Acts 22 The Lord Said

Acts 22
Because, the Lord said. The Lord said to Paul, "Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles." (vs 21) This was Paul's defense for proclaiming the Good News. Of all the people in the world, Paul's history was such that he would be the last one that anyone would expect to be a follower of Jesus, doing the Lord's will. He was both a Roman and a Jew. He persecuted Christians; standing by and approving of Stephen's death. But, the ascended Lord, Jesus, came to him. The Lord, Jesus, sent him to proclaim the Good News.

So what do you do when the Lord sends you? Do you go as Paul went, even in the face of hardship, persecution; even if you might have to face death? Or, is your reaction more like Moses' first reaction when he made excuses and tried to reject God's call to go to the people to save them. Moses did not want to God; but, he ultimately went because the Lord said.

God knows who is capable. God knows who and how He has been preparing those whom He will send. Paul's history made him an unlikely candidate to be sent by God according to human understanding. But, it was exactly his history that prepared him for that mission. God knows what He is doing. He does not send unless He prepares us first.

Those first disciples were ordinary men. They were not perfect. They were not all highly educated. But, God prepared them. They followed Jesus around for three years, learning, being disciple. The Lord is preparing you. The Lord said, "Go and make disciples of all people." Will you listen? Will you go?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 4 - Who Will Bring Us Prosperity

Last night, I flipped back and forth between the second "Presidential Debate" and "Law and Order."  I do this when I watch movies with a lot of killing in it, too.  Don't they realize how frustrating and scary it is watching grown men, leaders of this country, be so manipulative and disrespectful of each other?  Do they not know that these shananigans are killing the spirit of this county? It is especially scary to watch men who are planning to hold the highest office in this country do this.  Why can't politicians just answer the questions without justifying themselves by lieing about the other? Politics, over all, just seems to bring out the worst in people. 

As the questions are avoided or talked around, they not only disrespect each other by not answering the questions straight forward, they also disrespect the American people.  Most of us, I think, would really like to know:  “Who will bring us prosperity?” (Ps 4:6) We have been in major economic hard times for awhile now. Multitudes are hungry and homeless.  Multitudes without jobs so that they can feed their families and provide adequate shelter.  Which candidate will best guide this country out of these hard times?  Which candidate will best give the people the confidence in the economy to begin rebuilding this country?

Of course you probably know that I believe that, without the help of God, neither candidate can do this.  May God help us to discern the better candidate.  May God bless this country by shining His face shine upon us; filling our hearts with joy as grain and new wine abound.  May we lie down and sleep each night in safety and in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J