Correction Backed with Love
Oh, my, Father, my body is none too happy with two days of outside work. Neither working at a computer nor driving a bus does this but I am glad I was able to get so much done! Thank You, Father, for the ability to do so.
Acts 20:25-38 (<<click here to read the passage)
These verses, unfortunately, bring a difficult incident from my past to mind every time I read them. I will not go into any detail on the matter except to say that an individual that I both honored and respected used a good portion of this passage to lament their departure from a place of ministry. At the same time, this individual was also highlighting the potential (probable?) nefarious actions of their opposition.
Now, though I feel that this individual felt justified in their telling communication, I feel it is necessary to urge caution in going in this direction in using God’s word to punctuate our own agenda, such as the case may be.
Part of my struggle is the fact that in the end words were uttered to inflict some kind of judgment from the speaker upon those individuals who opposed them. I realize that as believers in Christ, we have the responsibility to hold other believers accountable. I believe the problem arises when we do that with little or no love in our hearts for those whose actions we are attempting to rectify. And even then, how much of what we are doing or saying is just to make them hurt as much as they hurt us.
Obviously, Jesus laid into the religious leaders of His day who were far out of line with God’s purpose and will. Who can forget Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:34?
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” NIV
For that matter, He didn’t hold back when his own disciples were getting off track. Do you remember in Matthew 16:23 when Jesus exclaimed to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!”? Peter was way off base and needed a strong correction.
But the thing is, Jesus didn’t push back in retaliation or defense of the abuse and disrespect He received. The indisputable fact is, love was behind what Jesus said…every…single…time.
Jesus’ words in John 3:16-17 make it very clear.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV
Jesus put up with a lot and even though He could easily have retaliated and been justified in doing so, He chose to love. It may have been tough love but if that’s what was needed that’s what He dispensed.
So, the next time we want to get back at someone and feel that it’s a bigger slap in the face if we use Scripture, make sure it’s not just because we are hurt but make sure that any correction that is dished out is backed with love – and plenty of it! Amen!
July 13th, 2022, Wed, 8:43 pm
Take Courage!
Thank You, Father, for the strength and stamina to accomplish so much outside today. Each day is a gift. May I use them in ways pleasing to You. Amen.
Acts 20:16-24 (<<click here to read the passage)
I love it when two facets of my life intersect! What makes it joyful is the fact that it is not just happenstance, but instead it is providence. It’s a God thing!
It didn’t come together in my mind last night when I initially read through these verses, though I was drawn to two verses in particular. When I read them again this evening, it clicked!
Here they are.
I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. v20
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. v24 NLT
So, do you think that Paul was brave…or courageous? And that is where the other facet comes in!
We’ve been taking a close look at several Biblical heroes over the past few weeks at church. This past Sunday we examined Joshua, a person of great faith. The sermon began by distinguishing between our concepts of bravery and courage
I discovered a simple definition on the BetterUp blog. It said,
Courage is exercising a conscious choice — one motivated by virtuous emotions like compassion, concern, or love. In contrast, exercising bravery is more often done without as much thought. Bravery comes with not just confidence but often a lack of fear. This is different from courage, where the action is taken in spite of fear.
The word courage shows up five times in the first eighteen verses of the book of Joshua. It comes from the Latin word for ‘core’ meaning heart. Courage literally means strength of the heart.
The BetterUp blog also quoted motivational speaker Steve Maraboli,
“To embark on the journey towards your goals and dreams requires bravery. To remain on that path requires courage…”
So…back to Paul.
He shrank back and made it very clear by saying, “my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” And what work was he compelled to complete above all else? …the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
God’s words for Joshua are for us as well.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Don’t strive to be brave – take courage and tell others the Good News!
July 12th, 2022, Tues, 8:12 pm
Refocus
Father, I’m quite often all over the place, but I’m truly grateful that You are rock solid! I know that I wouldn’t put up with me, but I’m over the top joyful that You love me like You do!
Acts 20:13-15 (<<click here to read the passage)
Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene. The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and a day later we arrived at Miletus. Acts 20:13-15 NLT
Alright, you may think me odd but, reading these few verses I couldn’t help but think of the beauty that Paul (and company) would have beheld! Today’s picture is from a Greek travel website. It is a scene from the island of Chios (Kios). It is the fifth-largest of the Greek islands. All that separates it from Turkey is the mere three-plus mile Chios Strait
I’d hope that looking out across the hull of their boat that Paul would have found some refreshment in the view they found. As you can see, it is a beautiful part of the world.
I would have been challenged to take it all in. But then again, I’ve never been to the other side of the world. My lone out-of-country experience was a day trip to Tijuana, Mexico while attending a Children’s Pastor’s Conference in San Diego in the 90s.
For me to see any part of the Aegean Sea (the sea between Greece and Turkey) would be overwhelmingly fantastic!
Let me come at my thoughts from another angle. In the late 70s, my dad pastored a church in Mason, Ohio. We lived very close to a relatively new amusement park – Kings Island. We were close enough that if the wind was just right, we could hear the lions roar from the Lion Country Safari that they had at the time!
Every night throughout the summer at 10 PM, when the park was closing, we got to experience their fireworks. They were exciting at first but after a couple of years of them, they had lost their appeal, to me at least. It was quite a while before I wanted to see any fireworks.
Many who are reading this post have probably been believers for some time. one of the greatest dangers is for us to become overly accustomed to what it means to be a Christian. It can get to the point where we’re just going through the motions. “Yeah, I read my Bible…occasionally… Mm, I go to church, but sometimes I really have to make myself…it just seems to always be the same old thing. I’ve sung those songs; I’ve heard those stories so many times! But it’s important, so I’ll just keep on doing what I need to do.”
For our faith to remain joy-filled and exciting, we have to work at it. We cannot be fixed on the things we do. Our focus must remain on Jesus!
Hebrews 2:1b-2a reminds us,
…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. NIV
We must strive to fight complacency in our lives. The beauty of Jesus remains. Pray for a new and revitalized relationship with Jesus! He is more than able and willing to answer our prayers!
July 11th, 2022, Mon, 8:40 pm
Lucky Falling from a Window
Father, as I come alongside You this evening. I bring all that I am. Some things are not so pretty, but You know me…and still, You love me. Mold me and make me into what You want me to be. Amen.
Acts 20:7-12 (<<click here to read the passage)
I try not to preach too long but I do believe that some preachers feel they have a captive audience and go at it for a very…long…time.
The first pastor that I served under was Rev. Tom Lasley, he was a Spirit-filled man of God. His philosophy on preaching was that if he couldn’t communicate it in 20 minutes, people would lose interest and begin to tune him out. He was a bi-vocational pastor, having taught and served as a superintendent of schools for many years. He knew his stuff!
I feel that if Rev. Lasley had felt it was important to keep on preaching because his listeners were hanging on to every word, and that time was of the essence, he would have followed the Spirit’s leading to communicate everything that was laid on his heart to proclaim.
In today’s passage, it was Sunday and Paul had gathered with the believers in Troas (in modern Turkey) to take part in the breaking of bread (communion). Since he was leaving the next day, he began preaching. Time was of the essence, and he wanted to pass along as much about Jesus and how that applied to them, as he possibly could. He kept preaching and preaching, all the way up until midnight!
I truly don’t think anyone was complaining, but at least one young man (that term according to my Life Application Study Bible, means that he was probably between the ages of 8 and 14), didn’t have issues with what Paul was saying but with the hour being what it was, he had trouble staying awake. That wasn’t a very polite thing to do but the worst of the matter was that he was sitting in a third-story window while listening and when he fell asleep…he fell out of the window! The thing is…he died…
But that was the end of him. By the way, his name was Eutychus, and I had to laugh when I read this passage in the Amplified Bible. It tells us what his name meant – Lucky! Can you believe it? Other sources say it means fortunate! His falling to his death was neither of those, but what happened next wasn’t really either of those either… in truth, it was providential!
Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” v10
They all went back upstairs, broke bread once more, and Paul spoke until dawn (and you can rest assured no one fell asleep!) He and his companions headed out and Eutychus headed home
The lesson we can take from this story is that if Jesus’ resurrection power could bring young Eutychus from death to life, then Jesus would have no problem taking care of us too!
Paul had shared a lot of information, but this miraculous incident drove home the reality of who Jesus was, cementing it in the hearts and minds of all present. It should do the same for us, as well!
“What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NLT
July 10th, 2022, Sun, 9:46 pm
Your “Letters” Might Change the World
It was a hodgepodge kind of day, Father, but I’ll take it! Karen and I accomplished a variety of things, but it was just nice spending time together. You have blessed me!
Acts 20:1-6 (<<click here to read the passage)
How many times do we think that our lives are menial and we aren’t accomplishing anything of significance? We just go through our routines. Sometimes we do things that may be out of the norm but…it’s just life!
Reading through today’s text, nothing tells you what was going on behind the scenes. Yes, we see that Paul realizes his opposition is out to kill him and he avoids giving them the opportunity to do it, but before all that, it says
Then he traveled down to Greece, where he stayed for three months. vs2b-3a
Putting together a timeline, scholars discovered that those three months were spent in Corinth. And do you know what he did while in Corinth? He wrote a letter! Boy, that’s exciting, isn’t it!
We’re not into letters much anymore, but we may pop off an email once in a while, or maybe a message via Facebook or Twitter. Some text fairly often or we might throw in a phone call occasionally.
We communicate, but not to the extent that Paul was while in Corinth. His letter carried a tad more content than your everyday text. At this point, he’d not been there, but Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome…better known to us, as the book of Romans! Can you believe it?!
As my Life Application Bible tells me, believers had already started a church there.
Remember, back in chapter 2, visitors from Rome heard Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost. And then more recently, we know that Paul became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila…who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 18:2 NLT
He was letting the Roman believers know that he was planning to visit them. That was good news for them, but the best news was that “simple” letter to the Romans was a theological essay on the meaning of faith and salvation, an explanation of the relation between Jews and Gentiles in Christ, and a list of practical guidelines for the church.
Collegiate professor Dr. Allen Ross shares in his Introduction to the Book of Romans on the Bible.org website,
The theme of the book centers on the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17<< click here). Paul is deeply concerned that his readers understand how a sinner may be received as righteous by a righteous God; and how a justified sinner should live daily to the glory of God.
The book has greatly impacted people since the Roman church set its eyes on it. It’s not a book we just breeze through, but it takes time and thoughtful contemplation
Centuries later Martin Luther’s life changed forever when he read it. Here’s what he had to say,
This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes
It may be hard to believe, but God uses us right where we are, doing just what we are doing. Whatever it is, do it with all your heart…just make sure your heart is seeking out God’s heart. For you never know how much your “letters” might change the world of someone else!
July 7th, 2022, Thurs, 8:56 pm