Prepare for the Lord's Comming

Christian Commitment
in Today's World


Matthew 25:1-13 (The Message)

The Story of the Virgins

 ^1-5 "God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.  ⁶"In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!'
 ^7-8"The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.'
 ⁹"They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.'
 ¹⁰"They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
 ¹¹"Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, 'Master, we're here. Let us in.'
 ¹²"He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you.'
 ¹³"So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.

For Reflection
So what is the oil you carry with you?  How do you prepare to meet Jesus?  When He visits you, will He recognize the person his father has created?  Will He say, "Do I know you?"

Pray for the wisdom to know the person you were meant to be.  Pray for the courage to be that person.

Watch for the Lord's Comming

Christian Commitment
in Today's World


Matthew 24:36-44 (The Message)

 ³⁶"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
 ^37-39"The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.
 ^39-44"The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

For Reflection
The IVP New Testament Commentaries say,  "Impenitent sinners shall see Him whom they have pierced, and, though they laugh now, shall mourn and weep in endless horror and despair." Taken literally, the threat that some will be left behind at the second coming always disturbed me.  Is it really the fear that one will remain unselected that moves people to God?  If so, how long can the fear be sustained? 

I would rather believe that the resurrected Christ is here right now working  to reconcile the world to God.  Some respond to the call and some do not.  What do you think?  What difference does your answer make in the way you live your life?  Could both interpretations be true? Are they mutually exclusive?

Pray that you will be ready to answer God's call.  Pray to be a vessel to house God's Spirit.  Pray to enable God to work his grace through you.

Listen to the Word

Christian Commitment
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Acts 19:1-10 (The Message)

^1-2 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?"
   "We've never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?"
 ³"How were you baptized, then?" asked Paul.
   "In John's baptism."
 ⁴"That explains it," said Paul. "John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you've been baptized in John's baptism, you're ready now for the real thing, for Jesus."
 ^5-7And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God's actions. Altogether there were about twelve people there that day.
 ^8-10Paul then went straight to the meeting place. He had the run of the place for three months, doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them. But then resistance began to form as some of them began spreading evil rumors through the congregation about the Christian way of life. So Paul left, taking the disciples with him, and set up shop in the school of Tyrannus, holding class there daily. He did this for two years, giving everyone in the province of Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, ample opportunity to hear the Message of the Master.

For Reflection
There it is -- that laying on of hands again.  How do you handle mystery?  God inside us?  Transformational power in the laying on of hands?   Obviously, not all who received the Spirit accepted it.  How do you let the Spirit drive you?

Pray that you continue to make a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit who lives in you.  Pray that you will listen to not just hear the word of the Spirit.

Rejoice in Your New Life

Christian Commitment
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Psalm 16:7-11 (The Message)

 ^7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
      is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
   Day and night I'll stick with God;
      I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.

 ^9-10 I'm happy from the inside out,
      and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
   You canceled my ticket to hell—
      that's not my destination!

 ¹¹ Now you've got my feet on the life path,
      all radiant from the shining of your face.
   Ever since you took my hand,
      I'm on the right way.For Reflection

Living the life that God intends is cause for celebration.  Let the music of God flow through you. Dance,  Sing,  make joyful noises. (Well, at least SMILE.)

Pray prayers of joy.  Thank God for His presence in your life.  Think of a hymn and sing it all  day.

We are God-Taught

Christian Commitment
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1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (The Message)

You're God-Taught

 ^1-3 One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life.    Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity.
 ^4-5Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.
 ^6-7Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God's concerns, and he will take care of them. We've warned you about this before. God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.
 ⁸If you disregard this advice, you're not offending your neighbors; you're rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit.
 ^9-10Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don't need me to tell you what to do. You're God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! You're already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it.
 ^11-12Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You've heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.

For Reflection
To what extent is you life a demonstration of what it means to belong to a loving God?

Pray that you will be confident enough in your relationship with God that you live a life that pleases Him.  Pray to remain open to His direction in your life.

The Corner of Blessing and Curse

Christian Commitment
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Deuteronomy 11:26-32 (The Message)

 ²⁶ I've brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse.
 ²⁷ The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of God, your God, which I command you today.
 ²⁸ The Curse: if you don't pay attention to the commandments of God, your God, but leave the road that I command you today, following other gods of which you know nothing.
 ^29-30 Here's what comes next: When God, your God, brings you into the land you are going into to make your own, you are to give out the Blessing from Mount Gerizim and the Curse from Mount Ebal. After you cross the Jordan River, follow the road to the west through Canaanite settlements in the valley near Gilgal and the Oaks of Moreh.
 ^31-32 You are crossing the Jordan River to invade and take the land that God, your God, is giving you. Be vigilant. Observe all the regulations and rules I am setting before you today.

For Reflection
How do we choose at the intersections of our lives?  Moses had a way of putting it.  Obedience to God is a right turn on Blessing Road. Take measure of your life.  One can always leave Curse Blvd. for Blessing Road.

Pray for steadfast obedience to the word.  Praise God for His forgiving grace and constant offer to re-direct our lives.

Seek the Lord's Counsel

Christian Commitment
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Psalm 32:6-11 (The Message)

 ⁶ These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
      when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
      we'll be on high ground, untouched.

 ⁷ God's my island hideaway,
      keeps danger far from the shore,
      throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

 ⁸ Let me give you some good advice;
      I'm looking you in the eye
      and giving it to you straight:

 ⁹ "Don't be ornery like a horse or mule
      that needs bit and bridle
      to stay on track."

 ¹⁰ God-defiers are always in trouble;
      God-affirmers find themselves loved
      every time they turn around.

 ¹¹ Celebrate God.
      Sing together—everyone!
      All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

For Reflection
Time out!  Stop the world! A pause that truly refreshes!  Brothers and sisters in Christ are offered the opportunity of re-birth daily.  Reconciliation and rejuvenation are gifts that we can't afford to pass up.  Seek the Lord's counsel. Take time to talk to God each day.

Pray to your everlasting Father.  Let the peace that passes all understanding fall upon you and engulf you. Rest in the hollow of God's hand.

Encouraging an Encourager

Christian Commitment
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Acts 18: 24-28 (The Message)

 ^24-26A man named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a Jew, born in Alexandria, Egypt, and a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures. He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm. Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John. He preached with power in the meeting place. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and told him the rest of the story.
 ^27-28When Apollos decided to go on to Achaia province, his Ephesian friends gave their blessing and wrote a letter of recommendation for him, urging the disciples there to welcome him with open arms. The welcome paid off: Apollos turned out to be a great help to those who had become believers through God's immense generosity. He was particularly effective in public debate with the Jews as he brought out proof after convincing proof from the Scriptures that Jesus was in fact God's Messiah.

For Reflection
"Flash and dash!" is what the believers in Ephesus might have said of Apollos.  "He sounds good, but he knows nothing.  Ignore him.  Such puffery!"  However, rather than criticize Apollo, they recognized his passion and talent.  Their encouragement resulted in the conversion of many that would have otherwise not had the opportunity to hear the gospel.  Who have you encouraged lately?

Pray that you will avoid a negative response to others.  Pray that you will strengthen others through words of encouragement.

A Ministry of Encouragement

Christian Commitment
in Today's World

1 Thessalonians 3 (The Message)

^1-2So when we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times. He's a brother and companion in the faith, God's man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.
 ^3-5Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it's happened, you know what it's like. That's why I couldn't quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn't want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.
 ^6-8But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It's especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you're doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.
 ^9-10What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.
 ^11-13May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

For Reflection
It is no easier now than in the days of this letter.   Bearing allegiance to God means that we give up allegiances to other things.  What allegiances has your faith made difficult? Where do you find encouragement in difficult times?  What Gifts has God given to you to endure suffering times? What gifts do you offer others in pain?

Pray for strength in difficult times.  Give praise and thanksgiving for the gifts God has provided.  Pray that you will be God's gift to others.

Supported by God's People

Christian Commitment
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Acts 18:1-11  (The Message)

Corinth

 ^1-4After Athens, Paul went to Corinth. That is where he discovered Aquila, a Jew born in Pontus, and his wife, Priscilla. They had just arrived from Italy, part of the general expulsion of Jews from Rome ordered by Claudius. Paul moved in with them, and they worked together at their common trade of tentmaking. But every Sabbath he was at the meeting place, doing his best to convince both Jews and Greeks about Jesus.  ^5-6When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was able to give all his time to preaching and teaching, doing everything he could to persuade the Jews that Jesus was in fact God's Messiah. But no such luck. All they did was argue contentiously and contradict him at every turn. Totally exasperated, Paul had finally had it with them and gave it up as a bad job. "Have it your way, then," he said. "You've made your bed; now lie in it. From now on I'm spending my time with the other nations."
 ^7-8He walked out and went to the home of Titius Justus, a God-fearing man who lived right next to the Jews' meeting place. But Paul's efforts with the Jews weren't a total loss, for Crispus, the meeting-place president, put his trust in the Master. His entire family believed with him.
 ^8-11In the course of listening to Paul, a great many Corinthians believed and were baptized. One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: "Keep it up, and don't let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I'm with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city." That was all he needed to stick it out. He stayed another year and a half, faithfully teaching the Word of God to the Corinthians.

For Reflection


It seems as though even Paul became discouraged from time to time.

Sometimes we have no idea how we have influenced others.  Just because we don't get the expected response, we think others aren't listening.   Some are! 

Some seeds are tiny.  With proper soil preparation, care and feeding even the smallest grow into a proper plant.


In a world that seems not to listen, Pray that you will have confidence in God and the gumption to stick it out.

Encouraged by the Scriptures

Christian Commitment
in Today's World
Romans 15:1-6 (The Message)

 ^1-2 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"
 ^3-6That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

For Reflection

It's not just a matter of doing the right thing; if we can ever figure out what that is!  It's a matter of responding to the love and call of God. What does it mean to look after the good of the people around us?  To me, it is not a matter of the Holy Gotcha!  It's more a matter of warm personal support in the direction God calls us to go.  How is it for you?

Pray to become a member of the choir of those who provide steady constant calling and warm personal counsel rooted in scripture and the mediating love and grace of God.

Encouraging New Leaders

Christian Commitment
in Today's World

Deuteronomy 3:23-49 (The Message)
 ^23-25 At that same time, I begged God: "God, my Master, you let me in on the beginnings, you let me see your greatness, you let me see your might—what god in Heaven or Earth can do anything like what you've done! Please, let me in also on the endings, let me cross the river and see the good land over the Jordan, the lush hills, the Lebanon mountains."
 ^26-27 But God was still angry with me because of you. He wouldn't listen. He said, "Enough of that. Not another word from you on this. Climb to the top of Mount Pisgah and look around: look west, north, south, east. Take in the land with your own eyes. Take a good look because you're not going to cross this Jordan.
 ²⁸ "Then command Joshua: Give him courage. Give him strength. Single-handed he will lead this people across the river. Single-handed he'll cause them to inherit the land at which you can only look."
 ²⁹ That's why we have stayed in this valley near Beth Peor.

For Reflection

Moses only got a glimpse of the promised land.  However, he got the chance to encourage another to take his place.

Last Sunday I sat in the choir which gives a wonderful perch from which to observe (or conduct surveillance) the congregation.  A lot was happening -- a baptism, announcements of mission trips, gifts to the Gideons, children's sermon, ushers helping others to find seats and conferring in the background, hymns sung, confessions made, prayers offered, assurances given, families enjoying each other's fellowship. I found my self wondering where all these young people came from!

Then as we sang I was There to Hear your Borning Cry, I," not old but no longer young," like Moses, was looking at the future.  I saw a multitude of Joshuas having been encouraged by the faithful taking their proper role to encourage others to sustain the living gospel.  To what extent do you feel the joy of seeing the return of your sustaining support of your church?  Take time to rejoice in it.

Pray for an increase in abiding love for one another in the communities  that make up the Kingdom of God.  Pray for the body of Christ and for the encouraging and steadfast concern and support each member has for another.  Offer thanksgiving for the opportunities to support in times of difficulty and the opportunity to share the rejoices. Encourage through God's grace.

Son of Encouragement

Christian Commitment
in Today's World
Acts 4:32-37 (The Message)

 ^32-33The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
 ^34-35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.
 ^36-37Joseph, called by the apostles "Barnabas" (which means "Son of Comfort"), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.

For Reflection

Leave it all behind! Yes, all of it! What you are is not what you have.  What you are is not even what you have had. What you are is not independent of the community of believers. In Jesus Christ we are all one not only in spirit but in fact.  For these early believers sacrifice was not just symbolic. Sacrifice of all they had and were was essential. What do you sacrifice?  What do you bring to the community of believers?

Pray That you give all that you possess, all that you are to sustaining the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  Pray to be a powerful witness to the resurrection  -- to your rebirth into the fellowship of grace.

Pleasing To God

Christian Commitment
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1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (The Message)
^1-2So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn't slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God's Message to you, defiant of the opposition.

No Hidden Agendas

 ^3-5God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.  ^6-8Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.
 ^9-12You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.

 For Reflection

Evangelize.  Not something I do easily.  Going door to door?  Can't see myself doing that.  Engaging others in conversations about God?  Yeah, I've done that. Worked beside others to help them and provide an opportunity for God's grace flow through me. Oh yeah.  I am quite comfortable with that.  Maybe I evangelize more than I think. Maybe I just can't help it!
Each has his or her own way to bear the Gospel.  How comfortable are you to evangelize?

Pray that you become so committed to God that you become a living testament to his power and grace.  Pray that God will use you.  Pray that you will give in to God when He presents opportunities to bear the Gospel.  Pray that you become mindful of the qualities of sharing the Gospel

Doing What Pleaes God

Christian Commitment
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1 John 3:18-24 (The Message)

When We Practice Real Love

 ^18-20My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.  ^21-24And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God's command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us..

For Reflection
It is not all about you!  Tear off the robes colored by who you think you are. Sacrifice yourself. Ignore self doubt.  Be free before God.  Believe deeply. Live deeply.  Follow the Spirit.

Pray deeply for the courage to trust in God.  Pray to act on impulses of love.

Faith in What Pleases God

Christian Commitment
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Hebrews 11:4-7 (The Message)

 ⁴By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.
 ^5-6By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
 ⁷By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

For Reflection

How much of your life has been realized because you had faith?  Can you think of a time when all you could predict was a dark ending.  How did your faith carry you through?  Think of a time when consequences were resolved well.  Can you see God's hand in the outcome?

Give thanks to the living God.  Celebrate your life with Him.

Examining the Scriptures

Christian Commitment
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Acts 17:10-14 (The Message)

Berea

 ^10-12That night, under cover of darkness, their friends got Paul and Silas out of town as fast as they could. They sent them to Berea, where they again met with the Jewish community. They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul's message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. A lot of them became believers, including many Greeks who were prominent in the community, women and men of influence.  ^13-15But it wasn't long before reports got back to the Thessalonian hardline Jews that Paul was at it again, preaching the Word of God, this time in Berea. They lost no time responding, and created a mob scene there, too. With the help of his friends, Paul gave them the slip—caught a boat and put out to sea. Silas and Timothy stayed behind. The men who helped Paul escape got him as far as Athens and left him there. Paul sent word back with them to Silas and Timothy: "Come as quickly as you can!"

For Reflection


I don't know about you, but when I think about persecution in the early church visions of lion dinners seem to dominate.  In reality, establishing Christ's Kingdom was hard work.  In these passages we get a hint of how risky preaching the Gospel was.  Why is it that challenges to our beliefs are so difficult to deal with?  Even under the best of circumstances, Paul's word needed to be verified in scripture before the Jews felt comfortable adopting this new way of believing in God and acting out of love rather than rule.

But, maybe slow adoption is not such a bad thing.  Think about the controversies that Christians currently face .  Each opinion toward suggested change is different and many cite Scripture as support for their particular point of view.  Growth in the Christian community has always involved reconciliation.  How much of the modern church do you think Paul would recognize as true to the message?

Pray for the peaceful reconciliation of differences as the God's people grow in his love an grace.

Seeking God's approval

Christian Commitment
in Today's World


Galatians 1:1-10 (The Message)

 ^1-5 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!

 ^6-9I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed.  ^10-12Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.

For Reflection

Apparently there was a strong influence from those in the early church who advocated the value of good works as a pathway and entry key to heaven.  The point was one cannot have true salvation with out grace.   Paul argues that Christians are not justified by good works, but rather, by faith. One cannot expect to earn his or her way into God's good favor.  Where do good works and faith meet in your life?

Pray that your "good works" arise authentically out of you faith.  Believe in the grace of God.

The Outcomes of Faith

Christian Commitment
in Today's World


1 Thessalonians 1 (The Message)
 ¹I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God's amazing grace be with you! God's robust peace!

Convictions of Steel

 ^2-5Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.  ^5-6You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.
 ^7-10Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore—you're the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

For Reflection

Our faith comes to us not only in word, but also in flesh and holy spirit.  God is always there. His holy spirit lives in us and works through us.

Around the world our faith leaders are being persecuted for their resistance to culturally and politically embedded injustices and their persistence to foster a Christian counter culture.  We who enjoy a relatively peaceful coexistence with our culture are in a strong position to encourage our family of faithful who are persecuted in His name.

We have exemplary faith.  How could we affirm the power of their example?  How can we encourage them and support their commitment to peace and justice?

Pray for all those who are today suffering persecution in the name of Christ. Pray that they feel the healing spirit of God in their midst. Pray that they feel the presence of Jesus Christ in their struggle.

Imitators of Christ

Christian Commitment
in Today's World

1 Corinthians 10:22  (The Message)
 ^19-22Do you see the difference? Sacrifices offered to idols are offered to nothing, for what's the idol but a nothing? Or worse than nothing, a minus, a demon! I don't want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself. And you can't have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next. Besides, the Master won't put up with it. He wants us—all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?
1 Corinthians 10:23
  ^23-24 Looking at it one way, you could say, "Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.

1 Corinthians 11

 ^1-2 It pleases me that you continue to remember and honor me by keeping up the traditions of the faith I taught you. All actual authority stems from Christ.

For Reflection

Looking at it another way, we could say, "Living well means living for others."  In Jesus Christ we have the authority to reject all that separates us from God and embrace God's great gift to us -- His invitation to minister in His name.

Pray that today and every day you are a blessing to someone.

Faith and Convictions

Christian Commitment
in Today's World


Romans 14:22-23 (The Message)

 ^22-23Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong. 

For Reflection

When I was a teenager one of the theologians that had the most influence on me was Archbishop Fulton Sheen. He had a very successful radio program and then a television show which ended in 1957. I can remember sitting on the floor in front of our TV enraptured by his wit, his understanding, and his practical theology that was often illustrated at his chalkboard.  He didn't impose his opinon on anyone.  He just talked. 

He once was asked to open a congressional session in Washington D.C. with prayer.  He opened prayer by saying, "There are three things a man must do for himself -- blow his own nose, make his own love, and say his own prayers."  I now understand (many years later) just how unusual it really was for a Catholic priest to say that.  His recognition of the personal and intimate relationship one has with God has influenced me all these years. You can see and hear Bishop Sheen on Youtube.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaa7I44gkgc&feature=related

Think about your relationship to God.  How congruent is your belief and your behavior?

Pray that your behavior and beliefs are consistent.  Ask God to help you cultivate a stronger and more intimate relation to him.  Ask God to help you be more open to His Holy Spirit.

A Purified People

Christian Commitment
in Today's World
Titus 2:11-15 (The Message)

 ^11-14God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
 ¹⁵Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down.

For Reflection

God is committed to us.  Are we committed to Him? What in your life today can be considered Godless and self-indulgent? Don't worry about getting rid of those things. Displace those things by allowing the grace of God to flow through you and engage you in a God centered, God filled, and God honoring life.

Pray to become more open to God's grace.  Ask God to help you displace ungodly acts and thoughts with those centered upon His intention for your life.