Today's full reading: 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV)
The passage we are focusing on today is filled with instructions for daily living: things to do and thing not to do. But, in the midst of that Paul reminds Timothy to be mindful of the persecutions he endured on his previous missionary journey and the fact that it was the Lord who rescued him.
As we spread a passion for the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things we will must assuredly face persecution, hardship, and trouble, but take heart Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will rescue us, though we must reject the notion that Christ will rescue us from all harm and pain in this world and will let us live long and happy lives. That is ridiculous! Read the Bible.
I have heard it said that sometimes God chooses to deliver us from a trial (meaning he takes it away entirely), sometimes he chooses to deliver us through a trial (meaning he is in the fire with us), and sometime he chooses to deliver us by a trial (this is our ultimate deliverance where our trial takes our very life and we are delivered from this world of suffering into God's heavenly presence for all eternity.)
Today, as an act of worship, rejoice in this Lord in the midst of persecution. "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5 NIV)
Showing posts with label Luke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke. Show all posts
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, June 07, 2008
A Bold Witness
In Acts chapter four we observe that Peter and John have had an amazing transformation in their lives. Not only had they been with Jesus nearly everyday for the last three years, but they were now filled with the Holy Spirit which clearly made all the difference.
If you've read Acts chapter three then you will recall how Peter and John healed a crippled man of 40 years in the name of Jesus. This event drew an enormous crowd which created another great opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed. Peter gave all the glory to Christ and many believed. That day the church grew to about 5000 men, not including all the women and children. All this commotion stirred up the chief priest and teachers of religious law because Peter and John were glorifying Jesus and his resurrection. They arrested Peter and John and threw them into prison for the night.
The next day, "they had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:7-12)
Can you imagine saying these words to the very same men who had crucified Jesus? This is heavy stuff! Peter and John mean serious business. This is also a very different picture of the apostles who on the night Jesus was arrested fled the scene. They are living and acting with power and boldness.
I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins even as I write this. It sound much like the godly defiance spoken by three Hebrew teenagers to the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18)
Yes! Go for it! Proclaim it! Take the risk!
Today, as an act of worship, may we be emboldened to witness for Christ at all cost. May we hear the words of Christ resounding in our hearts, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)
If you've read Acts chapter three then you will recall how Peter and John healed a crippled man of 40 years in the name of Jesus. This event drew an enormous crowd which created another great opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed. Peter gave all the glory to Christ and many believed. That day the church grew to about 5000 men, not including all the women and children. All this commotion stirred up the chief priest and teachers of religious law because Peter and John were glorifying Jesus and his resurrection. They arrested Peter and John and threw them into prison for the night.
The next day, "they had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:7-12)
Can you imagine saying these words to the very same men who had crucified Jesus? This is heavy stuff! Peter and John mean serious business. This is also a very different picture of the apostles who on the night Jesus was arrested fled the scene. They are living and acting with power and boldness.
I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins even as I write this. It sound much like the godly defiance spoken by three Hebrew teenagers to the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18)
Yes! Go for it! Proclaim it! Take the risk!
Today, as an act of worship, may we be emboldened to witness for Christ at all cost. May we hear the words of Christ resounding in our hearts, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Singing is Serving
When you sing a song of praise to the Lord you are giving Him something that is infinitely unique—your worship. That’s right, you are worshiping Him. There’s something personal about singing.
Everyone has a voice that they carry with them everywhere they go. Some people honor God with their voice and some do not. It’s just like the rest of our bodies. (see also Romans 12:1-2) We know that God values our worship because He has given us a standard to follow. “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” (Luke 4:8) I pray that you will learn to worship the Lord and serve Him.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 (NIV)
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