Acts 18:1-17 Truth In Corinth

Acts 18:1-17 NIV
Paul does relatively well in Corinth. That is; he is able to testify that Jesus is the Messiah for about a year and a half in relative peace. I say relative because at one point he shook out his clothes in protest against the Jews who opposed his teaching and told them that from then on he was going to the Gentiles. The truth was not without opposition, even in Corinth.

Have you ever been in a debate that is pretty much one-sided? No matter what you say the other person shouts you down? They might even scream at you or threaten you if you don't shut up? They are adamant that their way is right and are not open to hearing any other truth. There are times when we must shake the dust off our shoes and move on. When, no matter what we say, we run up against bullies who will reject you and the healing word that you bring, then it may be best to quit wasting our and their time and move on to those who will hear and if they have doubts or questions will ask with an open heart and mind; desiring to hear and understand.

Debate is good. Discussion is good. But, both sides must be open to empathic listening to the other person. Paul presented the truth with reasoning from scripture. He did this with empathy, understanding where they were coming from. When certain people would not listen to the truth about Jesus, Paul simply moved on. He did not attack them as he had been attacked.

May God soften the hearts of those who reject the truth and who persecute those who are trying to help them follow in a better way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 20 - Can't Keep His Mouth Shut

There are times when we think I should have just kept my mouth shut.

In the face of much persecution, Jeremiah keeps doing what he is called to do. He continues to warn the people of their impending captivity in Babylon. But, they will not listen. Instead, Jeremiah is beaten and thrown into a dungeon for speaking the word of the LORD. Yet, he will not, he cannot, stop speaking God's message to the people. God's word burns in his heart like a fire. It will not be stilled. He must speak it.

In spite of the personal danger, Jeremiah does not pull back from doing what the LORD calls him to do. He laments even his own birth; yet, he stands firm in faith, committing his cause to the LORD. He assures himself that the LORD will declare those who persecute him as unrighteous. They will incur much damage for persecuting the prophet of the LORD. They will suffer greatly for not listening to God's word.

The servants of the LORD are still persecuted, even today. At least, in this country (U.S.A.) we are not beaten or imprisoned for our faith. Yet, in many subtle and overt way the faithful are shunned or persecuted. Yet, even as Jeremiah kept faith and continued to proclaim His word, we continue to proclaim the truth. We do not keep our mouths shut. We proclaim His wondrous deeds even as we sing praises to God and bless His Holy Name.  

"Sing to the Lord!
    Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues the life of the needy    from the hands of the wicked." (Jer 20:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 66 - Shout Joyfully to the Lord!

Oh, how I wish! Oh, how I pray!  Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!  All the earth shall Worship Him!  I wake up in the mornings and wish this were so - not in ten years, not in ten thousand years, but for today.  I wish it were true for today.  Oh, but, if the whole earth would only recognize the awesomeness of God, what He has done and will do for those who turn to Him and worship and praise His glorious name. 

There are days that proclaiming the Good News of His Kingdom seems futile.  No one seems to hear.  Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 

One of my frequent prayers of years past was that the LORD, our God, would allow us (the whole world - every living being) would be one - that we would be completely united with Him for just a few minutes.  What kind of changes would happen if everyone could experience that oneness just for a few minutes?  Then, I thought, that might be too much for most to be able to experience and a second would be enough.  One second of experiencing complete reconciliation with God our Father, with one another, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Can you imagine that coming together.  It would be just amazing beyond words.  How would that affect the way we lived, if every person could experience that for just one second - one micro-second - all at the same time. 

Hope, love, joy, peace beyond measure, would abound for all people, just by experiencing the awesomeness of God as one. 

Let the whole earth, shout to the Lord, sing the honor of His name, praising all the awesome works that He has done.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

P.S.  For those of you who keep wondering what they could give me for Christmas.  How about this:  "Worship the Lord, your (our) God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul."  That would cause me to really rejoice!