“Other people tell us”
After Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited Thesslonika they traveled south to Corinth. Apparently many from Thessalonika had preceded them, because the city was abuzz with the news of new Thessalonikan followers of Christ.
What do others say about your life and about your faith in Jesus Christ? Do others know what you believe and where your hopes allegiance lie? We certainly don’t want to bludgeon people with our version of the Gospel, but sharing the Gospel must be more than deeds. Although our desire should be that something about our lives should be irresistible because God is irresistible, people also need to hear words within the context of genuine friendship.
What part of my interaction with others outside the faith speaks of my love of God and my hope that others can come to know and love Him too?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
October 6, 2009
Winston Churchill, when speaking to a school at an ominous time in the early 1940’s, when London was being bombed by the Nazi Luftwaffe (airforce) and things were looking bleak, he simply said, "Never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up."
Never give up! Don’t quit. Keep on keeping on with your hourly times of focus on God, this Scripture reflection, journaling, anything you can do to be in the presence of God, let him guide and fill you and do your best to align your actions with Christ’s intention.
Don’t quit. “press on to hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of you”. Can you think of a more wonderful combination of encouragement, call to action, and security and hope, “he has taken hold of you”. He won’t let go. Go all out for Him and the purpose for which he has taken hold of you.
Never give up! Don’t quit. Keep on keeping on with your hourly times of focus on God, this Scripture reflection, journaling, anything you can do to be in the presence of God, let him guide and fill you and do your best to align your actions with Christ’s intention.
Don’t quit. “press on to hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of you”. Can you think of a more wonderful combination of encouragement, call to action, and security and hope, “he has taken hold of you”. He won’t let go. Go all out for Him and the purpose for which he has taken hold of you.
Monday, October 5, 2009
October 5, 2009
I cannot think of a better passage to read than this one about the essence of the Christian life. Paul had met God. But he wouldn’t boast about it. He wouldn’t talk about the details. He never said, “look what I’ve got and you need to have the same experience that I did”.
Instead he would only boast of his weaknesses. He spoke of weaknesses actually given to him by God to keep him humble! Can you thank God for that which keeps you humble?
God has graciously given me this ability. Yes I still whine at times, but gratitude always wins me over sooner or later. And that ability is a gift from God. I am grateful for everthing that God has allowed in my life, because God never wastes a hurt or even a sin.
Notice this unbelievable verse:
"The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of; but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated is itself a light." Ephesians 5:12-14 (NJB)
“anything illuminated is itself a light” another translation says “anything illuminated (even sin) turns into light”
Wow.
Here it is again. Each time (God) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Instead he would only boast of his weaknesses. He spoke of weaknesses actually given to him by God to keep him humble! Can you thank God for that which keeps you humble?
God has graciously given me this ability. Yes I still whine at times, but gratitude always wins me over sooner or later. And that ability is a gift from God. I am grateful for everthing that God has allowed in my life, because God never wastes a hurt or even a sin.
Notice this unbelievable verse:
"The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of; but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated is itself a light." Ephesians 5:12-14 (NJB)
“anything illuminated is itself a light” another translation says “anything illuminated (even sin) turns into light”
Wow.
Here it is again. Each time (God) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October 4, 2009
Take this opportunity to get to know your Bible. Here’s Luke’s account (Dr. Luke wrote Acts) of Paul’s experience in Philippi. You’ll notice that Paul’s brief comments to the Thessalonians were an understatement!
Paul and companions cross the Agean Sea from Asia (Turkey) to Europe . . . . . .
“From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family. 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." 36 The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." 37 But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left." Acts 16:11-40 (NIV)
Paul and companions cross the Agean Sea from Asia (Turkey) to Europe . . . . . .
“From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family. 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." 36 The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." 37 But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left." Acts 16:11-40 (NIV)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
October 3, 2009
“The Lord's message rang out”
“Rang Out”. Isn’t that an awesome phrase? The Lord’s message reverberated. I think of a rock concert where the band’s music pulsates. Attenders feel its power. They are physically moved and they begin to move to it’s beat. Something like that must have happened in Thessalonica when they received the word with power. And the power they felt, experienced, received “rang out” reverberated to countless others, so much so that when Paul got Corinth in Achaia (southern Greece which was another country at that time) people were already talking about God’s work in Thessalonica!
Wouldn’t you love for your life to be one of overflow, having experience receiving God’s word with power? Ask for this, just ask and don’t quit until God gives you what He wants to give you. Then receive and don’t keep it to yourself.
I like to skip stones and I imagine my poor but God filled life touching others like the stone hit’s the water and leaves ripples going out, so that it’s not just a touch but it has reverberating effect. And each touch of the stone to the water brings more of the reverberation of the power of the Holy Spirit.
I fall so short of this, but it’s what I imagine and it’s what I want. I imagine this happening when I see each of my family members at home, or each of those I encounter at church.
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the Christian life? Do you want this also? Ask, ask, keeping asking and never quit. God may delay, even a long time, but whoever knocks, the door is sooner or later opened.
“Rang Out”. Isn’t that an awesome phrase? The Lord’s message reverberated. I think of a rock concert where the band’s music pulsates. Attenders feel its power. They are physically moved and they begin to move to it’s beat. Something like that must have happened in Thessalonica when they received the word with power. And the power they felt, experienced, received “rang out” reverberated to countless others, so much so that when Paul got Corinth in Achaia (southern Greece which was another country at that time) people were already talking about God’s work in Thessalonica!
Wouldn’t you love for your life to be one of overflow, having experience receiving God’s word with power? Ask for this, just ask and don’t quit until God gives you what He wants to give you. Then receive and don’t keep it to yourself.
I like to skip stones and I imagine my poor but God filled life touching others like the stone hit’s the water and leaves ripples going out, so that it’s not just a touch but it has reverberating effect. And each touch of the stone to the water brings more of the reverberation of the power of the Holy Spirit.
I fall so short of this, but it’s what I imagine and it’s what I want. I imagine this happening when I see each of my family members at home, or each of those I encounter at church.
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the Christian life? Do you want this also? Ask, ask, keeping asking and never quit. God may delay, even a long time, but whoever knocks, the door is sooner or later opened.
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 2, 2009
It will always be true that Christians will suffer. Christ does not promise an escape from suffering, rather improbable help, peace and even moments of joy in the midst of it. Remember how Paul yearned, “I want to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings".
One of you recently wrote to me from a devotional by Charles Stanley, “Every morning when you and I wake up, we are at war. Many believers simply fail to take this reality seriously” When we speak about the battle between God and the forces of evil we are in the middle because Satan’s battleground is humanity, you and me. We live in the midst of a very real and very personal battle that we must fight. Often our defeats are simply a failure to recognize this truth.
Jesus faces the realities of this battle and therefore so also everyone in whom Christ lives.
This is why it is so critical that you remain in Christ, through the “60 60” experiment (one person does it with reminders from his GPS). Through this daily reflection, through daily Bible reading, and continual prayer. Jesus said his yoke is easy and gentle (Matt 11), but only when we are yoked and walking with him step by step, not when we are pulling the other way.
When we are in step, then moments of joy will arise, moments of serendipity will come, God will make ways where there is no way.
One of you recently wrote to me from a devotional by Charles Stanley, “Every morning when you and I wake up, we are at war. Many believers simply fail to take this reality seriously” When we speak about the battle between God and the forces of evil we are in the middle because Satan’s battleground is humanity, you and me. We live in the midst of a very real and very personal battle that we must fight. Often our defeats are simply a failure to recognize this truth.
Jesus faces the realities of this battle and therefore so also everyone in whom Christ lives.
This is why it is so critical that you remain in Christ, through the “60 60” experiment (one person does it with reminders from his GPS). Through this daily reflection, through daily Bible reading, and continual prayer. Jesus said his yoke is easy and gentle (Matt 11), but only when we are yoked and walking with him step by step, not when we are pulling the other way.
When we are in step, then moments of joy will arise, moments of serendipity will come, God will make ways where there is no way.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
October 1, 2009
The following is from a devotional entry by Oswald Chambers:
"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!
We are told that in order to have an amazing life we should go sky diving, travel the world, and experience all that we can. But the real secret to an extraordinary life is heeding the call of Christ and following Him wherever He leads. Sadly, many of us miss out on this life because we are almost persuaded, but ultimately we choose to do what we want to do.
When we put off the invitation of salvation through Christ Jesus, tell the Lord we'll start serving Him tomorrow, or ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting to live a more godly life, we are missing out on really living.
Let us not miss one more moment. When we hear God's calling in our life, let's dare to see what He has in store for those who choose to live life to its fullest with Him!
"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19
There was a very cautious man
Who never laughed or played;
He never risked, he never tried,
He never sang or prayed.
And when he one day passed away
His insurance was denied;
For since he never really lived,
They claimed he never died!
We are told that in order to have an amazing life we should go sky diving, travel the world, and experience all that we can. But the real secret to an extraordinary life is heeding the call of Christ and following Him wherever He leads. Sadly, many of us miss out on this life because we are almost persuaded, but ultimately we choose to do what we want to do.
When we put off the invitation of salvation through Christ Jesus, tell the Lord we'll start serving Him tomorrow, or ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting to live a more godly life, we are missing out on really living.
Let us not miss one more moment. When we hear God's calling in our life, let's dare to see what He has in store for those who choose to live life to its fullest with Him!
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