Wednesday, December 14, 2011
December 14, Day 348
One of my favorite childhood movies was Swiss Family Robinson. No doubt you remember the story: shipwrecked, the family is trapped on a desert island where they encounter great dangers and live in a treehouse. The closing scenes in Acts include a vivid description of shipwreck and danger. Paul and his fellow travelers face possible death for days. God, however, wanted Paul in Rome.
On the island of Malta, Paul prayed for father of Publius, the Roman official and the man was healed. Then Paul's team began to minister to other sick people. The word used to describe the healing of Publius' father denotes a miraculous cure. The word used to describe the other healing describes the application of medicine. Remember that Luke, who wrote this history, was a medical doctor.
In Rome, Paul was still a prisoner, but he had a certain freedom. He used it to keep preaching the Gospel. While we may find much to disagree with in the Roman Catholic church today, their earliest history springs back to the work of Paul and others.
I found Acts stimulating and refreshing. I hope you did, too.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 13, Day 347
Paul was arrested on false charges, held for political expediency and yet he continued to tell the Good News about Jesus to everyone who would listen. The events of his life were being orchestrated so that he could preach the Gospel even to Caesar. When troubles come upon me and our church, I do well to remember the One who is in charge and trust in His purposes.
Monday, December 12, 2011
December 12, Day 346
We are back in the book of Acts. Paul's life and ministry were never boring, but we now enter the hair-raising conclusion of his story in Acts. On his way to Jerusalem, he stopped to encourage the Elders. He gave them the most concise job description one can imagine: "So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. (Acts 20:28 NLT) At Stone Ridge er are blessed with godly men who live out this description every day.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
December 11, Day 345
We complete Romans today. Our reading includes one of my favorite verses: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
December 10, Day 344
It has been a while since I saw such a clear parallel between our reading and the times in which we live. For instance, Likewise, David said,
"Let their bountiful table become a snare,
a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
and let them get what they deserve.
Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
and let their backs be bent forever." (Romans 11:9, 10 NLT)
Talk about sobering! Could it be that our bounty has been one of the largest roadblocks spiritually?
Two chapters later, Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. (Romans 13:13, 14 NLT) I have a growing concern that we have fallen so deeply into grace that we have taken it as license to pour our whole lives into pleasure.
Friday, December 9, 2011
December 9, Day 343
Romans 8 is one of the most beautiful chapters in Scripture: "Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Romans 9 is one of the most difficult chapters in Scripture, describing the sovereignty of God. Then, chapter 10 seems to put the whole picture together: "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How can God's sovereignty and man's freedom coexist? It's a mystery that causes debate among God's people, some arguing one extreme while others argue the opposite. I think we miss significant parts of God's character if we swing too far to either side.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
December 8, Day 342
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:3-8 NLT)
Now that's good news!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
