Arrested?

"The Commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked him who he was and what he had done." Acts 21:33

Does something seem out of order here? Where is the due process? Anybody gonna give Paul his rights? They don’t even know he is a Roman citizen yet. As a matter of fact, if you read a little father, this commander actually thinks Paul is an Egyptian terrorist. What confusion. People are yelling all kinds of things and this Roman commander has to take Paul into the barracks to get some peace and figure out what is going on. After Paul straightens him out a bit, the Commander allows him to address the crowd. Paul is calm, reasonable, courteous, and convincing. Notice now the two things that have happened. One, Paul has been arrested and bound just like the prophet said. I find that interesting. And also, Paul is going to testify to a large crowd no matter what, just like he said. So God’s will is getting done, no matter what anybody else is doing or saying. Amazing how this happens, isn’t it? Often, we must roll with it and just watch God work. I have seen so many time when we are obedient, faithful and willing that He accomplishes amazing things. You see it is not primarily about us or our rights, it is fundamentally about His will and purpose. Even under unfair or dire circumstances. There is a lesson to learn here.

Even Paul Took Counsel

"What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. So do what we tell you." Acts 21:22

Paul is first and foremost a servant of the Lord. Even though he is outspoken, evangelical, and doctrinally correct, he would so what is right and best when given wise counsel. Here is the scenario in a nutshell. He is advising new Jewish believers to be free from the Law, free from circumcising their children and following most of the other customs. The Jerusalem Jews who believe in Jesus as their Messiah are still doing these things. James (half brother of Jesus) and the other elders advise Paul to sponsor four men who have taken a vow and to join them in purification rights. They were shaving their heads and Paul had had Timothy circumcised to appease the legalists. Now it is on him to show some sensitivity to traditional Jews and participate in a custom that will not be doctrinally inappropriate. He doesn’t get high and mighty, he doesn’t argue, he doesn’t defend his fervor, he just takes counsel and obeys. What an example! Eventually new Christianity pulls away from Judaism because of the most important issues of Christian deity, atonement and resurrection. Paul’s obedience helped out to create a distraction so the crucial points of departure could be clear. Paul didn’t have to this, but he did. Would you do what you don’t have to do to be a better witness? I advise this those who take counsel, and especially when it is those who give it.

The Final Straw

"Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles." Acts 22:21

After 20 verses of testimony and Paul telling everybody his whole story about who he was and is and all the details about he persecuted Christians and how he heard the Lord’s voice and Jesus Himself spoke to him on the road to Damascus. He talked about rejection and praying in the temple and Stephen’s martyrdom. As soon as he brings up the message going to the Gentiles, this Jewish crowd turns on Him.

Family

"But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home." Acts 21:5-6

The Bible is the Word of God. Every verse is good for doctrine or reproof. It is our only source for faith and practice. That being said, it is also, especially here in Acts, a chronicle of what early believers did. I don’t know is Paul or Luke’s wives and kids were in this number, but it important that we always remember that ministry, mission and outreach always affect the whole family. That is part of why we have a Christian school. It is why we have Childcare and Children’s Church. It is why we do a Christmas Musical and have Christmas Eve Service. We are and must more so be a church that is not only about the teaching, ministry and evangelism, it is about the spouse and children. Single people without children also went to the beach that day to pray, because church is about family. Picture it—A bunch of Christians, all ages, kneeling on the beach together to pray. Praying for God’s will and safety and for new believers. Real people, just like when we have baptized at the beach and the church family came. I am sure there were hugs and kisses, encouragement and concern. Living the faith in Bible days was as real as it is today. Trying to keep the kids quiet, trying to hear. A few tears, and that sense of excitement that we are part of what God is doing. I hope you feel like you are a real part of a church family. Someone who could kneel and pray on the beach with brothers and sisters. We together are part of His ministry, even we you return home.

His Will Be Done

"When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done." Acts 21:14

I remember once, an agnostic said to me, “Christians always use that ‘God’s will thing’ as a cop out to disagreements and non-decisions.” My response has been that if it worked for Paul, we should at least consider it. Or, hey it is a big line from our prayer model from Jesus, you know… “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone!

Our Monday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Gabby Botts:

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

It might be true that you have seen me talk about this verse before. I can’t help it! It’s one of my favorites. It’s just so important that we "stir up" each other, or encourage each other, towards love and doing good. I’m here to encourage you this morning. It’s easy to go through our day without taking the time to really see people and listen to people. A lot of people “listen” solely with the intent of responding. Instead, we should listen more carefully, with the intent of understanding. Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them, and nothing more. That’s one simple way we can show love. Let’s not just go through the motions of our day, or go through on autopilot, let’s take the time to really look people in the eye, and care about them. When you learn to see people as fellow creatures that are bearing the image of God, created in His image, it’s a lot harder to judge or scorn them.

Humble Service

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

For me, anything worth doing is worth doing right, so critical thinking about all the possible threats, weaknesses and outcomes is just part of the process. Others might see it as criticism. Some might even consider the drive for excellence simply as arrogance. This is why we must make every effort to bear each other in love.

Torn

"After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos." Acts 21:19

Luke used the word "we" here because he is with Paul as he says farewell to the Ephesians. Luke shares Paul’s sentiments, so much so that he says in strong words, “after we had TORN ourselves away from them”…There is a closeness and a union that believers have that is very special. I believe it is unique to Christian brothers and sisters in Christ all joined together spiritually, by His blood. We rejoice and we suffer—as one. When someone halfway around the world is persecuted for their faith…it is personal. When Christians are martyred it is about His blood, the same blood that saved me. I am closer to people I don’t even know because of it. When we travel, we make new friends and because of Christ there is instant bonding. We are quickly family and when reunited we pick up where we left off. As the old song goes, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we know that all unity will one day be restored and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” These words resonate with me and like Paul and Luke I share the deepest connections with other believers and feel it when we are torn apart by time, space, circumstance, sin or persecution.

Get it Right

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" Acts 20:35

Sometimes stuff is quoted as Scripture that really isn’t in the Bible. In our effort to make sure we don’t invent Bible verses, we sometimes can toss stuff out that really is in the bible. Here are some examples:

Watch-care

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God. Which He bought with His own blood." Acts: 20:28

As a shepherd, I know the role of overseers or under shepherds is vital to a local church. Pastors should care and watch over the flock. But Paul, in his model of the church sees the responsibility also for leaders of the church to watch and care and, in effect, shepherd also. How can this happen? First of all, why? Because people need lot of touches and connection points. It is reassuring and encouraging. I believe there should be a consistent, comprehensive, and accountable ministry in the church to watch over and care for a church. Especially one like Grace Harbor that has a high impact and is growing. Everyone appreciates that the Pastor cares and knows everyone, but they will commit when they know the leaders care. I think many can serve as watch-care leaders. The importance of watch-care is illustrated by Paul’s words to describe the sheep. He says watch over the sheep for “they were bought with His own blood.” That is a dear price and every sheep is worth Jesus to God. So we should value them, shepherd them, care for them and watch over them. This is a fundamental principle of the church. I should be equipping and training people to do this.

Talking On and On

"Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and put his arms around him, ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said, ‘He’s alive!" Acts 20:8-10

The Bible is so real! Can you picture this scene? I bet when the gasps and screams combined, everybody else woke up too. Talk about a group adrenaline rush! I am sure Paul had their undivided attention for his closing comments. But, I think Luke thinks he was preaching for a bit too long. “On and on” is never a compliment. Young Eutychus may not remember what Paul said before he fell, but I bet he was focused after he came back to life. I can’t imagine Paul’s horror thinking he has killed him with a long sermon. Yikes! This story has many possible illustrations. I know I am always a little uncomfortable with those who nod or doze or even snore during my messages! Just recently, I committed to trying to be more effective with my time and not putting anyone to sleep. Which means…a little shorter. I will trust God’s leading, but this devotional has me thinking seriously about what “on and on” could do.

A We Insight

"But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed for seven days." Acts 20:6

As I have been “devotionalizing” my way through a study of the Book of Acts of the Apostles, I have to remind myself from time to time that it is penned by Luke. He writes himself into the story more than once when he uses the word “we”. I try to remember to ask the question, “We who?” when I see the word used. Here the “we” means at least me and Paul, maybe just the two of them, but maybe more. The separation of the group was probably for Paul’s safely since he was a married man. So Luke and Paul sail from Philippi instead of going over land and backtracking to Troas with the larger band of brothers. Luke served as the narrator for the events of Acts and like his gospel account, he shares personal details like no other writer. I appreciate this. This is why we use so much of Luke in the Christmas story. The detail brings it to life. Luke is chosen to write and inspired by the Holy Spirit because of who he was. God knows his writer and uses him perfectly. Imagine Paul and Luke sailing. It inspires me. For five days, maybe just the two of them. We have much to learn from them.

Knuckleheads of the Bible

Our Tuesday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Ray:

So, April is running a 10-week course on the “Bad Girls of the Bible”, or something like that. Good call, because there aren’t enough weeks in the year to run “Bad Boys…” And, from my recent readings through the early Prophets (as I walk through the Bible in a year) recently has led me to an amazing sensitivity to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. It makes me want to title this missive “Knuckleheads of the Bible”, as it seems as though there are countless nations, people groups, towns, …, individuals who are so incredibly stubborn, hard-hearted, sinful – despite the words straight from the Creator of the universe they all live in – that it borders on insanity! One must simply deny the messenger’s message and stick to the horrid way of life that your senses have led you. Consider Eze 33:6, where he is appointed by God to be the “watchman” over the house of Israel: “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand”. Then, when the Lord gives Ezekiel a vision, or the words to speak as the watchman, he is commissioned to speak these words or else! Ouch, once we know, we're accountable!

Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Church Member, Lahoma:

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

I have been asked many times in my life why I believe the Bible is the Word of God by skeptics and those who seek to discredit and discourage people from believing the Bible is our only source of truth for today. There are a lot of “sacred books” out there, but none of them come close to being the literal Words of our Holy God, our Creator, Master, Defender, Lord and Righteous Heavenly Father. I ponder why people have such a hard time accepting the Bible, then I remember that in today’s society, people don’t like relying on something other than themselves to give directions for living-that goes against the world’s philosophy of “Do whatever YOU want to do, after all, no one has the right to tell you what to do!”. The Bible is continually under attack and mocked, changed, parts are dismissed as outdated or culturally inappropriate. I heard once that a school district didn’t want to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms because “Kids may read them and actually do what they say.” REALLY? Not kill???? Not steal???? Honor their mothers and fathers?????? Wow…. And we wonder why our kids are scared to go to school and we have shootings, metal detectors and bomb threats on our campuses. Our passage today is so true, we need light in this dark world to direct our steps- but when we don’t have that lamp, we are destined to stumble in the ever growing darkness until we fall and lose our way. The Bible is CLEAR when it tells us what is good for us, and what is NOT good for us in our lives. It makes me sick to watch the world redefine sins that they want to participate in, and then when the Bible is brought up to direct us away from those sins, it is dismissed as a “mere book outdated and only written by men”. This kind of thinking has slowly eroded our society, our schools, our government, our families, and sadly our faith. Brothers and sisters, we need to know WHAT GOD SAYS, and the only way to do that is to honor the Bible, believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and…. READ the Bible! There is NO OTHER BOOK in the WORLD that comes close to the amazing Bible, the true Word of God. We can put our confidence in the Bible as truth that does not change by the whims of society, or the opinions of man. It is forever established in the heavens, it does not return void, and there is power in scripture to speak LIFE into us, into our challenges, into our trials.

Regular People

"He was accompanied by Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia." Acts 20:4

The Bible, and Christianity in general, is made up of regular people. Everyday folk who are mentioned maybe only once in the word of God. People who are mentioned maybe only once in the word of God. People who believed in God enough to go ahead of Paul when his life was being threatened. Believers, all of them who signed up to serve, who stepped up and gave of themselves. The church has always been the people. No more and no less. Christ is the head and we are the body. We should be willing like Secundus from Thessalonica who we hear nothing more about in the word other than his mention here in Acts 20:4. We need more people like Secundus who didn’t ask to be mentioned in the Bible. He was just a believer willing to come along and help. He wasn’t looking for fame or a moment of glory. I am sure that I am saying more about him now than usually gets said. Secundus is us. We should think of him as an example of volunteerism. A brother who served the Lord by helping Paul. There are always Chiefs and Native Americans. The church needs Braves who will do what is needed.