Don't Be Niave

For Monday, February 27

Acts 25 (click to read)

10 Paul replied, "I am on trial in the Emperor's court, and that's where I should be tried. You know very well that I have not done anything to harm the Jewish nation. 11 If I had done something deserving death, I would not ask to escape the death penalty. But I am not guilty of any of these crimes, and no one has the right to hand me over to these people. I now ask to be tried by the Emperor himself."

Paul's testimony and story as he is on trial challenge me to think about how I would express my faith and life under these difficult circumstances. But another aspect caught my eye - Paul's clear ability and skill to use his rights and advantages. These references remind me of the most difficult parable that Jesus told, often called The Parable of the Dishonest Manager. It is Jesus' explanation that rings true with Paul's action here: (Bruce Stryd paraphrase) Be smart in the ways of the world, legal rights and strategies, so that these, too, can be tools for sharing faith and representing God. Paul does just that. So many times, I see Christians that have ignored their responsibility to be "wise as serpents" as Jesus said. I see them with very little knowledge and not much skill at navigating life. They do not get informed about sociology or politics, and are bad managers of time, energy or money. Paul clearly grew his skill in all these areas, and so should every believer. Jesus told us to!

Lord Jesus: Help me continue to advance in my skills, knowledge and abilities to properly use the things of this world for Your Kingdom. I ask You to keep me from using these for myself, but for what You want to do through me, for Your Kingdom's Sake.

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)

Undeniable

For Wednesday, February 22



reading (click to read)

4 I made trouble for everyone who followed the Lord's Way, and I even had some of them killed. I had others arrested and put in jail. I didn't care if they were men or women. 5The high priest and all the council members can tell you that this is true.

Though "just" the story of Paul's conversation and intro to Christ and faith, this little segment really grabbed me. Fact - "you can check out my story with your leaders - they know it is true." For God to use such an integral person of the Jewish leadership, convert, transform and empower him for Jesus was genius (as God always is). It begs the question - who knows me and my past in such a way that my life led and powered by Christ would give them pause and perspective? And this is true of us all. Even if one is a Christian since "birth", the actual spiritual growth and "putting on the character of Christ" (as our small groups will help us do) would give our acquaintances and opportunity to "see" what God has done. I praise our Lord for His Changes in me and in all. I ask the Spirit to use me and all so others may gain their chance to choose.

Lord Jesus - I do praise You for the work You have done in my life and continue to do. May I be aware and attentive when You give me a chance to left others know of Your Great Transforming Work.

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)

For Thursday, February 16

 
Acts 18 (click to read)

25 He (Apollos) also knew much about the Lord's Way, and he spoke about it with great excitement. What he taught about Jesus was right, but all he knew was John's message about baptism. 26...when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him to their home and helped him understand God's Way even better.

I remember a report on young adults and the church. One key item was "they don't like the church but they like Jesus." This was a generalization, of course, but it made a great point: There are often people around us who know something of Jesus and His Values, but don't know the entire story. Like Apollos, what they know is mostly right, and those of us who know Jesus more thoroughly must share what we know. But I am concerned that we do this properly, as in this story. Priscilla and Aquila did not say "wait, you have it wrong." Instead, it seems they affirmed what Apollos did know that was right and shared more. So when I meet a person who has some knowledge about Jesus, I want to give them props for what they know and how they follow. AND (not BUT) I want to add to their experience and knowledge of Him. Then I will gain a faith partner as they gain faith strength.

Lord Jesus - protect me (and all disciples) from the sin of pride and control. Give us, instead, the gifts of humility, gentleness, affirmation and encouragement, that those around us may be helped by our faith and not hurt by our intolerance.

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)

Gettin' Into Trouble

For Tuesday, February 14

 

Acts 16 (click to read)

19 When the girl's owners realized that they had lost all chances for making more money, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them into court. 20 They told the officials, "These Jews are upsetting our city!

The key story is this chapter is the jailing of Paul and Silas and the resulting conversion of the jailer and his family. But I am drawn to the "why" of the jailing. Paul and Silas got into legal trouble because they "damaged" a business that was built on the abuse of a girl held in slavery and used for the owner's purpose. This, of course, was legal, but is was not right. The focus is on the healing of this "spirit possession." And it seems to be almost an after-thought for Paul. But I think the Holy Spirit was already leading the New Testament into raising the value of every human being to equal, no matter who had the money or the power. And for this Gospel - for certainly this was Good News - Paul and Silas were imprisoned. The challenge to me, to believers everywhere, is to live so deeply into the values and principles of Christ that we see where law, power and money have broken these values and principles. And then we speak, act and perhaps suffer so the Will of Christ can be done.

Lord - I call You this because this is what I want You to be. And that means living into Your Values, Principles and Righteousness. Help me to be so immersed in Your Kingdom that I can see where life around me needs addressing, helping, encouraging and action so Your Will is done despite power, money and law.

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)

Getting On Their Values Level (video)

For Wednesday, February 8

Acts 12 (click to read)

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)

Courageous Responses (video)

For Friday, February 3

Acts 9 (click to read)

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)

He Knew What He Believed (video)

For Wednesday, February 1

Acts 7 (click to read)

(You can download the Pathway 2012 Bible reading list here.)