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RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day one)  “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.  So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question” (vs 2)  By nature, I am a “pleaser”.  Normally, I really do want people to “be pleased”–not with me, but with life!  It isn’t always a wise approach.  The truth is that the truth has enemies.  Some outside the church.  Some inside.  Sometimes (frequently) the Lord asks things from us that make us uncomfortable, resistant.  When conflict comes (and it does-in church, in business, in friendships) I am learning to reference the Spirit of God rather than my own needs or emotional preferences.  I doubt I will ever enjoy conflict.  Sad if I did.  I do know, however, there is a way to walk with the Spirit when it does.  If He is available, why would we not seek Him?

RE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day seven)  “And all who were appointed for eternal life believed”  (vs 48)  It is a paradox.  A truth made up of two sides which seem contradictory or irreconcilable.  God appoints.  We decide.   Appoint means “lined up or arranged” and speaks of the inner preparation that precedes the reception of spiritual truth.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”  (John 6:44)  Is God working in your heart?  Is He preparing you for new truth and deeper faith?  It is His great gift!  Progress will require a decision of faith from you.  The Father has assigned you this role.  In vs 46, Paul says that the rejecters have “judged themselves unworthy of eternal life”.  Bad choice!  The word in this sentence means “to decide” and places the emphasis on the decision of man rather than the appointment of God.  So, which is it?  The work of God or a decision of faith?  Yes.

BE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day six)  “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ” (vs 2)  Interesting word.  Not worship exactly.  Leiturgea actually means “an act of service”.  The emphasis in Greek is on the sacrifice, the unselfishness.  We should be impressed that the leaders of the church in Antioch were “serving” the Lord, focusing on the Lord, praying and waiting on the Lord, determined to serve the Lord’s purposes and not their own.  It is a necessary assignment for all leaders (both political and religious)  Too easy to follow our own egos or ambition.  As we consider an election on Tuesday, we should look for leaders who seek this kind of righteousness.  What is His will for this land?  Larger than either party, not determined by a poll, the will of God is what we seek.  True leaders serve the Lord.

RE Verse reading-Acts 13:1-5, 13-14, 42-52 (day five)
Scripture seems to say two different things in verses three and four. One verse says the church sent Barnabas and Saul, while the next verse states it was the Holy Spirit. So, Who did What? Which is true? The answer is BOTH. Now that’s an amazing conclusion with many implications and ramifications. Implications: The Holy Spirit, who is alive in the believer’s heart, speaks to and through each person. When we gather to search the scriptures, worship in song and sermon, pray together, and share in fellowship, the Holy Spirit may be speaking both personally and corporately to affirm God’s Plan for the future and His Will in the life of each member. Ramifications: We gather together with hope and hunger to hear and share what the Holy Spirit is saying. We listen and encourage one another because each has the Holy Spirit living inside them. I can’t wait for Sunday!!

Guest Blogger: Scott Lane – Associate Pastor, Education, Students & Venture

RE Verse reading-Acts 13:1-5, 13-14, 42-52 (day four)
Paul and Barnabas had large crowds listening and responding to their gospel message in the synagogue.  There were two responses…the Jews were jealous and rejected all that Paul had to say.  They blasphemed and stirred the crowd up against the missionaries.  The gentiles on the other hand, when they heard that Paul would now take the gospel to them, rejoiced.  This was not the first time we have seen this dual response.  In Matthew 9, Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners.  The Jews reacted to His message.  Jesus said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.” The gentiles recognized their need for salvation…the Jews thought they had no need.  Familiarity with the gospel does not equate to a personal relationship with Christ.  A hunger and thirst for His truth is the first step toward salvation.

Guest Blogger: Larry Soape – Associate Pastor, Education, Adults & Missions

 

RE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day three)
The song by the Clash has become an indispensible part of classic rock radio.  Unfortunately, the question that the title asks has become a familiar part of our life with God.  Our faith frequently presents us with mystery, with things we don’t understand, and so we ask.  And that’s okay.  Questions aren’t a problem.  But we want to know what lies ahead.  And often, that’s just not going to happen.  So we become indecisive, and our minds get paralyzed by questions.  But when Paul and Barnabas saw their mission to Pisidian Antioch had failed, they didn’t wring their hands.  They didn’t demand to know the future before packing it in and moving on.  They didn’t second-guess their entire missions initiative.  They had come to know enough about what God can do to launch into the unknown. That’s faith: going where you don’t know on the basis of what you do know.

Guest Blogger: Bryan Richardson – Associate Pastor, Singles, Small Groups, & Pastoral Ministries

RE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day two)
The journey from prayer to joy sometimes takes unexpected turns. It will always begin with intently seeking the face of God not just the hand of God, seeking Him not just what He can do for you (Acts 13:2a). Then He speaks. His words may be unexpected, unplanned, or even uncomfortable, but the journey to joy won’t continue unless you take a step of obedience (13:2-3). You never know what will happen next. Maybe fruitfulness. Maybe opposition. Maybe both (13:44-45). Each new step will be another opportunity to trust the Spirit’s guiding words (13:46). One day you find that you are not journeying alone. You haven’t arrived. The difficulty is not gone. But now a quiet, inexpressible delight journeys with you. You are journeying with joy (13:52). Then the realization washes over you. Joy is not a destination to arrive at but rather a companion to travel with.

Guest Blogger: Josh Vaughan – Minister to Young Marrieds & Yes, Lord! Community Ministries

RE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day one)  “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ” (vs2)  It may be the most important recovery of all.  Confidence in the competence of Christ.  An active trust that the Lord knows His own business and will effectively involve us as we seek Him.  The Antioch church had such confidence.  Some scholars believe that the Spirit had previously spoken to Barnabas and Saul re. this missionary assignment.  The church, however, required a deeper certainty that came as the leaders sought the Lord together/heard His voice together in an attitude of praise and surrender.  Jesus taught us the same procedure.  “Pray to the LORD OF THE HARVEST, to send out workers”  (Matthew 9:38)  What new confidence we would have!  What new effectiveness!  The Savior knows how/when/where to employ us in His Kingdom work!  Let us seek Him.

RE Verse reading–Acts11:1-26 (day seven)  “If God gave them the same gift that He gave us. . .who was I to hinder God?”  (vs 17)  “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”  Perhaps you remember President Reagan’s famous words at the Berlin Wall.  They remind me of  Acts 11.  God was tearing down the legal wall that had, for centuries, divided Jew from Gentile.  For the first time since the Tower of Babel, the world had an opportunity for true unity and equality.  How inspiring!  How hopeful!  It is ironic that many in our day portray religion as essentially divisive.  Christ is actually our ONE opportunity to be united.   “He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. . .making the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross”  (Ephesians 2:14-16)  Most of us live behind walls.  God breaks them down.

RE Verse reading–Acts 11:1-26 (day six)  “What God has made clean, you must not call profane”  (vs 9)  Does God change?  At one level the answer is easy.  “He is the same yesterday, today and forever”  (Hebrews 13:8)  At another level, it is less so.  At the very least, God “changes plays”.  Like a quarterback with an audible,  God does, at times, declare a different direction, a new decision rising from His unchanging character.  Peter found himself in the middle of such a shift.  Something new to understand.  Something new to teach others.  The heavenly voice declared an end to the laws of separation (kosher) and a vast new horizon for world-wide missions.  God doesn’t change but His instructions to us sometimes do.  “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.  Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?”  (Isaiah 43:18-19)  May the Lord make us flexible.