How many of the people in the church imagine themselves as a Paul?  Peter?  John?  David (one of my favorites)?  Or fathers in the faith that have gone before: Spurgeon, Wilberforce, Wesley(s), Whitehead, or others?  How about Ananias?  Do I even think about Ananias, a veritable footnote in the New Testament?

 

If I want to be a faithful servant like Ananias, what do I need?  Devotion to God, devotion to the Word, devoted to the local church like he does make a difference in his church community, and finally (lest I downplay the power of the Holy Spirit and the authorization given by the Word of God), a devotion to pursue the Gifts and employ them.

 

Prayer:  Father, you find me at a low point, emotionally.  I can only stick as faithfully as I can to your Word and your directives.  Please help me to be courageous to proclaim your Word and the power of your Spirit.  Preaching the Gospel and signs and wonders are linked, descriptively.

 

I want to be faithful, not faith half-full.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Scripture: “And the high priest said (to Stephen), “Are these things so (considering the lies and misrepresentations of the scribes)?”  And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me.  The God of Glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia…. (v1 and 2a)

 

(after a long explanation, Stephen concludes by citing from Ps 11 and Is 66):

 

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?  Did not my hand make all these things?”

 

(Stephen continues) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.  As your fathers did, so do you.  Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered—you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”” Acts 7:1-2; 49-53

 

Observation: Eloquent. Expansive. Citing the Gospel from the beginning to a conclusion.  Can I do that or am I stuck with a few quick bumper sticker quotes to attempt to portray the beauty of the Gospel?

 

Analysis: The older I grow, the more I see the need for maturity in the knowledge and practical application of the Scriptures.

 

My wife observes that I can be a scripture snob.  I wonder if that is true or is it that I lack the panache to make the Scriptures interesting?  Am I stuck with the ability to sound condescending and condemning?

 

I wonder.

 

This past weekend my Mother was laid to rest.  Through it all I was oddly at peace, though feeling empty.  The thought of the Psalms was always present, like a shadow in the back of my mind; thinking again (like I have suggested in past postings) that the Psalms are descriptions of the practical expression of Christianity: the diary of David, the man after God’s own heart, and how he navigated life in Him.

 

These thoughts ruled my week, even though I neglected reading the Scriptures, begged off from posting in the Journal, even resisted praying out loud.  I was up and down emotionally, and for a couple of days pretty abusive verbally to my wife.  As people, acquaintances, and friends reached out, I was grateful in a hollow sort of way.

 

All in all, my bet is that David did these things as well, reading the history and the Psalms.  It is no excuse (like David probably remembers) and shameful.  It is another speed bump to navigate in the power of Grace through—seeds of lawlessness to remember and apply the Cross against.

 

This whole chapter (Acts 7) is an example of being able to preach the Gospel to myself (ourselves). Preaching the Gospel is an act of stirring up the hope that is within us; remembering what God did and is doing from before the foundation of the world; that God is not only macro in being Sovereign God over all creation (a mind-boggling thought), but also micro in a way only a caring Father can be.

 

Stephen was obviously buoyed by the majesty of the Gospel. certainly assisted by being able to run through the facets.  I want to be able to do that as well.

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for sustaining me (and my vast family) during this past week.

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

SCRIPTURE 

Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)

¹⁰ An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

 

OBSERVATION

A Christ-like wife is more precious than any earthly riches.

 

APPLICATION 

Other than saving me from my sins, God’s greatest gift in my life is my wife.

This article from Desiring God shares a powerful message regarding how we should view this Proverbs 31 woman.

 

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Help me love my wife the same way you love me. Please use this chapter in Proverbs to encourage her and and all the women of Good Life.

Amen

SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)

⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

 

OBSERVATION

Truth can be known, and God’s word is always true. In a world full of lies, deception and claims of “my truth,” every word of God proves true.

 

We are built with a desire to find truth and a need to find safety in truth. Humans accept all manner of lies because of our innate need to believe in something bigger than ourselves. BUT ONLY God and His word will provide the refuge we long to find.

 

APPLICATION

If the world is going to find God’s truth, our lives must look distinctly different from the world’s lies. However, all too often, we can allow worldly values and passions to seep into our hearts, and our lives become a poor image of Christ.

 

If we want the people we know and love to come to know Jesus, our lives must find refuge in Christ and Christ alone.

 

PRAYER

Lord,

Cleanse anything in me that doesn’t look like Jesus. Help my life to look like Him and His truth.

Amen

SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 29:22 (ESV)

²² A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

 

 

OBSERVATION

Anger is a natural human emotion. Anger can be justified and even righteous.

But a man (or woman) of wrath is not necessarily someone who gets justifiably angry. They are someone who is marked by their anger. It defines them and identifies them.

This person is the rock in the calm pond of others’ lives. They stir up strife where there was once calm.

BUT… if we are that person who is “given to anger,” then there is another danger.

A person who is given to anger (or regularly gives themselves over to anger) causes much transgression. This person is not only sinful; they are the spark that ignites sin in the lives of others. And if we aren’t careful, any of us to become this person.

 

APPLICATION

Anger is not a sin, but it puts on a slippery slope toward sin.

In Ephesians 4:26–27, Paul wrote, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

And in Psalm 4:4 we see the warning “Be angry, and do not sin.”

Anger can be justified, anger can even be righteous, but anger puts us on the cliff of sin. Tread carefully.

 

PRAYER

Lord,

Enable me to control my anger before my anger controls me. Guard my tongue in moments of high emotion. Help me to never distract from the Gospel.

Amen