Going Hungry for Nothing!
He has paid a full ransom for his people.
….He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
….What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Psalm 111:9 NLT
Acts 23:12-22 (<<click here to read the passage)
As I began reading these verses, I just had to shake my head. Verse 12 reads,
The next morning a group of Jew got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. NLT
Of course, I know what happens in Paul’s story, but the utter futility of these 40 men in thinking that they will be victorious. They don’t really know God or His ultimate plan at all, but even though they don’t know it, they are fighting against God. Oh, how soon we forget lessons learned!
We are almost to the end of Acts but very close to the beginning, when Peter and the other apostles, were arrested by the Sanhedrin for proclaiming the Gospel, a wise Pharisee [Gamaliel, Saul’s (Paul’s) mentor] stopped the council from killing them by saying,
“Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. …Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:35, 38b-39 NIV
These 40 oath-takers starved themselves for absolutely no reason! Their goal was stopped dead in its tracks, for they were fighting against God!
A few years back, I quoted a portion of an article regarding the sovereignty of God. It’s a big concept to grasp and the definition I found did a great job of helping us understand it. Well-known pastor and author, Chip Ingram, puts it this way, “…the way I like to explain God’s sovereignty best is simply to say, ‘God is in control.’ There is absolutely nothing that happens in the universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. As King of kings and Lord of lords, God has no limitations.” (from Christianity.com)
Paul himself, before he came into a saving relationship with Jesus, had learned that “kicking against the goads” achieved absolutely nothing! (Acts 26:14)
These 40 men, the Sanhedrin – all of them – were working so hard to have their way! But they were all doomed to fail! God. Is. Sovereign!
We have free will. We ultimately decide what we will do with our lives. We can go God’s way…or our way, but regardless, no amount of effort on our part can thwart God’s will. In this case, there is no power in numbers. Our stubbornness is exerted to no avail.
The plans of the wicked are easily sidestepped by God, as we will see as we continue our study in Acts 23.
Aug 2nd, 2022, Tues, 8:19 pm
Undercover
All [the Lord] does is just and good,
….and all his commandments are trustworthy.
They are forever true,
….to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. Psalm 111:7-8 NLT
Acts 23:1-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
Over the years I’ve watched my share of police dramas. A common plot line is for an officer to go undercover. This trained professional infiltrates the bad guys’ workings and provides information to undermine their activities, unbeknownst to the bad guys. Only those closest to them know their true identity. The bad guys only think they know.
Those who desire to follow God must be very careful to live lives that reflect our relationship with Him. Some struggle with living that life. Sometimes new believers have a hard time letting go of their old habits. God understands and will help them overcome their issues with time, patience, and love.
The bad thing is that some have no real relationship with God but are in it for what they can get out of it. They may have started innocently enough, but power, money, or some other thing lured them away from a true relationship with God, into something that fulfilled their needs.
In today’s passage, Paul is defending himself before the high council – the Sanhedrin, the High Court of the Jewish faith. It was composed of both Sadducees and Pharisees. (Paul of course had been trained in the ways of the Pharisees and before his face-to-face encounter with Jesus, had been held in the highest regard by them.)
His opening statement was, “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!” v1b
The words were no sooner past his lips when Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. v2
Paul quickly retorted, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?” v3 NLT
He didn’t realize it until someone near him told him that he was speaking to the high priest – the highest-ranking official of the high council. Paul was apologetic but what he had said was true!
Josephus, a respected first-century historian, described Ananias as profane, greedy, and hot-tempered. Paul’s outburst came as a result of the illegal command that Ananias had given. Ananias had violated Jewish law by assuming that Paul was guilty without a trial and ordering his punishment.*
The Law, which they all were duty bound to abide by (even high priests!), states in Deuteronomy 19:15,
“A single witness shall not appear in a trial against a man for any wrong or any sin which he has committed; [only] on the testimony or evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be confirmed. AMP
Ananias by historic record and by action had no true relationship with God. It was all about him. He was a child of the devil playing an undercover role of piety.
So where do we stand? It is of utmost importance that we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) and that even though we may fall in doing so, to never let that keep us down or allow us to slip back into old mindsets because it’s easier. Don’t play undercover!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Aug 1st, 2022, Mon, 9:10 pm
Dogfighting Hummers
The shadows are lengthening as the day is coming to a close. Father, fill my heart with the words You have for me this day. Amen.
********
As I’ve mentioned before, we have a hummingbird feeder hanging in front of the bay window in our dining room. We see lots of hummingbirds. I believe that we are on the third batch of sugar water this year, and it is a pretty good-sized glass container.
There are six ports from which they can partake and there is plenty for all. But one thing that I’ve noticed, is that repeatedly two birds will fly up at the same time and 99% of the time they will not just calmly partake together. Inevitably they will square off against each other and one will chase the other off. It is a dogfight of hummers!
What’s crazy is, that the same thing far too often happens in churches!
We have a never-ending supply of sustenance. Whereas my hummingbird feeder only has six ports, Jesus, who Himself is the Bread of Life and Living Water is available 24/7/365 for anyone and everyone who would choose to partake. But unfortunately, there are some Christians who have this nasty attitude that screams, “Whoa, hold on there! You’re not like me! You don’t look like me. You don’t act like me. You don’t talk like me. This is my sustenance, and you’re not welcome here! Get outta here! Move it, bucko!” And off we chase them. It’s a dogfight of God’s children!
When I see two hummers glaring at each other, I cannot tell them apart. To me they look the same – they are simply two hummers! It is the same for us. God sees his children. There are subtle differences, but in His eyes, there are no differences – at least none that are of any consequence to God. He rejoices that we are there, come to partake.
An example: I recently heard a story regarding a totally white congregation that had a black minister appointed to serve as their pastor. They may not have come right out and rejected him to his face with the blatant truth of their reprehensible mindset but to them, he was not acceptable – he wasn’t like them! So, his time of service amongst them was cut short by their shortsightedness, self-righteousness, and outright bigotry, even though he was an excellent speaker and well-represented his Lord and Savior. It was totally unacceptable – not that he was their pastor but that they responded in such an unChristlike way!
The Apostle Paul proclaimed in Galatians 3:28,
There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. AMP
There is a beautiful hymn that we sing regularly – In Christ There Is No East or West. Here is a rendition of it as sung by the Virtual Choir of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church of New York City. The words are provided.
July 31st, 2022, Sun, 7:34 pm
Ignorance Is NOT Bliss
Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
….as I meet with his godly people.
How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
….All who delight in him should ponder them. Psalm 111:1-2 NLT
Acts 22:24-30 (<<click here to read the passage)
It is very rare for me to watch the news on TV. One way that I see the news is when I open the browser on my computer. I have one local station and one national news station that automatically come up, though usually I read just the main headlines and skip the rest. On occasion, I will look at headlines that come up on Facebook news or Google news. So much of it is depressing, I’ve just figured I’m better off not knowing about it. I guess the old saying, “Ignorance is bliss” would fit pretty well. But having Massey around has stimulated conversation on a wide variety of topics, so I’ve started paying a little more attention, though I am still selective as to what I delve into.
TheFreeDictionary.com defines “ignorance is bliss” as follows:
It is better to remain unaware or ignorant of things that may otherwise cause one stress; if you don’t know about something, you don’t need to worry about it.
That’s all well and good – I don’t think any of us need any more stress or anything more to worry about! – but to be ignorant on important issues of the day, is not wise. It is important to be well-versed and well-informed.
The notes on verse 24 in the Amplified Bible regarding his order to have Paul whipped, state,
This was standard practice with slaves or others of no social standing under Roman rule. The thinking was that such people did not have the integrity to tell the truth, and had to be tortured to drag the truth out of them.
Nice standard, huh?
Having the mindset of “ignorance is bliss” almost got the Roman commander in big trouble, as far as, Paul was concerned. He assumed that Paul was an individual with “no social standing”, but that was by no means the case. For Paul was a Roman citizen by birth! His citizenship was considered far superior to the Roman commander’s purchased citizenship. And there was no questioning that Paul was telling the truth because to lie on such matters was punishable by death!
In our lives today, especially in our relationship with Jesus, “ignorance is bliss” is not an excuse to be ill-informed. Prayer and Bible study are both of utmost importance in our daily walk. It is also in our best interest to be learned in the things that make a difference in our world.
Jesus warns us,
“Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. Matthew 10:16 AMP
To make the greatest impact on the world around us we cannot be ignorant, but we must be wise (cunning) and innocent (unselfish). Know Jesus, then reflect Him in all you say and do.
July 27th, 2022, Wed, 9:48 pm
No Lines Drawn
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
….May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 108:5 NLT
Acts 22:3-23 (<<click here to read the passage)
You may have heard this one before but hopefully, it will still bring a smile to your face.
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for several years. He went to his doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear better than he had in years!
A month later, he went back to the doctor and the doctor said, “Your hearing is great! Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.” The gentleman replied, “Oh, I haven`t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations… I’ve changed my will three times!”
This was definitely a case of selective hearing!
In this little story, it is humorous but in our relationship with God, it is detrimental.
As we continue with Paul’s story in Acts 22, Paul speaks into the greater deep silence. For 19 verses (verses 3-21) everyone listens attentively. This thing is, there is nothing for those around him to object to…until the very last word in verse 21.
Verse 22 begins with, “The crowd listened until Paul said that word.” They were good with it all…until the word “Gentile” flew past his lips to their listening ears.
At that point, the corruption in their hearts filled the air! Their rage led to shouting and throwing off their coats [getting ready to stone Paul] and tossing dust into the air [expressing their anger]…v23
Jesus spoke truly as is recorded in Matthew 15:18,
But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. NLT
They thought they knew God. They thought they were in good standing with Him. But, sadly, no… Their selective hearing allowed them to accept what they would accept but Paul crossed the line into God’s heart, and that was a line they refused to even think about crossing.
It should not have repulsed them so, for Isaiah, referencing the Suffering Servant (the coming Jesus Christ Himself), proclaimed,
“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
….I will make you a light to the Gentiles,
….and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 NLT
Lord Jesus, may we open our hearts and minds to You! May no lines be drawn in our relationship with You, but may we be open to whatever directives You may give us. May the light You shine in the world illumine us to Your will as well! Amen.
July 26th, 2022, Tues, 9:31 pm