Back in Court

7-4-2014         Acts 18:12-17

S.       12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

O.      This legal complaint is thrown out of court and backfires on the Jews.

A.      Christians are to serve God and trust him, even when it might bring us into a courtroom. In ages past many Christians gave their lives as martyrs to stay true to God. These things (in a form) may come to pass again. I must keep myself “unspotted” from the world. My testimony must be true.

P.       Father; on this day of freedom give me boldness to declare to anyone and everyone how you have made me free from sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The cross is my “Statue of Liberty” and if I should be brought into a courtroom for my faith give me the words of faith that will declare your Grace, Mercy and Love for fallen humanity. Amen.    

New Town, Same Message.

6-25-2014      Acts 17:1-9

S.       1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

O.      Thessalonica is the next city to hear the news of Jesus. Once again trouble is stirred up by un-believing Jews.

A.      Some will hear and believe and others will reject the message of Jesus. I must remember it is Jesus they are rejecting and not to be offended.

P.       Father; renew my energy, fill my heart and lead me to the ones that will hear and believe. Amen.

Speaking of Crime.

6-24-2014      Acts 16:35-40

S.       35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

O.      Paul makes it clear to the magistrates that he was wrongly beaten and put in jail but he does not seek retribution. Paul spends some time back in the home of Lydia before leaving town.

A.      Being wronged and treated badly is an unpleasant part of life. How we react to this treatment is a reflection on our Christianity and our God. Paul spoke out and exposed the truth of his ill-treatment but did not strike back. I must leave the punishment of wrongdoing to God and stay busy spreading the gospel.

P.       Father; I give the ones who have wronged me to you to deal with. Help me to keep a loving and forgiving attitude towards each one. Touch my spirit and clear away the bad memories. Show me your path for this day and strengthen my body for the tasks ahead. Amen.

Money, Money, Money

6-22-2014      Acts 16:20-24

S.       20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

O.      Paul and Silas are stripped, beaten and put in jail for casting out the evil spirit of a local witch.

A.      The issue in this case was the fear that money would be lost that was derived from the witches soothsaying. No rejoicing because of a life is set free from oppression, no happy singing and dancing over a soul being un-chained…..just anger and rage because “profit” is disturbed. I must remember to see the “soul” inside the oppressed person and seek to set that soul free, even at the expense of profit or gain.

P.       Father; remind me to look beyond the surface, into the very soul of the ones I am ministering to. Fill me with compassion and love for the bound, chained and lost souls. Wash my mind free of earthly values and sinful lust for money, power and control. Help me to value each person as you do. Amen.