Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Appearances can be deceiving. One of my favorite pets was Izzy the bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are quite easy to care for. You do not have to worry about leaving them alone in the house. They do not make a mess. They enjoy being held. Izzy would even run to the edge of her glass house looking for attention whenever I walked into the house. But, bearded dragons are not for everyone. Some people simply do not like them because they crawl on their bellies like snakes. And... anything snake or serpent-like really doesn't have too good of a reputation.

We often jump to unfair judgments based on appearances. It is not just lizards we jump to conclusions about; but, people, as well, by their outward appearances. But, when Jesus came, he turned all that around. It was the widow who put but two copper pennies into the offering that Jesus said had given more than the rest. (Mark 12:41-43) Tax collectors and other various sinners were chosen by Jesus as his dinner companions. (Matthew 9:10-12) He healed gentiles and even lepers; physically touching, at times, those who were thought by others too unclean to be touched. (Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:21-23) And... who were the first to be called by Jesus? Fishermen! (Luke 5:1-11) He called mere fishermen, or at least they were mere in the eyes of many of the day. Have you any clue what a man or woman who makes their living fishing looks and smells like after a long day or night out on the boat? Jesus does not call anyone because they look good on the outside or even because they act so good. He calls whom he will call to follow him.

Appearances can be deceiving. There are those who smile on the outside and are happy, happy, happy whenever you are around. But, on the inside are like empty tombs. There are others who may appear to be most ferocious; but, within them dwells the love of God.

Appearances can be deceiving. Do not judge one another by appearances. Take the time to look more deeply into the person or the matter.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 11 The Elect

Romans 11 NIV
Exactly who are the elect that shall be saved? This is beyond my comprehension. Only God knows. The decision as to who will be saved is up to God, not me or you. According to St. Paul, the elect are both Jew and Gentile. The Jew because they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. (vs 28, 29). The Jew by faith in the promise given to the patriarchs. The Gentile because of faith that these promises were fulfilled in Jesus Christ has also received God's grace and mercy being ingrafted into the Body of Christ.

Whether, Jew or Gentile, we live by faith. Whether Jew or Gentile, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.

Thanks be to God! To Him be all glory, now and forever! Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just a reminder that the whole purpose of this blog is for you to read the Holy Bible. Some of our members at Zion had expressed a desire to read the whole Bible; but, confessed it was difficult. It was decided that I would write this blog with the hope that it would help others to focus on reading scripture one chapter at a time. The blog itself is not the point. It is hoped that you will read the chapter or portion of a chapter that each daily blog refers to. 

Acts 15 Division

Acts 15 NIV
There have been and always will be differences of opinion in the church. We are both saints and sinners, after all. There will be debates on what needs to be done and who needs to do it. But, we should always remember that we are not politicians. We are stewards of the Word and servants of the living God. We should always strive to listen to Him that we might follow in the Way that He would have us go.

When politicians debate the debates can get quite nasty. When Christians have debate, we need to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and Christ has blessed us with his peace. Hang on to that peace; therefore, that the will of God (not our will) might be done through us.

Paul was called by God to proclaim the Good News to the gentiles. But, there were certain other disciples who felt that the gentile Christians had to comply with every aspect of Jewish law. Paul disagreed. Through debate, they came up with a final decision. The gentiles would not have to submit to circumcision.

When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on their next mission trip, Paul disagreed. He didn't think that Mark was quite up to making that commitment. Their debate was not quite so agreeable as the one they had just had with the other disciples. Paul and Barnabas parted ways. Paul taking Silas with him and Barnabas took Mark with him. They went separate ways proclaiming the Gospel.

There is a difference in the two disagreements you've just read about. One was about doctrine, which was settled amicably. The other was a personal issue. It is sad that their end up being divisions between brothers and sisters in Christ. But, know this: that no matter what happens, God can use even divisions for the good of those whom He calls. Paul and Barnabas continue in their proclamation of the Gospel to the gentiles, even though they are not together when it happens. In fact, as the two went separate ways even more people were reached with the Good News. Paul's love for Barnabas is not diminished by this separation for later he requests that Mark be brought to him because he is useful to Paul's ministry. (2 Tim. 4:11)

May God help us to avoid divisions caused by personal issues so that we are not distracted from our mission and help us to stand on those doctrinal issues that are necessary for the salvation of those whom He calls.

God's Peace  - Pr. J

Acts 11:19-30 Evangelism Follows Persecution

Acts 11:19-30 NIV
God can use even the worst things that happen for the good of all people. Stephen's death would definitely not come under the category as a good thing. Yet, even as he was being stoned he testified to the kingdom of God. Just before he was stoned; "Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'" (Acts 7:55-56)

Here in our reading today we find that all those people who had scattered by persecution after Stephen was killed traveled far and wide spreading the Good News to both Jew and Gentile. The stoning of Stephen initiated a wide-spread persecution of the Christians; yet, it also initiated a wide spread evangelism movement.

Jesus promised that persecutions will come to those who follow him. But, with persecution; much blessing not just for the one; but for those who witness the persecution and those who hear about it. Persecutions do come; but, blessings comes with it. For, "blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:10)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 11:1-18 Account for Actions

Acts 11:1-18 NIV
There are times when we all have to account for our actions. It helps to dispel rumors and gossip. It helps us to have credibility so that we might continue our mission; rather, than spending time putting out "fires." Of course, there are some who like to start problems and keep us from doing what God calls us to do in spite of the fact that the truth has been told. There is nothing we can do about that except pray and continue to speak the truth.

Peter was called on the carpet by the other believers for visiting that Gentile, Cornelius. He explained to them that it was God who brought them together so that they might hear the message through which they would be saved. Peter's answer was enough. They understood that God intended that the message of salvation was for even the Gentiles.

The message of salvation is indeed for all people. Sometimes, we need to account for our actions so that we might dispel any rumors that might distract us from it. Hopefully, we need only account for our actions once so that we might get on with the mission of proclaiming the Good News to all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Acts 10:1-29 Peter and Cornelius Visit

Acts 1-29 NIV
I have never quite figured out why Jews were not permitted to hang out with God fearing Gentiles. I guess it was just one of those rules that were set up to remind the Jewish people that they had been called out of the general population to be God's people. But, God had other plans. He gave to both Peter and the God fearing Cornelius (a gentile) different visions that brought them together. Simon's vision instructed him to call Peter to his home. In Peter's vision he was instructed not to consider anything or anyone impure that God has made clean. Peter follow the direction he receives in the vision and goes to Cornelius' home.

But, on the other hand even as the Jews were not permitted to hang out with God fearing Gentiles, how often do we stay away from other Christians whom we consider "unclean" because their theology doesn't "jive" with ours? Or maybe, they practice rituals that we consider totally unnecessary? Do we intentionally stay away or shut the door on them when they knock. Maybe, the story of Peter and Cornelius might be worth considering as we welcome or don't welcome them into our homes as God's children.  Maybe, the story might be useful to us in directing us to visit others. whom we would not necessarily visit. with the Good News of the Kingdom. Sharing the truth of God's love with others really might be helpful to others as well as ourselves and for the sake of the Kingdom whether it is with someone who shows up on our doorstep or we on theirs.

May you go wherever and to whomever the Lord leads you.

God's Peace - Pr. J