Break from 1 Kings

The semester was almost over. The halls were decked out in green, red, silver, and gold. Every doorway was shimmering from the decorations. Snowflakes and angels swung from the ceiling. There was laughter and merriment everywhere. It seemed something marvelous was filling the air.

I was not feeling it. Yeah, yeah, another Christmas. I rarely got what I asked for. It meant going to church extra times whether the snow was creating a white-out or not. Others seemed happy and excited. I just couldn’t get into it. Once upon a time, in the deepest recesses of my memory, I anticipated Christmas (and the break from school), like everyone else. Not anymore.

I prepared little gifts and hid them in the mailbox or dorm room of the person to whom I had been assigned the role of Secret Santa. And, it was nice to get little gifts or notes everyday from my Secret Santa, but I wasn’t expecting much.

I will never forget that time in my life.

My Secret Santa included little rectangular white cards in each day’s surprise. There were words on them. I remember eventually figuring out that the words were from the Bible (so many women on my floor believed that stuff). Yet, I read them. Day after day for a week, the cards built the story of Christmas. One of the last cards I got said,

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.”  Luke 2:10

I remember thinking I could use some “great joy.”

The next day, the card read,

“for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Something struck me! TODAY. For today, that day, whichever day I wanted, a Savior – Christ the Lord – could be born for me. I pondered that a few days. Another, different woman on my floor, who had been willing to hang around with me all semester cornered me a few days later. She talked about why I felt so inept at pleasing God. She talked about how Christmas is all about the way to be pleasing to God, Jesus. I didn’t make any instant decisions, but I had a lot to ponder.

When I tell my faith journey story, I usually focus on the love, patience, kindness, and words of the second woman. Someone recently pointed out to a small group I had just shared my story with, that God used a seemingly benign college dorm activity to prepare my heart for Him. The activity was something rooted in the traditional celebration of Christmas – Santa! God intertwined the traditions and the truth of Christmas to call me to Him and into right relationship with the real meaning of Christmas. That’s a miracle. That shows that God is in control of everything.

Repent and Share

In my daily Quiet Time yesterday, I read John 3:1-14. It was the first record of John the Baptist’s adult ministry messages. I saw 5 key components to the message that Luke recorded for us. 

1. Repent for forgiveness from God (vs. 3)

2. Birth families and religion can’t save you (vs. 7-8)

3. Act out your faith by giving to those in need (vs. 11)

4. Be honest when dealing with fellow man (vs. 12-13)

5. Don’t extort or take just because you have the power to do so (vs. 14)

I think verses 3 and 11 kind of sums it up for me:

Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven . . . John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.

Repent and share (care about other people’s needs) summed it up for me. The message of the Gospel needs to involve repentance in all areas of our lives. Repentance of sins means ALL sins. John just gives a few pertinent areas (as Luke tells it). However John preached for 1/2-1 year before Jesus started His ministry . . . John probably confronted many other people regarding their specific sins as well. All sin must be laid aside. We won’t be perfect or live like repentant children of God all the time, but we can always repent (turn around, change behaviors, determine to continue to move away from sin). It takes practice.

The other part of John’s message in the passage was all about sharing what we have with those who don’t have and treating our fellowman with honesty and respect. I have a ways to go as we all do, but I can work on it. And in so doing, I can be a witness as to what God’s love is all about. That’s John’s basic message and so it should also be mine.

Being Extraordinary

The more I read and study in 1 and 2 Samuel, the more I realize all of David’s flaws. It could lessen my respect for him, but what it’s doing is encouraging me.

David felt the same emotions, committed flagrant sins, made similarly poor choices, and left a legacy for his family of mixed value and outcomes just as I do today. He was an ordinary man. The record of his life in 1 and 2 Samuel proves he was an ordinary man. He was not superhuman. He was not without grave flaws. He was not the perfect man some like to believe he was. He was ordinary.

There’s a New Testament character that is also often viewed as doing little or no wrong. Paul. Yet we have in Paul’s own words, that he was unable to do the all the things according to the Law given by Moses. He wrote Romans 7:15 after his encounter with Jesus. It says,

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. (NASB)

The passage also implies that Paul knew he was unable to think and act as a perfect man. Recalling to my mind the grave injuries Paul caused for the early believers, even putting some to death, I can see his ordinariness. When I contemplate that he had disagreements with fellow-laborers, even to the point of severing relationships I see another flaw. (In Acts 15:37-40 there’s an account of some sharp disagreements with John Mark and Barnabas that had profound impact on the missionary work of those early days.)

Ordinary people. Just like me they had flaws and folly. YET, God used them in extraordinary ways. Their ultimate saving characteristics were steadfast commitment to the person and purposes of God. They may have even faltered in those commitments, yet they always returned to worshiping and obeying God.

I can be like that, too. I can continually recognize God for who He is. I can have a steadfast commitment to the purposes of God. I can and do practice worshiping God daily. And I can repent and turn back to His Word and obey it as often as I need to. Ultimately, the flaws and failings of the great men in Scripture encourage me. Just like them I can be extraordinary.

As Tom Bradford in his Torah Class notes said, “David proves he is an ordinary man but he was elevated to extraordinary by God’s decision and declaration.” God can elevate you and me if He so chooses. I need to be ready to obey and watch God make me extraordinary, too.

Haiti Part 2

One of the key things impressed upon me on the second day was how God is at work in our lives. When I first became a Christian, God surrounded me with people who were interested in reaching the world for Christ. I knew many individuals, couples, and families who left their comfort zones to live overseas to be a part of serving Christ by living and sharing their faith among people who may not have otherwise heard Christ’s salvation message. Some of the places these friends went to were China, the Philippines, France, England (to the Muslims there), Ireland, Indonesia and Hungary.

During my early Christian life, sharing the gospel message wherever and whenever possible was also impressed upon me. However, I felt God calling me to be involved in world missions. Shortly after graduating from college, my husband and I went to help the missionary in Hungary for a short-term mission trip. This was before communism’s grip was diminished in Eastern Europe, yet the people wanted to learn English. We went to be native English speakers at a camp for some of these people. However, we were also there to show them the love and message of Christ as much as possible. I rejoiced in the opportunity to serve God in that way. I began thinking and praying about other short-term (and maybe even long-term) mission trips even more. I had a vision that God could and would use me that way.

Then life hit! I developed several chronic illnesses, was busy pursuing a graduate degree, had children, and other illnesses became acute. My vision seemed to be dead. Life had just gotten in the way. We still supported missionaries and prayed regularly for them. We prayed God would send out laborers into the harvest (Luke 10:2). We hosted visiting missionaries in our home. We got involved in mission conferences/weekends with our church. Our hearts ached for the harvest around the world (and in our own neighborhood and country) to be appropriately dealt with. I still longed to be a part of God’s harvest around the world, but my illnesses and responsibilities seemed to put to death the vision I’d had in college. I gave up hope of ever “going” again. It seemed as if I’d gotten the wrong message early on; God wasn’t calling me to the mission field as I had thought.

Fast-forward thirty years. All the obstacles were still present in one way or another, and in varying degrees of severity. Yet, the youthful vision again blossomed in my heart. When our church started going to Honduras on regular short-term mission trips, I had a longing to go, but just couldn’t. When our church started partnering with Loving Shepherd’s Ministry in Haiti, I began praying for them, resigning myself to believing that was the role God now had for me regarding world missions.

However, this year in the fall, I couldn’t shake the feeling that God wanted me to go. I argued with Him. I pointed out all my illnesses (which were in great control, but seemed insurmountable to me). I thought my husband would say, “No.” I thought my therapist would say, “Not a good idea.” I thought my diabetes specialist would say, “It’s too dangerous.” I thought my psychiatrist would say, “You might cause depression or mania to return if you try this.” All of them thought it was a great idea! They were excited for me to do it. They encouraged me to apply. I began to get excited, but I thought it was probably too late and all the spots would be taken or I’d never raise enough support.

None of that was true. God answered in big ways and confirmed that He wanted me in Haiti. The vision from my youth had been restored. God works when all hope seems gone. He’s in the business of making miracles. I had learned this lesson earlier in my Christian life, but I was not convinced of it. I had a vision, a death of a vision, and now the miraculous fulfillment of the vision. I’m excited to see what God has for me next.

The Warning Signs

Last week I briefly mentioned that there are warning signs that the end is coming. The various theologians and scholars debate the timing of these signs. Some think the prophecy in Daniel 10-12 is being fulfilled now. Others think that they are only for Israel and do not involve the church at all; they believe these things will take place after the church has been removed from this earth. I do not claim to know which is the truth, and I’m not going to worry about it.

Daniel 11:36-38 lists some of the signs:

1.     the king will do as he pleases

2.     he will exalt and magnify himself above every

3.     he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods

4.     he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done.

5.     he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers

6.     nor will he show regard for any other god

7.     he will magnify himself above them all

8.     instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know

9.     he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.

We see some of these in our world today, but not all. There are many who speak monstrous things against the God of gods, but they have their own gods they are following. This end time king (often referred to as the Antichrist) will only exalt himself. All other gods will be forbidden. That has not happened yet (for a time, Russia tried to enforce this, but that has subsided.) 

As a result, many of the people groups we see in our world today are not the source of the Antichrist. We need to be busy loving and sharing Christ with those people, and praying that their eyes will be opened and their hearts will be changed. We do not know God’s timing. Anyone who proclaims they know exactly how the end times will play out is deluded. That information is not in the Scriptures. Those scenarios are developed from man’s imagination. We must be careful not to claim knowledge that only God the Father has. As we wait for God to reveal His plan for the end times, we need to be about loving and helping others in Christ’s name.

Burdened For the World

Daniel’s prayer and praise in Daniel, chapter 9:1-19, convict me. There are several key elements in this approximately three-minute prayer to which my attention was drawn.

First, Daniel may have intended to be long-winded, but God sent an answer while he was still praying. In verse 21 Daniel tells us, “while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, who I had seen in the vision previously, came to me . . .” I often think I’m not praying enough meaning my prayers are too short. However, God heard Daniel and responded quickly. One commentator suggested that God heard Daniel right away and it took Gabriel three minutes to get to him. Or, the commentator suggests Gabriel got there right away but stood by, shifting from one foot to the other, waiting for Daniel to notice him. Either way, God sent His answer quickly, not after long hours of prayer as I often suppose has to happen.

Second, Daniel prayed with understanding and earnestness. Verse 3 says, “So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.” He also started off with praise and confession. Verses 4-5 say,

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, ‘Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.’

Notice, he included himself in the confession. There is no record of Daniel’s sin in the Bible, but from his own mouth we know he sinned. He was pleading on Israel’s and his own behalf for forgiveness. However, I noticed that throughout the prayer, he acknowledged God’s character and promises. He acknowledged how they had sinned against all the commandments that God had provided them through His ordinances and through the prophets. They had rebelled in spite of God’s goodness.

And, third, Daniel’s heart was burdened for all the people and for God’s glory to be highlighted. My heart is now sufficiently burdened for mankind and that the glory of God, through the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection, be made known throughout the world – starting with me wherever I go and whomever I talk to. I also need to pray and keep in mind that it’s all for God’s glory. We are made for Him, not Him for us. We should be about the business of God, proclaiming Him and loving in His name. If I’m truly burdened for the world, I need to take every opportunity to share Christ, as He is the only hope in the world and through Him we learn to give God all the glory and praise we can. No matter how much we acknowledge God and point others to Him, it is not enough. He deserves so much more than we can humanly give Him. Being burdened for the world (our sin included) and trying to bring glory to God go hand-in-hand. Keeping both those perspectives in mind allows us to know true joy and peace.

Serving God Wherever He Sends Me

I hate doing what I’m about to do. However, God tells us that we are to support those of the faith that have need. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 is an accounting of Paul asking the Corinthian church members to be as giving as their counterparts in Macedonia (a much poorer community). I’m often challenged by this passage to give more to God’s work. Verses 6-7 in the New Living Translation says,

So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.  Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

I do not want to preach to you. I want to appeal to you in the power of God’s Word. I’m praying your hearts and your devotion to improving the world will prompt you to act.

Here’s the appeal: Help me go to Haiti, January 20-27, 2018 to help in mission work that partners with my local church. We are going with an organization called Loving Shepherd Ministries, which provides homes for orphaned children in Haiti. They not only house children, but LSM provides each child with long-term educational and vocational opportunities.

We will be involved in various roofing projects in the community around one of the homes that LSM operates. We will also be building relationships with the children as well as giving them something tangible that will point back to how much God loves them. This gives each child hope and allows them to reach God.

The total cost is $1,750 and needs to be raised by January 10th (I’m getting a late start at this because the Holy Spirit only recently convinced me to go; notice He was convincing and it took a while for the message to sink in). Part of these funds will purchase construction materials.

Contribution checks can be made out to “Fowlerville UB Church” and marked on the memo line: Haiti-Grimm. Then send it to:

Fowlerville United Brethren Church

9300 W. Grand River Ave.

Fowlerville, MI 48836

If you have any questions, please send me a note at thetootsierolllady@yahoo.com

I love serving Jesus and I’m excited by this opportunity. Join me in the adventure!

AND HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION.

 

Just the Beginning: Acts 28

This week we finished the chapter-by-chapter study of the Book of Acts. Chapter 28 gave us the account of how God got Paul and his companions to Rome. First in verses 1-16 they are in Malta after the shipwreck. There God used Paul and Luke to proclaim the gospel and to heal and cure all who came to them with ailments. There’s also a few verses that tell of a snake biting Paul and Paul not having any ill effects from it.

But, in Rome, once they got there, Paul first went to the Jewish community, as was his custom. He was able to speak to the Jewish leaders. He gave an account of what happened in Jerusalem, explained his work, and tried to use the Scriptures to persuade them to listen to his message. He appealed to them that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Verse 24, says, “And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.” That’s the way it goes, even in this day and age. Paul fulfilled his responsibilities in sharing with the Jews, and when the Jews became divided, he also shared with the Gentiles. He actually told the Jews: “Let it be known to you therefore [because they had closed their eyes to the truth], that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen (vs. 28).”

And that’s exactly what Paul did. He preached while he was being held under arrest, chained to a soldier, awaiting to speak to Nero. Acts doesn’t tell us about that encounter. There’s a lot of extra-Biblical writings that have accounts of Paul’s life after this point, but they don’t agree with each other. We do know that while he was waiting he was able to preach the gospel message unhindered (presumably by the Jews or the Roman government). The book ends by saying, “And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered (vs. 30-31).”

One of the commentators said that Acts doesn’t have an obvious ending, wrapping up Paul’s life – or even his presentation to Nero – because Acts really continues today as Christians today continue the spread of the gospel message. The job is not over. It won’t be until Christ comes again in all His glory. Until that day, we must use every opportunity as a platform for the gospel – in our deeds, in our love, in our words. We are to be Christ among the people. We cannot separate ourselves from non-Christians so we may be kept “pure” and “perfect.” Paul’s example is of going to the people, mingling with them, getting to know them, and sharing with them the judgment to come and the mercy we can have in Christ, now and forever.

Next week I will do some summarizing and looking back at the possible applications I wrote down. I believe there will be some reoccurring themes in those applications.

Sharing Our Stories: Acts 26

This chapter, 26, in Acts is a recounting of Paul making his defense before the Roman appointed Jewish king, Agrippa II. However, Paul was not required to give a defense before the king since he had already appealed to Caesar. He used this opportunity to lay out the plan of salvation to the king and the powerful people living in Caesarea.

I heard once that we should use every opportunity and every situation as a platform for the gospel. Paul does that here. He doesn’t really address the charges the Jews made against him. He shares his story of his life before (being a committed Jew persecuting Christians), his encounter with the living Jesus (on the road to Damascus), and the commission Christ gave him to preach to the Gentiles about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was his story and he used this opportunity to point to the wonderful, powerful, life-changing experience he had had with Jesus. The same experience of complete change each of us can have.

So, in view of some unsettling news from a doctor this week, I realized that I have not been diligent or faithful in boldly sharing my faith journey with the people in my life. I have not seen it as urgent. I put it off to a more opportune time. I rationalized that praying for those I come in contact with was enough. I haven’t been carrying God’s truths to those I love the way I should’ve always been doing.

I had that zeal once upon a time. When I first had my encounter with the saving power of Jesus Christ, I wanted to tell everyone – friends, foes, strangers, etc. Somewhere along the way I lost that zeal and got out of the practice of speaking out for Christ. I now feel a return of the urgency and the zeal, attitudes I should have had all along. I’ve had a wake-up call and it’s time to get busy finding out where other people are in their faith journeys, and sharing mine when the opportunity comes (every time the opportunity comes). I need to boldly speak for Christ and His salvation. I wish none to perish without my giving them the chance to choose a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Where are you in your faith journey? Do you have one? Have you had an encounter with the Savior, Jesus Christ? Do you believe in His resurrection? Do you believe He is in ultimate control? If you have questions about any of these things, contact me and I will try to meet you where you are at and share what Christ has done for me. Don’t wait. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow.

Opportunities in Disguise: Acts 25

Paul is still imprisoned, but now he’s being held captive by Festus, Felix’s successor. Felix probably left a note explaining the charges against Paul, but he decides to hear from Paul himself, after the Jews he met with in Jerusalem asked for Paul to stand trial in Jerusalem. (Meanwhile, the Jews were setting up an ambush to kill Paul on the journey between Caesarea and Jerusalem.)

Festus, wisely says, that they are free to bring charges against Paul in the Roman court in Caesarea. Possibly Festus had an inkling that all was not kosher with the Jews’ request. Just like Felix, Festus could not determine any Roman law that Paul had broken – especially not a crime deserving death. Paul’s defense clearly outlines his belief in the resurrected Jesus, but Festus didn’t see any significance in it. So, he sent the Jews away empty-handed, but only because Paul made an appeal that he have his citizenship Roman right to be heard in Rome by the emperor.

Festus kept Paul waiting for transport to Rome. While this waiting was going on, Festus hosted Agrippa II in his court. Agrippa knew the Jewish laws and policies better than Festus, so when Festus had an opportunity, he asked Agrippa for some guidance. Agrippa wanted to hear directly from Paul. This gave Paul another opportunity to address rulers and kings as was prophesied back in Acts 9:15. And Paul took the opportunity.

While we might be tempted to say, “Poor Paul. Locked in prison for years,” God was setting the stage for Paul to fulfill the call on his life. As far as we can tell, Paul did not complain or get sullen. He took the opportunities God gave him to share the message of Christ. The challenge is for us to view our struggles as opportunities to share Christ.

One commentator put it this way: “Rather than complain about your present situation, look for ways to use every opportunity to serve God and share Him with others. You problems may be opportunities in disguise.” I actually remember a time one summer when I was in college going to a summer long training with the Navigators’ college ministries. There was a guest speaker who said exactly these words to us. He was undergoing treatment for cancer, probably a fatal cancer. Instead of acting pitiful and hopeless, he was celebrating the opportunities to be joyful and would share his hope with everyone he came in contact with: doctors, nurses, radiologists, ministers, family, friends, other patients, etc.

One thing he said still rings true and sticks with me today: “Use every opportunity as a platform for the gospel.” I can do this by keeping the salvation hope alive in my thoughts. I know that death is not the end for me. I have promises of a life to come. So, I’m trying to use some medical issues I have going on right now as platforms for joy which, in turn, may impress upon someone that my life is different. Maybe they will ask why or maybe I will be able to share parts of my testimony (as Paul did on several occasions). Either way, I keep looking for opportunities to witness for Christ and I start each day off with that as my prayer.

God's Will: Acts 23-24

Basically I can sum up my thoughts this way: Having suffering, turmoil, dangers in our lives does not mean we are out of God’s will for our lives. This can be seen throughout Paul’s missionary trips and now his situation in Jerusalem and Caesarea.

Paul had been told by Jesus that he would be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. Specifically, in Acts 23:11 “the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage, for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome, also.” Yet, disaster after disaster came upon Paul. Some would say this was proof that Paul was not doing the will of God.

In many cultures around the world, people believe that if bad things happen to people, they must have sinned or taken a wrong turn somewhere; that God’s favor had been removed from them. Yet, Paul, in the midst of suffering arrest and imprisonment, had God come to him and stood by him, telling him that His plans for Paul were not yet complete. To me, this says, Paul was doing exactly as God wanted him to do. God told Paul to not be dismayed or depressed. He would continue to witness for Jesus’ cause and even end up in Rome, somehow, to witness to the rulers and kings residing there.

We should never assume we or anyone else is not doing God’s will when bad things happen in their lives. It’s possible, just like God promised Paul, that God intends these things to happen so we can be witnesses of Him to the people around us. He may even be using our struggles to show others of His love, grace, power, and mercy. Are we ready to take up that challenge and be prepared to be witnesses for Christ whatever our circumstances or situations?

I pray daily that God would show me where I need to take action for Him and speak for Him. Even in the midst of my various struggles with bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and managing my diabetes, God may want to use me to encourage other believers or to be His witness to those who don’t know Him. My latest struggle, an unidentified mass in my neck, may open doors for me to share with a variety of people. I pray God would give me opportunities to demonstrate the hope we can have in Him. I can practice serenity in the midst of the concerns, because I know Who is ultimately in control. I pray I will see the opportunities and take them to be a witness for Christ. God has me just where He wants me. I need to look expectantly for how He will use me in this situation.

Using Our Gifts, Acts 21:10-11

Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing all I can for God and for furthering His message of love and salvation. Scripture tells us that we all have received gifts of the Holy Spirit to be used for the building up of the body. We find a list of spiritual gifts and their overall purpose in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11:

⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

The purpose: for the common good. It is clear that not everyone is given the same gift. Each is given a gift that they may be part of the edification of the church. In Acts 21:10-11, we see one example of one man’s giftedness.

As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

I came to question whether or not I was using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me. Here’s a man, Agabus, exercising the gift of prophecy. Basically he proclaimed the truth already told to Paul, that he would suffer many trials in his work for Christ. This is not a new prediction in the sense that it’s something no one’s ever heard before. God gave this message to Agabus to prepare Paul for the specifics of what was to come. So, what is the definition of a modern day prophet? In looking at various sources the most simple, and I believe very accurate, description said, “I think in over-simplistic terms, you could say a prophet is a truth teller.” Agabus was certainly that.

Back to the question of whether or not I am using the gifts God gave me . . . through various people and various gifts of the spirit inventories, I’ve been called a modern day prophet. My first impulse is to run and hide. Telling the truth to people who don’t necessarily want to hear it can be a rough job. However, another way to look at it, is that I’m just repeating the truth of Scripture as the Holy Spirit leads. I don’t usually know when I’m doing it. I just share from what God’s been showing me, and somehow it ends up being the truth someone in the “audience” needed to hear. So, in a way, as was pointed out to me by a friend, I am using that gift through this blog and through the notes I send to people via snail mail and technology. So, running and hiding is not really an option the Holy Spirit has given me.

I may also have other gifts (we all usually have at least a couple), but this one scares me the most. It’s a big responsibility to regularly/always tell the truth. Fortunately for me, I have a truth-guide. I have the Word of God. If I’m just saying what the Word says, I’m assured of telling the truth. I have to be careful to accurately handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and I need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance as what to share. Like I said, I often don’t even know when I’m doing it. That’s all the work of the Holy Spirit. I don’t set out to preach specific messages to specific people. I let God make all those arrangements.

What are your spiritual gifts and are you open to using them for God’s glory and for the building up of the church? Just something to think about.

Sharing Truth: Acts 19:35-40

We can learn several things from the town clerk’s message as he tried to quiet the mob in Ephesus, which were inciting violence against the Christians, especially against Paul. The clerk, once he quieted the rioters, made 6 main points about the accusations against the Christians. Basically he said that the assembled citizens of Ephesus were creating a riot over nothing and that the rioters were in danger of breaking the Roman laws.

I want to specifically look at one of the things the clerk said because it tells us about Paul and the other Christians in Ephesus. Acts 19:37 records one part of the clerk’s message: “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess . . .” The point the clerk was trying to make was point number four: “The persons accused were not guilty of breaking the civil laws.” What does this tell us about Paul and the other disciples who were preaching the Messiah message throughout Ephesus?

It tells us that Paul did not go about offending the inhabitants of Ephesus by forcibly destroying their goddess’s temple (Ephesus was the main place where the worship of Artemis was strongest) or ridiculing the people for their beliefs. What Paul and the others preached was the truth about Jesus Christ. And the truth was changing the people’s hearts. It wasn’t by force that the exorcists and evil-doers repented of their sins (see Acts 19:17-20 where it says that the “word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.”) It was the message, the truth, and the God-ordained miracles Paul was espousing. No one was forcing them or directly confronting their goddesses and gods. They were just reasoning and speaking the truth to the people and those people responded favorably to the message.

(One statement made by Paul may have been directly aimed at the concept of multiple gods and goddesses. In verse 26, one of the rabble-rousers gave an example of Paul’s examples to the people: “. . . this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying, ‘that gods made with hands are no gods at all . . .” So Paul was questioning the reality of man-made gods, but he didn’t directly attack Artemis.)

This passage impressed upon me the idea that we need not be destructive or confrontational with unbelievers as we try to reason with them and show them the truth. We do not have to become aggressive and harsh. We do not need to ridicule sinners to get them to see the error of their ways. We can speak boldly with love and compassion. And, most importantly, we can speak the truth of Jesus’ death on the cross, His resurrection, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. None of those key truths attack anyone else. It’s just the sharing of the truth. It’s up to God’s Holy Spirit to convict and change people’s hearts.

The Examples of Apollos: Acts 18:23-28

There are two principles in the story of Apollos found in Acts 18. First a little background on Apollos. Acts tells us about him (verse 24 – 25):

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, and Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John . . .

Apollos was essentially speaking and teaching the characteristics of the Christ as told in the Old Testament. He knew what the Christ would be like from the Scriptures and was preaching that the Messiah was coming. Basically, he knew three things from listening to the teachings of John, the Baptist. He had learned John’s message well, but that was as far as his knowledge went. From John he had learned: 1. Forgiveness of sins on the basis of repentance, 2. Expression of repentance by baptism, and 3. One was coming who would complete their salvation. That was fine and good as far as it went.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching in Ephesus, they were impressed, but also knew his message was incomplete. So, in following the tradition, and obeying a principle we’ve seen throughout Acts, “they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Verse 26). They met him where he was in his knowledge and shared with him all about Jesus. They filled him in on the happenings since John.

They did this by sharing the key elements found in the messages of Peter and Paul throughout the book of Acts. The keys to the gospel message. They shared about what was missing from his preaching and teaching. These elements should be familiar to us all because they were, and continue to be, the keys to a complete gospel message. Priscilla and Aquila, in private, explained to Apollos, 1. The Cross (Jesus’ death), 2. The Resurrection, and 3. The Holy Spirit’s Baptism.

The result was that Apollos went to Achaia (Corinth) with the blessings and letters of introduction to the Corinthian church, and “helped greatly those who had believed through grace; for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ” (Verses 27 – 28). The building up of the church in Corinth was accomplished through many, none-the-less of whom, was Apollos with a now complete message of salvation to bring to the people.

So the two principles? First, when sharing with other, we need to meet people where they are in their understanding of the gospel and the truth. Priscilla and Aquila did this by taking Apollos aside, in private, and giving him the rest of the story. And second, making sure the gospel message includes the death and resurrection of Jesus, because in doing that, we are proving that the Messiah of the Old Testament and Jesus are the same person.

What is Our Role in Spread of the Gospel? Acts 17

The question came to me while having my Quiet Time this morning. The reading was from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 with verse 8 saying, “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you [Thessalonians], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.” Paul had written to the Thessalonians, where he had established a church and where Timothy and Silas had stayed on to help the fledgling church mature, this letter of encouragement for them to keep doing what they had been doing. The account of Paul’s time with the Thessalonians is in Acts 17 (along with the accounts of his time in Berea and Athens).

In Thessalonica, Berea and Athens, Paul preached the gospel (starting in the synagogues) and got varying results. In Thessalonica there were many who came to Christ, but there was also a great amount of persecution from the non-believing Jews of the city. However, there were many believers as the result of Paul’s preaching. Paul continued his missionary journey, leaving Thessalonica before the mob could accost him and drag him before the judges of the city, and went to Berea. Paul again preached in Berea, starting in the synagogue. Acts 17:11-12 tells us what happened there:

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.

Paul, due to the agitation and instigation of the Jews from Thessalonica, who had pursued Paul to Berea, left Berea and went to Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea (vs. 14) and continued teaching and preaching, but Paul’s message went on to another city, Athens.

In Athens, Paul preached in marketplaces and eventually, in front of the philosophers and scholars of Athens. The Athenians were much more reluctant to believe, and this probably discouraged Paul. Yet, he kept preaching and trying to spread the word of the Lord.

This brings us to the title question. What is our role in the spread of the gospel? Our role is to keep preaching no matter where God leads us. There may be tremendous success with many converts or there may be dismal effect with few coming to Christ. Either way, just like Paul, we are to spread the gospel message as best as we can. One commentator, Michael Fronczak, wrote: “Even if only a few believe, it’s worth the effort.” That seems to be the principle that Paul lived by.

We also, need to be sharing the gospel to those around us, whether there is good fruit or no fruit. The results of our sharing are in God’s hands. We do not save people; God does through the workings of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. Our job is to present the truth to others and give them hope for a better life and an eternity with the comfort of God. So, let’s share some aspect of Christ today with someone else. Whether it’s a smile at the grocery store showing kindness, or a full-fledged gospel presentation, the Holy Spirit can use us to proclaim the gospel to our world.

Enthusiasm For Gospel: Acts 14

Paul is still on his first missionary trip with Barnabas. They’ve just left Pisidian Antioch and continued their journey to Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. In each of those places there became division among the people – some stirred up by unbelieving Jews (from Antioch). Some division came about because the people in Lystra and Derbe were thoroughly pagan and worshipped idols (Zeus, Hermes, etc.), but even those were stirred up by the zealous, unbelieving Jews from other places.

In Acts 14:4-7 we get a description of what had happened in Iconium: “But the multitude of the city was divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone thme, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to preach the gospel.” There are two groups who are zealous and passionate about their tasks.

First, the Jews from Antioch followed Paul and Barnabas, and with zeal continued to stir up leaders and Jews and Gentiles against the preaching of the apostles (Paul and Barnabas in the sense that they had been “sent out”). They traveled long distances on foot to oppose the gospel. They went to extremes to do so – even to the point of stoning them. They did not settle for the apostles leaving their town; they pursued them at great lengths and tried to refute their message wherever they went. That’s having a passion for the work they were doing, although a misguided work.

We also see the zeal and passion in the work of Paul and Barnabas. They continued to preach the Word of God in the midst of persecution, controversy, and death threats and plans. Even as they fled one town to go to another, they “continued to preach the gospel.” (verse 7). Then, when done in Derbe (after a several months of time there preaching and establishing a church), they returned to the towns where they had been driven out. They boldly met with the believers appointing elders and teaching the disciples. They were not deterred by fear, but knew that as long as they continued to do God’s will, they would be protected by God. They would probably have been protected by God if they had chosen to return to their starting point via an easier and shorter way, but God was leading them back to the disciples that existed in the towns they had already visited. This was in order to do follow up.

So my question for myself is, “Am I zealous and passionate enough about my ministry?” I need to be at least as zealous as those who wanted to shut Paul and Barnabas up. I fall far short of that standard. I think many Christians in our world today take it for granted that someone else will carry the message; you know, those whose job is full time ministry. Isn’t that why we have pastors, missionaries, itinerant preachers? But the example for us is to be witnesses, zealous and passionate witnesses, wherever we are and whatever we are doing. I’m going to work on being more passionate about sharing Christ this week. What about you?

A Principle Found in Acts 13/16-41

There’s a pattern to the apostles’ preaching. We saw it once in Acts 10:34-43 as Peter spoke with Cornelius and his family and friends. And we see it again as Paul and Barnabas preaches to the people in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. It’s a pattern we can (maybe even should) follow today when sharing the gospel with others.

Both Peter’s and Paul’s/Barnabas’ message start by addressing where the people are at in their spiritual life. They addressed what the listeners already knew and related those things to the gospel (Good News) message. In Cornelius’ situation Peter started with all the happenings in Jerusalem – Jesus’ witness, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the persecution of the disciples, etc. Cornelius, as a God-fearer, would have been interested in hearing about this things. So Peter started with the known interests of those particular people. In the same way, Paul and Barnabas started with what the people in the synagogue in Antioch would already know about. For these Jews and God-fearers, Paul and Barnabas went through the history of Israel highlighting places where God had told Israel to share the message (and the Scriptures) with all nations. The people knew the Scriptures and had a basic understanding of history of Israel. Paul met them where they were at in their spiritual lives.

We, too, must get to know the people with whom we would like to share Christ. We need to know where their interests are, what they know about the Scriptures and Christ (if anything), and what their general beliefs about spirituality and religion are. We need to know these things so we can meet them where they are and begin our message someplace that will be meaningful to the listener(s). This often takes some time, but is well worth it to share a message that will be meaningful to someone who does not (yet) know Christ.

Next, Peter, and Paul and Barnabas, presented a clear picture of Christ; what He had said, what He had done, and what His message was all about. Both used Scriptures or histories that portrayed Jesus as the promised one from of old. They mentioned His life and many of His acts while on the earth. They shared why they follow Him. They shared how Jesus fits into the bigger picture. They acquainted the people with the character of Jesus and with how He met all the conditions set forth in the Old Testament for the Messiah. They gave as clear of a description of Jesus as they possibly could.

Then, finally, to cap off their sermons, they described and explained and gave witness to the resurrection of Christ. This was a key point in the gospel presentation. Without the resurrection, there would be no point to a Messiah. Without the resurrection, there is no salvation. It’s in the resurrection that the hope of eternal life can be found. We need to make sure we also share about the resurrection. It’s not just a passing thought. It’s central to what Jesus Christ has done for us – He’s conquered sin and the death that comes to mankind. That happens because the resurrection happened. We must not leave it out of our sharing. That’s where our hope is founded; the hope of eternal life.

So, to summarize, our gospel messages need to start with where our listeners are at, share Christ clearly and fully, and include the resurrection as it is the starting point of our hope.

Be Intentional: Acts 13:1-`5

We start to be observers of Paul’s ministry for the remainder of Acts. Paul starts with the Jews in the various cities he travels to, and when the established Jewish leaders reject the message about the Messiah, he shares with the Gentiles in those areas. A couple of things stand out to me as I review this beginning of the missionary journeys.

It appears as though Paul, along with Barnabas, had a strategy for their first missionary trip. They started in Antioch, traveled to Cypress by ship, walked across Cypress, sailed to Asia Minor and continued to move from familiar territory (Barnabas was from Cypress) to the unfamiliar territory in the Roman Empire. They were intentionally picking places to go share the message of Christ. They also made their first stops at the local synagogues in each town. I’m struck by their intentionality and planning. Why? Because I don’t really have any plans or strategies for sharing about Christ in my world. I need to be more intentional. This means thinking about where I have a witness and planning how I will present the message per each situation that I find myself in on a regular basis.

The second concept that struck me was based on Paul and Barnabas’ example once they are in Galatia (still in Asia Minor). They went to the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch “and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.” (13:14) We don’t know how many Sabbaths they had done this for or what made them stand out among the worshippers. But something caused the leader of the synagogue to approach them and say, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” (13:16) Paul and Barnabas were actually invited to speak to the worshippers (and, of course, they took advantage of the opportunity). What made them appear worthy of such an honor to the synagogue officials? Was it the way they listened on other Sabbaths? Was it the way they dressed (appearing as a rabbi and/or Pharisee)? Was it something they said in passing? Something opened the way for them to share (of course, it could be God’s intervention, too).

So I ask myself, “What do I look like, sound like, act like that would grant me an audience of listeners?” I don’t really know the answer to those questions, but it causes me to think about my life and if I should be doing something different. Possibly I’m already doing what God wants me to. I try to share Christ/God to those in my sphere of influence either with my blog articles or with those in Alcoholics Anonymous that I come in contact with. But, should I (and you) be doing something else, too? Just something to be thinking about.

Both of these applications require intentionality on my part. I need to put more effort into being intentional for God’s sake. That’s a purpose worthy of my attention.

Being Available to God: Acts 9:10

So we already know that Saul/Paul was a zealot in regards to the Torah (Old Testament). However, he was caught up in believing the various commentaries by Rabbis of the past. He knew the Scriptures, but he couldn’t see how they related to Jesus the Messiah. He thought that the very idea that Jesus could be the Messiah was going against the Scriptures.

Then Saul met Jesus while he was on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus. This encounter profoundly affected Saul’s ideas about what was right and wrong about Jesus and the Scriptures. He was blinded and heard Jesus’ voice telling him what to do. After three days had passed, with Saul still blind, God sent a man to Saul to further explain the way of the gospel of Christ.

This man was Ananias. Ananias was described in Acts 22;12 as “a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there [Damascus].” Ananias was also a devout zealot of the Torah. Ananias was a man to whom Saul could relate. Ananias had the “credentials” required for ministering to Saul in a way that Saul would appreciate and be willing to listen.

I don’t think every believer needs to have “credentials” i.e. college education, years of Bible education, to witness to another person, even one “above” them in stature, but I do think we need to be sensitive to the preparedness of their hearts and minds. Saul was prepared to listen to Ananias because he had been praying and hoping for some instruction. God provided a learned man to give Saul the instruction he needed to become a full-fledged follower of Jesus Christ.

There are a couple of lessons for me in this passage. First, would I be identified as someone who is “devout by the standard of the Law? And would I be characterized as being well spoken of by those to whom I was trying to witness? Second, am I prepared and listening to God to be of service to Him, and open to sharing the gospel message with whomever God places in my life? It doesn’t matter what my schooling, or my status in life: am I willing to share Christ as I go about my daily life? All these questions need some pondering and praying about. And I need to open my heart and spirit up to God’s directions in my life and be willing to serve Him however He directs.

Meet People Where They Are

Continuing my study in Acts 8 I was reminded of a principle that was taught to me early in my Christian life. We need to develop relationships with people in order to know where they are in their spiritual quest. Some may appear to be ignoring the spiritual part of their being, but even that tells us something about where they are at.

In Acts 8, Philip (the evangelist) is sent to a desert road where he meets up with an Ethiopian eunuch (a leader in his society). The Ethiopian was reading from the Scriptures in the passage we now label as Isaiah 53. This passage talks about a suffering servant whose life was removed from the earth. Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood the passage he was reading and the eunuch said how could he if there was no one to guide him.

Acts 8:34-35 tells us how Philip responded to the Ethiopian. “And the eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?’ And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.” Philip started with the questions the Ethiopian had. This is Philip meeting the person with where they are in their understanding of Scripture and God.

That’s what the women who shared with me in college about the good news of Christ started with. They had spent some time getting to know me, and figuring out where I was spiritually. I didn’t give them much to go with, but eventually, one of the women were able to speak to me in private and discovered all my doubts about the ability to be clean before God. She started from there and shared the gospel message from the Word of God, showing me from the Word, that Jesus was the only way to measure up to God’s expectations for us. Due to her meeting me where I was, she was able to present the gospel in a way that made sense to me . . . and I responded to the Word and came to believe.

I need to be that kind of person also . . . one who gets to know people, build relationships with them and, because of the knowledge of them and the leading of the Holy Spirit, share with them about Christ in a way that meets their needs. I also need to start and end with Scripture because God’s Word has all the answers to life’s questions. I, too, like Philip, need to meet people where they are.