Tag: innocent
Patient endurance!
Scripture reading for June 9: Acts 25
“When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”” Acts 25:7-12
Luke records Paul’s two years in prison in Caesarea awaiting justice from false charges by his own countrymen. When Felix took over from Festus, the case against Paul was again argued by the Jews. They were set on seeing Paul eliminated and brought serious charges that they could not prove. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, took to his own defense in a calm and reasoned manner. Festus, a politician, wanted to please the Jews. He offered Paul the opportunity to stand trial in Jerusalem. But Paul knew of their murderous plot to kill him and as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar for justice.
But Paul also had the leading of the Lord Jesus Who had promised before that he would testify in Rome. (Acts 23:11) As Paul had patiently waited, over two years went by and he had many opportunities to share the Gospel with the Roman authorities and soldiers keeping him. He was allowed visits with his fellow church members. Sometimes God’s promises must await His perfect timing. Like Paul, we must work while we wait! We are not to live in fear of death or depression over our current circumstances.
Have you ever received a promise from the Lord and then had circumstances that defied its fulfilment? How did Paul keep a good attitude while imprisoned for over two years? What world view did both Festus and Felix hold that God used Paul to work on?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sustaining Your people through difficult times by giving vision and understanding of Your plans. Thank You for the fruit of the Holy Spirit to patiently endure and faithfully obey Your plan to share the Good News with all! Open my eyes to those I am to witness to today. Amen.
Tentmaker/preacher/apostle!
Scripture reading for May 29: Acts 18
“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because they were of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the Word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”” Acts 18:1-6
Lots of people view ministry as a job or profession. But in Jesus’ day in Israel, every young man learned a trade in preparation for a life of service. God called people who were workers to do ministry. Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, learned the trade of carpentry. There were many who worked at their profession and served the Lord. There was also a calling as a Levite to the priesthood. This was a special tribe who were designated to handle the sacred articles of worship and lead in prayer and sacrifice. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin and his trade was a tentmaker. This trade was honorable and helped the community and provided for his family. Their work did not define them, but was a tool of serving and worship.
From this world view, Paul became a Pharisee and religious leader of the Jews. He would have learned the Old Testament Scriptures by thirteen and become a member of the synagogue. As Paul found Jesus Christ, he was given an assignment by Jesus to preach the Gospel to Jew and Gentile. He was sent out by the Church at Antioch and it was his custom to go to the Jews first and share Jesus. In Corinth, Paul found other Jews, Pricilla and Aquila, to work with in tent making and also in discipleship. This helped support the ministry and connect with others. His rejection and opposition from the other Jews there caused Paul to declare his innocence from their blood. He shook out his garment as a sign of judgment and turned to preach to the Gentiles.
How do you view ministers of Jesus who work at secular jobs? When people reject these ministers and the Gospel message, are they really responsible for their own destruction? Are we ever to force people to listen or threaten them for their rejection?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your sacred calling in my life to learn the trade of farming and care of animals. Thank You for using that to train me for ministry of Your Word and reaching people and caring for their souls. Use me today. Amen.
Holy, innocent, unstained, separated, exalted!
Scripture reading for August 16th: Hebrews 7
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 7:22-28 “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for His own sins and then for the people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself.“
God appointed Jesus as our high priest forever. He made an oath and swore by Himself, because there was no one greater. The Father raised His Son from the dead because of His perfect obedience and holy, separated and innocent life. Jesus offered His own body and blood as the final sacrifice for our sins. He had no need Himself as He never sinned. Jesus now lives forever and is able as our permanent high priest to make intercession for us. He is able to save us completely and keep us for God and eternal life. Jesus is seated at God’s right Hand, a place of eternal honor as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, having all power and all authority and ability to save completely all who come to Him in faith in all ages. He is worthy of all honor, glory and praise forever and ever! Amen!
Hebrews 7:21 “. . .but this One was made a priest with an oath by the One Who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever.'”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, I thank You that Your oath and Word stand true forever concerning Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is my high priest and the guarantor of the New Covenant through His resurrection from the dead. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit of holiness, innocence, separation to God and perfect obedience to the Father’s will and Word.
Hebrews 7:28 “For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priest, but the word of oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son Who has been made perfect forever.“
Declaring the whole counsel of God!
Scripture reading for May 11th: 1st Samuel 30-31, 1st Chronicles 10, Acts 20
Key Scriptures: Acts 20:24-28 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”
Paul was meeting for a last time with the Ephesian elders that he had ordained and set over the congregation. He shared his view of life and ministry. He wanted to complete what Christ Jesus had laid out for him. In Ephesus Paul had declared the full and whole counsel of God to the church there. He had done his part and was therefore innocent of their blood. They must continue in the Word and be watchful over themselves and the flock of God there. Paul knew there would be trouble arising from within the church from Satan and warned them.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I ask to be like Paul the Apostle, fully preaching the whole counsel of God to each congregation to rescue sinners. I will be diligent to speak Your Word as You direct.
1st Samuel 30:7-8 “And David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.”
Avoid divisive people!
Scripture reading for July 4th: Romans 16, Psalm 133, Proverbs 9
Key Scriptures: Romans 16:17-19 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”
Paul warned the church to avoid people who were divisive and created controversy that opposed sound doctrine. The dividers were serving their own appetites and not the Lord Jesus. Paul then complimented them for their obedience and encouraged them to be wise about doing good and innocent concerning evil and division. This wisdom can be applied in every area of life and living.
Faith Confession: Thank You for the wisdom given me by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to be wise for good and innocent concerning evil. Help me to avoid divisive people and stand in sound doctrine.
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied and years will be added to your life.”