Dad's Ramblings -- Do Me A Favor

"After two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound....But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul....."
 
                                                                          Acts 24:27; 25:9
 
Paul was a pawn in the political struggle between the Romans and the Jews. I suspect that Felix and Festus both just wanted to keep peace in their jurisdiction. So they tried to appease the Jews to keep them happy. If the only motivation of "doing a favor" is trying to appease someone, it will often be at the sacrifice of doing what is right.
 
Today's Thought: A favor that is motivated by selfish interest is not healthy.
 
Have a bright "right" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Convenient Time

"And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, 'Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.' Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul that he might release him."
 
                                                                                  Acts 24:24-26a
 
It is apparent that the Holy Spirit was speaking to Felix. He had an interest – even fear – but he put off his decision until "a more convenient time." He had other things on his agenda – like bribery. He wanted to do things on his own schedule. There is no evidence that the time ever came. When God speaks to the heart of a person in conviction, there is no guarantee that there will be another time. When I feel the tug of the Holy Spirit, I need to respond and not put it off to another "more convenient" day. There might not be another day.
 
Today's Thought: When God convicts, the time to respond is now.
 
Have a "responding" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Clear Witness

Paul said to Felix, " 'I have hope in God, which they also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always have a conscience without offense toward God and man.' "
 
                                                                                    Acts 24:15-16
 
Paul, unlike Tertullus (vss. 2-3), did not try to butter up Felix with flowery flattery. He just stated the truth – that Felix had ruled for many years (vs. 10). He then defended himself in a straightforward manner and quickly got to the essence of his faith. When I am defending my faith before antagonistic unbelievers, I am sometimes tempted to beat around the bush to make my faith more acceptable. A clear witness does not try to "soften" his message by hedging the truth in a haze of fluff. The statement, "I have hope in God," is a good place to start.
 
Today's Thought: A clear witness does not attempt to make the truth acceptable by creating a haze of words.
 
Have a clear day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Slick Talkers

"And when he was called on, Tertullus began his accusation, saying, 'Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.' "
 
                                                                    Acts 24:2-3
 
What a windbag! Tertullus had the gift of gab. He was an orator (vs. 1), perhaps a Roman or a Greek (as evidenced by his name), hired by the Jews to be the prosecutor against Paul. He was a bunch of blow, buttering up Felix with lies and exaggerating the charges against Paul as a "creator of dissension, a ringleader" – making Paul sound like an anarchist renegade and rebel. You can't believe much of what slick talkers say – people who "mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage" (Jude 16).
 
Truth is often lost in their loquaciousness – a victim of their rhetoric.
 
Today's Thought: People of many words often distort truth to their advantage.
 
Have a discerning day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- "Coincidence"

"And he (the commander) called for two centurions, saying, 'Prepare two hundred horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night, and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.' "
 
                                                                      Acts 23:23-24
 
This story has all the drama of a mystery novel – plot, intrigue, espionage. The commander was not going to take any chances so he provided a guard of 400 soldiers and sent Paul away at night to foil the plan of the conspirators. Scripture does not say how Paul's nephew happened to hear of the plot against Paul (vs. 16). But time and again I have seen God's hand in "coincidence" when people have been in the right place at the right time. God is in control to accomplish His plan.
 
Today's Thought: What we call "coincidence" is often God's plan at work.
 
Have a "coincidental" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God's Word Is Sure

"But the following night the Lord stood by him (Paul) and said, 'Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.' And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul."
 
                                                                                   Acts 23:11-12
 
So it is God's will against man's schemes. Who do you think will win? Let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4). God's Word is sure. If He says it will happen, it will happen, no matter how His enemies try to disrupt His plans. Nothing can contravene His will. I can be of good cheer, because God will win. I can count on it.
 
Today's Thought: God's will will be done in spite of human (or devilish) schemes to oppose it.
 
Have a confident day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Doctrinal Differences

'We find no evil this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.' "
 
                                                                   Acts 23:9
 
Even though the scribes of the Pharisees did not subscribe to all that Paul was teaching, they recognized that he was not an evil man. Perhaps this might be a good approach for relating to people with whom I disagree with on theological issues. Too often Christians demonize those who hold different doctrinal positions. Perhaps it would be better to refrain from attacking other people, lest we end up in a "fight against God."   Who knows: when I get to heaven, I may discover they are right.
 
Today's Thought: Disagreement about doctrinal positions does not allow for personal attacks.
 
Have a careful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Shell of Religion

"But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out to the council, 'Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged.' And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection – and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both."
 
                                                                                        Acts 23:6-8
 
The Sadducees (the liberals) had taken the guts out of Judaism. If there is no hope of resurrection or eternal dimension to human existence, all that is left is an empty shell of "religion." It is the same today in Christianity. There are the liberals and the conservatives. Many have eviscerated the core tenets of the faith – the inspiration of Scripture, the virgin birth, the resurrection of Christ, sin, salvation and eternal life. All that is left is a form of religion -- a form of godliness but denying its power (II Timothy 3:5). Empty. All that is left is this life. You may as well live as a pagan because without the resurrection and hope of heaven, there is no real purpose for our existence.
 
Today's Thought: Only an empty shell of religion is left when the core tenets of Christianity are removed.
 
Have a "conservative" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Name-Calling

"And those who stood by said, 'Do you revile God's high priest?' Then Paul said, 'I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' "
 
                                                                           Acts 23:4-5
 
It is a natural tendency to bad-mouth people in authority – whether in politics, family, church, or job – when we do not agree with their decisions. They all make mistakes, as Ananias certainly did. But Paul was not without blame for his angry response. Just because I think the person is wrong does not give me liberty to show disrespect by bad-mouthing him or her. As Christians, we can express disagreement without name-calling.
 
Today's Thought: Name-calling is not a godly response when people disagree.
 
Have a respectful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Whitewashed Walls

"Then the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, 'God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the
law?' "
 
                                                                           Acts 23:2-3
 
What is it that causes people in authority – who should be upholding the law and what is right – feel that they are above the law? We regularly see politicians who think that their position gives them the right to do what they want – taking bribes, having affairs, giving favors – with impunity. That mentality can even infect spiritual leaders, who consider their status license to do what is wrong. Power does corrupt. But they are just what Paul called Ananias – a "whitewashed wall," a euphemism for "hypocrite." God, give us spiritual and civil leaders who live with integrity, and who don't let their position go to their heads.
 
Today's Thought: Position with Power and Authority does not give anyone the right to do what is wrong.
 
Have an integrity day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Living With a Clear Conscience

"The next day,...he [the commander] released him [Paul] from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.' "
 
                                                                                  Acts 22:30-23:1
 
Paul declared at the outset that he was accountable to God more than the council. Who do I live for? Who do I answer to? Certainly I have an obligation to obey those who rule over me in both the spiritual and civic arenas. God's Word declares that the believer should "obey those who rule over you and be submissive" (Hebrews 13:17). But when push comes to shove, my primary goal should be to live with a clear conscience first before God – the eternal judge and King.
 
Today's Thought: The Christian should first live with a clear conscience before God.
 
Have a "clear conscience" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Dual Citizenship

"When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, 'Take care what you do for this man is a Roman.' Then the commander came and said to him, 'Tell me, are you a Roman?' He said, 'Yes.' The commander answered, 'With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.' And Paul said, 'But I was born a citizen.' "
 
                                                                          Acts 22:26-28
 
Citizenship has its perks. As a Roman citizen Paul could not be beaten unless he was found guilty of a crime. Roman citizenship was so valuable that people would pay to purchase it. I am glad that I am an American and enjoy all its benefits. But I'm even more grateful that my "citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). My heavenly citizenship was purchased at a great price by the Lord Jesus, and I am born into it by the Holy Spirit. I enjoy all its benefits. This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through.
 
Today's Thought: Christians have dual citizenship – here on earth and also in heaven.
 
Have a heavenly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Legal Protection

"Then ... the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, 'Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?' "
 
                                                                                        Acts 22:23-25
 
The soldiers were about to used "enhanced interrogation" (to use a buzzword from the war on terrorism) on Paul. Even though Paul was willing to suffer for Christ (see Dad's Ramblings for Acts 21:35-36), he was not a masochist anxious to suffer needlessly, and was willing to use the available legal means to escape torture. So he appealed to the law that protected him as a Roman citizen. In our country where the Gospel of Christ is under attack, I am glad for The Alliance Defense Fund, the ACLJ, and other organizations that are dedicated to defending Christians, using the existing laws to protect our rights to practice our faith.
 
Today's Thought: We are fortunate in America to have laws that protect our religious liberties.
 
Have a "legal" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Speaking Their Language

"So when he [the Roman commander] had given permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, 'Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.' And when they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent."
 
                                                                          Acts 21:40-22:1-3
 
Paul spoke their language. First, he spoke to the guard in Greek, asking permission to speak to the crowd, to whom he spoke in Hebrew. Secondly, he then proceeded to give his personal testimony, which is a different approach than usual. As a rule, Paul argued from the Scriptures, not from his personal experience. So here, he tailored his witness to the listeners. It is important that my witness be flexible to the situation. My approach should be different for an atheist than for a backslider or "religious" person. There is nothing wrong with having a "canned" presentation, such as the Four Spiritual Laws. But I need to speak the message in a way that communicates effectively, both in content and in language.
 
Today's Thought: The Gospel witness needs to be communicated in a way that the hearer can understand.
 
Have a flexible day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Suffering: Another Perspective

"When he (Paul) reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, 'Away with him!' "
 
                                                                            Acts 21:35-36
 
I wonder if Paul thought about another scene a few years prior when a mob shouted after another man, "Away with him! Away with him!" (John 19:15). Paul had surely heard from the other apostles the story of the betrayal, arrest, and trial before Pilate when the Jews called for the Lord Jesus to be crucified. It was a part of Paul's calling to "fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Colossians 1:24). Indeed, Paul wrote that "all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecutions" (II Timothy 3:12). So, "Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake in Christ's sufferings" (I Peter 4:13).
 
Today's Thought: Any trial we endure for the sake of the Gospel is a chance to participate in Christ's suffering.
 
Have a godly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Negatives to Positives

"And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple;....Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison...Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains....."
 
                                                                              Acts 21:30-32
 
The prediction by Agabus that Paul would be bound in chains in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-11) sounded like a dire warning. But it actually turned out to be a blessing, because it saved Paul from certain death at the hands of the Jews. Sometimes what appears at first reading to be a negative can actually be a God-sent positive.
 
Today's Thought: God can turn negatives into blessings.
 
Have a blessed day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- False Assumptions

"Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, '...he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled the holy place.' (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)"
 
                                                                              Acts 21:27-29
 
False assumptions lead to false accusations. How often I make judgments that are based in the appearance of what I think I see rather than in the facts. I need to be careful when making judgments, especially about another person's character.
 
Today's Thought: Judgments need to be made according to facts, not according to appearances.
 
Have an actual "factual" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Living By Convictions

" 'Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed about you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.' "
 
                                                                                  Acts 21:23-24
 
Paul's teaching that observance of the Old Testament law was not required for Gentile believers was well-known, and caused conflict with the Jews who kept the law. When he came to Jerusalem, he was urged by the Jewish brothers to take a vow in order to mollify the Jews, which he did. I don't know all of Paul's motives. Perhaps he was genuinely trying to keep peace with them. But one thing is apparent: it didn't accomplish this goal. The Jews still got mad at him and caused turmoil (vss. 26-31). The attempt to appease people by compromising personal convictions pleases no one. It is true that there are things that are not worth fighting for, and we have to make wise judgment regarding these things. But when it comes to convictions, it is better to keep one's integrity and let the chips fall where they may.
 
Today's Thought: Compromise rarely appeases our enemies.
 
Have a "standing firm" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Obeying God

"Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.' "
 
                                                                             Acts 21:12-14
As Paul went from place to place on his travels, he heard again and again the warning not to go to Jerusalem because of the fate he would face (the disciples at Tyre in vs. 4; Agabus in vs. 11; and possibly even Philip's daughters in verse 9; plus his own traveling companions in vs. 12). But Paul would not be deterred because of what he felt in his own spirit. This scenario is not easy to understand. I do believe there is safety by the advice of many counselors (Proverbs 11:14). But I also believe that even godly people can misinterpret the message God has given them. This is tricky, but a person must do what he is convinced is God's will in his own spirit, even in the face of contrary advice, and then say, "The Lord's will be done."
 
Today's Thought: A believer must obey what he is convinced is God's will in his own spirit, even when faced with contrary advice from other Christians, and then trust God.

 
Have a convinced day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Sorrow

"Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more."
 
                                                                         Acts 20:37-38
 
The sorrow of separation, whether by death or other reasons, is natural because there is a hole left in a person's heart. It is even greater if we believe that the separation will be permanent. The Christian does not sorrow as the unbeliever does (I Thessalonians 4:13), because of the faith that this separation is not the end of the story . We will be together again as we "meet at Jesus' feet" – as the old song goes.
 
Today's Thought: Sorrow caused by death or earthly separation is lessened by the knowledge that we shall meet again.
 
Have a believing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Faithful Shepherds

" 'For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.' "
 
                                                                             Acts 20:29-31
 
The life of the good shepherd includes pain and tears. The job description of a shepherd is to: 1) lead the flock into good pastures, and 2) to protect from harm (Psalm 23:1-4). Jesus' words are instructive. He said, "The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling...sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep" (John 10:11-13). A shepherd who is there only for the money (a hireling) will abandon his flock when danger comes. The shepherd who cares about his flock endures attacks from the wolves who attack from outside the flock, and from rebellious sheep who attack from inside the flock. Any shepherd worth his salt will have scars from both, but he will not abandon his sheep.  Instead, he will weep over them.
 
Today's Thought: God has assigned faithful shepherds who are dedicated to the welfare of the flock.
 
Have a watchful day. Love you.