If you are having a bad day, read the Book of Job. It will either drag you down further or cheer you up! I cannot imagine one getting any lower than...
"My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart."
Before we are too judgmental on Job...do we not sometimes drift into despair when things do not go as planned. Thank God despair does not have the final word but can lead to a greater hope! Amen!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Day 287...(Job 15,16; Isaiah 48; Acts 23)..."Paul's Family"
It is well documented that Paul never married. I am not aware of many teachings of Paul's family. In today's text we have a mention of his nephew. Paul's nephew actually saved Paul's life in learning of a plot to ambush Paul. In my readings of Acts before I never noticed Paul's family members. Below is the mention.
"But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him." So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you."
"But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him." So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you."
Friday, June 11, 2010
Day 286...(Job 13,14; Isaiah 47; Acts 22)..."Citizenship Over Intolerance"
Paul is known as one who could be all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel. In today's text, his being a Roman citizen is an advantage for his own sake. He avoids a beating. Humankind has always struggled over the issue of balancing religious tolerance, immigration, and citizenship. A citizen clearly has more rights, as is the case with Paul. What a fascinating text to explore ambiguity of citizenship, immigration, and religious freedom. Here is the encounter of Paul...
"As they spread-eagled him with thongs, getting him ready for the whip, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is this legal: torturing a Roman citizen without a fair trial?"When the centurion heard that, he went directly to the captain. "Do you realize what you've done? This man is a Roman citizen!" The captain came back and took charge. "Is what I hear right? You're a Roman citizen?" Paul said, "I certainly am." The captain was impressed. "I paid a huge sum for my citizenship. How much did it cost you?""Nothing," said Paul. "It cost me nothing. I was free from the day of my birth." That put a stop to the interrogation. And it put the fear of God into the captain. He had put a Roman citizen in chains and come within a whisker of putting him under torture! The next day, determined to get to the root of the trouble and know for sure what was behind the Jewish accusation, the captain released Paul and ordered a meeting of the high priests and the High Council to see what they could make of it. Paul was led in and took his place before them."
"As they spread-eagled him with thongs, getting him ready for the whip, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is this legal: torturing a Roman citizen without a fair trial?"When the centurion heard that, he went directly to the captain. "Do you realize what you've done? This man is a Roman citizen!" The captain came back and took charge. "Is what I hear right? You're a Roman citizen?" Paul said, "I certainly am." The captain was impressed. "I paid a huge sum for my citizenship. How much did it cost you?""Nothing," said Paul. "It cost me nothing. I was free from the day of my birth." That put a stop to the interrogation. And it put the fear of God into the captain. He had put a Roman citizen in chains and come within a whisker of putting him under torture! The next day, determined to get to the root of the trouble and know for sure what was behind the Jewish accusation, the captain released Paul and ordered a meeting of the high priests and the High Council to see what they could make of it. Paul was led in and took his place before them."
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Day 285...(Job 11,12; Isaiah 46; Acts 21)..."A Softer Side of Paul"
Paul is remembered for persecuting Christians and then after his conversion being very bold. In the last part of Acts chapter 20 and the first part of Acts 21, we see a softer side of Paul. In fact, there is a river of tears cried as Paul leaves. He is heading toward Jerusalem (even though he is advised not to go) and his freedom to rove around the churches was about to end. Here is the passage...
"Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed. And then a river of tears. Much clinging to Paul, not wanting to let him go. They knew they would never see him again—he had told them quite plainly. The pain cut deep. Then, bravely, they walked him down to the ship. And so, with the tearful good-byes behind us, we were on our way. We made a straight run to Cos, the next day reached Rhodes, and then Patara. There we found a ship going direct to Phoenicia, got on board, and set sail. Cyprus came into view on our left, but was soon out of sight as we kept on course for Syria, and eventually docked in the port of Tyre. While the cargo was being unloaded, we looked up the local disciples and stayed with them seven days. Their message to Paul, from insight given by the Spirit, was "Don't go to Jerusalem."
"Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed. And then a river of tears. Much clinging to Paul, not wanting to let him go. They knew they would never see him again—he had told them quite plainly. The pain cut deep. Then, bravely, they walked him down to the ship. And so, with the tearful good-byes behind us, we were on our way. We made a straight run to Cos, the next day reached Rhodes, and then Patara. There we found a ship going direct to Phoenicia, got on board, and set sail. Cyprus came into view on our left, but was soon out of sight as we kept on course for Syria, and eventually docked in the port of Tyre. While the cargo was being unloaded, we looked up the local disciples and stayed with them seven days. Their message to Paul, from insight given by the Spirit, was "Don't go to Jerusalem."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Day 284...(Job 9,10; Isaiah 45; Acts 20)..."How Low Can You Go?"
Job, as earlier noted does match Ecclesiastes for sacrasm regarding the "vanity of vanities" or in today's language..."why bother?" or "what's the use?" Today we may have the lowest comment of all! How much lower can you go as wishing you had never been born! Here is the passage...
""So why did you have me born? I wish no one had ever laid eyes on me! I wish I'd never lived—a stillborn, buried without ever having breathed. Isn't it time to call it quits on my life? Can't you let up, and let me smile just once Before I die and am buried, before I'm nailed into my coffin, sealed in the ground, And banished for good to the land of the dead, blind in the final dark?"
After these kind of statements, life can only go up!
""So why did you have me born? I wish no one had ever laid eyes on me! I wish I'd never lived—a stillborn, buried without ever having breathed. Isn't it time to call it quits on my life? Can't you let up, and let me smile just once Before I die and am buried, before I'm nailed into my coffin, sealed in the ground, And banished for good to the land of the dead, blind in the final dark?"
After these kind of statements, life can only go up!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 283...(Job 7,8: Isaiah 44; Acts 19)..."Bildad Speaks"
Job's friend Bildad gives advice to Job and his troubles. In today's language it would be phrased like..."get right with God." According to Bildad, if you are right with God it will make no difference but if you are wrong with God your fortunes will be restored. Another friends opinion. Bildad would have a lot of company today. Here is what he said...
"Does God Almighty ever get things backward? It's plain that your children sinned against him— otherwise, why would God have punished them? Here's what you must do—and don't put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty. If you're as innocent and upright as you say, it's not too late—he'll come running; he'll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes.
Even though you're not much right now, you'll end up better than ever."
"Does God Almighty ever get things backward? It's plain that your children sinned against him— otherwise, why would God have punished them? Here's what you must do—and don't put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty. If you're as innocent and upright as you say, it's not too late—he'll come running; he'll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes.
Even though you're not much right now, you'll end up better than ever."
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 282...(Job 5,6; Isaiah 43; Acts 18)..."A New Thing"
Dr. David Hopkins, in teaching Isaiah at Wesley Seminary... said something interesting about this passage. Anytime, he said, you see the phrase behold it is like "take a real good look." Isaiah really wanted his readers to pay attention. What is Isaiah saying? God is doing new thing. One of the most amazing things in the Christian experience is God is always doing something new. No matter how long we are a Christian. As God renewed Israel out of exile, He can renew us today.
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?"
What new is God doing in your life today?
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?"
What new is God doing in your life today?
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