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.