Acts 8:1-3
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's so easy to look back at Saul's life and be grateful for the way God used him, to speak lightly of the amazing conversion that took place in his life.
But imagine being in that time and place -- imagine being a Christian and thinking about what you might think of Saul. At best, you had an intense dislike of his presence, of his reputation. At worst, you hated him for who he was and what he threatened of the church. You were scared of him and you despised him. Imagine praying for this enemy of the church! Imagine hoping for the best -- it would be nearly impossible to imagine how God might use him for the betterment of the church. You would just be hoping the church survived his persecution!!
So it's interesting to think about placing ourselves in that mindset today when we think about our enemies, whether we think of personal enemies or enemies of the church. God isn't finished with them, no more than God is finished with us. God can use anyone for the proclamation of the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit can and will use all of us. Don't lock yourself into a mindset about anyone -- God can change people, including us. It may not seem obvious at the time, and it certainly isn't easy, but may we have the humility to pray for God to be at work in everyone, no matter how much or how little we may love them, that the work of the Holy Spirit may go boldly forward and continue to build Christ's church here on earth.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Acts 7:54-60
Acts 7:54-60
English Standard Version (ESV)
When the world around is thrashing in chaos, when the waves are crashing down, when the walls are closing in, when the skies have filled with thunderstorms, when it feels as though the very life within you is about to be snatched away, how do we react? Stephen, on the verge of death, calmly looks into the heavens, casting his eyes upon the one strong enough to save, trusting his heart to the one bigger than death. Stephen knows his confidence is not misplaced.
What's your reaction? Do we share this same cool confidence in Christ, the Lord of life? Are we certain that we have been plucked from the fate we deserve, to share in the eternal glory of God? Are we willing to let the storms rage, because we have nothing to fear in the power of God?
It's hard to capture this, but it gives us a peace that passes all understanding, a peace that comes only in Christ Jesus our Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When the world around is thrashing in chaos, when the waves are crashing down, when the walls are closing in, when the skies have filled with thunderstorms, when it feels as though the very life within you is about to be snatched away, how do we react? Stephen, on the verge of death, calmly looks into the heavens, casting his eyes upon the one strong enough to save, trusting his heart to the one bigger than death. Stephen knows his confidence is not misplaced.
What's your reaction? Do we share this same cool confidence in Christ, the Lord of life? Are we certain that we have been plucked from the fate we deserve, to share in the eternal glory of God? Are we willing to let the storms rage, because we have nothing to fear in the power of God?
It's hard to capture this, but it gives us a peace that passes all understanding, a peace that comes only in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Acts 7:44-53
Acts 7:44-53
English Standard Version (ESV)
There's an amazing passage in Romans 2:4 that tells us that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. God's aim is for us to be reconciled to him, so that our sins may be washed away and the relationship may be restored. This is God's goal.
God doesn't always use kindness, though. Sometimes, God has to confront people directly, and this is what is happening through the words of Stephen. God sent messenger after messenger to the people, but they ignored them all, so God sent Stephen to talk directly to the people, to be clear and brunt and upfront about how the people needed to change. They had enough warnings -- it was time for direct truth.
It's not that different than when kids are getting yelled at. They're surprised, but only because they've ignored the 53 different ways parents have tried to get them to change before they resorted to yelling. If they don't listen, they miss those.
In the same way, when we don't listen to God, the initial messages, the encouragements to change, don't get through. So let us be sure we set aside time to listen for what God has to say to us, that we might make the small changes before drastic changes are necessary.
English Standard Version (ESV)
There's an amazing passage in Romans 2:4 that tells us that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. God's aim is for us to be reconciled to him, so that our sins may be washed away and the relationship may be restored. This is God's goal.
God doesn't always use kindness, though. Sometimes, God has to confront people directly, and this is what is happening through the words of Stephen. God sent messenger after messenger to the people, but they ignored them all, so God sent Stephen to talk directly to the people, to be clear and brunt and upfront about how the people needed to change. They had enough warnings -- it was time for direct truth.
It's not that different than when kids are getting yelled at. They're surprised, but only because they've ignored the 53 different ways parents have tried to get them to change before they resorted to yelling. If they don't listen, they miss those.
In the same way, when we don't listen to God, the initial messages, the encouragements to change, don't get through. So let us be sure we set aside time to listen for what God has to say to us, that we might make the small changes before drastic changes are necessary.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Acts 7:35-43
Acts 7:35-43
English Standard Version (ESV)
If only I had seen the Red Sea part, then I wouldn't doubt God, right?
If only I had seen the manna from heaven come down every single day, then I wouldn't doubt!
If only I saw water come from a rock -- then I could be certain!
Certainty eludes us when it comes to matters of faith. We want to be sure, but it's impossible -- believing and trusting in God requires us to accept that there are things we cannot know. We tell ourselves that if we had seen certain Biblical miracles, then we wouldn't have such doubt, but the reality of the Israelites experience tells us that such memories fade, and perhaps we begin to doubt our memories. Maybe we wonder if there was another explanation, something that made more sense.
It's hard to have faith, but ultimately we are required to take a step of faith and trust in the God who we cannot wrap our minds around. God is bigger than we are, and yet he makes himself known to us through grace and love.
The key for us is to remember -- to remember what God has done, to remember what God has promised and that he always keeps his promises. Do not allow yourself to get so caught up in the stresses of this present moment that you forget about the long history of God's faithfulness and the eternal future we have with him. The challenges of a moment should not draw us into a place of doubt. Doubt can be a healthy thing, but needs to be balanced with the memories of God's faithful past and his assurances of things to come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
If only I had seen the Red Sea part, then I wouldn't doubt God, right?
If only I had seen the manna from heaven come down every single day, then I wouldn't doubt!
If only I saw water come from a rock -- then I could be certain!
Certainty eludes us when it comes to matters of faith. We want to be sure, but it's impossible -- believing and trusting in God requires us to accept that there are things we cannot know. We tell ourselves that if we had seen certain Biblical miracles, then we wouldn't have such doubt, but the reality of the Israelites experience tells us that such memories fade, and perhaps we begin to doubt our memories. Maybe we wonder if there was another explanation, something that made more sense.
It's hard to have faith, but ultimately we are required to take a step of faith and trust in the God who we cannot wrap our minds around. God is bigger than we are, and yet he makes himself known to us through grace and love.
The key for us is to remember -- to remember what God has done, to remember what God has promised and that he always keeps his promises. Do not allow yourself to get so caught up in the stresses of this present moment that you forget about the long history of God's faithfulness and the eternal future we have with him. The challenges of a moment should not draw us into a place of doubt. Doubt can be a healthy thing, but needs to be balanced with the memories of God's faithful past and his assurances of things to come.
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