Scripture
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. Acts 28:1
Observation
The Apostle Paul was in the center of God’s perfect will.
He had been threatened with death in the city of Jerusalem …. but he was in God’s perfect will. He had been arrested by the Romans…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He had been locked away in a dark damp cell and mistreated,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was bound and escorted under guard to a ship that would take him to his final destination, a place from which there would be no coming back,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was restricted from moving about freely, held prisoner among heathen sailors who cared little for God,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was on a ship bound for Rome…. a ship that would face one of the fiercest storms in the Biblical times… a ship that would be shipwrecked on a strange island called Malta, a ship that would be broken into many small pieces,… but he was still in God’s perfect will.
Paul’s present circumstances never stopped him from doing God’s will. This was just another inconvenience and another bump in the road. He knew his destination and he knew that the Holy Spirit was with him,... guiding him,... leading him ... and watching over him, every step of the way.
Application
What I see in this story and indeed Paul’s entire life is…. just because we are going through adversity, trials and other storms in life does not mean that we are not in God’s perfect will. In fact, many times, it’s exactly the opposite. All along this road of life that we all must travel there will be pitfalls, troubles, trials and tribulations that we cannot avoid. Paul had more than his fair share of storms, but he never let them blow him off course.
Prayer
Lord, please be my anchor in the storms of life. Let my life by guided and steered by the Holy Sprit and not the storm.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Feb 20 2009 Num 7, Ps 23, Acts 27
Scripture
…my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5b
Observation
Jesus said that one of His purposes for coming to earth was that we might experience the fullness of life; He called it the more abundant life. David experienced this kind of life first-hand and writes about it here.
It is not just life, nor is it just a full life, but he is speaking about a life that is overflowing. Overflowing with what? God!
Application
Most people don’t really experience life, much less this overflowing life. It seems to me that Christ doesn’t want to just join us in our pitiful little existence; He wants to come into our life and bring all this abundance with Him.
Isn’t it ironic that we all have been led to believe to really experience all of life you have to follow the ways of the world? We have been taught and preached to that being a Christian is all about doing without. And I suppose to some extent that is true. But it isn’t until we are emptied of the world that God is able to fill us with the things of God.
Prayer
Lord, fill me up please…to the top…and then some.
…my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5b
Observation
Jesus said that one of His purposes for coming to earth was that we might experience the fullness of life; He called it the more abundant life. David experienced this kind of life first-hand and writes about it here.
It is not just life, nor is it just a full life, but he is speaking about a life that is overflowing. Overflowing with what? God!
Application
Most people don’t really experience life, much less this overflowing life. It seems to me that Christ doesn’t want to just join us in our pitiful little existence; He wants to come into our life and bring all this abundance with Him.
Isn’t it ironic that we all have been led to believe to really experience all of life you have to follow the ways of the world? We have been taught and preached to that being a Christian is all about doing without. And I suppose to some extent that is true. But it isn’t until we are emptied of the world that God is able to fill us with the things of God.
Prayer
Lord, fill me up please…to the top…and then some.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Feb 19 2009 Num 5-6, Acts 26
Scripture
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Acts 26:28
Observation
The Apostle Paul had been kept prisoner for over two years in Caesarea by the Roman Governor Felix. However, Felix was replaced by another Governor named Festus, and straight away, before he can settle in, the Jews are in to see him, demanding Paul be delivered to them. Why did they Paul? Because Paul had been one of them! Now he was preaching the Gospel, which they hated! Although he had been out of the way for two years, as soon as this new governor was on the scene, they started stirring up trouble. They wanted Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem in order that they could lay in wait, ambush and kill him.
Not long after this incident, a special induction ceremony was held for the new Governor to celebrate his coming into office at Caesarea. The Jewish King Agrippa comes to visit with his sister Bernice. This was a sort of diplomatic visit, as it were. Now, it is while they were visiting that Festus brings up this matter of his prisoner Paul, who he had inherited from this predecessor and whom the Jews desired to kill. Agrippa is interested in this, and asked Festus if he could hear Paul for himself.
Application
The text I have selected is only eight words in length but they are some of the saddest to ever grace the pages of the Bible. Looking upon this story we can see that this is an example of God reaching out to the sin-blighted heart of a man to give that man a chance to be saved. And yet that man would not hear because of the love of the world and the circumstances of his life.
I wonder…what was it that held the king back that day? I can only guess that it was something he was unwilling to give up. What was it he couldn’t let go of in order that he might grasp the Savior?
More importantly…how many times have we been there?
ALMOST willing to commit my life fully to Christ.
ALMOST willing to serve God unreservedly
ALMOST willing to enter into ministry for Him
Prayer
Lord, please help me to keep You the absolute FIRST in my life. If that happens, there will be no ALMOST’s in my life..
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Acts 26:28
Observation
The Apostle Paul had been kept prisoner for over two years in Caesarea by the Roman Governor Felix. However, Felix was replaced by another Governor named Festus, and straight away, before he can settle in, the Jews are in to see him, demanding Paul be delivered to them. Why did they Paul? Because Paul had been one of them! Now he was preaching the Gospel, which they hated! Although he had been out of the way for two years, as soon as this new governor was on the scene, they started stirring up trouble. They wanted Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem in order that they could lay in wait, ambush and kill him.
Not long after this incident, a special induction ceremony was held for the new Governor to celebrate his coming into office at Caesarea. The Jewish King Agrippa comes to visit with his sister Bernice. This was a sort of diplomatic visit, as it were. Now, it is while they were visiting that Festus brings up this matter of his prisoner Paul, who he had inherited from this predecessor and whom the Jews desired to kill. Agrippa is interested in this, and asked Festus if he could hear Paul for himself.
Application
The text I have selected is only eight words in length but they are some of the saddest to ever grace the pages of the Bible. Looking upon this story we can see that this is an example of God reaching out to the sin-blighted heart of a man to give that man a chance to be saved. And yet that man would not hear because of the love of the world and the circumstances of his life.
I wonder…what was it that held the king back that day? I can only guess that it was something he was unwilling to give up. What was it he couldn’t let go of in order that he might grasp the Savior?
More importantly…how many times have we been there?
ALMOST willing to commit my life fully to Christ.
ALMOST willing to serve God unreservedly
ALMOST willing to enter into ministry for Him
Prayer
Lord, please help me to keep You the absolute FIRST in my life. If that happens, there will be no ALMOST’s in my life..
Feb 17 2009 Num 1-2, Acts 24
Scripture
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you. Acts 24:25
Observation
Paul’s in trouble again with the Jews. They’ve been trying to find a way to kill him, they tried to get the Roman Government to execute him for blasphemy, and they wouldn’t have except they had a small problem. Paul was a Roman Citizen so he was protected a bit by their legal system; so Paul is brought in front of the Governor Felix.
Here is Paul, who is innocent coming before the man who had the power to release him. Paul could have easily been tempted to argue for his release but he wasted no time at all. At every opportunity he preached Christ
Verse 25 tells us “Felix was afraid.” He heard God and trembled. He didn’t deny what Paul preached neither did he outright reject it. He didn’t laugh, he didn’t sneer, he didn’t cry. He trembled and he trembled with conviction. God had spoken to his soul. Sin had found him out and he trembled
Application
We are not told what happens to Felix or his wife, but it is clear from this story that God brings conviction to a person and invites us to act on it. I wonder how many times we put off something God is asking of us to a more “convenient” time.
God is impressing me over and over again with this important truth; any delay on part to what God is asking of me is disobedience. We don’t always see that, but it is. If God is asking, He is asking for me to act now, not later.
Prayer
Lord, please help my first response to you to be one of quick obedience.
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you. Acts 24:25
Observation
Paul’s in trouble again with the Jews. They’ve been trying to find a way to kill him, they tried to get the Roman Government to execute him for blasphemy, and they wouldn’t have except they had a small problem. Paul was a Roman Citizen so he was protected a bit by their legal system; so Paul is brought in front of the Governor Felix.
Here is Paul, who is innocent coming before the man who had the power to release him. Paul could have easily been tempted to argue for his release but he wasted no time at all. At every opportunity he preached Christ
Verse 25 tells us “Felix was afraid.” He heard God and trembled. He didn’t deny what Paul preached neither did he outright reject it. He didn’t laugh, he didn’t sneer, he didn’t cry. He trembled and he trembled with conviction. God had spoken to his soul. Sin had found him out and he trembled
Application
We are not told what happens to Felix or his wife, but it is clear from this story that God brings conviction to a person and invites us to act on it. I wonder how many times we put off something God is asking of us to a more “convenient” time.
God is impressing me over and over again with this important truth; any delay on part to what God is asking of me is disobedience. We don’t always see that, but it is. If God is asking, He is asking for me to act now, not later.
Prayer
Lord, please help my first response to you to be one of quick obedience.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Feb 16 2009 Lev 26-27, Acts 23
Scripture
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day. Acts 23:1
Observation
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to persecution. He was warned ahead of time that danger awaited him on his return to Jerusalem, and when he arrived, a mob attacked him. The Roman authorities arrived and rescued Paul from this mob…they were in such a frenzy, the authorities had to actually lift Paul over their heads to get him out of there. So now Paul stands before the Roman authorities, and they decide to interrogate him by torture. They prepare to scourge him, and then the information comes out that he was a Roman citizen. That scared them, and they backed off. They turned him over to the Jewish council to decide.
The Sanhedrin was their Supreme Court, made up of seventy leading Bible teachers, and their council had the power to execute him. Paul knows their power of life and death, but he stands before them at peace. He’s looking them straight in the eyes, not ashamed, not afraid, and not about to back down. Paul used to be a member of their number…and now they consider him to be a turncoat…a traitor. There’s nothing this group would like more than to execute him. Yet he stands before them cool, calm, and collected.
Application
It is in times like this…crisis’ that we really find out what we are made of. Crisis don’t make the man, they reveal the man. Paul has lived well and pretty soon he will die well.
I have often wondered…how will I finish? Will I finish well? I cant think of anything more important than that. What a testimony to be able to say, I have fulfilled my duty to God.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to remember that I am not just living for this life, but the life to come. I pray that I will be able to live in such a way that I will finish well.
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day. Acts 23:1
Observation
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to persecution. He was warned ahead of time that danger awaited him on his return to Jerusalem, and when he arrived, a mob attacked him. The Roman authorities arrived and rescued Paul from this mob…they were in such a frenzy, the authorities had to actually lift Paul over their heads to get him out of there. So now Paul stands before the Roman authorities, and they decide to interrogate him by torture. They prepare to scourge him, and then the information comes out that he was a Roman citizen. That scared them, and they backed off. They turned him over to the Jewish council to decide.
The Sanhedrin was their Supreme Court, made up of seventy leading Bible teachers, and their council had the power to execute him. Paul knows their power of life and death, but he stands before them at peace. He’s looking them straight in the eyes, not ashamed, not afraid, and not about to back down. Paul used to be a member of their number…and now they consider him to be a turncoat…a traitor. There’s nothing this group would like more than to execute him. Yet he stands before them cool, calm, and collected.
Application
It is in times like this…crisis’ that we really find out what we are made of. Crisis don’t make the man, they reveal the man. Paul has lived well and pretty soon he will die well.
I have often wondered…how will I finish? Will I finish well? I cant think of anything more important than that. What a testimony to be able to say, I have fulfilled my duty to God.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to remember that I am not just living for this life, but the life to come. I pray that I will be able to live in such a way that I will finish well.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Feb 15 2009 Lev 25, Ps 25-26, Acts 22
Scripture
Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now. And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Acts 22:1-2
Observation
Paul had been worshipping in the temple, when he was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile inside the temple. A riot followed. The captain of the Roman guard broke up the riot, and bound Paul with chains. Paul asked the captain for an opportunity to speak up and when granted, what does Paul say? What sermon would he choose to preach? He shares his personal testimony.
Application
Here is the greatest preacher who has ever lived, beside Christ of course, and what does he choose to say; his testimony. It is interesting to note that three different times in the book of Acts, the story of Paul’s conversion is described.
We are often tempted to think that because we don’t know all of the nuances of theology or have a complete understanding of doctrine, we are not capable of preaching to others about Christ.
I need to remember the best sermon I can preach to others is what Christ has done in my life.
Prayer
Lord, help me to remember that people unbelievers don’t need to hear doctrine, they need to see Jesus and how he can work in a person’s life.
Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now. And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Acts 22:1-2
Observation
Paul had been worshipping in the temple, when he was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile inside the temple. A riot followed. The captain of the Roman guard broke up the riot, and bound Paul with chains. Paul asked the captain for an opportunity to speak up and when granted, what does Paul say? What sermon would he choose to preach? He shares his personal testimony.
Application
Here is the greatest preacher who has ever lived, beside Christ of course, and what does he choose to say; his testimony. It is interesting to note that three different times in the book of Acts, the story of Paul’s conversion is described.
We are often tempted to think that because we don’t know all of the nuances of theology or have a complete understanding of doctrine, we are not capable of preaching to others about Christ.
I need to remember the best sermon I can preach to others is what Christ has done in my life.
Prayer
Lord, help me to remember that people unbelievers don’t need to hear doctrine, they need to see Jesus and how he can work in a person’s life.
Feb 14 2009 Lev 23-24, Ps 24, Acts 21
Scripture
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? Psalm 24:3
Observation
Whenever there’s going to be some great event in public life there’s always some special music composed to celebrate the occasion. Psalm 24 is a song for a special occasion. It was to be sung as a processional song as David brought the Ark of the Covenant into the newly captured city of Jerusalem. It was to be a great day for at long last David had finished fighting to gain control of the country.
As David pondered over his plans he began to realize that coming up to Jerusalem with the Ark wasn’t only a physical journey, it was a spiritual experience of the greatest importance as well. Like all the other inspired prophetic figures of the Bible his awareness of God was heightened as the Holy Spirit came upon him.
Application
This was the most important question David could ask. Who is qualified to enter the presence of God Almighty? It’s a question we are well advised to know the answer to, and to be absolutely certain we conform to its requirements.
David answers the question by laying out four conditions…clean hands, pure heart, no base values and no cheating. I wonder how David felt after writing these words. Distinctly uneasy I would think, for in setting out those four conditions of entry into Zion, the city of God - he had just condemned himself by his own words.
As I process what David is saying in this passage, I too realize that I come up short and not just a little. But I am not left without hope. Why? How could anyone feel hopeful and optimistic about what David say here? The answer is in verse 6 where God reveals himself as the “God of Jacob.” Jacob is the man who at one time was as crooked and twisted as could be imagined.
Praise the God of Jacob, who knows how to make the crooked strait.
Prayer
Lord do your work in me to prepare me to stand before Your holy place!
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? Psalm 24:3
Observation
Whenever there’s going to be some great event in public life there’s always some special music composed to celebrate the occasion. Psalm 24 is a song for a special occasion. It was to be sung as a processional song as David brought the Ark of the Covenant into the newly captured city of Jerusalem. It was to be a great day for at long last David had finished fighting to gain control of the country.
As David pondered over his plans he began to realize that coming up to Jerusalem with the Ark wasn’t only a physical journey, it was a spiritual experience of the greatest importance as well. Like all the other inspired prophetic figures of the Bible his awareness of God was heightened as the Holy Spirit came upon him.
Application
This was the most important question David could ask. Who is qualified to enter the presence of God Almighty? It’s a question we are well advised to know the answer to, and to be absolutely certain we conform to its requirements.
David answers the question by laying out four conditions…clean hands, pure heart, no base values and no cheating. I wonder how David felt after writing these words. Distinctly uneasy I would think, for in setting out those four conditions of entry into Zion, the city of God - he had just condemned himself by his own words.
As I process what David is saying in this passage, I too realize that I come up short and not just a little. But I am not left without hope. Why? How could anyone feel hopeful and optimistic about what David say here? The answer is in verse 6 where God reveals himself as the “God of Jacob.” Jacob is the man who at one time was as crooked and twisted as could be imagined.
Praise the God of Jacob, who knows how to make the crooked strait.
Prayer
Lord do your work in me to prepare me to stand before Your holy place!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
