PS 46

Listening to the news is the most stressful part of my day. Rarely do we received encouragement. There are trouble spots all over the world with terrible things happening to people. Did God create us to live in fear, to dread what will happen next, to take up arms against our neighbors? How much time to do you spend praying? How much time worrying?

Instead of worrying and fearing what is coming next, he simply wants us to pray and trust in him.
"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:10-11

Acts 25

Imagine this! You made some statements that made a group of people uncomfortable, threatened and angry. They got so riled up that they threatened to kill you. You knew that what you said was correct and that they had added things in their charge that you had not said. You asked to be brought to court to plead your case. They had no proof, but had a very good argument against you. You only had your word. What would your defense be?

This is exactly what happened to Paul while he was spreading the gospel in Jerasulem and was taken to Cessaria to be tried in the Roman court. The problem was that the charges were not against Roman law, but the Jews were like our current political lobbyists. People believed Paul's message was true and they had no defense against it. Seems that even in Paul's day, the voice of reason and truth could be drowned out by by the power of the dangling carrot.

In America we are guaranteed Religious freedom by our constitution, but in other countries missionaries frequently face serious trials. If this happened today and you were brought before a court because you were sharing the gospel message, how would you defend your innocence? Here is what Paul said to the Roman court:  "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.  If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!" (Acts 25:10-11)

ACTS 22

"Having received the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became quiet. Acts 21:40-22:2

How important is it to give a message in the language the other person understands? We loose a lot in a message when the other person does not really know what is being said. Unfortunately not many of us are proficient in other languages. Then we do the Charades dance to try to get them to understand or get an interpreter.

Paul was about to be stoned by an angry crowd. His life was at stake here. To be sure the crowd understood him clearly, he spoke in their familiar language. It saved his life. I think these two chapters leave us two important messages. First, when the Holy Spirit says NO, there is a reason. He was entering very dangerous territory. So when we get a warning, we need to pay close attention and be prepared. Secondly, we need to speak in a language that is understood. Listening to the Holy Spirit and understanding what is said can save our life.

ACTS 21

When was the last time you were told not to do something, but went ahead and did it anyway? What happened? My mother had an uncanny sense when I was thinking about doing something she would not approve of. She tried her best to dissuade me, but I had a mind of my own. She didn't want me to drive home from Waco, TX to Lawrenceville, Il for Christmas break because the weather predictions were for snow and ice. A friend's boy friend was driving with me and I thought he was a competent driver on bad roads. He had driven most of the way after we hit ice in Arkansas, but needed to rest so I took over. About 20 miles from home, a semi jackknifed causing me to go into a slide which was thankfully stopped by a guardrail. The car was totaled, but only bruises for us. The reason I had a car was because I was doing my Public Health rotation in South Dallas. I was again a walking student when I returned to school. Those nudges my mother got were from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit had been nudging Paul not to continue to Jerusalem. He was a stubborn man, seized with his calling to bring salvation to the gentiles. At several stops along the way other believers had warned him it was not safe to continue to Jerusalem. " Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' " When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:11-13

Tune in tomorrow to see what happens.

ACTS 20

Most visits to family and friends end with the hope of a next time. But what about those that don't. It might be because of a conflict that arises, or illness and death, distance and difficulty in getting together, or personal decision to maintain the distance. Whatever the reason, people can still stay in touch thru letters, phone calls, Facebook or other forms of communication. But it isn't the same as face to face. Often times, without such communication, the bond is not continued. Yet, in some cases it lasts a life time. It is remembered through a journal account or photos.

In this account in Acts, Paul was very sad. He knew he had made enemies as well as friends on his journeys that brought folks to the Lord. The enemies were strong and his appearance might stir up  riots or other means to destroy the building up of the churches he ministered to. So it was indeed a sad departing. But he kept up with them and communicated directly to them through his beautiful letters praising their work and admonishing them as needed. We can read his heartfelt letters in the New Testament. His advice is still relevant today. Many of us have kept special letters and cards from family and friends over the years. Parting does have special meaning and I love the fact that Paul prayed with his friends before leaving. He placed them and the future in God's hands.

"When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.  They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship" Acts 20:36-38

ACTS 19

What are those idols that interfere with our true worship of the Lord? What are some of those man made gods we worship? Is it a job, is it a hobby, is it an idea, is it person? We all have them. They aren't all bad by any means, but anything that takes our mind and time away from the Lord and our work for him can be an idol. Look at your life and decide what they are and get rid of them.

The Ephesians were developing a great worship center, but when it interfered with commerce, the businessmen sought to destroy it. Could this be happening today. Perhaps we are seeing it in subtle ways. What are some things that take away from worship on Sunday? Things like shopping or professional ball games? Think about this.

"Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty." Acts 19 25-27

Acts 18

Have you ever "come to your wits end?" You've tried and tried to convince someone of the truth and they just don't get it? They just refuse to see the light.

This happened to Paul when he went to Corinth where, while working as a tentmaker, he regularly went to the synagogue and tried to reason with the Jews, testifying that Jesus was the Messiah. "But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Acts 18:6

He remained with those who believed and were baptized. Then the Lord came to him in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, keep in speaking and do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you because I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9-10.

When we are willing to shake off whatever is holding us back and trust that God is in charge and be open to his plan, things happen. What do you need to shake off so God can do his thing through you?