Scripture text for Friday, April 23rd, 2010: Acts 25:1-28:31
Full Text Online | Listen Online
God changes our outlook.
As Paul was a prisoner on a ship headed for Rome, a dangerous storm came and Paul proclaimed, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Paul was not optimistic about how his trip was going. He saw how those in control of the ship were making reckless decisions that would eventually doom everyone on board.
God changes Paul's outlook though. One night God spoke to Paul through an angel and told Paul not to be afraid. With new found confidence Paul proclaimed to everyone aboard the ship, “I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.” And Paul (through God) was right.
Paul's life was all about radical change. One moment he is “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples” and the next he begins “to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” (Acts 9)
God changes our outlook. One moment we are living for ourselves, the next we are living for God. One moment we pursuing pleasure, the next we are pursuing relationship. One moment we are gathering for our own comfort, the next we are gathering for the opportunity to share. One moment we are gossiping, the next we are holding our tongues. One moment we are filled with hate, the next we are filled with love.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Devotion prepared by Dan Teefey
Paul's Journey
This week's scriptures I think emphasize why God picked Saul to carry the Good News to the Gentiles. I have been struck by how Saul's intensity to persecute Jesus's followers remained as he transitioned to a believer in Jesus and became a powerful missionary as Paul.
Paul constantly pushed the limits. Even as he faced danger and great harm, he was determined to spread the details of the meaning of Jesus' death and resurection. I admired his strategy. While Paul may have been picked to spread the word to the Gentiles, it seemed that his first stop when he reached a new town was the synagogue. There he reasoned with and testified to the Jews. Some he convinced and some not. He simply would not give up. This strategy was frought with peril since it seemed quite often this was the place where he stirred those to plot against him.
I believe that Paul knew how significant he was in God's plan. As I read about his appeal to Caesar, he must have known that he was putting himslf in more danger. He could have simply walked away. But that was not to be.
John
Post new comment