Stand Firm
Time with my family is always a blessing Father. Please be with Mom, Dad, and Katrina as they move forward with their lives. I lift them up to You, please strengthen and fill them. Amen.
Acts 27:27-44 (<<click here to read the passage)
There are many times in life when we’ve done absolutely everything we can do. We have prayed over it all as well and all there is left to do is simply to stand. We stand firmly grounded in our faith, believing that God will do what God does.
When the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Ephesus, he wrapped up his letter by saying,
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground… Ephesians 6:10-14a NLT
In verses 14-18 he goes on to expound on the particulars of what that armor entails, but for our time together today this will suffice.
Today’s passage speaks of Paul and company’s struggles as they have labored for fourteen days to hold everything together and survive the onslaught of the storm in which they found themselves. Paul knew God’s promise regarding the outcome of it all, and even though he had passed it along to everyone else, I’m sure there were many doubts and ongoing fear on the part of those who did not know the Lord.
Paul stood firm; he had done all he could do. The crew had done all they could do. And at this point, all that was left was to pray that morning would come quickly so that the sailors could see what was going on around them.
Morning came, and though there was surely no smooth sailing – literally! – God’s word was proven true to those who doubted, and they all made it safely to shore. Not one soul was lost!
We must do all we can do, clinging to God’s will and guidance – importantly praying all along the way. Then when all is said and done, all that is left to do is to stand firm and hold your ground… Ephesians 6:14a AMP
God will surely see us through!
Aug 21st, 2022, Sun, 8:04 pm
Unity
What a beautiful day for getting some outside things done, Father! Thank You for the sunshine and the companionship, as well!
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One thing that I pray for is unity amongst followers of Jesus. Our witness to those who don’t believe is greatly weakened because we who do believe do not see eye to eye on many things.
Unity – oneness – was something for which Jesus prayed. As a part of this High Priestly Prayer following the Last Supper, He is recorded as saying in John 17:22-23 (and for clarification here, “I” is Jesus, “them” is His disciples – us included, and “You” is the Heavenly Father.)
I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me. AMP
If we would live out Jesus’ prayer, oh, what a different world we would find ourselves in!
What got me thinking along these lines was the preface of my book The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, written by editor and compiler, Arthur Bennett, when it was published in 1975.
Unbeknownst to me, there is a substantial and largely forgotten deposit of Puritan spiritual exercises, meditations and aspirations.
They are by no means a run-of-the-mill collection of prayers but as he said, they testify to the richness and colour of evangelical thought and language that animated vital piety in an important stream of English religious life.
The Puritan Movement was a religious phenomenon of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (i.e., the 1500-1600s). The way they went about following God wasn’t well accepted in England, but they pushed ahead in their diligence of personal devoutness. While the opposition they experienced tapered off in 1660 – and here is the particular part of the preface that impacted me – its theological ground-swell carried forward distinct forms of practical religion for many decades, particularly family worship and private devotion. In these spheres, and in that of the authority of Scripture over the whole of life, New England Presbyterians and Congregationalists were at one with English Dissenters and Anglican evangelicals in a close-knit union that transcended differences of worship, discipline and polity. They spoke the same spiritual language, shared the same code of values, adopted the same attitude towards the Christian religion, and breathed out the same God-centred aspirations in a manner that makes it impossible to distinguish the voice of conformist from that of non-conformist. Thus, this book of Puritan prayers has a unity not often found in similar works. The strength of Puritan character and life lay in the practice of prayer and meditation. (emphasis mine)
Now I realize a simple book isn’t the answer to our prayers, but all those who truly believe know that Jesus is!
Lord Jesus, help us to seek out that common ground that is found only in You. Our own mindsets and devices, which we hold so tightly to as “truth” pale in reality when held up to Your perfection. May our goal be to also speak the same spiritual language, share the same code of values, adopt the same attitude towards our faith, and lastly, breathe out the same God-centered aspirations! Amen!
Aug 18th, 2022, Thurs, 7:52 pm
I Told You So!
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
….but to your name goes all the glory
….for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 NLT
Acts 27:13-25 (<<click here to read the passage)
Being the human beings we are, most of us are quick to spout off, “I told you so!” if we advised someone against doing something which we thought would not turn out well. There is usually a tug-of-war where one party is bent on doing something that the other party believes to be a bad idea. In some instances, it is foolishness to act, while other times there is a risk no matter what and a fairly equal chance of success or failure.
It’s easy to make sure the “I told you so!” comes through loud and clear. But it may be far more prudent, when things turn sour, to refrain and console instead. And beyond prudent, it is probably much more kind and loving in our response and not add insult to injury, as they say.
As we continue with the saga of Paul’s story, when he speaks to all aboard regarding the circumstances in which they find themselves, we might be tempted to think that this is an “I told you so” moment, but in reality, it is more of a “take heart” moment. Paul is spelling it out very clearly that the God to whom [he] belong[s] and whom [he] serves is truly almighty and all-knowing. And though they did not heed His direction earlier, He in His goodness…granted safety to everyone on board. vs23 and 24
I can’t get past verse 25. The God who had warned them – this God who has the whole world in His hands was with them. I can see Paul amidst the storm standing tall and without one bit of hesitation proclaiming, “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” NLT
There are storms all around us. Cancer. Illness. Aging bodies not functioning in ways we are used to. Mental degradation. Insurmountable financial circumstances. Schisms and seemingly irreparable damage in families and relationships. Serious, polarizing political controversies. Violence on every hand. We may cling to family or science or our own determination, but the only sure thing we can hang on to…is God. For those of us who have given ourselves over to Him, even if the storm takes us, we have the unshakeable assurance that as God has been with us, we will be with Him! “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” Amen!
Aug 17th, 2022, Wed, 9:06 pm
Whisper To the Ears of My Heart
Blessed be the name of the Lord
….now and forever.
Everywhere—from east to west—
….praise the name of the Lord. Psalm 113:2-3 NLT
Acts 27:1-12 (<<click here to read the passage)
A regular occurrence in my life is hearing that still small voice giving direction. Some would say it is my conscience, but I believe it is the Holy Spirit. We all have to deal with temptation in our lives. Sometimes they are temptations regarding big things that will bring us down in a hurry if we yield to them. And other times they are very small things, that in and of themselves are almost nothing. But I have found that even those very small temptations if yielded to, can gang up on me and once accumulated, take me down just as hard.
If we have sought Jesus’ forgiveness, the Holy Spirit is a part of who we are. He is with us night and day, guiding and inspiring us along our way. And if we are listening, He is that still small voice that warns us of impending dangers for our souls. At least in my experience, He doesn’t yell or smack me upside the head – though there are probably times when that might get me to pay more attention to Him! But, no, His ways with me in these circumstances, are to whisper to the ears of my heart. He whispers that I should turn and not yield to the temptation. No matter how appealing they might seem, they will surely lead me down a dangerous path.
In today’s passage, it is obvious that Paul was listening to that still small voice. He was attuned to the Holy Spirit speaking to him and shared what he felt was a prudent message to the powers that be.
“Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” v10
Paul heard the still small voice,
But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. v11 NLT
Trouble was brewing for sure! But, in this case, the temptation of greater comfort in a “better” harbor led them down a very dangerous course!
You would think their journey thus far would have been enough to back up Paul’s dire warning…but it wasn’t.
Early on they had encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course v4
They changed ships and verses 7-9 clearly pointed to a foreboding future.
They had several days of slow sailing… the wind was against them, and they struggled along the coast with great difficulty… They had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall…
Their foolishness in following their own heart’s desires would bring ruin upon them…but more on that soon.
Lord Jesus, may we take to heart Your Spirit’s words which He faithfully whispers into the ears of our hearts. May our heart’s desire be to hear and obey. Amen.
Aug 16th, 2022, Tues, 8:05 pm
Let Jesus Deal with Sin
A wonderful day with my favorite gal in the whole world! It started with a visit to the doctor, but it went on to be a fun day running around. We made it a “vacation” day! Thank You, Father, for blessings beyond measure!
Acts 26:24-32 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the biggest hurdles that Christians strive to get over is sharing the Gospel and all that it puts on the line, without being hateful, self-righteous, and loathsome in regard to those who do not know Jesus.
Paul did not shy away from boldly proclaiming the truth the some of the most powerful people in his world at that time. He said he obeyed what Jesus had commanded him to do. He preached to Jews and Gentiles alike that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. v20b NLT
The Amplified Bible puts it this way, they should repent [change their inner self—their old way of thinking] and turn to God, doing deeds and living lives which are consistent with repentance. v20b AMP
Sin is sin and repentance is absolutely necessary. But I don’t see condemnation. I don’t see hate, self-righteousness, or loathing. He knew he was speaking to sinners (Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, were brother and sister!) but he didn’t lay them out, speaking of their sin. Instead, he laid the truth out.
Paul proclaimed nothing except what the Prophets and Moses said would come to pass—that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to suffer, and that He by being the first to rise from the dead [with an incorruptible body] would proclaim light (salvation) both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” vs22b-23 AMP
He desired to bring them to Jesus, and He – that is, Jesus, not Paul – would deal with their sin. And Paul came so close to making that introduction for verse 28 reads,
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.” AMP
It seems he was speaking sarcastically, but I’ve always held that there’s a little bit of truth in everything we say…whether we want to admit it or not. Agrippa could not escape the truth, he had heard it and understood. The only thing was he didn’t embrace and accept it.
Boldly share the truth of the Gospel with whoever will listen but leave the judging and turning…let Jesus deal with their sin.
(Regarding today’s picture: Jesus’ response to the self-righteous men judging a woman caught in the act of adultery – “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you? …Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 NLT)
Aug 15th, 2022, Mon, 9:03 pm