by Whitey | Oct 22, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
Sometimes I go through phases when I read the Bible but can’t seem to engage with it. I don’t “get anything out of it.” I guess that’s probably normal, to an extent. Everyone has their days.
But through today’s passage, and especially Paul’s Old Testament quote, I’m reminded that sometimes the reason we don’t hear God is simply because we’re not listening. And sometimes we don’t want to. Sometimes we allow our hearts to grow cold and hard, and we’re not open to His teaching and leading. Dear Lord, soften my heart today, so that I may be open to the changes You may want to make there. Open my spiritual eyes and ears, that I may hear and see and obey. Forgive me for the days I’m not open to Your teaching and leading. I know Your will is also my best. Change my heart, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
by Whitey | Oct 2, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil
spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their
incantation, saying, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul
preaches, to come out!’ Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were
doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied,
‘I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?'” (Acts 19:13-15 NLT)
There’s a problem with seeking God’s blessing, strength or power
outside of a relationship with Jesus. It just doesn’t work. Using
Jesus’ name is not some magical formula. God is not obligated to
answer our prayers because we say certain things in certain ways.
Sometimes when we ask God for wisdom or direction for life, victory
over sin, or power for witness or ministry, we don’t receive it.
Could it be that we are seeking God’s gifts instead of seeking God
Himself? I’m sure I’ve been guilty of this.
All these blessings are available for us, but they can’t be divorced
from a relationship with Him. Let’s seek the Giver, not just the
gifts.
by Whitey | Sep 28, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
主よ。私は弱いです。できないことが多いですが、神様はできます。私の強さになてください。今日、導いてください。一人ではなくて感謝しています。
“But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads. I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6)
When Paul — or, more accurately, Paul’s message — was rejected, he simply moved on. And like Paul, we are not responsible for people’s responses. That is between them and God. We are responsible to be faithful to what God has called us to do.
“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” (Acts 18:10-11 NLT)
The good news is that we are not alone. We have each other. And, even more, God is with us. We don’t have to live or minister in our own strength.
Dear Lord, I am weak. Be my strength today. Help me to be faithful to do what You call me to do, and to trust You to do what no one else can. Thank You that I am not alone.
by Whitey | Sep 26, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” (Acts 17:11 NLT)
The Bereans are commended here for being open-minded. But it’s interesting to note that they didn’t just listen and blindly believe what they were taught. They studied the Scriptures for themselves. They compared what they were being taught to the Word to see if it lined up. They thought for themselves.
Being open-minded doesn’t mean blindly accepting whatever we’re taught. But it does mean we listen. Then, we search and study and pray to arrive at the truth.
And true faith isn’t blind or mindless either. It includes this kind thinking and searching and asking. I think that such wrestling with big ideas and questions is part of what it means to have faith. These struggles can increase our faith.
We may never know all the answers to all our questions, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask.
by Whitey | Sep 25, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the other prisoners were listening.” (Acts 16:25 NLT)
I have to wonder if this would be my reaction to being beaten and
throne in prison. When I’m stressed or lonely or afraid, is it my
first reaction to turn to God in prayer and worship? Or is that a
last resort? It’s so easy in our comparatively small trials to let
ourselves look to other things for comfort. But God is our comfort
and strength in hard times, as well as our constant companion in
everyday life.
So why wait? In good times or bad, let’s seek the Lord. Let’s
worship Him because He’s worthy, no matter what we’re going through.
As we do, we can be a light to those around us, as Paul and Silas were
to their fellow prisoners and their captors.
by Whitey | Sep 9, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we
believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”
(Acts 11:17 NLT)
Am I partnering with God in His work, or getting in His way? Today,
my prayer is that I will hear His voice, listen and obey, not letting
my prejudices, preconceptions, fears or doubts hold me back. May I get
out of the way and let God do His thing.
