Did They or Didn't They?

Acts 28:7-10 - I find this passage interesting in several ways. First, I wonder if Paul and his team witnessed and preached to the people of Malta, and if so, did the people believe? The people obviously respected, admired, and appreciated Paul. But we also know shortly after his arrival they assumed him to be a god. We know from past experience that Paul would not have embraced this belief, but Luke doesn't tell us Paul's reaction, nor does he write about what they did during their three month stay other than healing the sick. So, did Paul preach, and did they believe?

Stop Helping God Across The Road

Psalm 46:10 - Typically this verse is used in the context of getting quiet before God so He can give us guidance. The Holman translation uses the phrase "stop fighting" for "be still." This reminds me of Jesus telling Saul on the Damascus road to stop kicking against the goads. I find myself occasionally trying to make things happen. Like if I talk about it enough; tell the right people, etc. what I want to happen will happen. The fighting isn't necessarily with others but against circumstances.

"Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady." These lyrics from U2's latest album put the verse in perspective for me. What we want to happen may actually be God's will, but He doesn't need us to make it happen for Him. Yes, there will be times when He calls us to action, but I know for myself much of my "activity" is an effort to convince someone to make things happen.

I'm at a point where I must be still (stop fighting the people and situations around me) and let God be God. Then He will get the honor and glory for what happens.

Paul's Mistake?

Acts 26:31-32 - Ever gotten something you've asked for and wished you hadn't ask for it? Some might say that was Paul's situation after standing before Festus and King Agrippa. Neither of the rulers thought Paul had done anything illegal or deserving of death, but because Paul had previously appealed his case to Caesar, they had no choice but to send him own. Paul had put himself into the hands of the Nero. Was this a mistake? Did Paul regret having made the appeal?

Many times Paul had spoken of his desire to go to Rome. This was a sure way to get there. He knew God had blocked him from going in the wrong direction before if that was not where he should go. What do you think about Paul's actions here?

Profiteers and the Gospel

Acts.19.27, Acts.16.16 - These verses give us two examples from Paul's journeys of people's source of income being threatened by the Gospel. In both cases the reaction was hostile. The love of money often causes people to turn their backs on what is right, moral, and true then and now. Not much has changed. What are industries in today's society that's livelihood is threatened by the Truth?

Three Kinds of Hearers

Acts 17 describes three stops on Paul's second missionary journey. Each one depicts different reactions the "religious" tend to have. First was Thessalonica, a large enough city to have a synagogue. Verse 5 shows the strong reaction of the leaders, closed minded arrogance. They were unwilling to listen to anything different to what they had been taught all their lives. They were more concerned with tradition and their heritage than they were the Truth.

The third stop was Athens, a philosophical mecca. Verse 21 explains they were basically obsessed with new ideas. They latched on to whatever sounded good with no basis for truth or commitment to it. In between these two cities was Beroea. Verse 11 says it all; they were "more noble than those in Thessalonica." They were eager to hear any new word or understanding revealed by God, but they based their judgment on the scriptures.

Unfortunately, we still all three of these groups in the church today - the closed minded, the empty minded, and the noble. Which one are you? Does pride keep you from seeing anything differently? Are you always looking for the best feel-good idea? Are you willing to admit you might be looking through a glass dimly (1 Cor 13:12)?

Interferring With God's Will

Does God have a Plan B? Our first answer is probably "no," but I've been wondering about that lately. After all, God doesn't force anyone to follow His will. Many times God's plan for fulfilling His will for someone not only depends on that person's decisions but the actions of others as well. Let's say God plans to use someone in a particular position at a church or business, but someone else refuses to step down or blocks that person from getting the position. Is person number two interfering with God's will for person number one?

Now I don't think for one minute that any person can stop God's will for another person; only we can do that to ourselves. But I do think someone can delay or interfere with the plan. God's Plan B may be to re-locate the person to another city, job, and/or church in order to fulfill His will for them. This person still gets all the blessings of God's will for their life, just through a different plan.

But what about person number two who has refused to cooperate? They miss out on blessings and probably the fulfillment of God's will for their life, because if God wants someone else in their place, God has something else for person number two to do. And the business, church, or organization may lose out too. All the more reason for us to pay attention to what God is doing around us, and not be afraid to step out of the boat and move on to something new. Our actions can interfere with God's plans for others far more than we may realize.

Why Do We Fail To Worship?

Stephen M. Newman has written a thought provoking article that I think is very accurate. Here are a few of the stronger quotes, but be sure to read the whole post.

"Why do many 'Christians' in our churches today fail to outwardly worship God? Why is it that many appear to care nothing about worshiping God?"

"You see, if we are truly in love with the Lord, we will worship Him. Those who come to church each week and sit like emotionless logs have failed to develop a love relationship with the Lord."

Revolutionary Quote

"To reach people no one is reaching, you’ll have to do things no one is doing. If you sense a great spiritual opportunity, take a bold step of faith and see what God does!" - Craig Groeschel

Making the Way Straight

John 1:23 - "He said, I am the voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness [the voice of one shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord [level, straighten out, the path of the Lord]." ^Amp

I feel like shouting this myself sometimes. Too often we are the cause of God's "delay" in acting or answering prayers. We like to say, "well it's not God's timing yet" or "He will make things happen we He's ready." More often than not, God was ready a long time ago to make something happen in our lives or church or whatever. It's us as individuals and church members that haven't prepared the way for the Lord.

The Believer's Bible Commentary has this interpretation of John's message, “"Make straight the way of the Lord. The Messiah is coming. Remove everything in your life that would hinder you from receiving Him. Repent of your sins, so that He can come and reign over you as the King of Israel.” John was calling people to repentance - period. Repentance unto salvation AND continued repentance to allow God's plans to be carried out.

Have you made the path straight for the Lord, or is He having to work around your sins?

Top 10 Observations About Growing Churches

Dr. Charles W. Gaines, church consultant for LifeWay Christian Resources has written an article on his top observations of growing churches. Here's the summation. You can read the entire article here.

1. Positive spirit of excitement. (People are glad they are at church.)

2. Spirit of expectation.

3. Celebrative worship service. (The “worship war” is not fought every time the church gathers in worship.)

4. Opportunities to build meaningful relationships through small groups. (What these small groups are called and when they meet are not as important as investing in others lives.)

5. Focus on giving away the faith through lifestyle evangelism.

6. No sentence ever begins with “I.”

7. “What can I do?” and “What can I give?” are expressed not only with meaning, but also with action.

8. Missions involvement. (locally and globally)

9. Pastor/staff who lead and congregations who follow. (There is a great respect and trust that permeates leadership on all levels.

10. Church is a safe place to come to God - Grace rules!