Acts 21:1-36

Vs. 1-16 - as Paul travels to Jerusalem, many warn him not to go.  There are even prophesies concerning Paul's imprisonment..  However, Paul knows what the Lord has asked him to do.  He knows these things will come to pass, but he also knows that giving Jesus' message to the Jews and Gentiles in Jerusalem is more important.  Paul is prepared & determined because of his close relationship with God.

Vs. 17-26 - rumors are flying.  Isn't that always the case.  Someone sees something or hears something but doesn't confirm that they think they saw or heard with the truth.  Pretty soon we have an out-of-control game of telephone going on.  When Paul meets with James and the elders, they have heard reports that he is not abiding by the decision of the church regarding Gentiles.  Gentiles are not required to convert to Judaism, but they have been asked to abstain from sexual immorality and meat that has been sacrificed to idols.  Paul listens to those in authority over him and takes the vow.  Paul is not stating that the rumors are true, for in fact they are not, but he is submitting to the vow to show others his heart and willingness to submit to those in authority over him.  We must remember that we are to listen, with respect, to those in authority over us.  The only time we should not obey is when it is in direct violation of God's Word.

Vs. 18-36 - even though Paul listens and obeys, the Jews refuse to take the time to figure out the truth.  Instead, they continue to inflame the rumors regarding Paul's actions until a riot breaks out.  Paul is beaten and ends up in jail.  So, what can we learn from this - don't listen to or spread rumors.  If you see, hear, or read something that seems inflammatory - check it out for yourself.  Don't just repeat a bunch of garbage that you know nothing about.  Talk to the person in question, do some research regarding the rumor, and most importantly - don't react in anger!  Take the time to pray and ask God how you should respond.  The internet is one of my biggest pet peeves - we forward & post all sorts of stuff that is just plain not true!  Not only is it spreading rumor, but posting incorrect and untrue information ruins your reputation.  Slow down & remember to start thinking for yourself.

Acts 20:1-38

Vs. 1-16:  I love the frank retelling of these events.  The Bible doesn't try to sugar-coat events, nor do the writers try to make people look better than they really are.  Paul is preaching one night for such a long time, that a member of the congregation falls asleep and falls out a three-story window to his death.  Wow!  So, even in the beginning of the church people slept through sermons.  Not much has changed.  This portion of  scripture also tells us that the disciples continued to celebrate the Jewish feasts.  Now, do you have to celebrate the Jewish feasts to be a Christian?  Nope.  However, these are celebrations given to us by God.  They are full of history and symbolism.  When we celebrate them we become immersed in all God has done and will do for us.  So, celebrating them makes sense.

Vs. 17-38 - Paul is now on his way to Rome.  Paul knows that he will not return from Rome, so he gives the followers some good advice on Christian living before he goes.  First of all, I love that Paul trusts God to do what is right.  Paul knows that hardships are coming, but he also knows that doing what is right is more important.  Take courage in that teaching.  Sometimes live is hard - don't take the easy way out!  Do what is right & trust that God is doing the same.  Secondly, as Christians we are to be on our guard regarding the truth of the Word.  Know the Word so that others will not be able to lead you astray.  Work hard & don't rely on others for your needs.  Help others who are in need.  And remember to spend time in prayer - alone & with other believers.  These are great words of wisdom.  You would do well to follow them.

Acts 19:1-41

Vs. 1-7 - these people had only heard the testimony of John the Baptist.  They were ready & believing for the coming Messiah.  Paul tells them of Jesus' ministry, death & resurrection & they become true followers of Jesus.

Vs. 8-10 - Paul spent two years preaching to both the Jews and Gentiles until all of Asia had heard the Good News.

Vs. 11-20 - Many signs and miracles were performed by Paul in Jesus' name.  Some non-believers thought that the name of Jesus was simply a powerful tool to be used, somewhat like "hocus pocus."  Since they had no relationship with Jesus, they did not understand that it wasn't the words that Paul spoke, it was his relationship with Jesus that he relied on.  When these people tried to use Jesus for themselves, it backfired on them.  See, Jesus isn't some idol that does our bidding.  He isn't some magical force that comes to our rescue when we pray a certain phrase.  It is through our relationship with Him, our trust in Him, and our obedience to His Word that heals and transforms us.

Vs. 21- The more I read through the Scriptures, the more I see the motivations of man.  Christians are persecuted not for blasphemy and not for their beliefs, but for profit.  For the most part, it is greed and pride that cause men to turn against Christianity.  In this account it is an idol-maker that stirs up trouble when he believes his business might start losing some business.  The validity of Paul's teaching isn't called into question, but rather what will happen if people listen and believe.  I reminds me to listen carefully when someone cries foul and brings up charges against another.  Don't just listen to their words, look for their motivation.  Why are they acting in this way?  What has caused the concern or issue?  When drama unfold in your life or the lives of those around you, stop & pray.  Ask God to open your eyes to the truth, only then should you make any judgments.

Acts 18:1-28

While in Corinth, Paul focused his ministry on the Gentiles because of the attitude of the Jews.  God confirmed his decision in a dream.  The account continues to tell us who he met, who converted, where Paul traveled.  I like verses 24-28.  Apollos is excited about spreading the Word, but he wasn't getting everything right.  Priscilla and Aquilla took him aside and provided him with more understanding.  Notice they don't publicly rebuke him, nor do they stop him from ministry.  Instead they each him and treat him with love.

This is how we are to treat each other.  Watch, listen, respond in love.  Priscilla and Aquilla took the time to understand where Apollos was coming from.  They listened to his heart.  Then they acted with the correct response.  With a little patience and prayer, you can too.  

Acts 17:1-34

Acts 17 records the travels of Paul through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.  At each place, Paul preaches the Good News.  Some believe, some don't.  When those that don't believe get offended & begin to make legal trouble for the group, they move on to the next town.

So, is Paul running away?  Shouldn't he stay and fight?  That's what we do now.  We fight for our beliefs, mostly on FaceBook.  I see people fighting over their religious beliefs, their political beliefs, their parenting beliefs.  Our society has become a public forum where we all get to lay it all out there for our "friends" to see.  Here's the problem though - it's not being done in love.  Instead, we have become hostile, proud, and easily offended.  Maybe we need to get back to Paul's example.  He had a mission - to preach the Good News.  And he did so.  For those who listened, he helped established churches and fellowship groups that they could continue to grow.  For those who didn't listen, he walked away.

As Christians, we have a calling to tell others the Good News.  We have an opportunity to live out our faith in love.  We are not called to force others to believe.  So, live your life in love.  Speak the truth.  Pray for yourself and others.  Stop being offended by the choices of others.  And above all - stop offending others.  I challenge you today to stop and pray before answering a FB post - especially if you are offended by it.  Take time to ask God how you should respond.

Acts 16:11-40

I love that Luke recorded the names of specific believers.  Lydia was a woman of some wealth who opened up her home as a meeting place for believers.  She is mentioned several time in scripture.  I point this out because some believe that the Bible treats woman unequally.  Nope, it doesn't.  All you need to do is read it to know that God loves everyone - man, woman, and child.  He judges the heart of a person, not the gender. 

Now Paul is arrested, again.  I love this story because I think it really shows us how to act in tough situations. Paul is falsely accused.  Basically he heals a demon-possessed girl and her owners are upset that they have lost a source of income.  Greed and jealousy get the better of the owners & Paul is thrown into jail.  Unfair - yes, but then again no one said life was suppose to be fair.  So, what does Paul do?  He sings, he prays, he praises the Lord.  What?  How many of us react to the unfairness of life with joy?  I'll admit that I am quite good at complaining.  But you know what?  Complaining doesn't get you anywhere but grumpy.  

So Paul and Silas are praying & singing.  The other prisoners are listening & suddenly, the door falls open  and the chains fall off.  Pretty cool.  But wait, Paul & Silas just sit there.  The jailer, thinking he will be executed for letting the prisoners escape, is about to kill himself when Paul stops him.  Paul's courage, his concern for the well-being of others over himself, and his joy while in prison show this guard that Paul has something he wants.  That something is Jesus.  (Quick side note:  Paul's courage, concern, and joy are all products of his faith.  The Bible talks about the fruit and works of faith - these are it.  They are the attitude and actions of a person who believes.)  The guard and his household are saved that night - all because Paul didn't lose his cool.  Instead, he prayed and listened to the Lord.

When you're down and out,  when life isn't treating you fairly - stop and assess your attitude.  Are you grumbling or are you praising the Lord?  Are you living out your faith?  I recently saw a quote from Max Lucado that says, "Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.  It is the belief that God will do what is right."  Paul has that kind of faith.  He trusted God to do what was right - be that imprisonment and death or escape and life.  God will always make the right choice.  So, the next time you find yourself in a bad situation - stop, pray, praise & trust that God will do what is right.  

Acts 15:36-16:10

Paul and Barnabas end up having a disagreement over Mark.  Mark had chosen not to accompany Paul and Barnabas from Pamphylia.  Now Barnabas wants to bring Mark back into the mission.  Paul disagrees, he doesn't think Mark is trustworthy based on his past decisions.  So, Barnabas takes Mark and heads one way.  Paul takes Silas and heads another.

A disagreement, oh my.  Sometimes we think the people in the Bible were perfect.  They heard from God, they listened to God, they followed God.  Yet, they were just men and women like you and me.  Sometimes they had differing opinions.  The interesting thing is that God works through man regardless.  I love Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose."  Paul and Barnabas separated, yet God used it for good - the mission team just doubled.  Also, Mark's choices led him to follow Peter and eventually write the Gospel of Mark.  Paul and Mark were also later reconciled.  Does this mean go out and sin & God will just turn it into something good?  Absolutely not.  We are still to follow God and listen to Him.  But realize that sometimes you are called to one thing, and some else might be called to something else.  A difference of opinion doesn't mean someone is wrong, it simply means that two people might have different ways of doing things.

On his travels, Paul met a young man named Timothy.  Timothy was baptized and began traveling with Paul throughout Macedonia.  Once again, Paul listened to God's calling.  He was sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  As you go through your week, spend time in prayer and take that extra moment to listen to what He has to say.

Acts 15:1-35

A disagreement has arisen - should Gentiles first convert to Judaism before becoming Christians?  Some thought yes - Gentiles must follow Jewish law in order to be considered believers.  Others - Paul, Barnabas, and Peter - thought no.  They had seen Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit without converting to Judaism.  I love how this is dealt with - a council is called.  It is very easy in our day and age to make snap judgments.  After all, we have so much media available to us through TV, papers, blogs, smart phones, Facebook posts.  What we need to remember is that we are only getting one side of a story.  Usually that side is biased and chosen for ratings rather than information.  So, what's a person to do?  Get both sides of the story.

That is exactly what the disciples did.  After hearing everyone give their opinions and experiences, James - the leader of the Jerusalem church - makes the decision that Gentiles do not need to become Jews.  Everyone agrees & to send men out with a letter proclaiming the decision.  It is agreed upon that certain behaviors are still abhorrent to people of faith - do not knowingly eat what has been sacrificed to idols, do not eat blood or strangled meat (which contains blood), abstain from sexual immorality.  The first three were provided the ability for Gentiles to fellowship with Jewish believers while avoiding conflict.  The last reminds believers that the moral standards of the law still need to be obeyed.

Ah, conflict resolution, a very important part of life.  It is important that we follow these guidelines -
talk it out, come to an agreement, write it down.  We will always have conflict with others, but with these guidelines you should be able to fellowship with others in peace.