Cracks of Division
Another good man has left us to join You, Father. May his family find true peace in You, the Source of a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). Amen.
Acts 6:1-7 (<<click here to read the passage)
If anything makes me shudder it is division. For me, division anywhere is uncomfortable but, in the Church, it can be so counterproductive.
Unfortunately, division is a far too common occurrence in the Church. Growing up in a pastor’s home it was blatantly obvious what division could do. In all those years (from kindergarten through college), we never lived in one place for more than four years. For the most part, our moves were instigated by division.
Even in my own experience (I was a Minister of Music, then a Minister of Youth and Music), division took place. My times of service were cut short because one group of people had vastly different ideas of how things should work than other groups.
Where I currently serve has had very little division and I have joyfully served, the one congregation in particular, for 20 years this summer! Unity is far more productive!
In today’s passage, the Church was a relative newborn, with believers full of the Holy Spirit and all that came with Him, still, a crack of division began.
An internal problem developed…between the Hebrew-speaking Christians (probably local Jews who had been converted) and the Greek-speaking Christians (probably Jews from other lands who had been converted at Pentecost). The Greek-speaking Christians complained that their widows were being unfairly treated. This favoritism was probably not intentional but was more likely caused by the language barrier.*
The thing is, it was soundly and mindfully addressed. And because the apostles did so, bathing it in prayer and placing only the best individuals in responsibility, they were able to move forward whole and holy.
Keep in mind that these upstanding men were the cream of the crop in their service to the Lord. The Twelve insisted that seven men be chosen and that they be men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity] and full of the Spirit and of wisdom… v3 It helped greatly, too, that by their names we can tell they spoke Greek.
Interestingly enough, these esteemed men – and honestly there were! – were chosen to serve tables and manage the distribution of food enabling the apostles to continue teaching the word of God… v2 There was no jealousy or haughtiness involved, they were all out to serve their Lord in whatever capacity needed.
Lord Jesus, we know that quite often division is unavoidable. But seeking the guidance and direction of Your Holy Spirit can stop it dead in its tracks. Doing so allows us to address the issues at hand and move forward stronger than ever!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Feb 16th, 2022, Wed, 7:00 pm
Don’t Self-Medicate!
A fair amount of activity today, Father, and I’m feeling it! Thank You for motivating me through Massey to do so. It’s all for the good!
Acts 5:42 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of life’s biggest adversaries is cancer. It can be fought. In some cases, we win but many times cancer wins. It’s one of those things too that we can win and then without warning, it will show up again and the fight begins anew.
If a scientist discovered something that would take all cancer out in a single blow, it would be a great tragedy if word did not get out to the masses. An even greater tragedy would be if those suffering from incurable cancer refused to take the cure seriously but instead decided to put themselves through all the misery of traditional treatments feeling that that was their only hope of victory.
I feel silly even typing that out. It would make zero sense to do that. But…humanity does it all the time! Not regarding cancer but sin!
Jesus once and for all provided us the cure for sin…not just some sin, but all sin! Incredibly we often prefer to “self-medicate”, thinking, “I don’t need some ‘god’ to take care of my issues. I can take care of this myself. There are all kinds of things out there to help me…one has got to work!”
Be we can’t and they don’t! Nothing we can do can take care of what ills us. Only the Great Physician, Jesus the Messiah, can irradicate that sin. A portion of Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
When we allow Jesus to irradicate that sin, it is gone for good! Here are a few verses to drive that concept home.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12 NLT
“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Isaiah 43:25 NLT
He shall again have compassion on us;
He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power].
Yes, You will cast all our sins
Into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 AMP
So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]… Acts 3:19 AMP
Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. Romans 8:1 AMP
For generations, the Israelites had dreamed of the coming Messiah and all He would do for them. And that “good news” is what the followers of Jesus used as the heart of their proclamation!
And every single day, in the temple [area] and in homes, they did not stop teaching and telling the good news of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). v42 AMP
That alone is where our hope is found…in Jesus Christ!
May we be about His business, the business of telling the good news of Jesus as the Christ!
Feb 15th, 2022, Tues, 6:45 pm
Sing It Now
Once again music from a heart of love for You, Father, brings me inspiration and uplifts me. Your blessing upon others is blessing me! Praise Your holy name!
********
Alright, I just can’t go any further. Yesterday evening, while setting up music to write by on Spotify, I came across an album released in 2017 by Country Music star Reba McEntire. Karen and I loved her in the WB sitcom Reba. Honestly, I can’t say I’ve listened to a lot of her music but this album, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, reached out and grabbed me from the very first song!
The songs are very nicely arranged, but there’s nothing overly showy. And, at least from my perspective, Reba isn’t singing them to entertain or to sell yet another album. You can tell that they are being sung from the heart – for she personally knows of Whom she sings. If you would be so inclined, I would encourage you to listen to the entire album. But regardless, here is one song that I pray you will take the time to listen to. It speaks volumes…
(You can click on the link at the bottom of the page to listen but here are the lyrics to follow along. God bless!)
Sing It Now
Well I have sung “Amazing Grace” since I was just a child
And I’ve joined in on “It Is Well” at least a thousand times
And singin’ “Jesus Loves Me” is a precious memory
I remember when “Just As I Am” first brought me to my knees
Oh, but here I am surrounded by some things I can’t explain
But the truth is still the truth in the moments my heart breaks
And if I could sing it then
I can sing it now
‘Cause who He was is who He is beyond the shadow of a doubt
I might be standing in the darkness, with trouble all around
But if I could sing it then
I can still sing it now
Oh, it’s not always easy to join those melodies
But how sweetly they remind me of what I still believe
A voice that’s raised in times like these may be the truest praise
‘Cause I’ve never been forsaken and that will never change
And if I could sing it then
I can sing it now
‘Cause who He was is who He is beyond the shadow of a doubt
I might be standing in the darkness, with trouble all around
But if I could sing it then
I can still sing it now
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
A mighty fortress is our God
“Standing on the Promises”
“Blessed Assurance” Jesus is mine…
And if I could sing it then
I can sing it now
‘Cause who He was is who He is beyond the shadow of a doubt
I might be standing in the darkness, with trouble all around
But if I could sing it then
If I could sing it then
Well I can still sing it now
How sweet the sound that saved a wretch just like me
Songwriters: Josh Habedank / Michael Farren / Tony Wood
Sing It Now lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
Feb 14th, 2022, Mon, 12:44 pm
Dignified by Indignity
Father, as I sat here listening to a few golden oldies (of a gospel nature) I am strongly reminded of Your love for me. Thank You for prominent artists who choose to follow You and are proud to let their lights shine! Bless them!
Acts 5:33-42(<<click here to read the passage)
We can ponder “what ifs…” (What Ifs…?) but they are not the realities with which we live. The Jewish High Council should have yielded to the apostles’ teachings, but they didn’t. In fact, they were so infuriated that they had every intention of killing the apostles. (v33) But providentially, sound wisdom prevailed.
One of their own, a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel (who interestingly enough was the teacher of Saul, who after his interaction with Jesus in a blinding light – Acts 9:1-19 – became the Apostle Paul), advised that they not act so rashly but allow things to take their course. If Jesus was just another “prophet” like so many who had come before, nothing would come of the apostles’ teaching. But… if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!” v39 AMP
Throughout history, many individuals have had a special anointing of God and have gone on to proclaim what the Lord had shown them. I’m sure thousands were full of themselves and that’s where it ended but others changed the landscape of Christendom for generations to come.
Martin Luther’s life was changed we he realized the truth found in Romans 1:17, “The righteous will live by faith.” NIV His “protests” launched Protestantism!
John Wesley struggled with his own salvation and after reluctantly attending where interestingly someone read from Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to Romans, he felt his heart strangely warmed and his life was eternally changed! His “methods” of teaching progressed to the point where the Methodist Church was brought into being!
Were the actions of either of these two men well received by the powers that be? Absolutely not! There were all kinds of persecution and threats, but they prevailed. Was it because of their strong personalities alone? No. God used them both to bring back into alignment the straying Church of their day.
The apostles followed closely in Jesus’ footsteps. Over time many even succumbed to death in their dedication to following their Lord. Even here at the very beginning of things, they were flogged as a deterrent and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus then released.
They were so dedicated to Jesus that they left that day rejoicing that they had been considered worthy [dignified by indignity] to suffer shame for [the sake of] His name. vs40-41 AMP
May we see these individuals from different places and times and be inspired! First of all, seek to follow Jesus with all that you are. The reward of knowing Him and living the entirety of your life with Him is worth far more than any effort we might exert!
Secondly, follow God’s leading for your life regardless of the cost. We are not promised “a problem-free, blissful existence” when we do so we may find that obeying God often results in pain and suffering.* But the blessing of doing so result in rewards that are out of this world! You won’t regret it!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Feb 13th, 2022, Sun, 7:32 pm
What If…?
Father, as I switch gears to write, I would ask for Your direction on preparing for services on Sunday when I take that task up once more. I realize You know what is needed. May I see it clearly. Amen.
Acts 5:17-32(<<click here to read the passage)
I have always been intrigued by “What if…” scenarios.
What if the South had been victorious in United States Civil War?
What if the Allies in WWII had lost the war?
What if John F. Kennedy had not been assassinated?
What if someone onboard American Airlines Flight 11 had been able to keep it from crashing into the North World Trade tower on 9/11?
What if Adam had refused Eve’s offer of fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?
What if Abraham had not been able to raise the knife above his beloved son Isaac?
What if the Jewish High Court – the Sanhedrin – had yielded to the apostles’ teachings after the angel of the Lord had released them from prison and they were found boldly preaching in the temple courtyards once more?
I mean really! They had the apostles arrested and put in jail. When the Temple guards went to get them the next morning, this is the report they brought back to the Sanhedrin.
“The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!” v23
Of course, we are told that an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!” vs19-20
The men who composed the Sanhedrin weren’t stupid. They had to know that something beyond their comprehension was afoot. But instead, they rebuked them for disobeying their strict orders to never again…teach in this man’s name! v28
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.” vs29-32 NLT
What if they had opened their hearts to the touch of the Holy Spirit? What if they had yielded themselves heart, soul, mind, and strength to God instead of wrapping themselves even more tightly in their power-hungry, self-righteous arrogance? What might the world have looked like?
What’s sad is the nation of Israel never, as a whole, embraced God and His promises for them. At times they followed Him as a body, but only to a certain degree. Most assuredly some individuals did but overall, they never fully committed themselves to Him. God’s plan was to reach the world through His chosen people. But that didn’t happen until He sent His one and only Son to do it. And then they rejected Him…
Are we all that different than them? What if we really strove to be more than just lukewarm followers? What if we yielded ourselves heart, soul, mind, and strength to God and His leading? What would the world look like?
Feb 10th, 2022, Thurs, 1:11 pm