Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 21:17-36
[Click on the link to read today's verses.]

It seems everybody was trying to save Paul from the evil approaching. Those in the towns and regions he visited on the way begged him not to go. As soon as he arrived in Jerusalem, the leaders of the church were ready with a plan. He was to go and present himself for purification. He didn't really have to do this. Jesus was the cleanser of all sin and through him Paul knew he was clean. But this purification was to save him from the people. Hopefully this would appease those who were upset.

It didn't. God's plan was unfolding and no amount of begging or purification would stop it. What we see as terrible, Paul beaten and arrested... God sees differently.

And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. ---Romans 8:28

All things. Prison, murder, pain... divorce, violence, war... grief, despair, loss. ALL THINGS working together for GOOD! 

Lord, help me to see the good You are up to

in the lives of those who love You

in ALL things. Amen.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 21:1-16
(Read today's verses by clinking the link above.)

The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder,

but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. 

Many were warning Paul. Going to Jerusalem was dangerous in so many ways. Paul almost seems a little stubborn at this point. Why go where you know harm will come? Why...? Obedience... that's why. Paul was following God's leading. He was determined to obey Jesus no matter the result. He was convinced that Jesus would do something incredible through His obedience, and Jesus did.

Where in our lives are we lacking this kind of stubborn obedience? Are we willing to face prison or death just so Jesus can use our obedience?

Lord Jesus, when You were headed for the cross and told Your disciples so,

Peter told You this would never happen. You in turn told Peter, he was

a hindrance to You and had his mind set on the things of man, not the things of God.

Help me Lord, to begin to see things Your way. Embolden me with faith to obey

even when You let me know in advance I will suffer for my obedience.

I want to do things Your way, not the world's way.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 20:17-38
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.

God's Word can make us into what He wants us to be. Sometimes I think we want to make us into who we think God wants us to be, but that's not how it works. This process of becoming who God wants us to be is more like the potter and the clay, sculpter and stone, carver and wood. The potter, sculpter, and carver all have tools. God does too. God uses His Word to mold us, shape us, create us. 

Molding, shaping, and creating is a lifelong process. What will it be like to look back on an entire life from heaven's view and see the mighty work God has done in each of us. That will be one glorious day! 

Lord, I want to be all You want me to be, not what I think You want me to be.

Fill me with a hunger and love for Your gracious Word.

Prepare my heart to receive the molding, shaping, carving You want to do in my life.

Help me to remember, as painful as it might be at times,

it is all for my good and Your glory.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,

piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow,

and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 20:1-16
(Read today's verses by clicking on the link.)

Right at the end of these verses we read, "Things went according to plan." Most of what we read about Paul and the happenings of the new church don't go according to plan. It is like a breath of fresh air right in the middle of it all. Everything sort of just fell into place. Still, this wasn't the norm for Paul, the disciples, the early church. Why do we expect it to be the norm for us? What would happen if we began expecting life to never go according to plan?

Not a type of cynicism so to speak, but more of an expectation that God is in control. Over the last few months I've said this scripture to myself... said it to those I love.

A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Making plans is not the problem, in fact it is the way of the wise. The problem happens when we want our plan on our terms. We want it to happen on our time in our way. We may plan it but we must remember that God is in control and He is the one who directs each step of each day. 

Father God, help me to remember, even in the midst of my plans,
You are in control. May I receive the steps You bring about with joy.
Continue to remind me, You have a purpose in all things You allow.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 19:21-41
(No Bible handy? Just click on the link to read today's verses.)

So the idol makers were not happy. In fact, they began a riot that soon grew to something dangerous. Many were yelling, screaming, and angry. There in verse 33 it catches my attention...

Some were yelling one thing, some another.
Most of them had no idea what was going on or why they were there.

I wonder, are there times I've taken up a cause or stance with no idea what was going on? Have I ended up in some place with no understanding of why I was there? It is easy to get caught up in something and allow our emotions to take control. Pretty soon we end up in a place we never intended to be.

Is there something you find yourself emotional about lately? Does it feel out of control at times? The good news is emotions do not have to rule our lives... bring us to unknown places. Our  response to them may just be acknowledging we have them and trusting them to the One who gave them to us in the first place. 

Father God, protect my heart against stirred up emotions: mine and others.

Teach me to take the time to identify the source of the agitation.

Give me the questions to ask in order to discover what is really going on.

I long to be a source of peace, and not one who gets stirred up by others

when I'm really unsure about the truth behind the emotion.