Use Love To Guide Your Words...Not Sarcasm Or Anger

Acts 26:24-28 -  Suddenly Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Your long studying has broken your mind!” But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. I speak words of sober truth.  And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak frankly for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? But I know you do—” Agrippa interrupted him. “With trivial proofs like these, you expect me to become a Christian?”

 

Paul had finally gotten an audience in Rome.  The King…Agrippa….called for him and allowed him to defend himself against the charges of the Jewish Leaders.  Paul spent as much time as they would allow describing his Jewish education and upbringing…claiming the promise of God to rise someday from the dead to Heaven…confessing his past sin and persecution of the Christians…testifying how God had radically met him personally on the Damascus road and changed his whole outlook on Christianity….and how God had called him to preach to all people about the truth of his love.

 

Festus used his usual crass nature to call Paul insane…and then King Agrippa joined in with some sarcasm of his own. Their sarcasm and hurtful statements only intensified Paul’s need to present the gospel to them. He did not back down…he did not return their disbelief …he used his last words to testify that nothing was trivial or insane about His God.

 

It is a reminder to me to never let myself be tricked into defending my faith with sarcasm… bitterness or anger. When people around me are beginning to reject the only hope they have in this world of life…my response should be  a quite calm…a peace that allows God to speak the one word through me that might be the convincing point for one more believer...or the ability to quietly walk away knowing I have done my part to present the truth.

 

Over and over in Acts I read that God allows free choice. Once I accept the challenge of sharing the gospel with others…I can accept His love and become a passionate worker for the kingdom like Paul…reject the truth flat out and go the opposite direction….or become like the leaders of that day and use religion for personal entertainment and ill gain.

 

I admit that as a believer I have done all three. Reading the Bible and daily prayer are beginning to help me stop making any other choice but being passionate like Paul.  I will also admit that it is easier to be passionate when you can present your thoughts in the form of a blog. There is not much interaction…I haven’t encountered much disagreement in the 5 years I have been blogging.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that I am called to present your gospel…not to make choices for the ones that hear it. Forgive me for the times that I have let myself be tricked into arguing or allowing anger to stop me from speaking the truth. Help me to be more like Paul…and let my heart be so completely consumed by you that my prayer for others is just like Paul’s in verse 29…. And Paul replied, “Would to God that whether my arguments are trivial or strong, both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”  Amen.

Our Problems May Be Opportunities In Disquise

Acts 25:10-13 -  But Paul replied, “No! I demand my privilege of a hearing before the emperor himself. You know very well I am not guilty. If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die! But if I am innocent, neither you nor anyone else has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar.” Festus conferred with his advisors and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you shall go!”

 

Paul was called before the new Governor Festus…and given another opportunity to speak. Fetus wanted to please the Jews and had no problem letting Paul be released to go to Jerusalem…even though he knew that meant sure death for Paul.   But Paul clung to life by stating his Roman right to a trial in Caesar’s court at Rome.

 

Paul also knew that a trip to Jerusalem meant death for him…no doubt an ambush on the way…so the leaders would be rid of him for good. He saw the trip to Rome as one more opportunity to share the gospel of Christ. Even as a prisoner he would have an audience. Paul wasn’t focus on himself…and somehow getting out of jail….Paul was focus on how to she=ae the gospel with as many people as he could before God called him to his final home in Heaven.

 

What a great reminder that our problems seem to fade when we keep our focus on God’s will for our life.  Paul knew that God had called him to preach.  It did not matter where…he let God decide that for him. He did not see Caesar as a last resort to freedom…but a new opportunity to witness in Rome.

 

I admit that sure have a lot of growing in Christ to be as mature as Paul. And maybe it is a stretch to think that your next doctor’s visit for something serious could be a way for you to witness to a non-believer.  Perhaps it is a radical thought to believe that the troubles you are experiencing are a way for God to reveal you to someone that needs to learn about His love. Maybe some of our problems are opportunities to witness in disguise.

 

Father...thank you for the reminder that all things happen for the good of those that love the Lord. Forgive me for making life more about me so many times…and failing to see the opportunities that God made be giving someone else to hear about Him.  Help me to have the spirit and resolve of Paul…that even in prison or horrible circumstances…I can see the situation as an opportunity to share your love.  Amen.

It's A Personal Choice

Acts 24:24-25 - A few days later Felix came with Drusilla, his legal wife, a Jewess. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified. “Go away for now,” he replied, “and when I have a more convenient time, I’ll call for you again.”

 

Felix…the Roman Governor at the time…. had put Paul back in Prison until the garrison commander could help paint a clearer picture of what had happened to make the Jews so angry. He visited one day with his wife…and Paul shared the gospel with him. Paul must have hit quite the nerve…so to speak….for Felix was not only terrified…but left saying he would call for him later.

 

Two years went by …and not one call from this Governor was made to hear more about the gospel…to ask Paul about salvation…or baptism.  He left that day knowing full well that he had no intentions of asking God to be a part of his life.  He left Paul in jail for 2 more years so he did not have to hear or deal with his convictions.

 

This story reminds me that we all have two choices when it comes to the gospel. We can let its conviction wash over our souls and lead us to repentance…or we can block its truth from our souls and run away from it. We can let the power of God convict and wash away the sin that causes us concern….or we can justify what are doing and continue to let it destroy our lives.

 

One other thought. We are not responsible for the choices others make…we are only responsible for delivering the truth of it. Paul did his part…he presented the gospel to this man. He accepted that he had given him the truth and then left the choice up to Felix. Felix was the only one who had the power to let the principles and doctrine of God transform his life into his own dynamic walk with Christ.

 

We live in a world overrun with Felix type personalities these days. We are called to lovingly explain the doctrine of salvation then let go as Paul did…letting them make their own choice to follow God or continue to live in the world. We are not to berate them…or hate them for their choice…we are to pray for them. Jesus told us in Matthew 19:26…when his disciples were confused about the rich young ruler who had made a choice much like Felix…. “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you love all of us so much that you gave your son to give us the gift of salvation….and to accept it is a personal choice. Forgive me for the times that I have tried to force my beliefs and views on others.  Help me instead learn to be like Paul…to share the truth in love and then sit back and pray for you to move in the lost souls’ spirit. Amen.

Do Others See Jesus In You?

Acts 23:2-5 - ²Instantly Ananias the High Priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.  Paul said to him, “God shall slap you, you whitewashed pigpen.  What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”  Those standing near Paul said to him, “Is that the way to talk to God’s High Priest?”   “I didn’t realize he was the High Priest, brothers,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘Never speak evil of any of your rulers.’”

 

Paul had been brought before the Jewish council and given chance to defend himself.  His first few words brought commands to slap him right on the mouth from the High Priest.  Since Paul did not recognize who he was… he rebuked him with some strong words of his own…then quoted scripture for why he wouldn’t have done that if he had known.

 

It reminded me quickly how important it is to let my talk match my walk….so that no one ever mistakes me for a non-believer. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:27… ^“ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”  And is James 2:26 sums up this great chapter on the need to fuel our faith with actions…. “ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

 

One other thought…today’s definition of Christian is more than a bit twisted by those who choose not to believe. They have put us all in judgmental boxes…telling us that if we stand up for what the Bible says we are judging others. Many Christians choose to be politically correct…and let the world dictate more of what they believe than the Bible. Paul certainly was not one of these fence riding Christians…he said what he believed then acted on it…letting everyone around him know that his orders came from God…even if it meant jail or death.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that I need to be so loving…so kind…so giving…and yet so strict to follow just your word.  Forgive me for the times that I have let the world water my faith down…and others have not seen you mirrored in what I do and say. Help me to be strong like Paul….and always use your Bible as my guide for what is best in all situations.  Amen.

See The Positive

Acts 22:1-3 - “Brothers and fathers, listen to me as I offer my defense.”  (When they heard him speaking in Hebrew, the silence was even greater.)  “I am a Jew,” he said, “born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, but educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel, at whose feet I learned to follow our Jewish laws and customs very carefully. I became very anxious to honor God in everything I did, just as you have tried to do today.

 

Paul had been arrested ….his preaching had caused a great stir with the Jews once again…and the scene that resulted caused even the Roman soldiers to be concerned. He pleaded with the soldiers in Greek for one more chance to give a defense…then spoke to the Jews who had mobbed him in Hebrew.  He summarized his education….spoke of his own sins from the past…gave a statement of loyalty to God… then detailed his conversion experience in Damascus. He made sure to emphasize just how much God had changed his life.

 

Paul tried to find the only common ground he knew they shared in order for his words to be more effective. He gave credibility to his reason for speaking…in hopes that mere respect would open their hearts a bit wider to hear the truth of God.  He used the fact that they shared the misunderstanding of  the faith of a new believer…and tried to persecute and even kill Christians.

 

Paul’s speech was not received well...but that does not mean that God did not use it to glorify himself and witness to all that heard it. Paul planted seeds that day in three groups of people because of what happened.  The angry mob heard the truth…whether they believed it or not… the soldiers stopped to listen because he spoke in Greek…and the leaders and Chief Priest heard one more time that the Messiah had indeed come…and had died for all people…not just the Jews.

 

What a great reminder that God uses us even when we feel we are not. What we think of as a mistake…is really God welding his plan to be something greater than we could ever imagine.  It’s my baby boys birthday today.  He still teases me that I called his appearance 23 years ago an accident.  But as I have grown older…and seen the blessing he has been to my life…I sure don’t see him as an accident anymore. God knew that I needed one more child…headstrong but loving…bold and not afraid to take risks. He has become a blessing…not an accident for sure.

 

Father...thank you for the reminder that you do not make accidents….and even when we make bad choices you can use them for good.  Forgive me for the times that I have seen the glass half empty instead of the glass half full.  Plant in my heart a passion to be positive in all my thinking…and see and embrace the possibilities instead of stir up fear from the negatives involved. Amen.

God Is With Me All The Time

Acts 21:12-14 -   And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.   Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?  for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.    And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.  

 

Paul had been following the leading of the Holy Spirit and traveling as quickly as he could to Jerusalem. As he traveled toward the city…not just once…but twice prophecy is recorded that it was dangerous for him to go. One man said he would be bound….and jailed…. when he got there. His closest friends were upset…and begged him not to go…but Paul returned their pleading with these strong words of decision for Christ.

 

Paul was so single minded…so driven by just God…that he was ready not just to be bound and jailed again….he was ready to die for Christ if need be. Paul’s words were so effective that he convinced his friends to let him go with no more fuss. They used the very words of Christ when he prayed in the garden just before his crucifixion…God’s will be done.

 

I admit that I have a long way to go before I could match Paul’s resolve to die for Christ.  I needed the reminder that I need to pray for God’s will in all situations to be done…no matter what trouble or heartache it may bring to my heart personally.  I need to pray for Paul’s resolve to do God’s will…the courage to do it…and the peace that passes all understanding to accept it as a part of God’s master plan. As the old song Through The Fire says….God never promised that the cross would not get heavy…and the hill would not be hard to climb…but he did offer to hold our hand the entire time.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are with me all the time. Forgive me for the times that I have stopped looking to you for my strength …and allowed the world to tell me it was time to give up.  Give me a new resolve to follow your will for my life…no matter what…and pair that new resolve with the courage and strength to listen to only you tell me what to do.   Amen.

God Is My BFF Forever

Acts 20:24 - But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

Paul had stopped quickly in Ephesus to say goodbye to his dear friends …sisters and brothers in the faith. He was compelled by the Holy Spirit to be in Jerusalem for the Pentecost celebration…but counted these believers among his closest friends. He must have felt some urgency from the Spirit s well for the end of his earthly life….for he told these believers that he would not ever see them again.

 

In the middle of his speech to them…he tucked in this bold statement of his single mindedness. Paul knew that nothing else mattered if Christ were not at the center of his life. Paul knew that his contentment came from obedience of the ministry task God had given him to do. Paul felt a deep joy because he counted Christ his BBF forever.

 

What a great reminder that I should seek to be as single-minded as he. My faith will only be as strong and bold as Paul’s when I open up my heart fully to the Holy Spirit…listen carefully to its direction…and let it lead me to the deepest waters …where my Spirit is fed so completely that I am able to discern the tasks God has called me to complete here on earth. I love Hillsong’s …Oceans…Where Feet May Fall. It helps put Pauls’ words here in complete perspective.

 

Back in the Old Testament there is an account of a vision Ezekiel had.  He kept wading into the river at deeper and deeper levels. It eventually got so deep that he could not cross.  That is the way our faith develops…bit by bit we are called to deeper waters…till we have to trust God completely so we can swim. My problem is that I keep turning back…too scared to go into the deepest of waters. I have been up to my neck a few times…but it took too much work…and my flesh convinced me to stop...planting seeds of doubt and discouragement.  I needed a dose of Paul’s great encouragement…to keep on even when it is hard…to keep wading and get in the deepest waters where God will show me how easy it is for me to rise above the water and walk on it like Peter.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder this morning that my faith has too many borders.  Forgive me for the times that I have turned back from the full commitment that Paul modeled for me.  Help me to pray for God to enlarge my territory like Jabez…deepen my faith like Ezekiel …and walk on the toughest of waters like Peter. Amen.