Be Strong

Acts 17:5-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ But the Jews^[a] were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. ⁶ And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, ⁷ and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” ⁸ And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. ⁹ And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A5+-9&version=ESV)

In the passage prior to this we saw that many received the Lord through the preaching of God’s word, Good News, right?  With that good news we find that others became jealous.  Have you ever been jealous of someone else?  Have you ever wanted what they had?  Have you felt threatened by them?  When we feel threatened our defenses go up and we begin to defend our cause.  It happens with our enemies and it happens with our beloved ones.  Part of our sinful nature causes us to act irrationally when we feel that someone is attacking our beliefs, trying to exert power over us, or simply gaining more attention.  We seem to think they are a threat to us and we begin to react.  I believe this is why these men of God were being attacked.  Everything these people had known was being called into question.  Even though it the news was good, it caused a threat.

I found it interesting that Jason and his friends were released via a bribe.  This tells me that Jason must have been a man of wealth or someone in the group was.  At any rate, money was used to release these men.  Paul and Silas were smuggled out of the city at night and went on to their next place of calling.

Because these men were strong and courageous, because they took a stance with Jesus Christ, they faced consequences.  They faced persecution because they associated with men who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ.  Today in America we don’t necessarily face arrest because of our belief.  We are not persecuted by the Government official and thrown in jail.  Yet, we face trails and tribulations when things are going well.  Why is this?  Why can’t we just enjoy success?  Why can’t we just enjoy being Christians?  Every other religion seems to get protection form persecution, they call it being politically correct.  Why isn’t being a Christian politically correct anymore?  I believe God is moving us as He moved Paul, Silas, Jason, and others to be bold in our faith not complacent and comfortable,  in order that others may know.  Through persecution we become stronger in Christ.

As you seek Him may you find that His strength is sufficient, abide in Him and He in you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Women In Ministry

Acts 17:1-4

English Standard Version (ESV)

17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ² And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” ⁴ And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A1-4&version=ESV)

Paul and Silas are once again going to the synagogue to proclaim the power of Jesus Christ, and as you may note, they are winning some of the Jews over.  It appears that He tried reasoning with them and provided them proof through scripture the importance of Christ suffering and that it was necessary for Him to rise from the dead.  I would imagine many of them were arguing that if He was really the Christ this should not have happened to Him.  As Paul explained this some of the Jews joined him, however, many Greeks and not a few leading women also joined him.

I have to wonder why, so often, women are mentioned as a word of importance in the Bible.  Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well who went and brought others to hear the Good News of Jesus.  Peter in shackles went to the house of Mary, where believers were gathered to pray, when he was miraculously rescued from prison.  Then there was Lydia, whom Paul and Silas made sure to visit just prior to leaving the city, where they were wrongfully imprisoned.  Women were important in Bible days and they are important in the ministry today.  I don’t think there are many people who would argue that point.

Yet, why is it that even today woman are downgraded and of less importance than a man, in ministry?  God made both man and woman to bring Him glory and honor.  Galations 3: 28 tells us, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Yet in the church that is not the case.  If you are female you get to prepare meals and wash dishes.  You can teach Sunday School but only to the children.  Only the children?  This is the most impressionable time in a person’s life where faith begins.    ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Yet, it seems that women in the church are only allowed to teach the children.  Once they are older, the men take over.  I do feel honored that this great responsibility is placed on the women.  Yet I have to think that maybe this is just not a task that the men want to do.  It is so much more enriching in their eyes to lead a discussion with adults. Why bother with the children, the women can do it?  Well men, if you feel that way, you are missing out on wonderful opportunities of seeing God work through children.  I have taught them for many years but they continue to teach me.  I have to wonder still, why it seems so important that only men can teach the adults, if they are so much more knowledgeable then they should be teaching the children.

I have struggled with this for many years.  I believe God works through, speaks to, and anoints women.  Christ did it while He was here.  No, women were not amongst the 12 chosen but that might have been a little awkward and scandalous to be living amongst men.  Yet, He continually chose women to be a part of His ministry.  In fact, He reprimanded  Martha for being too busy in the kitchen to enjoy His company.   Luke 10:38-42 ³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus^[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary.^[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A38-42&version=ESV).  Way too often we women busy ourselves in the kitchen because that is what society has told us we need to do.  Yet, Jesus tells us to choose Him, to worship Him, to fellowship with Him amongst others.  All too often we listen to society rather than to God. 

At one point I wanted to be able to lead an adult Bible study and now I rarely even want to participate in the discussion of one.  Why?  Because society has told me that I am not good enough because I am a woman. I feel more at home in the Children’s Sunday School class and in the kitchen. 

Why is it that woman can “only” teach the children?  Why is it that woman are the only ones found in the kitchen, working?  Tell me again, what makes a man a better adult teacher? 

As you seek Him today, remember, He uses each of us for His service.  It does not matter, male or female, He cares for you and expects you to give Him the praise, glory and honor that He so deserves.  He expects you to serve Him where He has led you.  Do so with gladness and a happy heart and allow others the same opportunity.  Seek Him and know that He is God.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Encouragement through Trials

Acts 16:35-40

English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁵ But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” ³⁷ But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” ³⁸ The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. ³⁹ So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. ⁴⁰ So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A35-40&version=ESV)

I have always thought this passage was a little funny.  Paul and Silas have now been told they can leave prison but they refuse because they wanted an apology.  If I was wrongfully or rightfully put in prison and I was told I could leave, I wouldn’t hesitate, I would be out the door as fast as I could go!   Not Paul and Silas, they demand to see those who placed them in this prison.  I guess it is safe to say that I am not like Paul or Silas!

When they left the prison they did something even more amazing, they went to their friend and sister in Christ, Lydia and their brothers in Christ.  They didn’t go to them and complain about their mistreatment in prison, they went to encourage them.  They had just been in prison and told to leave the city but they were the ones doing the encouraging.  However, they did not focus on the negative things that happened but rather their ministry while in the prison.  If they had focused on the negative, they would not have found any encouraging words to share with their brothers and sister in Christ.

Do you ever find yourself in situations where you feel you have been wrongly accused?  What do you do about it?  Do you complain to those who wrongfully accused you or do you go and tell everyone else?  Paul and Silas make it clear that you should confront those who have wronged you.  They did this and then they left the matter behind them and went to encourage others.  Wow, again, I must say that I am not like Paul or Silas.  I have work to do in that area.

As you seek Him today, may you find comfort in knowing that your trials can bring encouragement to others by focusing on the positive and leaving the negative behind.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Response to Consequences

Acts 16:25-34

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer^[a] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A25-34&version=ESV)

How do you respond when you are facing consequence of your actions, actions that you felt were right and just?  I know as a child I generally pouted and as an adult I do the same thing!  It is very difficult for me to see any good in a bad situation and I have to throw myself a little pity party.  You know what?  Everyone hears it, sees it, and is probably annoyed by it and it does me absolutely no good whatsoever!

In contrast we have Paul and Silas who were beaten, thrown in prison, and put in chains.  They could have talked about how mistreated they were and how they did not deserve to be in this horrible place but instead they prayed and they sang.  I have to wonder what they were praying about but my guess is that they were praying prayers of thanksgiving.  I would not be surprised if the were praying for the jailer and all the other prisoners.  I would imagine that in their prayers they were praying words of encouragement to those around them.  They were singing too!  That is something I like to do when I am down, play the piano and sing.  (Not with others around though!)   The songs they may have been singing could have come from the scriptures.  At any rate, the songs were bringing a message of hope to those around them.

The prisoners heard these words and I would imagine the jailer did too.  Just as he was about to kill himself because he thought he lost his prisoners, they called out to him, letting him  know that none of them left.  Lives were changed that day, not just the jailer and his family but also the lives of those prisoners.  They could have all left but because of the hope they heard from Paul and Silas, they remained in the prison. 

This is a lesson in how to respond to adversity in a world full of it.  We need to make sure that we are responding with prayer, thanksgiving, and praise because others are either listening or watching.  We have to make sure that what they see in Christ working in us not our own disappointment, shame, or even anger.

Seek Him and know that He is with us in all that we say and all that we do,.  We need to be sharing with others this good news whether in words, deeds, or both so that other may see Him through us.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Consequences

Acts 16:19-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. ²⁰ And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. ²¹ They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” ²² The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. ²³ And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. ²⁴ Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A19-24&version=ESV)

If you were able to read the post from yesterday, you will remember that Paul became annoyed at a slave girl that kept following them and taunting them.  He became so annoyed that he cried out to the spirit within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (Acts 16:14b) NIV. 

The spirit indeed came out of her but look at what happened next.  The owner of this slave girl was quite angry and brought them before the magistrate to be punished.  I guess there was no such thing as a free trial in those days if you were a Jew.  There was a consequence to the response of being annoyed and Paul and Silas paid that price by being beaten and thrown in prison. 

In our own lives we face consequences to our actions.  Sometimes we become annoyed and do not portray a Christian life to others.  This could very easily damage our witness to those around us.  It can ruin lifelong friendships and it can destroy families.  We can be assured that God hears us when we cry out regarding our annoyance.  He may even take it away, as I mentioned in the previous blog, yet, we also might find that He is trying to teach us a lesson. 

As you seek Him today, consider times that you may have become annoyed, your response, and the consequence you paid for that.  Next time, we will look at how we should respond to that consequence.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Annoyed

Acts 16:16-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants^[a] of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A16-18&version=ESV)

Have you ever been so frustrated that you have called out to God to fix whatever has frustrated you?  If you have, you are not alone, we have record of it right here.  It appears that Paul was trying to be patient with this slave girl but he had enough of her taunting.  Realizing she was under the influence of an evil spirit, he confronted that Spirit by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for assistance.   

This passage gives me hope that God realizes that sometimes we are annoyed, frustrated, angry, or mad and He does not close His communication line but keeps it open.  He will answer and mighty things will happen.

As you seek Him today, I don’t know what your emotion might be but give God the praise and ask for His hand to help you through.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Be Found Faithful

Acts 16:11-15

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, ¹² and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the^[a] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. ¹³ And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. ¹⁴ One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. ¹⁵ And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A+11+-15&version=ESV

As I sat and read this passage today, what came to my mind was “faithfulness”.  As we see in this passage, Paul and Silas were faithful in their efforts to proclaim the Gospel.  They traveled many places telling others about the Good News of Jesus Christ.  However, it was not their faithfulness that convinced others to know Christ, it was through the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the faithfulness of those prompted to hear and respond to that calling.

Once Lydia responded to the call she became a part of the faithfulness of sharing with others.  Opening her home to those who brought the message was the beginning of her journey to be faithful and true to the God she loved and served.  This is our calling too.  We are not responsible for the response but we are responsible to be used of God so others can hear the Good News.  We don’t have to be forceful and demanding but rather speak the truth and allow the Holy Spirit to do His part in convicting.  What’s more, we don’t have to feel defeated if it is a negative response if we are using the Lord to direct us.  Negative responses are the result of a heart not ready to hear or a hardened heart. 

As we seek Him, may He find us being faithful to the calling He has given us.  Whether it is front of a computer typing a blog or traveling the world or the city proclaiming His Word, we must remember to be faithful to Him. 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

God’s Map

Acts 16:6-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁶ And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷ And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. ⁸ So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ And when Paul^[a] had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A6-10&version=ESV)

When we travel my husband likes to take a map.  We have a GPS but he likes to see the whole picture, not just a portion of the road.  When he has that map, he has a better sense of where he is and where he is going.  Paul and Silas had their own GPS system, it was directed from God through the Holy Spirit.  Somehow they knew where to go and where not to go.  Their human instincts would have taken them one direction but it wasn’t the direction God wanted them to go so they went the way He sent them.

There have been many times that I have tried to figure out what direction God wanted me to go. I have traveled one direction and been stopped midway and sent on another journey.  I am not quite as sensitive to the direction the Holy Spirit is leading me as Paul and Silas were.  I tend to go down the path even if it doesn’t feel quite right.  I  want to continue on my own path rather than listening to His gentle guiding voice, so God has to put a big roadblock in my way to get me to look another direction.  Sometimes I wish that I could just have a large map with those roadblocks marked so I would know the direction I am to go and why to avoid other pathways.

Because of this struggle of mine, my daughter shared with me a story from a 10^th Avenue North Facebook post.  If you do not know who this is, check our their Facebook page. The post that she shared is below, select “see more” in the comment section to read the article:  https://www.facebook.com/tenthavenuenorth/photos/a.473698257452.261610.7932537452/10153197371352453/?type=1&theater

In this article Mike writes that we need to take baby steps and trust our Lord.  His plan for our lives and the direction He truly wants us to go, is found through seeking Him and trusting Him.  I believe Paul and Barnabus did just what Mike wrote in the article.  They took baby steps, not big giant leaps.  They remained open to His calling, not matter if it was out of the way or right in front of them.  They knew their mission, they knew their God, and they knew His voice.  They were given the best GPS system ever with the brand name, “The Holy Spirit”.  We may want a big map to see all the roadblocks and pitfalls but God’s system is so much better than any map but He wants us to simply trust Him and enjoy the ride.  I must admit, I have not been enjoying the ride, yet I know that I have and will learn to trust more because of it.

I have to wonder, if I am quiet enough, open enough, and willing enough, could it be that I would actually hear His call and go where He leads?  As I seek Him today I continue to desire His will and His way in my life.  May I be gracious enough to accept it and find my joy in Him.   I urge you too, to take some time in the quiet moment of your day, seek Him and seek His direction for your life.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Actions Speak

Acts 16:1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

16 Paul^[a] came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. ² He was well spoken of by the brothers^[b] at Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A1-5&version=ESV)

I find this passage a bit confusing in that they circumcised Timothy although they were carrying a letter that said hey need not do so.  Do we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that we need to do something to prove our salvation is real?  I think it happens more often than we would want to think.  Yet, we should be set apart from others, we should abstain from certain behaviors because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We should go to church and other gatherings of Christians in order to be strengthened by one another.  That one on one contact is so important and that is why Paul, Silas, Barnabus, John (Mark), and Timothy traveled to spread the Gospel.  However, when we begin to worship the fellowship rather than fellowshipping to worship, we have a problem.  Or if you believe you must be there in order to be saved, you have missed the point. 

They had Timothy circumcised not to prove his salvation but rather to prove his rights as a Jew.  The Jews would not take Timothy and his ministry seriously and would not have let him speak in the synagogue unless he was like them.  It was not for his salvation but rather for the spreading of the Gospel.  So that brings it to us.  Where are we ministering to others?  Are we welcome in that setting?  If not, how could we be more welcomed?  How can we welcome others into our lives?   Prior to a missionary going into a foreign country they need to learn the culture and language of that country.  If they do not understand the people, the people won’t understand them.

As you seek Him today may you find that our salvation is through the precious blood of Jesus Christ not by our actions.  Our actions, however, should describe to the world the love, grace and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Different Perspectives

Acts 15:36-41

English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁶ And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ³⁷ Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+15%3A36-41&version=ESV)

Even the leaders in the early church had disagreements.  This, you might say was the first church split!  It was not over doctorial issues but due to trust.  It seems that Paul did not feel that John Mark could be trusted to go with them because he had left them when on their first journey.  However, Barnabus felt that he deserved a second chance.  Doesn’t it feel good when people believe in you enough to give you a second chance?  I am sure John Mark was more pumped and ready to complete the journey just because someone believed that he could.  That someone was not just Barnabus but I believe Barnabus was prompted by the Holy Spirit in order for this to happen.  I would suspect that Barnabus might have been just as disappointed as Paul that John Mark had left them when he did.  Yet now, he believes hat John Mark is ready.  Maybe he took some time to visit with him and hear a little more of John’s story.  Perhaps the Holy Spirit softened his heart in such a way that caused him to view the situation differently than Paul. 

So, if the Holy Spirit convicted Barnanbus, why didn’t He also convict Paul to allow John Mark to go with them?  Because this disagreement led to a split up that furthered the Gospel of Christ.  Rather than going together these two men could divide and conquer, as one might say. 

This argument, while sharp, was one that led to the furtherance of the Kingdom.  Awww, that all our arguments could be like that.  Both convicted that they were being told two different things allowed them to spread the Gospel and allowed newcomers, such as Silas and Timothy, to do the same.

As you seek Him today, remember there are often times different perspectives on the same issue.  We need to remember that even God will work differently in different people.  The importance is that we follow His will and not our own selfish desires and that we serve Him with gladness.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Equal Rights

Acts 15:1-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. ³ So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.^{[a] 4} When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. ⁵ But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. ⁷ And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, ⁹ and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

¹² And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. ¹³ After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. ¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

¹⁶ “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
     and I will restore it,
¹⁷ that the remnant^[b] of mankind may seek the Lord,
    and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
     says the Lord, who makes these things ¹⁸ known from of old.’

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+15+%3A1-+21&version=ESV)

I have to wonder today if we place unnecessary burdens on people today in order for them prove their salvation.  Much like a secret society where people have to earn their right to enter.  Then there are times that we say, “you should not judge” yet James is clear when he speaks that they must not live their lives in blatant sin.  So, where is the line between not judging and hold one accountable.

If the act of circumcision was what saved the people from their sins, no woman could ever be saved.  Maybe that is why women were viewed less important than the man.  Yet, the Holy Spirit fell on both male and female and people of all races, proving that circumcision was not the way to salvation.  There are no boundaries when it comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Yet, we must live our lives in accordance with His will and His way.  We can only do that through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is not by our works that we gain access to the throne but it is because of our access to the throne that we do works.

If our brother or sister is living a life that does not glorify Him but rather defiles Him, we should confront.  But, if by their culture they have a manmade physical change in their body we should not make them alter that.  If they come from a different race we should not condemn them but rather embrace that God’s grace is big enough for all of us. 

As you seek Him today may you find that His love is abounding.  Reach out to those who may not be like you but who are of God’s creation and need to see and know His love.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila