Readings:
I Chronicles 26
Acts 14:8-20
Focus:
Acts 14:11: "When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, in their native Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form!'"
After Paul has healed a man who has been unable to walk since birth, the people of Lystra are so amazed that they believe that Paul and Barnabas are the gods Zeus and Hermes, and the priest of Zeus brings out an ox to sacrifice to them. It is only by hurried persuasion that the apostles are able to avert this.
But when some people from Antioch and Iconium arrive and start swaying the crowd against them, the people actually change their minds so far as to stone Paul, and he only escapes through the protection of the other disciples.
The crowds can be so fickle. General opinion can be changed so easily, for or against God's message. We cannot rely on popular opinion to decide what we think about God. We must instead rely solely upon what we have learned about him in the Bible, because that does not change according to the swing of the pendulum of popular thought.
Showing posts with label belief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label belief. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Responding Now
Readings:
I Chronicles 14
Acts 8:26-40
Focus:
Acts 8:36b:"'Look,' said the eunuch, 'here is water: what is to prevent my being baptized?'"
The Ethiopian eunuch in this passage, a high official of Ethiopia, wanted to understand what he was reading by the prophet Isaiah. When Philip came along and offered to explain it, the official was ready to listen. And when he heard what Philip had to say about Jesus, the Ethiopian official's response was basically to say, as soon as they came to some water, "This is great! Baptize me now!"
He didn't want to wait a minute longer than he had to, in order to belong to Christ. He was thrilled with everything that God had to offer him and to do through him. He was ready to commit his life.
What a great response! Whether we have long been committed to Christ, or are just beginning, may this be our response as well--to give ourselves fully and immediately to God.
I Chronicles 14
Acts 8:26-40
Focus:
Acts 8:36b:"'Look,' said the eunuch, 'here is water: what is to prevent my being baptized?'"
The Ethiopian eunuch in this passage, a high official of Ethiopia, wanted to understand what he was reading by the prophet Isaiah. When Philip came along and offered to explain it, the official was ready to listen. And when he heard what Philip had to say about Jesus, the Ethiopian official's response was basically to say, as soon as they came to some water, "This is great! Baptize me now!"
He didn't want to wait a minute longer than he had to, in order to belong to Christ. He was thrilled with everything that God had to offer him and to do through him. He was ready to commit his life.
What a great response! Whether we have long been committed to Christ, or are just beginning, may this be our response as well--to give ourselves fully and immediately to God.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
General Rejoicing
Readings:
I Chronicles 13
Acts 8:2-25
Focus:
I Chronicles 13:8:"David and all Israel danced for joy before the Lord with all their might to the sound of singing, of lyres, lutes, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets."
Acts 8:12:"But when they came to believe Philip, with his good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women alike were baptized."
Sometimes it feels like not very many people care about God. But there have been other times when lots of people have joined together with enthusiasm in belief and worship. Two of those times are in these readings.
When David had become king, he decided to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. It had been in a sort of temporary location due to some complicated history. When the Ark was being carried towards Jerusalem, there was great happiness, and David and many other people danced for joy. They were overwhelmed with happiness that the Ark, the symbol of God, was going to be in their midst.
When Philip went down from Jerusalem to a Samaritan town and preached, large numbers of the population listened attentively and became Christians. It was so impressive that more apostles came from Jerusalem to help out. All of them were happy in their new faith.
It's good to think about these times when there have been large groups of people rejoicing together in their faith in God. We have a connection with them; all believers are in the family of God together. In a sense we can rejoice with them, too.
I Chronicles 13
Acts 8:2-25
Focus:
I Chronicles 13:8:"David and all Israel danced for joy before the Lord with all their might to the sound of singing, of lyres, lutes, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets."
Acts 8:12:"But when they came to believe Philip, with his good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women alike were baptized."
Sometimes it feels like not very many people care about God. But there have been other times when lots of people have joined together with enthusiasm in belief and worship. Two of those times are in these readings.
When David had become king, he decided to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. It had been in a sort of temporary location due to some complicated history. When the Ark was being carried towards Jerusalem, there was great happiness, and David and many other people danced for joy. They were overwhelmed with happiness that the Ark, the symbol of God, was going to be in their midst.
When Philip went down from Jerusalem to a Samaritan town and preached, large numbers of the population listened attentively and became Christians. It was so impressive that more apostles came from Jerusalem to help out. All of them were happy in their new faith.
It's good to think about these times when there have been large groups of people rejoicing together in their faith in God. We have a connection with them; all believers are in the family of God together. In a sense we can rejoice with them, too.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Having Life by His Name
Readings:
II Kings 19
John 20:19-31
Focus:
John 20:31:"Those written here have been recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this faith you may have life by his name."
In this verse John writes down the main purpose of the Bible. God wants us to have life. He inspired the various writers of the Bible to put into words what he wants to communicate to us: that he loves us, that we are to obey him, and that when we fail, he will take the punishment for us--but that it won't end there; he will overcome death. All of this is so that, when we acknowledge that we have failed, and acknowledge what he has done for us by taking this punishment, and turn our lives over to him, then we can live life to the full and have eternity with him.
It is freedom to give our lives to him. It is happiness and peace. It is what I would want for everyone that I know.
II Kings 19
John 20:19-31
Focus:
John 20:31:"Those written here have been recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this faith you may have life by his name."
In this verse John writes down the main purpose of the Bible. God wants us to have life. He inspired the various writers of the Bible to put into words what he wants to communicate to us: that he loves us, that we are to obey him, and that when we fail, he will take the punishment for us--but that it won't end there; he will overcome death. All of this is so that, when we acknowledge that we have failed, and acknowledge what he has done for us by taking this punishment, and turn our lives over to him, then we can live life to the full and have eternity with him.
It is freedom to give our lives to him. It is happiness and peace. It is what I would want for everyone that I know.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Believe the Deeds
Readings:
I Kings 16
John 10:31-42
Focus:
John 10:37-38:"If my deeds are not the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if they are, then even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may recognize and know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
People are confronted with what Jesus has done--miraculous deeds of healing and restoration. And then he says that he is one with the Father. Ignoring his amazing deeds, they decide to stone him for his supposed blasphemy in saying this. It is incredible that this is more logical to them than thinking, "He has done miracles that no one else can do! He must be the awaited Messiah!"
Before the day of Jesus, the kings of Israel turned to Baal rather than follow the God who had brought Israel out of Egypt with great signs and wonders.
It is the same today. People hear not only of the miracles of Jesus, but also of his rising from the dead. Yet it seems easier for many people to believe in "vibes", or the occult, or new age spirituality, or a host of other things, than in Jesus and the good news he offers. Perhaps it is easier to believe these other things than to change behaviors in order to follow Jesus.
I Kings 16
John 10:31-42
Focus:
John 10:37-38:"If my deeds are not the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if they are, then even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may recognize and know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
People are confronted with what Jesus has done--miraculous deeds of healing and restoration. And then he says that he is one with the Father. Ignoring his amazing deeds, they decide to stone him for his supposed blasphemy in saying this. It is incredible that this is more logical to them than thinking, "He has done miracles that no one else can do! He must be the awaited Messiah!"
Before the day of Jesus, the kings of Israel turned to Baal rather than follow the God who had brought Israel out of Egypt with great signs and wonders.
It is the same today. People hear not only of the miracles of Jesus, but also of his rising from the dead. Yet it seems easier for many people to believe in "vibes", or the occult, or new age spirituality, or a host of other things, than in Jesus and the good news he offers. Perhaps it is easier to believe these other things than to change behaviors in order to follow Jesus.
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