He Always Makes a Way...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 25 / NT - Acts 16:25-17:9

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened." - Acts 16:25-26

I often marvel at the way some roads have been cut through rock. As one travels along, many roads have been cut through entire mountains. As our country was settled and access from one city to the next was needed, nothing ever got in the way of progress. Engineers always made a way.

When Paul and Silas were on the missionary trail, God had an agenda for them to fulfill. On occasion they were slowed down or "tied up" for the moment. While the Lord had good reason for such moments, moving on to the next city was necessary. Nothing ever got in the Lord's way of spiritual progress. God always makes a way.

Are you "tied up" right now, when you know there are great tasks ahead to accomplish? Is it possible that there is an immediate purpose of which needs to be attended? Be about the Lord's business where you are, and allow God to open the doors for future work in His time and way. Nothing ever gets in the Lord's way of spiritual progress. He always makes a way.

Think about this: "God can never be outmanoeuvred, taken by surprise, or caught at a disadvantage. He is a God who knows no crisis. Before an emergency arises, God in his providence has made adequately and perfectly timed provision to meet it."  ~ J. Oswald Sanders

 Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 36:1-16 / N1T - Acts 17:10-34

Well Worth the Wait...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 24 / NT - Acts 16:1-24

"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." - Acts 16:6-10 

46 years ago today I completed a long journey seeking God's choice of a godly wife. I was already serving as a local church pastor and in great need for a soul mate who would love the Lord, love His church, and love me. At just the right time the most beautiful woman I ever met came into my life and our ministry. From that point, for all the years since we have been traveling companions going wherever God called us to share the gospel. My dear wife Jayne was well worth the wait. 

Todays passage has much to say about seeking God's choice in life. Whether it be a soul mate, educational institution, lifetime career, or the next place to share the gospel, God's choice will always be best. At just the right time, the door He opens will lead into the most fulfilling journey. We may have to turn away from opportunities that look good, again and again, but waiting on the Lord's time, person, or place is well worth the wait. 

The prophet Isaiah encourages us in chapter 40, verse 31, with the following words:"they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint." I waited on God for a life and ministry partner, and every day I spend with Jayne proves to be an incredible gift that inspires me to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint. (and that's huge for me at the age of 75) My point today? Wait for the Lord's choice... It's well worth the wait! 

 Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 25 / N1T - Acts 16:25-17:9

No Sacrifice too Great...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 79 / NT - Acts 15:22-41

"... men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Acts 15:26

From year to year we read about those who have risked their lives for the sake of others. This summer the raging fires of the southwest led a number of firefighters to even lose their lives for the welfare of many local families. For these public servants, there was no sacrifice too great when lives were in danger.

From the very early days of the church there were those who risked their lives for the sake of others. They faced persecution, loss of possessions, comforts, family and friends. All this was willingly laid down for the spiritual welfare of lost souls. For these faithful servants, there was no sacrifice too great when lives were in danger.

When you look around today, what do you see my friend? Are there not hundreds of men, women and children who are living outside the saving grace of the Lord Jesus? Consider the words of Romans 10:14: "But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" Will you be the one who will sacrifice everything for sake of those who are in danger? Are you ready to risk your life for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Think about this: "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him." ~ C. T. Studd

 Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 24 / NT - Acts 16:1-24

Just As You Are ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 74 / NT - Acts 15:1-21

"No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” - Acts 15:11 

Shortly after we married, Jayne and I adopted a little dog. Her name was Jenny and she was the sweetest pup anyone could ever have. We went to a rescue shelter one afternoon and looked around until we came to a litter of pups that had just arrived. One small pup... the "runt" of the litter spotted us and kept coming to us wherever we moved. We couldn't imagine what she would look like when she grew up, but she won our hearts and that day we took her home... just as she was.

Paul pleaded with the church leadership to stay on point concerning the work of salvation. No one is saved and adopted into the family of God because of what they bring to the table. The Lord takes us into his family through his grace alone. The day we come to Jesus, he saves us from a homeless and hopeless future, out of a heart of grace and love... just as we are.

Becoming a child of God is far more significant than being an adopted dog. But in a way, the simplicity of the process is similar. Have you come to Jesus, saddened by, and repentant of your sin? Have you come with nothing to offer but a heart cry for mercy? He will save you and love you with an everlasting love. You don't have to be the "Best in Show" to win the heart of God. He will take you into his family by his grace alone... just as you are!  

Think about this: "Perfection demands perfection; that is why salvation must be by grace, and why works are not sufficient."  ~ Donald Grey Barnhouse

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 79 / NT - Acts 15:22-41

Exceeding the Demands...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 40 / NT - Acts 14:21-28

"When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." - Acts 14:21-22

Navy SEAL training prepares candidates for the extreme physical and mental challenges of SEAL missions. Those who are up to the challenge will be in incredible physical shape and possess the confidence, determination and skills needed to succeed in any combat environment. Training exceeds the demands.

Paul had severely suffered for his faith, only to rise up and press on for Christ. He then returned to those disciples of earlier days to strengthen and encourage them in preparation for many tribulations. He wanted them to be in incredible shape to succeed in any spiritual combat environment. His training exceeded the demands.

Are you training to be God's SEAL my friend? Have you taken seriously the challenge to be in great spiritual shape for the battle? Are you in turn training others to be confident, determined and skillful in spiritual warfare? Does your training exceed the demands?

Think about this: "The whole Bible and all past history unite to teach that battles are always won before the armies take the field. The critical moment for any army is not the day it engages the foe in actual combat; it is the day before or the month before or the year before...."  ~ A. W. Tozer, Topical Reader

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 74 / NT - Acts 15:1-21

Are You Prepared?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 39 / NT - Acts 14:1-20

"But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe." -- Acts 14:19-20

How committed are you to the cause of Christ? Some are willing to give a day here or there, while others are ready to give their all for a whole season or year. Still others are faithful through life until they grow weary from labor and age. But, who is prepared to go the distance?

Paul set an example to follow that takes in all of the above and more. His commitment went from day to day, through a lifetime and never gave up. When he was stoned to the point of death, rather than slipping away in the night he "rose up and entered the city." Paul was always prepared to go the distance.

Has there been too much demand on your energy and time lately? Have you found little to encourage you in your efforts for Jesus? Are you tempted to retire and let someone else take over? Commitment is for every day and a lifetime, with or without the accolades of men. We are called by the Lord, from the very first day of our new life to go the distance. Are you prepared?

Think about this: "The sign of our professed love for the gospel is the measure of sacrifice we are prepared to make in order to help its progress." ~ Ralph P. Martin

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 40 / NT - Acts 14:21-28

For Freedom...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 38 / NT - Acts 13:13-52

"Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." -- Acts 13:38-39

Laws are written because men are sinful. Society would be chaotic without legal guidelines and the nature of man reinforces this everyday as laws are broken. Mankind is bound to laws by chains of sin and true freedom is out of reach. Where can one turn to be free?

The message of Paul alerts us to the great fact of freedom in Christ. As we are forgiven, we are set free from the power of sin to live for God. Our new found freedom is given so we might live as we should, not as we want. There is no law that could ever set us free in this way.

What are you doing with your freedom in Christ my friend? Are you living as you want, or are you living as you should? Do you yearn for God's will and way in your life, or have you returned to bondage of sin? Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." 

Think about this: "Freedom does not mean I am able to do whatever I want to do. That's the worst kind of bondage. Freedom means I have been set free to become all that God wants me to be, to achieve all that God wants me to achieve, to enjoy all that God wants me to enjoy ~ Warren W. Wiersbe

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 39 / NT - Acts 14:1-18