What's At the Top of Your Priority List?

Acts 18:19-23

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. ²¹ But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

²² When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. ²³ After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18%3A19+-+23&version=ESV)

How many of you remember those revival services that lasted a week or two at the church?  They were not just for the church members but everyone in the community was invited and the churches were full.  Or maybe you remember community revival services where the ministers of the community united to bring in an evangelist for the week.  Those were great days and had a great impact on my life.  The men that came and spoke were in and out of our lives in a week or two.  Once in awhile they would return to the church for another week or two of ministry but often times, once they left, you never saw them again.  Yet, the impact they made on your life was a forever memory.  That is how I picture Paul in this passage of scripture.  He spoke, he impacted the people through the Word of Life.  Sometimes he would return, other times he wrote letters, yet, he forever made a memory in the life of the church.  He impacted them in a way that caused them to commit to the Lord, which made an everlasting change in their lives.  Yet, from time to time, they needed to be reminded and encouraged to fight the good fight and pursue righteousness.  Much like us today.  Yet today we be bombarded with our own dreams and desires and we are less and less reminded to live for the Lord.  Evangelist are a thing of the past and everyone goes about building their individual churches they way they see fit rather than through a united front.  The accountability that Paul gave to the church is seen less and less in our churches today. 

In the changing world where we find persecution, heartache, brokenness, and despair, I realize that the world hasn’t really changed all that much.  These things took place in the times of the Bible just as they take place today.  There have been riots in years past and there are riots today.  There has always been persecution, we hear about it more today and it is closer to home, yet it has been there all along.  I am amazed at how much things are just as they were in the Bible times, the Bible written so many years ago is still so applicable today.  Why is it that we have so few traveling missionaries/evangelist today?  Maybe it is because we are getting too busy with the things of this world that we do not want to take the time, for a full week or two, to commit to growing in Christ.  It is even hard for some to commit to one Sunday morning a week.  As we become more and more in tune with the world and less and less in tune with the Father, we will find ourselves in despair and wonder how we got there.

As you seek Him today, remember to place Him at the top of the list of priorities.  Seek Him and know that even though things of this world become more and more troubled, He is there ready to give you peace.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Growing in Our Faith

Acts 18:12-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews^[a] made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, ¹³ saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” ¹⁴ But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. ¹⁵ But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” ¹⁶ And he drove them from the tribunal. ¹⁷ And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

¹⁸ After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers^[b] and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18%3A+12-18&version=ESV)

These verses keep us hanging a little bit. It seems that Sosthenes was the scapegoat for Paul.  Who was Sosthenes?  Was he someone who had protected Paul?  Maybe he had refused to evoke punishment on Paul?  If he was a Christian was his faith stronger because of this beating?  Who came to his rescue and took care of his wounds?  I also have to wonder why Gallio just let the beating take place.  He had said previously that if this was a vicious crime he could step in, to me, a beating is a vicious crime.  They were not even beating the man they had brought acquisitions against.  I was somewhat confused throughout this entire passage.  That is why I included verse 18 because I believe it is important to notice that God, through all of this, had protected Paul.  Paul had to have been reminded that God told him He would take care of him and not leave him.  In previous passages we have read Paul left the city when threats came his way but this time he stayed many days longer.  Such a key to how his faith had grown through on this journey.

I have to wonder if my faith is so weak that I have a difficult time putting my trust where it belongs.  God made it very clear to Paul that He would protect him.  He has given us His Word to make it clear to us that He is guiding us as well.  But all too often, I want to question His ways, I have to wonder why struggles come my way.  I have a difficult time resting in His peace.  I need to learn to rest in His ways, trust in His ways, and to not depend on my own understanding.  I need not worry less about what others think but rather put my faith and trust in Him and do His will, wherever that may lead.  I believe Paul was learning this as he went on this journey.  A journey that had many joys but a lot of danger, heartache, and many trials brought to him a peace.  Seems strange or backwards doesn’t it?  That is the Power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

As you seek Him today, recall that He was with Paul and He is with you as well, trust in Him.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Rejection

Acts 18:1-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

18 After this Paul^[a] left Athens and went to Corinth. ² And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, ³ and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. ⁴ And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

⁵ When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. ⁶ And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” ⁷ And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. ⁸ Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. ⁹ And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, ¹⁰ for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” ¹¹ And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+18%3A+1-11&version=ESV)

Have you ever been discouraged when you have tried to share the Gospel with someone who flat out rejected it?  It can be so frustrating to know the truth and yet not be able to convey it to others.  Having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is what has gotten me through the trials of life that I have faced and am facing.  To not have that faith and that hope in Him would cause me to totally give up.  I would see no purpose in life whatsoever; yet, there are people who live their life in this manner.  They reject the Good News and continue to live their life for today and not for tomorrow.  Paul encountered these people and rather than giving up and leaving he continued to minister because he was doing the will of the Father.  He simply shook his garments off and moved on from them.  By doing so he was able to witness to others who did believe. 

I myself have a difficult time with moving on and I tend to be a little obsessed with the past rather than looking towards the future.  I have to wonder if Paul had a bit of this anxiety too.  I tend to be one that will withdraw rather than confront but to me Paul was quite the opposite.  He seemed to me to be one that could come across as arrogant, strong-willed, and a bit pushy, not one that would ever cave to the fear of what his words might produce.  Yet, God assures him that He is with him.  He lets him know that he will be safe which gives Paul the ability to go forth and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What about us?  How does this apply to us?  Just as God promised to Paul, He promises us, He is with us.  He was with Paul and He will be with us so long as we believe upon His name.  If others shun us, let them do so because we were faithful to Him.  As you seek Him may you realize He is with you.  As you seek to serve Him may you realize He is your strength and your protection.  May you find in Him the assurance that life, lived to its fullest, through the proclamation of the Word, is the what God wants from all of us.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Where is God? Acts 17:29-34 English Standard Version (ESV) 29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A29-34&version=ESV) (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=national+cathedral&view=detailv2&id=749926421C98210BEA6C582EF4C9B875D788F645&ccid=8Lw3jzCp&simid=607995223088366163&thid=JN.%2B4YUEkaMovfqlHtGREEn6g&mode=overlay&first=1) When I read this passage I have to think of buildings that have been built to signify our faith in Christ. I have been in some pretty amazing cathedrals here in the United States of America. The one picture above is our National Cathedral. This is found in our Nation’s Capital. On the welcome page of the Cathedral’s website, it states that it exhibits our Nation’s story of faith. It clearly states in this passage that our story of faith should not be contained in a building. Our story of faith should be on full exhibit for all to see as we live our lives. The story of faith in our great nation of the United States of America should be in the way we shine to other nations or to our neighbors, not, by architecture of things made from the hands of men. Our story should be shaped in our obedience to His word. Just think, if all the people involved in the building of this Cathedral would have spent a quarter of the time it took to build and instead ministered to others, how much richer might our nation be. How do we spend our time, what do we see as valuable, why is it that we waste so much time and money on trying to impress God and people with a building? We need to rather go forth and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As you seek God, remember, He is not in a building made of gold and silver, He is setting right beside you in your wherever you may be. Seeking Him with all my heart, Sheila

Acts 17:29-34

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁹ Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” ³³ So Paul went out from their midst. ³⁴ But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A29-34&version=ESV)

When I read this passage I had to think of buildings that have been built to honor of the mighty God we serve.   I have been in some pretty amazing cathedrals here in the United States of America and have heard of some amazing ones in Europe.  You can go to the following webpage and see many picture of our National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=national+cathedral&view=detailv2&id=749926421C98210BEA6C582EF4C9B875D788F645&ccid=8Lw3jzCp&simid=607995223088366163&thid=JN.%2B4YUEkaMovfqlHtGREEn6g&mode=overlay&first=1)

Yet, none of them can truly depict who God is and how great and powerful that He is.  One earthquake, tornado, or hurricane could destroy any of them in a split second but nothing can destroy God.  

On the welcome page of the Cathedral’s website, it states that it exhibits our Nation’s story of faith.

However, it clearly states in this passage that our story of faith should not be contained in a building.  Our story of faith should be on full exhibit for all to see as we live our lives.  The story of faith in our great nation of the United States of America should shine to other nations or to our neighbors, not, by way of architectural or interior design by the hands of men.  Our story should be shaped in our obedience to His Word.  Just think, if all the people involved in the building of this Cathedral would have spent a quarter of the time it took to build it to rather minister through love and care to others and grow in faith through studying His Word, our nation may not be so Spiritually dead today.  

How do we spend our time? What do we see as valuable? Why is it that we waste so much time and money on trying to impress God and people with a building?  We need to rather go forth and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As you seek God, remember, He is not in a building made of gold and silver.  He dwells among His people no matter if they are in a shack or in a mansion.  Christ demonstrated this to us as He ministered among the people in order that we might do the same thing.  When He was at the temple it was not to pray to God, He did that in the garden, rather, it was to teach others of the truths of God's Word.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Why Are We Here?

Acts 17:22-28

English Standard Version (ESV)

²² So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. ²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷ that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.^.”

^{(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A22-28&version=ESV)}

                  ^{As we review this passage today there are several things that I see that can help us in our own daily walk with God.  As we go through this passage we see that Paul uses his observation skills in order to relate to the people.  I wrote about this in the previous blog.} 

                  ^{Next, we see that God did not put us here to serve Him, because He is perfectly capable of serving Himself.  After all, He is the creator of the universe and of us.  Yet, we are called to “serve” so how is it that we “serve Him”?  I have to think of an earthly king as I ponder these thoughts.  An earthly king does depend on others to help him with all of his duties.  Without the others, he cannot run a country properly.  Without his armies, he cannot fight the fight, without his speechwriters, he would not know what to say.  He may be able to cook a meal but no telling if it would really be edible or not!  He is not our God, merely a man that has been put in great power.  Our God can do all things without us, so, why does He want us?  Why has He placed us here on this earth?  He has placed us here because He loves us and He wants us to love Him back.  He wants more than anything for our praise.  Can He function without it, yes, but still He wants us to experience the joys of loving and praising Him.  We can serve Him through our praise and through our reflection of Him to others.   Could God have saved these people without Paul’s help?  Certainly but he used Paul to bring a message of love and hope to others.}

                  ^{God dwells amongst us.  He is here and He is there, God is everywhere.  It is something we do not fully understand; He is complex but yet simple enough to come to as a child.  Wow, we serve an awesome God.  He is here with us through whatever trials and tribulations we find ourselves.  He is on the move even though we think He is not.  His timing is impeccable and He is perfect.} 

^{As you seek Him today, remember, that He designed you to seek Him, without Him we are nothing and with Him we are everything, yes, “indeed we are His offspring.”}

^{Seeking Him with all my heart,}

^Sheila

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

Acts 17:16-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A16-21&version=ESV)

 I used to be a teacher of students with severe, multiple disabilities.  Often times my students could not verbally communicate wants and needs to others.  My job was to come in and help them learn the skill of appropriate communication.  I worked with a variety of different methods in order to help them find the one that worked for them.  However, in the beginning there could be some very big struggles, maybe some biting, kicking, screaming, hitting, and tantrums.  I would always tell those who were working with them, paraprofessionals and other teachers, “we need to put ourselves in their shoes, view the world from their eyes, in order to understand what they are trying to tell us.”  Just think about it, how would you feel if you could not talk, or even move, walk, or run, in order let others know how you felt?  I know I might bite, scream, kick or whatever else I might need to do to let them know what I needed or wanted.

As Paul waited for his team in Athen, he put his feet in the shoes of the people of Athens and viewed the world from their eyes.  He was observant as to what the people of this region were all about.  He saw what they valued by looking at their many idols, he listened as they spoke and he took into account the questions they were asking.  By doing this, he found out ways to address the crowd so they would listen to him and not just shut him down.  Because he was willing to listen to the people, he was able to show them the true way.  Of course, some rejected him but others believed. 

How often do we try to understand people, their values, their thoughts, or their motives?  Often times we are quick to judge but have taken no time to try to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes.  Until we take the time to really get to know people and their struggles, it will be hard to be a good witness to them.  Until we try to understand their struggles we will have no way to help them through them.

As you seek Him today, take a look around you and try to put yourself into the shoes of an unbeliever that you may know.  What is it that causes them to not believe?  What is it that they hold dear to their hearts?  Ask the Lord to help you view the world in their eyes in order for you to allow them to see the world through the eyes of Christ.  Seek Him and know that He knows and understand you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Study the Word

Acts 17:10-15

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁰ The brothers^[a] immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹ Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ¹² Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. ¹³ But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴ Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. ¹⁵ Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A10-15&version=ESV)

I find it interesting the importance of mentioning the women again as ones who received the Word of God.  I find it also interesting that they are always referred to as women of high standing, which signifies to me that these were women who were leaders within their communities, they had some type of status there and people looked up to them.  But that is not the main focus of this passage today.

As we continue to read we learn how important it is to study the Word of God.  These people did not just let Paul and Silas teach, hey studied what they were saying.  As for us, we too should not sit and just listen to a Pastor or read a blog or a book and assume that they all know what they are talking about.  This is how we can become deceived and led astray.  We need to study the Word for ourselves, listen to what they say, and measure it with the Bible.  Then, we won’t only be grounded in the Word but will also know when the deceiver tries to come in.  Sometimes non-believers think that Christians are brainwashed or their children are brainwashed but this simply will never prove to be the case if we are studying the Word of God, have a relationship with Him, and allow Him to guide and direct our thoughts and actions.  These men were not easily swayed either way but rather studied and knew the truth.

Often time people believe by a feeling rather than having a firm foundation of God’s word.  We need both to be a solid, strong Christian.  When opposition came in to play these Thessalonians did not send everyone away and discount what they had been taught but rather stood their ground, as we can do as well.  They sent Paul for his own protection rather than running him off like other cities did.

As you seek Him remember that His word is where you find the answers.  Study it, listen to your leaders but measure their words against the Word of God.  Be strong and know that He is God.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila