Acts: Adventures in Christianity

The books of Acts is exciting as God gives the disciples special ability through the Spirit to speak foreign languages to preach truth to all people. Then the bond of the church compells us as they have their goods in common. They're certainly not focused on getting ahead financially or competing with one another. Yet, in the midst of this goodwill is a lie in an effort to appear "spiritual" and a tragic consequence--the story of Ananias and Sapphira.
Next God sends Peter to the Gentiles. Christ's substitutionary death, the gift of salvation, is for them as well. God gets a hold of the persecutor of Christians and transforms even his name from Saul to Paul. He becomes a missionary along with Silas and Barnabas and Priscilla and Acquila encourage him. Early Christians struggle with knowing what regulations to place on Gentile converts. The missionaries face persecution, imprisonment, and see God at work in those situations. Timothy and Lydia are examples of Christ followers determined to be of service to God and His people, His church. Paul is brought before government officials concerned about his influence on others, trying to figure out what to do with him and he uses every opportunity he can to share his faith. On the way to Caesar in Rome, Paul's caught in a shipwreck. God keeps him safe. Even in Rome under house arrest, Paul continues to preach the gospel. Certainly leaves us without excuse in being bold and committed to sharing our faith.

The Christ, the Son of the Living God

The Gospel of John
We have found Him. He is here. Come into the Light. Drink the Living Water. Know the Word, the Storm-Calmer, Miracle-Worker, Bread of Life. Believe on Him. He is. He's the Good Shepherd. He is God's Son, one with the Father. He's the Resurrection and the Life. He's the King. He's the Son of Man. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life. He will send another Counselor, the Holy Spirit. He is the true Vine and we are the branches; we cannot bear fruit unless we remain in Him. Follow Him. Feed His sheep. He sees hearts. He's in control. He is God. He is.

Perfect Love

You ache to believe in loving, lasting, perfect love between a man and a woman. You want desperately for it to be real. Well, let me tell you this, life and literature make it clear that no person will ever completely be able to know you. It is in this sense that all communication fails. We can understand one another in that words have meaning and yet we cannot get away from the fact that as individuals we do also endue words with unique meaning. Each of us is unique, as snowflakes. Even when we embrace and accept and appreciate others' uniquenesses, we still at times mourn the imperfect connection in the inability to find anyone else who completely totally fully understands us.
This ache testifies to the fact that we are innately aware that there is a possibility for something more. We dream of some shadowy make believe person or relationship that could fit the bill. Maybe we encounter someone who seems to be that person. Perhaps we try hard to force them to be that person.
But there is only one Person who can truly know us. The One who made us. Does not your heart cry out that this is truth, that you are not the end-all? Do you not find a lack of meaning in everything, sooner or later? Only God, only knowing Him, recommitting yourself to Him daily, not by works of righteousness, but by His mercies, can fill you up.
His and His alone is Perfect Love.

All About Him

LUKE
Christ's ministry, Christ's words, Christ's miracles all add up to our need to humble ourselves and look to Him. He walked among us. He had compassion on us in our frailty but He asks us to in His strength step out.
We are different from the world we live in. We are not the focus of our lives. Our lives as believers are so much more.
Anything that draws attention away from God and onto me is undesireable, is sin, not because God is waiting to club me on the head for stepping out of line but because I love Him. I recognize His greatness and perfection and limitless glory and majesty. My joy is found in Him. Lasting, deep joy in this life and that to come.

Strength in Weakness

Mark records Christ's doing many miracles. His power is undeniable. But He also speaks of the need for His suffering and death and for us to deny ourselves and follow Him with the trust and faith of a child. The disciples find it all hard to grasp. But God grows them from fear and weakness to boldness and strength by His power at work in them.
Help me, God, to testify to your truth.
Take the weak vessel that I am and use me as only you can. May I be part of your way, your plan, that I might die to live again.

Heart and Soul

Some of the ideas present in the gospel of Matthew:
There will be those who strive to stand in your way, but seek after righteousness. This righteousness is not an outward show. It is servanthood. Value justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Stand firm until the end. Christ will return.
How do these truths and admonitions hit home in my life?
I know the wickedness of my own heart but I also know that through Christ's work I am a new person. I pray for wisdom, not merely intelligence, and for purity, innocence from sin. God is the source of these.
Lord God please help me to see my own heart and others. Help me to give; help me to be faithful in the tasks that you give me, and to not stop watching and waiting for your return.

Micah
"He has showed you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with your God."
"I watch in hope for the Lord. I wait for my Savior; my God will hear me."
Nahum
"His way is in the whirlwind and the storm and clouds are the dust of his feet."
"The Lord is a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
Habbakuk
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
"I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God my Savior."
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feel like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go on the heights."
Zephaniah
"Seek righteousness; seek humility."
Haggai
"Be strong . . . and work. For I am with you."
Zechariah
"Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord."
"'Speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this', declares the Lord."
"Love truth and peace."
"How attractive and beautiful they will be."
"I will refine them like silver."
Malachi
"My name will be great among the nations from the rising to the setting of the sun."

The Prayer of Jonah

Who isn’t familiar with the story of Jonah, the seemingly fantastical tale of the man who is swallowed by a fish? The unsaved write it off as highly improbable and imaginative.
Among Christians, Jonah the prophet often gets a bad rap. He is generally labeled “The Reluctant Prophet.” That title actually seems pretty forgiving.
But the book of Jonah is enigmatic, in that it is probably written by Jonah himself. He describes himself, almost seemingly tongue in cheek, as he perhaps later recognizes the ways he fell short in being all a prophet of God should be.
Jonah is a man who is chosen by a great God to do a task so daunting he feels that God has no right to ask him to do it (and he’s not so sure it should even be done). Apparently, although God is big, He’s not big enough to keep Jonah safe in Nineveh. And if God isn’t big enough to keep Jonah safe, maybe He’s not big enough to stop Jonah from doing his own thing. Maybe Jonah can run away from God and the job He has given him. Maybe Jonah can get away with it.
On the ship to Tarshish, Jonah frankly tells the sailors he’s running away from his God. His lack of concern is more evident in his going below deck for a nap. While he sleeps, the sea rages and the sailors pray to their gods in desperation. It turns out its Jonah’s God that they should be concerned with. Jonah recognizes that God has hunted him down, much as he did Adam and Eve after their sin in the garden. At Jonah’s own suggestion, the sailors throw him out of his “safe” place on the boat, into the sea. The storm stops.
Does Jonah want to die? Does he find that option preferable to doing God’s will or facing His wrath? Or is Jonah just kind-heartedly wanting to save the sailors? They don’t want his blood on their hands and are reluctant to throw him overboard.
Miraculously, despite all expectations, this action does not result in Jonah’s death. His fight with the deep is abruptly ended when a fish swallows him whole.
Does Jonah have a clue what has happened to him, while he steams and bleaches in the belly of that big creature of the sea? Does he believe himself to have died and been buried or does he think he is dreaming? If he does recognize that he’s in a fish’s belly, he must imagine himself undergoing the digestive process, wondering if it will be painful. Or perhaps he has the foresight to see God’s hand in it all, that this is actually a means of survival God has planned for him.
Jonah’s prayer while in the fish’s belly is a prayer I can identify with in many ways, though not entirely. He recounts crying out to God while he was floundering in the water. That I certainly would have also done. Jonah and I both can’t help but remember God when he backs us up against the wall. But then he thanks God for providing this means of deliverance. There’s where I’d be a bit more dubious, considering the circumstances, especially if some part of him felt like death might be a better alternative or if he’s not so sure where he is now. He finishes his prayer by contrasting his attitude with the heathens’ in that he remembers God (Jonah 2:7-9). He also says “Salvation comes from the Lord.” He doesn’t really repent of his wrong actions. Here again I identify. Odd that even when we acknowledge that God has saved us, we still often believe we have something to do with it, in that we remembered God. I know I’m very slow to admit I’m greatly in the wrong.
But though it seems this prayer may leave something to be desired, it is Jonah’s great moment of triumph. He reaches out to God, realizes God’s mercy to him in this phenomenal way, and thanks God for what He’s done. And this imperfect prayer that yet sees God’s hand, even in a dark situation of a man’s own doing, results in the most miraculous event of all: Jonah’s survival. The fish vomits Jonah up on dry land, apparently not too much worse for wear. Jonah’s prayer of acknowledging and thanking God has given Jonah a second chance.
Now does Jonah want to do what God wants him to? Not particularly. Now does he recognize his own sinfulness is as great as others? Is he now more compassionate toward them? It doesn’t really seem like it. But does God keep working in Jonah’s life? Yes.
The great story of Jonah owes much to his prayer in chapter two. It’s because of this account we each have hope for ourselves. God hears us wherever we are and if we will acknowledge him and even thank him for the work he does in our lives, though many times due to our own fault it may be painful and we may not fully admit how at fault we are, we can continue to be aware of His Spirit’s striving in us. He gives us third, fourth, fifth, innumerable chances. He asks us to take chances on others as well.
My kids love this over-the-top true story not just because it is such a great drama but also because it’s about someone who does the wrong thing, faces the consequences of it, cries out to God with a thankful spirit, and gets another chance. I’m reminded of Yeats’ “Second Coming” and the line “the best lack all conviction.” Enter Jonah, enter me. I don’t want to do what God wants me to, particularly if it means I must reach out to the frightening, the sinful, the unlovely. I run the other way and don’t admit that I’m disobeying God.
I even struggle to be thankful to God when things are going well, let alone when they are difficult. He has given me many gifts. But I find myself complaining to God about my problems, petty as they are, rather than recognizing and sharing with others all He’s done for me.
But when I cry out to God and express thankfulness to Him even in the midst of difficult circumstances, even while I’m struggling with self-righteousness, a chip on my shoulder, confusion or disillusionment with life itself, God shows Himself to me. He helps me to be assured that He is present, that He sees me trying to follow Him. He sees me trying to be a good parent, firm but fair and patient. His Spirit encourages me to pray for and reach out to fellow believers in their struggles and to share with others the difference God has made in my life, as well as lifting them up in prayer. He gives me more opportunities to serve Him.
A little while ago I was growing frustrated with the lack of depth of a Bible study I was attending, the lack of connection it was making with me. But I tried to thank God for what I was able to glean from the time. Soon after, the leader asked me to take the next two lessons. I wasn’t very excited about the idea, but agreed. As I prepared, I learned a great deal, and had more sympathy for the efforts our leader was making.
Yes, we’re a mess. Yes, we have selfishness and unbelief, but yes, we cry out and God hears. “Lord, help my unbelief. Help me when I don’t want to do what you want me to do or don’t do it with the right attitude.” “Lord, I am thankful to you, for what you’re doing in my life.”
Thank God for prayer. Thank God we can talk to Him and—flawed as our praise and petition is—thank God He hears us. Thank God.

Joel, Amos, Obadiah
"Rend your heart and not your garments"
Welcome the gift of the Spirit.
Beware the coming Day of the Lord--great and terrible.
"I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted."
"As you have done, it will be done unto you."

Unfaithful Gomer, unfaithful Israel, unfaithful me, but valiant Hosea, God the steadfast spouse beseeching his errant, spoiled bride to return and to cleave to him rather than ugliness, impurity, servitude.
"Divorce me, untie or break that knot again;
Take me to you, imprison me, for I
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me."
Here I am again, struck by God's beauty and majesty, overcome by the realization that this God is my God. I am so moved by His stooping down to me.

Daniel, vision seeker, future foreteller, alternately loved and hated, you interpret dreams, you face the lions, you read the writing on the wall.
You pray, and God hears your prayers

Ezekiel is a book of prophecy and not exactly a lovely one. Ezekiel is at times a living object lesson, instructed to eat food cooked over excrement, divide up his hair into piles, calmly accept the death of his wife. He sees wheels and cherubim, living creatures, a valley of dry bones that come to life. He prophesies of a prince and a temple. He speaks against the surrounding nations as well as Israel.
The Israelites are depicted as a faithless woman, continually prostituting herself to others. It's an ugly, drawn-out picture.
But God isn't done with Israel and will change her from the inside out, just as He does with all His children.

The Faithless and the Faithful

Jeremiah's lot seems even worse than Isaiah's. Jeremiah prophesies of the coming conquest of Israel and Judah. The nations will be taken into captivity as punishment for their sin. The other nations will be judged eventually as well, but the focus of judgment at this point is Israel and Judah. Unsurprisingly, Jeremiah's message isn't well-received. He's thrown into a well, left to die, though eventually pulled free. Lamentations mourns, as its name indicates, cries out to God as the people face God's wrath. But Jeremiah also says, Because of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.
One reason hard times come upon us is God's efforts to win us back to Himself. Even when we are faithless, He is faithful.

Isaiah

Isaiah the prophet is given a dead-end job, to speak and not be heard, to be continuously opposed. He's also given a fabulously exciting task, to prophesy of the Messiah, of unfathomable deliverance. God Himself will come to man in his hideous plight, lost in sin, desperate for a way out. God provides the way.
Help us value character over charisma, Scripture over showmanship, and listen to the truth with eager hearts willing to submit to whatever God's Word says over any label, creed, or passing fad in the church or out of it.

Song of Solomon: Passionate Marital Love

This last wisdom books seems to not belong with the others. But it does. The wisdom it offers is pursued by many, the wisdom of beautiful marital love. The woman is as unabashedly praising of her husband as he is of her. They enjoy one another physically.
Over and over again is the reminder to not awaken love until it so desires. Do it God's way. Wait on Him and enjoy a godly spouse and all the pleasures that relationship entails. Also note that it's jealousy is "as unyielding as the grave." A love relationship with faithfulness and trust in one another is extremely powerful and profound.

Ecclesiastes: Meaningful Life

Oddly, as it's quite negative, I find this book encouraging. It emphasizes that everything under the sun that we go to for satisfaction--knowledge, wealth, lust/love, accomplishments--is meaningless; none of it will satisfy. Only fearing God, living for Him, recognizing the gifts God has given us, only such an outlook is worthwhile. We grow old and feeble and hopefully we'll have more to show for ourselves than merely a totally wasted youth.
I'm comforted by this book because I've definitely discovered the lack of satisfaction in all earth has to offer, even as a Christian. Even innocent pleasures are fleeting. But with an eternal perspective, life has much more depth, joy is possible and disillusionment can be taken as a sign that we're meant for more. Eternal life. Eternal Love.

Proverbs: Principles for Living

This book offers so much excellent practical advice on love and marriage, children, money, friendships, knowledge, work, speech. It's a wisdom book of pithy sayings, generally true principles of living.
Going after purity in relationships, being an encouraging godly friend, generous but responsible, industrious, wise in God's ways--reverencing Him--make for worthwhile life. God rewards right living and punishes wrong living. Morality has its own reward. Humility is especially praised and arrogance and pride condemned.
There are two women in the book, Lady Wisdom and Lady folly. One calls us to find our treasure in truth, the other in momentary pleasure that leads to destruction. At the end of the book is a description of a woman of character whose value is immeasureable. Young people, as the book was originally written for Solomon's son, and older people can benefit from the reading and rereading of this book.

Psalms

Let everything that hath breath
praise Him.
Know His Word.
Walk in His ways.
Give Him Praise.
Talk to Him.
Ask Him your questions.
Cling to Him.
Sing His praises.
He is our refuge
in life's maze.
He's our direction.
Give Him praise.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

The book of Job is the ultimate answer to the question of why there is suffering and sorrow in the world we live in, why God doesn't "do something about it." God allows Job to be tested, to experience loss after loss, of finances, of health, loved ones. Job's friends tell him God rewards righteousness and punishes evil. Job protests he's done nothing wrong. While he's right in believing his sorrows aren't directly linked to his behavior, he's very wrong to claim to be without sin. Even the most "righteous" of us is deserving of hell and it's only God's grace and mercy and Christ's sacrifice on our behalf on the cross that provides us a way out. His life for ours.
Finally God comes to Job personally and tells him in a nutshell, God is bigger than he is. God made all things, God holds all things together. God's existence is eternal, His knowledge infinite. The answer He offers for suffering is Himself. Trust Him. Allow the difficulties to work in you for good. Not an easy answer. But a Mighty one.

The Book of Esther

There's so much irony in this book as the man Haman wants to destroy is the one he must honor (after wrongfully expecting that Haman himself would be the one honored), the gallows he builds to hang Mordecai on are Haman's own means of death, the queen he appeals to is Mordecai's cousin. Also Esther, dependent on Mordecai to plan her future, ends up being the one Mordecai must count on for his future safety. How the tides may change. Certainly God controls them. He and those who follow Him truly will be victorious and strong.

A Second Chance

Ezra and Nehemiah
Just as the Israelites rebuild the temple, striving to make it useable for their worship of God again, so we may need to rebuild ourselves as the temple of God. Should believers turn away from God though there are consequences for their actions, God does not forsake them and if they return to Him, He'll welcome them. The process of returning or rebuilding can be tedious however, just as it was for the Israelites. It requires purification, confessing and putting off sin. There will most likely be some sort of opposition, just as the Israelites faced--ridicule, perhaps even deliberate and strong efforts to harm on the part of those who are enemies of God and His followers. Facing persecution is however a good sign of belonging to God and growing in Him. Yet greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.
I am thankful that our God is a God of second chances, a reforming, transforming, renewing God. Build and rebuild me, Lord.