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timewithgod.blog-city.com — October 2010
Acts 21 -- Listening Or Not?
Paul headed back to Jerusalem by boat, and it wasn't a direct shot. He first caught a ship that sailed to Patara, but he had to change there to another ship sailing to Phoenicia. That ship had a seven-day layover in Tyre to offload ca
Paul headed back to Jerusalem by boat, and it wasn't a direct shot. He first caught a ship that sailed to Patara, but he had to change there to another ship sailing to Phoenicia. That ship had a seven-day layover in Tyre to offload cargo, so Paul located some believers there and stayed with them. "Through the Holy Spirit, they warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem," verse 4 says. Yet Paul continued onward. Father along, in Caesarea, Paul encountered Agabus who prophesied that the Jews in Jerusalem would capture Paul. But he could not be persuaded to stop.
The question that stuck in my mind today was whether Paul was listening to God or not. My commentary mentioned that, at the first warning, there was really not any definite indication that Paul knew the warnings were made through the Holy Spirit. Yet there seems to be no doubt that that second warning was divinely inspired, for Agabus had told Paul, "The Holy Spirit says ..."
The fact that coincidences brought Paul to these spots to receive these warnings shouldn't be overlooked. Boats were not on rigid schedules, and he had no idea when he'd get wherever. God seemed to be lining up people at just the right time to warn him.
So was GOD HIMSELF warning Paul not to return to Jerusalem and was Paul ignoring Him, headstrong in his desire to spread the Gospel? We know that he didn't believe that his personal safety was a consideration.
Possibly the best answer will show up later in chapter 23, where the Lord appears to Paul and tells him, "Be brave! You have told people in Jerusalem about me. You must do the same in Rome."
God was orchestrating the spread of the Gospel. God might have had different (and much better) plans than those Paul followed. But one thing I know - God can overrule all events for His glory.
I've heard it said that we are all immortal until the work God has for us here is done. We may not know this side of heaven what the best plans of God were for us, and how far from them our "headstrongness" took us, but we do not have to worry that He will always triumph, even over our own headstrong behavior and sin.
Father, please continue to impart discernment to me. Allow me to see the plans You have for me, in Your own timing. Don't let me hinder Your work by my own willfulness.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The question that stuck in my mind today was whether Paul was listening to God or not. My commentary mentioned that, at the first warning, there was really not any definite indication that Paul knew the warnings were made through the Holy Spirit. Yet there seems to be no doubt that that second warning was divinely inspired, for Agabus had told Paul, "The Holy Spirit says ..."
The fact that coincidences brought Paul to these spots to receive these warnings shouldn't be overlooked. Boats were not on rigid schedules, and he had no idea when he'd get wherever. God seemed to be lining up people at just the right time to warn him.
So was GOD HIMSELF warning Paul not to return to Jerusalem and was Paul ignoring Him, headstrong in his desire to spread the Gospel? We know that he didn't believe that his personal safety was a consideration.
Possibly the best answer will show up later in chapter 23, where the Lord appears to Paul and tells him, "Be brave! You have told people in Jerusalem about me. You must do the same in Rome."
God was orchestrating the spread of the Gospel. God might have had different (and much better) plans than those Paul followed. But one thing I know - God can overrule all events for His glory.
I've heard it said that we are all immortal until the work God has for us here is done. We may not know this side of heaven what the best plans of God were for us, and how far from them our "headstrongness" took us, but we do not have to worry that He will always triumph, even over our own headstrong behavior and sin.
Father, please continue to impart discernment to me. Allow me to see the plans You have for me, in Your own timing. Don't let me hinder Your work by my own willfulness.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Acts 22 & 23 -- Gentlemen, Choose Your Weapons
Paul began to speak to the hostile crowd, and his words had them listening attentively. They even listened as he described the words that Jesus, who they'd crucified, had spoken to him. It was only when he mentioned Jesus' command
Paul began to speak to the hostile crowd, and his words had them listening attentively. They even listened as he described the words that Jesus, who they'd crucified, had spoken to him. It was only when he mentioned Jesus' command to him to go with the gospel to the non-Jewish people that they came unhinged, for believed that God was God for them alone, and Paul's words were challenging their claim of exclusivity.
The next day the Roman commander took Jesus to the Jewish leaders so that he could more fully understand the charges being made against Paul. What happened at that meeting has even caused contention among Christians.
Both Sadducees and Pharisees were in attendance. Verse 7 says, "Knowing this, Paul shouted to them, ‘My brothers, I am a Pharisee, and my father was a Pharisee. I am on trial here because I believe that people will rise from the dead' (since he'd spoken to the risen Lord). He knew this would cause division among their ranks.
Paul's criticism has come from those who take issue with his using "a carnal expedient" to divide this audience, my commentary said, and that he "was wrong in claiming to be a Pharisee, and thus snatch a strategic advantage by setting the rival Sadducees and Pharisees at variance."
Is it right to do that? I know that many times, in the midst of an argument or discussion, I've prayed for God to give me His view on the matter before I speak. Often, quite quickly after my asking, a word or phrase pops into my head, and as I consider it, whether it happens to be a spiritual truth or a worldly tactic, I seek assurance from God before using it.
In Paul's case, he was taken back to jail while the two factions disputed one another. I think the telling tale came that night, recorded in verse 11: "The Lord (Jesus) came and stood by Paul. He said, ‘Be brave! You have told the people in Jerusalem about Me. You must do the same in Rome."
Jesus did not criticize him or even insinuate that there was a problem with what Paul had done: "Rather, it was a message of sheer praise and promise," my commentary noted.
The next day, God in His providence had strategically placed Paul's nephew in a position to hear plans by the Jews to ambush and kill Paul. He reported this to Paul, who asked his guard to take the young man to his commander. Hearing the plans, the commander sent Paul with an armed escort to the governor in Caesarea. Once again, Paul used what some would criticize as an earthly means to secure his safety.
It's amazing that, were the shoe on the other foot, non-Christians wouldn't probably hesitate to use any means at their disposal to protect themselves or gain advantage, but the world seems to want Christians to fight with both hands tied behind their backs.
Father, I never want to detract from Your power and ability to protect me. I also don't want to diminish Your glory by using worldly ways. Help me, then, to know when You will be stepping in to protect me so I won't be my words or actions "steal the scene," yet also give me wisdom in dealing with the world, for You call us to be wily as serpents at times.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The next day the Roman commander took Jesus to the Jewish leaders so that he could more fully understand the charges being made against Paul. What happened at that meeting has even caused contention among Christians.
Both Sadducees and Pharisees were in attendance. Verse 7 says, "Knowing this, Paul shouted to them, ‘My brothers, I am a Pharisee, and my father was a Pharisee. I am on trial here because I believe that people will rise from the dead' (since he'd spoken to the risen Lord). He knew this would cause division among their ranks.
Paul's criticism has come from those who take issue with his using "a carnal expedient" to divide this audience, my commentary said, and that he "was wrong in claiming to be a Pharisee, and thus snatch a strategic advantage by setting the rival Sadducees and Pharisees at variance."
Is it right to do that? I know that many times, in the midst of an argument or discussion, I've prayed for God to give me His view on the matter before I speak. Often, quite quickly after my asking, a word or phrase pops into my head, and as I consider it, whether it happens to be a spiritual truth or a worldly tactic, I seek assurance from God before using it.
In Paul's case, he was taken back to jail while the two factions disputed one another. I think the telling tale came that night, recorded in verse 11: "The Lord (Jesus) came and stood by Paul. He said, ‘Be brave! You have told the people in Jerusalem about Me. You must do the same in Rome."
Jesus did not criticize him or even insinuate that there was a problem with what Paul had done: "Rather, it was a message of sheer praise and promise," my commentary noted.
The next day, God in His providence had strategically placed Paul's nephew in a position to hear plans by the Jews to ambush and kill Paul. He reported this to Paul, who asked his guard to take the young man to his commander. Hearing the plans, the commander sent Paul with an armed escort to the governor in Caesarea. Once again, Paul used what some would criticize as an earthly means to secure his safety.
It's amazing that, were the shoe on the other foot, non-Christians wouldn't probably hesitate to use any means at their disposal to protect themselves or gain advantage, but the world seems to want Christians to fight with both hands tied behind their backs.
Father, I never want to detract from Your power and ability to protect me. I also don't want to diminish Your glory by using worldly ways. Help me, then, to know when You will be stepping in to protect me so I won't be my words or actions "steal the scene," yet also give me wisdom in dealing with the world, for You call us to be wily as serpents at times.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Acts 25-26 God Responding To Comments?
Paul is given another hearing two YEARS after his first. He'd languished in prison until Felix had been replaced as governor by Festus. Festus really found that Paul had done nothing wrong, but he was a politician trying to curry favo
Paul is given another hearing two YEARS after his first. He'd languished in prison until Felix had been replaced as governor by Festus. Festus really found that Paul had done nothing wrong, but he was a politician trying to curry favor with his constituents. King Agrippa and his wife had come to meet the new governor and he was pulled into the mix by his knowledge of Judaism.
Paul used the occasion to again tell his life's story. As he spoke of his experience on the Damascus road, Paul recounted something Jesus said that really stuck out to me this morning: "Saul ... Saul ... why are you persecuting Me? YOU ARE ONLY HURTING YOURSELF BY FIGHTING ME."
That last sentence ought to perk up the ears of any man - Am I hurting myself? HOW? No man once discovering such a condition would want it to continue. We are, after all, self-protecting.
I so remember a time years ago, when I'd let my intellect lead me to a point which I guess I could best describe as being offended by what I read in the Bible. My commentary described it well: "Paul had been kicking against the goad of his own conscience ..." Something [Someone] was poking at me spiritually, trying to get me to move from the "high ground" I'd become stuck on, and much like one of the old cows my dad used to raise, any attempt to goad her away from her current state of contendedness resulted in a swift kick back toward the one doing the poking.
Father, You know much better than I that I wasn't where You wanted me to be spiritually, and You loved me enough not to leave me in that place. I was nothing but an angry person and not even sure of where that anger was coming from, but I know now. You formed each one of us with a God-shaped hole in our hearts that can only be filled by You. I didn't like that emptiness, but I didn't like giving You permission to fill it, either. I was only hurting myself by fighting You and didn't know it. Thanks for showing me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Paul used the occasion to again tell his life's story. As he spoke of his experience on the Damascus road, Paul recounted something Jesus said that really stuck out to me this morning: "Saul ... Saul ... why are you persecuting Me? YOU ARE ONLY HURTING YOURSELF BY FIGHTING ME."
That last sentence ought to perk up the ears of any man - Am I hurting myself? HOW? No man once discovering such a condition would want it to continue. We are, after all, self-protecting.
I so remember a time years ago, when I'd let my intellect lead me to a point which I guess I could best describe as being offended by what I read in the Bible. My commentary described it well: "Paul had been kicking against the goad of his own conscience ..." Something [Someone] was poking at me spiritually, trying to get me to move from the "high ground" I'd become stuck on, and much like one of the old cows my dad used to raise, any attempt to goad her away from her current state of contendedness resulted in a swift kick back toward the one doing the poking.
Father, You know much better than I that I wasn't where You wanted me to be spiritually, and You loved me enough not to leave me in that place. I was nothing but an angry person and not even sure of where that anger was coming from, but I know now. You formed each one of us with a God-shaped hole in our hearts that can only be filled by You. I didn't like that emptiness, but I didn't like giving You permission to fill it, either. I was only hurting myself by fighting You and didn't know it. Thanks for showing me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Acts 27 & 28 -- The World Would Hardly Call This Being "Blessed"
Earlier, the Lord Himself had told Paul that he would testify about Him in Rome. I don't know what Paul's expectations of the trip and his time in Rome might have been, but surely reality was far worse than he could ever have imagined.&
Earlier, the Lord Himself had told Paul that he would testify about Him in Rome. I don't know what Paul's expectations of the trip and his time in Rome might have been, but surely reality was far worse than he could ever have imagined. Extremely poor sailing weather caused many delays and reroutings. Storms caused them to become lost and shipwrecked. All lives were saved, but Paul was bitten by a snake while he was building a bonfire, though he suffered no ill effects. After a 3-month layover, they finally resumed their trip and arrived in Rome.
Paul arranged a meeting with local Jews to give his testimony and tell them about Christ. Arguing broke out and apparently no one believed in Christ. It certainly doesn't sound like a successful mission, and the Book of Acts closes with little other information.
A worldly-mindset reader would likely call Paul a foolish failure. Like many in the Old Testament, they might perceive material success as God's blessing and disaster as God's curse.
Paul had gone from being the rising star among the Pharisee leadership in Jerusalem to a prisoner in the world capital of Rome, yet he was directly in the center of God's will. While at Rome, it's believed that he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, and the contents of those letters certainly indicate how greatly God was at work in his life despite his circumstances.
Father, thank You for helping me to trust You. Thank You for showing me that You are trustworthy regardless of circumstances. Thank You for showing me that You continue to bless even during hardships in our lives, and even when the things we do in Your name appear to be bearing no fruit. Keep my chin up. Just like my son's adoption process, help me to trust You despite the circumstances, KNOWING that You will bless in ways that I cannot imagine!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Paul arranged a meeting with local Jews to give his testimony and tell them about Christ. Arguing broke out and apparently no one believed in Christ. It certainly doesn't sound like a successful mission, and the Book of Acts closes with little other information.
A worldly-mindset reader would likely call Paul a foolish failure. Like many in the Old Testament, they might perceive material success as God's blessing and disaster as God's curse.
Paul had gone from being the rising star among the Pharisee leadership in Jerusalem to a prisoner in the world capital of Rome, yet he was directly in the center of God's will. While at Rome, it's believed that he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, and the contents of those letters certainly indicate how greatly God was at work in his life despite his circumstances.
Father, thank You for helping me to trust You. Thank You for showing me that You are trustworthy regardless of circumstances. Thank You for showing me that You continue to bless even during hardships in our lives, and even when the things we do in Your name appear to be bearing no fruit. Keep my chin up. Just like my son's adoption process, help me to trust You despite the circumstances, KNOWING that You will bless in ways that I cannot imagine!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Matthew 1 & 2 -- I'm Not Holier Than Thou, Just Forgiven
I've noticed over the years that people who attack Christians often begin from the perspective of Christians trying to be "holier" than everyone else, and this seems incongruous with past sins known to have been committed by these same
I've noticed over the years that people who attack Christians often begin from the perspective of Christians trying to be "holier" than everyone else, and this seems incongruous with past sins known to have been committed by these same Christians. What the attackers have failed to understand in most cases is that even in the Bible, God never tries to hide the sins of even the most notable characters. The only person in the Bible who never sinned was Jesus.
God didn't attempt to sugar-coat the lives of those in Jesus' own lineage through his adopted father, Joseph, either, which lineage included Jacob (the conniver), two women considered harlots (Tamar and Rahab), adulterers (David and Bathsheba), and something normally quite offensive to the Jewish readers Matthew was writing to: Two women who were not Jewish (Ruth and Rahab). Matthew could have just listed the male lineage and "saved some embarrassment" but God directed him to intentionally name or refer to each of these people for a reason: God can use each of us despite our sins. We simply have to make ourselves available.
I really don't know of a Christian who wouldn't gladly point to the grace God bestowed on them in choosing to save them, sinners that they were, through the death of His Son. In fact, our biggest question for God is likely, "Why me, God?? Why did You love me so? I didn't deserve it at all. Still, You drew me to Yourself, in the middle of my sin, and saved me."
All I can say to that is, "Thank You, Father!"
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
God didn't attempt to sugar-coat the lives of those in Jesus' own lineage through his adopted father, Joseph, either, which lineage included Jacob (the conniver), two women considered harlots (Tamar and Rahab), adulterers (David and Bathsheba), and something normally quite offensive to the Jewish readers Matthew was writing to: Two women who were not Jewish (Ruth and Rahab). Matthew could have just listed the male lineage and "saved some embarrassment" but God directed him to intentionally name or refer to each of these people for a reason: God can use each of us despite our sins. We simply have to make ourselves available.
I really don't know of a Christian who wouldn't gladly point to the grace God bestowed on them in choosing to save them, sinners that they were, through the death of His Son. In fact, our biggest question for God is likely, "Why me, God?? Why did You love me so? I didn't deserve it at all. Still, You drew me to Yourself, in the middle of my sin, and saved me."
All I can say to that is, "Thank You, Father!"
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Matthew 3 & 4 -- COULD He Be Tempted?
Matthew 4:1 says, "Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil." The age-old question seems to be "Why?" Was it to "prove" He was ready for His ministry? My commentary says, &qu
Matthew 4:1 says, "Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil." The age-old question seems to be "Why?" Was it to "prove" He was ready for His ministry? My commentary says, "This temptation was necessary to demonstrate His moral fitness to do the work for which He had come into the world."
So who was He demonstrating this to? Not to God or to Himself, I think, for they both knew His status. It was for us. Not only did it show a man willing to give up His own comfort. It also set the mark for which each of us is to strive.
"But could Jesus really BE tempted?" is usually the next question. My commentary says that, like us He "could be tempted from without: Satan came to Him with suggestions contrary to the will of God. But unlike us, He could not be tempted from within - no sinful lusts or passions could originate in Him. Furthermore, there was nothing in Him that would respond to the devil's seductions ... It was possible for Him to be faced with enticements to sin, but it was morally impossible for Him to yield."
It continues to give plausible answers to our questions: "The purpose of the temptation was not to see if He would sin, but to prove that even under tremendous pressure He could do nothing but obey the Word of God."
Father, I believe that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine when He walked this earth. Because He was, I cannot cry foul and say that it's unfair that He calls us not to sin. Yes, I know that His divinity does make it easier for Him, but as we strive to be like Him, You empower us to live a life that honors You by the Holy Spirit. "We don't have to live, but we do have to obey God!" my commentary said. Help me to remember to keep those in the proper order.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
So who was He demonstrating this to? Not to God or to Himself, I think, for they both knew His status. It was for us. Not only did it show a man willing to give up His own comfort. It also set the mark for which each of us is to strive.
"But could Jesus really BE tempted?" is usually the next question. My commentary says that, like us He "could be tempted from without: Satan came to Him with suggestions contrary to the will of God. But unlike us, He could not be tempted from within - no sinful lusts or passions could originate in Him. Furthermore, there was nothing in Him that would respond to the devil's seductions ... It was possible for Him to be faced with enticements to sin, but it was morally impossible for Him to yield."
It continues to give plausible answers to our questions: "The purpose of the temptation was not to see if He would sin, but to prove that even under tremendous pressure He could do nothing but obey the Word of God."
Father, I believe that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine when He walked this earth. Because He was, I cannot cry foul and say that it's unfair that He calls us not to sin. Yes, I know that His divinity does make it easier for Him, but as we strive to be like Him, You empower us to live a life that honors You by the Holy Spirit. "We don't have to live, but we do have to obey God!" my commentary said. Help me to remember to keep those in the proper order.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Matthew 5 -- It's The Thought That Counts
There was an incredible amount of rich wisdom Jesus was imparting to His followers in this chapter, and several thoughts I really wanted to pursue, but God seemed to direct me to verses 27-30. My commentary said, "A person might be proud t
There was an incredible amount of rich wisdom Jesus was imparting to His followers in this chapter, and several thoughts I really wanted to pursue, but God seemed to direct me to verses 27-30. My commentary said, "A person might be proud that he had never broken this commandment (adultery), and yet have his "eyes FULL of adultery". While outwardly respectable, his mind might be constantly wandering down labyrinths of impurity. So Jesus reminded His disciples that mere abstinence from the physical act was not enough - there must be inward purity. The law forbade the act of adultery. Jesus forbade the desire."
The key here seems to lie not just with that one sin but with our entire thought life. "Sin begins in the mind, and if we nourish it, we eventually commit the act." Whether it's lust or anger or envy, we have to maintain strict self-discipline over our thought lives. The moment a thought pops into our head that we can recognize as an open door to sin, we must close that door. That is often very difficult to do, for we can develop a sense of entitlement. "I'm allowed just one thought, surely!" It takes the Holy Spirit's empowerment to keep ourselves on a diet of the mind.
Father, You are the only One who can hold us accountable for our thought lives. No other human will or can even know all of our thoughts - only You. Keep me honest and help me to cut off and destroy thoughts that lead me away from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The key here seems to lie not just with that one sin but with our entire thought life. "Sin begins in the mind, and if we nourish it, we eventually commit the act." Whether it's lust or anger or envy, we have to maintain strict self-discipline over our thought lives. The moment a thought pops into our head that we can recognize as an open door to sin, we must close that door. That is often very difficult to do, for we can develop a sense of entitlement. "I'm allowed just one thought, surely!" It takes the Holy Spirit's empowerment to keep ourselves on a diet of the mind.
Father, You are the only One who can hold us accountable for our thought lives. No other human will or can even know all of our thoughts - only You. Keep me honest and help me to cut off and destroy thoughts that lead me away from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Acts 6 -- Adjusting Our Thinking
Oh, that I could always think the way Jesus thinks here! He has us guarding against the sin of pride by giving in secret, so that our motivation is solely to honor and glorify Him. Her reminds us that God already knows our needs, and H
Oh, that I could always think the way Jesus thinks here! He has us guarding against the sin of pride by giving in secret, so that our motivation is solely to honor and glorify Him.
Her reminds us that God already knows our needs, and He wants us to believe in God's sufficiency to meet them. We're to begin our prayers with worship, putting God's interests first. We're to believe that He knows best. We're to remove from our hearts anything that doesn't resemble Him before asking for anything, and we can even pray for His power to keep us from sin.
He teaches us to rely on our Father for our future, investing in His kingdom rather than our own, and as my commentary says, "This teaching forces us to decide whether Jesus meant what He said. If He did, then we face the question, ‘What are we going to do with our earthly treasures?' If He didn't, then we face the question, ‘What are we going to do with our Bible?'"
Father, the world believes so differently than this, and we are bombarded every day with it. That helps me to know why it's so important to bombard myself with Your Word each day. Please continue to adjust my thinking to more closely match Yours. Grow me in You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Her reminds us that God already knows our needs, and He wants us to believe in God's sufficiency to meet them. We're to begin our prayers with worship, putting God's interests first. We're to believe that He knows best. We're to remove from our hearts anything that doesn't resemble Him before asking for anything, and we can even pray for His power to keep us from sin.
He teaches us to rely on our Father for our future, investing in His kingdom rather than our own, and as my commentary says, "This teaching forces us to decide whether Jesus meant what He said. If He did, then we face the question, ‘What are we going to do with our earthly treasures?' If He didn't, then we face the question, ‘What are we going to do with our Bible?'"
Father, the world believes so differently than this, and we are bombarded every day with it. That helps me to know why it's so important to bombard myself with Your Word each day. Please continue to adjust my thinking to more closely match Yours. Grow me in You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Acts 7 -- Not Just Hearing, But Believing As Well
I've heard people say that Christianity is just a lot of "thou shalt not's". Instead, I like the way my commentary described it: "Christianity is not simply a matter of abstinence from sin; it is positive goodness.&
I've heard people say that Christianity is just a lot of "thou shalt not's". Instead, I like the way my commentary described it: "Christianity is not simply a matter of abstinence from sin; it is positive goodness."
Also, most people probably believe that verses 13 & 14 are referencing the decision to trust Christ or not for salvation. Yet my commentary mentions that "the gate of Christian discipleship is narrow and the way is difficult." The wide gate would in this case represent a life of self-indulgence and pleasure lived out by a Christian. "The interpretation is for believers. Jesus is saying that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. But the difficult life is the only life worth living. If you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God's BEST for you," my commentary added.
We only get God's absolute best when we make obedience to His commands our utmost priority. The parable of the house built on the rock "drives home the importance of obedience. It is not enough to hear these sayings; we must put them into practice."
Father, I can agree with You all I want, yet if I never take the next step and put into practice those beliefs, then I have fallen far short of Your best for me. Why would I want to cheat myself? Help me to hear and obey.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Also, most people probably believe that verses 13 & 14 are referencing the decision to trust Christ or not for salvation. Yet my commentary mentions that "the gate of Christian discipleship is narrow and the way is difficult." The wide gate would in this case represent a life of self-indulgence and pleasure lived out by a Christian. "The interpretation is for believers. Jesus is saying that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. But the difficult life is the only life worth living. If you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God's BEST for you," my commentary added.
We only get God's absolute best when we make obedience to His commands our utmost priority. The parable of the house built on the rock "drives home the importance of obedience. It is not enough to hear these sayings; we must put them into practice."
Father, I can agree with You all I want, yet if I never take the next step and put into practice those beliefs, then I have fallen far short of Your best for me. Why would I want to cheat myself? Help me to hear and obey.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Acts 8 -- When Our Words Contradict Our Lives
The various reactions of the people in this chapter to Christ caught my attention this morning. The Roman centurion, who was not Jewish, believed that Jesus could heal his servant from a distance. Jesus marveled at his faith - one of only
The various reactions of the people in this chapter to Christ caught my attention this morning. The Roman centurion, who was not Jewish, believed that Jesus could heal his servant from a distance. Jesus marveled at his faith - one of only two times Jesus was said to have marveled. The other time was when He marveled at the unbelief of the Jews. According to my commentary, "faith is rewarded in proportion to its confidence in the character of God." How we need to increase our confidence in God! What a benefit we'd derive from doing so!
Jesus had easily been handling demons, with only a word telling them to depart from those they'd possessed. Yet my commentary points out that "it is only when He came in contact with men and women that He meets with resistance - the miracle of human refusal." Free will sounds like a good thing, but we often exercise it to our detriment.
Often our words can betray our state of belief, as we could see in verse 21, where a man wanted to first bury his father before dropping everything to follow Jesus. ("Burying his father" probably meant "I'll follow you after my aged father has died.") The man's contradictory words were, "Lord .... me first." "Lord" means "Boss", and anytime we choose to tell him "no" we aren't letting Him be Boss.
Father, I knew Your Son as Savior for many years before I finally understood and began to acknowledge Him as Lord Or Boss of my life. I'm sorry that I missed that most vital part for so long. Please help me every day not to mix "Lord" and "me first". It just doesn't work.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Jesus had easily been handling demons, with only a word telling them to depart from those they'd possessed. Yet my commentary points out that "it is only when He came in contact with men and women that He meets with resistance - the miracle of human refusal." Free will sounds like a good thing, but we often exercise it to our detriment.
Often our words can betray our state of belief, as we could see in verse 21, where a man wanted to first bury his father before dropping everything to follow Jesus. ("Burying his father" probably meant "I'll follow you after my aged father has died.") The man's contradictory words were, "Lord .... me first." "Lord" means "Boss", and anytime we choose to tell him "no" we aren't letting Him be Boss.
Father, I knew Your Son as Savior for many years before I finally understood and began to acknowledge Him as Lord Or Boss of my life. I'm sorry that I missed that most vital part for so long. Please help me every day not to mix "Lord" and "me first". It just doesn't work.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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