Joyful Task
Read Acts 25 – 27
Acts 26:17-18 I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
WHY DO we go to the world with the name of Jesus? Paul gives the answer here as he tells his story to King Agrippa. Paul is saying in effect, “This is what Jesus has told me to do.”
Jesus sent Paul, and he sends us to 1) open the eyes of those blind to him. 2) turn people away from Satan’s darkness to Jesus’ light 3) see the results of people being saved through the forgiveness of their sins.
I know. You don’t want to talk to anyone about Jesus. Too many people look at you as if you’re crazy or judgmental when you speak about God and Jesus. And if you mention the Holy Spirit—wow, their eyes really roll!
Too many people have too casual an attitude regarding their eternal destination. They have no time to even stop and ask you a question about it. They use sneers, disinterest or “That’s nice.” to turn you away and to run away from having to face the reality that just possibly there is a heaven and hell. And just possibly there is a God who judges. And just possibly there is a God who saves.
When we ask ourselves, “Should I say something?” let’s remember this: No other task is so great and noble. This is the “love work” Jesus gives us to do as we “love one another”. People need the to opportunity to respond to “Jesus saves.”
This is a joyful task Jesus has given us to do.
Pause and Consider: how wonderful it is that someone told you, “Jesus saves.”
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
October 15, 2011 Joyful Task
Joyful Task
Read Acts 25 – 27
Acts 26:17-18 I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
WHY DO we go to the world with the name of Jesus? Paul gives the answer here as he tells his story to King Agrippa. Paul is saying in effect, “This is what Jesus has told me to do.”
Jesus sent Paul, and he sends us to 1) open the eyes of those blind to him. 2) turn people away from Satan’s darkness to Jesus’ light 3) see the results of people being saved through the forgiveness of their sins.
I know. You don’t want to talk to anyone about Jesus. Too many people look at you as if you’re crazy or judgmental when you speak about God and Jesus. And if you mention the Holy Spirit—wow, their eyes really roll!
Too many people have too casual an attitude regarding their eternal destination. They have no time to even stop and ask you a question about it. They use sneers, disinterest or “That’s nice.” to turn you away and to run away from having to face the reality that just possibly there is a heaven and hell. And just possibly there is a God who judges. And just possibly there is a God who saves.
When we ask ourselves, “Should I say something?” let’s remember this: No other task is so great and noble. This is the “love work” Jesus gives us to do as we “love one another”. People need the to opportunity to respond to “Jesus saves.”
This is a joyful task Jesus has given us to do.
Pause and Consider: how wonderful it is that someone told you, “Jesus saves.”
Read Acts 25 – 27
Acts 26:17-18 I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
WHY DO we go to the world with the name of Jesus? Paul gives the answer here as he tells his story to King Agrippa. Paul is saying in effect, “This is what Jesus has told me to do.”
Jesus sent Paul, and he sends us to 1) open the eyes of those blind to him. 2) turn people away from Satan’s darkness to Jesus’ light 3) see the results of people being saved through the forgiveness of their sins.
I know. You don’t want to talk to anyone about Jesus. Too many people look at you as if you’re crazy or judgmental when you speak about God and Jesus. And if you mention the Holy Spirit—wow, their eyes really roll!
Too many people have too casual an attitude regarding their eternal destination. They have no time to even stop and ask you a question about it. They use sneers, disinterest or “That’s nice.” to turn you away and to run away from having to face the reality that just possibly there is a heaven and hell. And just possibly there is a God who judges. And just possibly there is a God who saves.
When we ask ourselves, “Should I say something?” let’s remember this: No other task is so great and noble. This is the “love work” Jesus gives us to do as we “love one another”. People need the to opportunity to respond to “Jesus saves.”
This is a joyful task Jesus has given us to do.
Pause and Consider: how wonderful it is that someone told you, “Jesus saves.”
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
October 13, 2011 You'll Know
You’ll Know
Read Acts 20 – 21
Acts 20:22-24 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
WOW. The Apostle Paul displays his complete willingness to go where the Lord calls him to do the Lord’s work. Aware of impending imprisonment and other hardships, he stays steadily committed to God’s work.
Completing the work God gave him to do is a goal that extends beyond the preservation of life. This is based on Jesus discipleship requirement to “take up your cross and follow me.”
Can any of us reach that level of obedience? We can when we listen to the Holy Spirit. He is calling us, too, just as he did Paul in those early days of the Church. He guides and directs—we need to listen and obey. How will you know?
When you’re in tune with God’s Word, you will know him. As with a close friend, you will know when he speaks to you about something specific.
God will speak to you through other people. You will hear a constant theme (For example, “You’re a great teacher.”) as people speak to you about how they see you. You will be encouraged in some specific way. People will come up to you “out of the blue” and affirm what you are thinking about doing. These are ways God speaks to you.
Be in touch. Be ready to listen. And go forward with confidence into God’s great purpose for you.
Pause and Consider: what God is saying to you through his people.
Read Acts 20 – 21
Acts 20:22-24 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
WOW. The Apostle Paul displays his complete willingness to go where the Lord calls him to do the Lord’s work. Aware of impending imprisonment and other hardships, he stays steadily committed to God’s work.
Completing the work God gave him to do is a goal that extends beyond the preservation of life. This is based on Jesus discipleship requirement to “take up your cross and follow me.”
Can any of us reach that level of obedience? We can when we listen to the Holy Spirit. He is calling us, too, just as he did Paul in those early days of the Church. He guides and directs—we need to listen and obey. How will you know?
When you’re in tune with God’s Word, you will know him. As with a close friend, you will know when he speaks to you about something specific.
God will speak to you through other people. You will hear a constant theme (For example, “You’re a great teacher.”) as people speak to you about how they see you. You will be encouraged in some specific way. People will come up to you “out of the blue” and affirm what you are thinking about doing. These are ways God speaks to you.
Be in touch. Be ready to listen. And go forward with confidence into God’s great purpose for you.
Pause and Consider: what God is saying to you through his people.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
October 12, 2011 God to t he Extreme
God to the Extreme
Read Acts 17 – 19
Acts 19:11-12 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
WHAT IS the purpose of these miracles? It is obvious that the Holy Spirit’s power miraculously healed the sick, but was there a reason for the healing other than to make people well?
Since the time sin entered the world, God has been moving to make known his name and transforming power to save people from all sin known to humanity. Quite simply, God needed to make his name and power known in an extreme way to overcome sin’s extreme affects.
So he went to extremes to save people.
The very thought of an eternal God, who would come to earth, die a criminal’s death, then rise again to glory was preposterous! God is so far removed from the type of limited, death-dealing gods people create in their own image, that he needed to abruptly interject himself into people’s lives, and say, “Look! I’m the LORD of life!”
And he is still making his name known in extreme ways today. We have heard of accounts recently of similar types of circumstances in which God has healed many, many people. God wants to overcome sin. To do so he must extremely inject himself into life just as he did so long ago.
God’s healings bring people to attention. God glorifies his name, and he changes lives from death to life!
That’s extreme.
Pause and Consider: God is available to you to the extreme.
Read Acts 17 – 19
Acts 19:11-12 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
WHAT IS the purpose of these miracles? It is obvious that the Holy Spirit’s power miraculously healed the sick, but was there a reason for the healing other than to make people well?
Since the time sin entered the world, God has been moving to make known his name and transforming power to save people from all sin known to humanity. Quite simply, God needed to make his name and power known in an extreme way to overcome sin’s extreme affects.
So he went to extremes to save people.
The very thought of an eternal God, who would come to earth, die a criminal’s death, then rise again to glory was preposterous! God is so far removed from the type of limited, death-dealing gods people create in their own image, that he needed to abruptly interject himself into people’s lives, and say, “Look! I’m the LORD of life!”
And he is still making his name known in extreme ways today. We have heard of accounts recently of similar types of circumstances in which God has healed many, many people. God wants to overcome sin. To do so he must extremely inject himself into life just as he did so long ago.
God’s healings bring people to attention. God glorifies his name, and he changes lives from death to life!
That’s extreme.
Pause and Consider: God is available to you to the extreme.
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 11, 2011 Be Still and Go
Be Still and Go
Read Acts 15 – 16
Acts 15:12-13 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
I HAVE seen this many times—people obedient to God’s calling share the wonders of God’s miraculous reality in the world. His power changes lives every day. And the stories of his power causes listeners to be silent and to be in awe of the mercies of the reality that Jesus saves.
Today, the “Gentiles” are the non-believers who need to hear about God. God has called us to be the type of people Barnabas and Paul were—passionately active for the Lord’s work and eager to tell of God’s power.
Every day we have the opportunity to take the miraculous and wonderful Word of God into the non-believing world. But this can only happen when we tell the story of God’s love in action.
Go and tell the world, “God loves you!” Then come back and tell to the rest of us what you saw God do through your words. This will excite us, stir us and prompt us into action.
God’s ways are wondrous ways. Be still and listen to them. Be obedient and go tell them.
Pause and Consider: how God’s wonders need to be told.
Read Acts 15 – 16
Acts 15:12-13 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
I HAVE seen this many times—people obedient to God’s calling share the wonders of God’s miraculous reality in the world. His power changes lives every day. And the stories of his power causes listeners to be silent and to be in awe of the mercies of the reality that Jesus saves.
Today, the “Gentiles” are the non-believers who need to hear about God. God has called us to be the type of people Barnabas and Paul were—passionately active for the Lord’s work and eager to tell of God’s power.
Every day we have the opportunity to take the miraculous and wonderful Word of God into the non-believing world. But this can only happen when we tell the story of God’s love in action.
Go and tell the world, “God loves you!” Then come back and tell to the rest of us what you saw God do through your words. This will excite us, stir us and prompt us into action.
God’s ways are wondrous ways. Be still and listen to them. Be obedient and go tell them.
Pause and Consider: how God’s wonders need to be told.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
October 10, 2011 Right Forever
Right Forever
Read Acts 13 - 14
Acts 13:38-39 “(People) Listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins! 39 Everyone who trusts in him is freed from all guilt and declared righteous-something the Jewish law could never do.”
DO YOU want to go deep with God? Here is the deep and lasting truth. I hesitate to say anything about this scripture for fear I’ll muddle it with my limited view.
But there is no muddling God’s Word when we come to this understanding. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Savior. Trusting Jesus, you will be saved.
Jesus cleans up all the dirt in your life, and presents you clean and right to your righteous Father in heaven.
Yes, trust in him. Trust in him and be saved from guilt and fear. Trust in him and step boldly into the life he has for you!
Jesus saves. In Jesus, you are right with the Father forever.
Pause and Consider: the message of salvation is pure and clear.
Read Acts 13 - 14
Acts 13:38-39 “(People) Listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins! 39 Everyone who trusts in him is freed from all guilt and declared righteous-something the Jewish law could never do.”
DO YOU want to go deep with God? Here is the deep and lasting truth. I hesitate to say anything about this scripture for fear I’ll muddle it with my limited view.
But there is no muddling God’s Word when we come to this understanding. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Savior. Trusting Jesus, you will be saved.
Jesus cleans up all the dirt in your life, and presents you clean and right to your righteous Father in heaven.
Yes, trust in him. Trust in him and be saved from guilt and fear. Trust in him and step boldly into the life he has for you!
Jesus saves. In Jesus, you are right with the Father forever.
Pause and Consider: the message of salvation is pure and clear.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
October 9, 2011 God Changes Your Thinking
God Changes Your Thinking
Read Acts 10 - 12
Acts 10:33 “So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
THESE words come from Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Regiment of the Roman army. He is certainly a man, from this description, who would be prone to reject God and Jesus Christ. But the Spirit had moved in him, and he became obedient to the Lord, sending for Peter.
On Peter’s arrival, this Gentile was prepared with his entire household to listen to the Word of God. What an example this is for us today! Cornelius was excited, ready and willing to hear God’s words. He was eager to know what the Lord wanted him to do, and he expressed a great desire to be informed.
Is that our attitude when we sit in church on Sunday or listen to a Bible teacher, or open Scripture? Are we eager to hear what the Lord will say?
Peter spoke God’s Word to this Roman family. God’s Word has the power to change, to make new, and that is exactly what happened to Cornelius and his family.
Listen to God’s Word, and it will change you, too.
Pause and Consider: that God may be telling you to change your thinking.
Read Acts 10 - 12
Acts 10:33 “So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
THESE words come from Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Regiment of the Roman army. He is certainly a man, from this description, who would be prone to reject God and Jesus Christ. But the Spirit had moved in him, and he became obedient to the Lord, sending for Peter.
On Peter’s arrival, this Gentile was prepared with his entire household to listen to the Word of God. What an example this is for us today! Cornelius was excited, ready and willing to hear God’s words. He was eager to know what the Lord wanted him to do, and he expressed a great desire to be informed.
Is that our attitude when we sit in church on Sunday or listen to a Bible teacher, or open Scripture? Are we eager to hear what the Lord will say?
Peter spoke God’s Word to this Roman family. God’s Word has the power to change, to make new, and that is exactly what happened to Cornelius and his family.
Listen to God’s Word, and it will change you, too.
Pause and Consider: that God may be telling you to change your thinking.
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