Acts 9:1-31
Funny this is a passage before yesterday's reading, but here we are reading it today. This section of passages is titled the travels of Paul.
There is a song about this passage that I liked since I first heard it; it is called The Voice of God, by 4Him.
It starts like this:
I have dreamed of being Moses
Standing on the mountain top
When he heard the voice of God
And I admit that even sometimes
I’ve imagined I was Paul on the road to Damascus
When he heard the Savior's call...
I think about what it would have been like to be in charge and in control with everything figured out...and then find that all of it was wrong. Hearing such an obvious call that changes EVERYTHING. What would that be like? I don't know, but Saul finds himself without sight, as in he can't see anything. He goes from being in charge to being led by the hand, dependent on someone else for everything.
The passage gives us poor Ananias who says (as we have heard others say before him) 'um God, are you sure? Do you know what you are asking me to do?'This Saul is really scary!' It does Ananias credit that he goes ahead and does what the Lord asks. Would I be that bold? I don't know that either. It is almost easier to have been Saul: he had no choice. Ananias has a choice and he makes the scary one. How each one of us have been blessed by Ananias' response. Again this shows us the benefit of one righteous man, who says yes to God.
I will look forward to reading the next few days as this new life for Saul unfolds before us. It is no wonder that the people are skeptical of this 'new and improved' Saul. But it also tells us something about the power of his conversion that he was able to convince others of the truth as it had been revealed to him. It also tells us something about the believers of that time. We just read about Stephen's being stoned to death, and about the regular plotting to have people killed, and yet they were willing to listen and to be informed by the Holy Spirit as things changed. We could all learn from these people. I could consider how to hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I could wait to see what God revealed, I could go into the scary places, even if I didn't want to, even if it might be the end of the world as I know it...with God's help I can.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Good News for All
Acts 10:1-11:18
Cornelius sees an angel of the Lord who speaks to him. It must be that even though he was not a Jew (uncircumcised) he had heard of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and followed. I find that interesting. I wonder how he heard, and why he believed. Yet he did, and when Peter comes and talks to him and 'his whole household' they were ready to hear this good news.
Three times Peter hears the word of the Lord, he is slow sometimes isn't he? I think that is good news for us because I think we are (I know I am) slow sometimes. This speech that Peter gives is not the same as what he has said to others. It seems gentle and direct, he gives them credit for knowing what they have heard. When he says "Stand up, I too am a man....And we are witnesses of all that he did..." he invites them into the story as participants.
When he returned there were some who criticized him, but he "explained it to them in order."
Well now I can see some things here to go along with. First we need to recognize as Peter did that this news is for everyone, not just those we know and who are like us. We are those who have received this good news from those who came before. Secondly, we who bring the Good News are not the important ones, nor are we special because of it, we are 'just men' (or in my case just a woman) but anyway you get my meaning. We are not Billy Graham, and even if we were, it wasn't Billy Graham that was the good news, rather he just brought the Good News. And thirdly, we need to explain things in order-or rather speak plainly, clearly and logically without getting ahead of ourselves but making certain to give the important points. Once Peter let those who had criticized him know about the work of the Lord and his reasons for answering the call as he did they too rejoiced with him. Be prepared to defend your faith and the call it places on your life.
Two more things stand out to me: bring your whole household. Cornelius used his enthusiasm and his influence to encourage others to hear this Good News. We too can do this; invite, join and bring. and lastly Rejoice! Praise God and join God where He is working in order to spread the Good News.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
Cornelius sees an angel of the Lord who speaks to him. It must be that even though he was not a Jew (uncircumcised) he had heard of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and followed. I find that interesting. I wonder how he heard, and why he believed. Yet he did, and when Peter comes and talks to him and 'his whole household' they were ready to hear this good news.
Three times Peter hears the word of the Lord, he is slow sometimes isn't he? I think that is good news for us because I think we are (I know I am) slow sometimes. This speech that Peter gives is not the same as what he has said to others. It seems gentle and direct, he gives them credit for knowing what they have heard. When he says "Stand up, I too am a man....And we are witnesses of all that he did..." he invites them into the story as participants.
When he returned there were some who criticized him, but he "explained it to them in order."
Well now I can see some things here to go along with. First we need to recognize as Peter did that this news is for everyone, not just those we know and who are like us. We are those who have received this good news from those who came before. Secondly, we who bring the Good News are not the important ones, nor are we special because of it, we are 'just men' (or in my case just a woman) but anyway you get my meaning. We are not Billy Graham, and even if we were, it wasn't Billy Graham that was the good news, rather he just brought the Good News. And thirdly, we need to explain things in order-or rather speak plainly, clearly and logically without getting ahead of ourselves but making certain to give the important points. Once Peter let those who had criticized him know about the work of the Lord and his reasons for answering the call as he did they too rejoiced with him. Be prepared to defend your faith and the call it places on your life.
Two more things stand out to me: bring your whole household. Cornelius used his enthusiasm and his influence to encourage others to hear this Good News. We too can do this; invite, join and bring. and lastly Rejoice! Praise God and join God where He is working in order to spread the Good News.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sharing the Word
Acts 8:26-40
"Rise and go to... to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place."
Is it in the desert, is that what the Lord is saying? Perhaps, but I think it is also like the place where Jesus fasted and prayed and was ministered to by the angels of the Lord. I remember that the Word of the Lord was on his lips when the evil one tempted him. This desert place is one where the scriptures can be opened for us.
We read yesterday that Philip was spreading the good news in Samaria, and now he is on his way toward Jerusalem, still spreading the good news. Whether or not this was his original plan, Philip is following the Lord's plan and look at what happens! We may not read about all of his preaching and teaching but we have this one scene that tells us a lot; both about Philip's actions, but also about what people who don't know or haven't heard wish to know - and the results.
"Do you understand what you are reading?"
"How can I unless someone guides me?"
This question and answer tell me an easy way to offer more. Obviously the Ethiopian wanted to know more, since he was already reading it. And his answer is true. How can any of us, of our own accord, know what things mean? We go to school, we take classes we read instructional books on all sorts of things we wish (or need) to learn. Without this guidance and instruction, we are left to guess at what things mean, and guessing, we can get things wrong. Tim Conway did a skit where the dentist was reading the instructions on how to extract a tooth, while he was working on a patient. This was hilarious, as comedy skits can be, but in reality, without guidance we are all left to figure it out on our own. In the case of Tim Conway the dentist, the patient found himself with an infected tooth, and an incompetent dentist who had injected himself with the Novocaine, instead of the patient. In the case of this Ethiopian, Philip obliges and tells him the back story and the end of the story and the beginning of the rest of his life.
The Ethiopian takes it to heart! He asks: What is to prevent me from getting baptized right here and now? Nothing! Without Philip, the Ethiopian would have been reading without the rest of this story; we each need a Philip to explain and expand the story. Yesterday a friend came who was reading these passages and asked about one of the earlier readings, and we talked about it and read some together about it and she left with a better understanding. In this study we can look at what the teachers of the scriptures have said before, we can add our thoughts to those of others and together we can read with understanding, and receive joy as this Ethiopian did.
Together we can spread the good news.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
"Rise and go to... to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place."
Is it in the desert, is that what the Lord is saying? Perhaps, but I think it is also like the place where Jesus fasted and prayed and was ministered to by the angels of the Lord. I remember that the Word of the Lord was on his lips when the evil one tempted him. This desert place is one where the scriptures can be opened for us.
We read yesterday that Philip was spreading the good news in Samaria, and now he is on his way toward Jerusalem, still spreading the good news. Whether or not this was his original plan, Philip is following the Lord's plan and look at what happens! We may not read about all of his preaching and teaching but we have this one scene that tells us a lot; both about Philip's actions, but also about what people who don't know or haven't heard wish to know - and the results.
"Do you understand what you are reading?"
"How can I unless someone guides me?"
This question and answer tell me an easy way to offer more. Obviously the Ethiopian wanted to know more, since he was already reading it. And his answer is true. How can any of us, of our own accord, know what things mean? We go to school, we take classes we read instructional books on all sorts of things we wish (or need) to learn. Without this guidance and instruction, we are left to guess at what things mean, and guessing, we can get things wrong. Tim Conway did a skit where the dentist was reading the instructions on how to extract a tooth, while he was working on a patient. This was hilarious, as comedy skits can be, but in reality, without guidance we are all left to figure it out on our own. In the case of Tim Conway the dentist, the patient found himself with an infected tooth, and an incompetent dentist who had injected himself with the Novocaine, instead of the patient. In the case of this Ethiopian, Philip obliges and tells him the back story and the end of the story and the beginning of the rest of his life.
The Ethiopian takes it to heart! He asks: What is to prevent me from getting baptized right here and now? Nothing! Without Philip, the Ethiopian would have been reading without the rest of this story; we each need a Philip to explain and expand the story. Yesterday a friend came who was reading these passages and asked about one of the earlier readings, and we talked about it and read some together about it and she left with a better understanding. In this study we can look at what the teachers of the scriptures have said before, we can add our thoughts to those of others and together we can read with understanding, and receive joy as this Ethiopian did.
Together we can spread the good news.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
Monday, May 16, 2011
The First Martyr
Acts 6:8-8:8
Stephen, while not one of the 'original' disciples, is here speaking so strongly and clearly-and from what we have already read, truthfully, that he gets quite a lot of attention. But his words aren't being well received by everyone. In a fit of rage, these people rush at him and stone him to death, all the while he doesn't hold it against them.
Maybe after that speech about the prophets and Jesus, he isn't surprised at the outcome, but all I can say is after hearing how well he spoke, I am sorry I didn't get to hear more of his speeches. This is a mob scene-literally and I have never been around one, and I am certain I would not like to be. How is it that a mob will do things that one person acting on their own would not. I bet if any one of these people were told to take up enough stones to go in front of witnesses and kill a man, an unarmed man in cold blood, they would not do it; yet in a group they go ahead and kill him.
Makes me think it is important to pay attention to where we go, and with whom we hang out. Being one of the crowd is not necessarily going to be a good thing. Even had Stephen 'deserved' death, they did not do it according to their own law and their own custom, and the charges were false, and they knew it. We must be careful not to participate in the things that would harm us or others in order to be part of this crowd.
This Saul, who watches while Stephen is stoned, goes about and gathers up people into prison. Also not someone I'd like to hang out with. The folks who had been so full of the good news are spread around the outlying areas and as they flee they continue to speak of this good news and they continue to heal the people they meet. It says Philip went to Samaria and preached with boldness and power. This message wouldn't have gotten that far, had they stayed in one place. Is this still the anti-babel? Is this still where God says "go into all the world?" What am I called to do now, now that I too am a recipient of this good news?
See you tomorrow?
-maggie
Stephen, while not one of the 'original' disciples, is here speaking so strongly and clearly-and from what we have already read, truthfully, that he gets quite a lot of attention. But his words aren't being well received by everyone. In a fit of rage, these people rush at him and stone him to death, all the while he doesn't hold it against them.
Maybe after that speech about the prophets and Jesus, he isn't surprised at the outcome, but all I can say is after hearing how well he spoke, I am sorry I didn't get to hear more of his speeches. This is a mob scene-literally and I have never been around one, and I am certain I would not like to be. How is it that a mob will do things that one person acting on their own would not. I bet if any one of these people were told to take up enough stones to go in front of witnesses and kill a man, an unarmed man in cold blood, they would not do it; yet in a group they go ahead and kill him.
Makes me think it is important to pay attention to where we go, and with whom we hang out. Being one of the crowd is not necessarily going to be a good thing. Even had Stephen 'deserved' death, they did not do it according to their own law and their own custom, and the charges were false, and they knew it. We must be careful not to participate in the things that would harm us or others in order to be part of this crowd.
This Saul, who watches while Stephen is stoned, goes about and gathers up people into prison. Also not someone I'd like to hang out with. The folks who had been so full of the good news are spread around the outlying areas and as they flee they continue to speak of this good news and they continue to heal the people they meet. It says Philip went to Samaria and preached with boldness and power. This message wouldn't have gotten that far, had they stayed in one place. Is this still the anti-babel? Is this still where God says "go into all the world?" What am I called to do now, now that I too am a recipient of this good news?
See you tomorrow?
-maggie
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Growth & Persecution
Acts 3:1-4:37
The beginning of the reading today we see a man who has been lame since birth, and this time the disciples don't ask who sinned, instead they tell him to get up in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He jumps up! He leaps up! He is REALLY up, alive and praising God. It is interesting that while he is very glad and light of spirit, it says he clings to Peter and John. He has probably never been inside the Temple before-certainly not on his own feet so he has never seen this place and these people from this perspective. Peter and John, now, he trusts them.
Peter is no longer timid either, he praises God and again clearly brings the truth of the prophets from old into this new situation. I love that he says 'why do you look at us, as if we did this ourselves. God did this; "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of our fathers." Peter also says they must repent and turn to the Lord, just as the prophets said of old, and he points out for them (and this is for us too) that "You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'"
This goes on to say that the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were annoyed they were preaching about the resurrection from the dead. Now we might think they were upset about them pointing out what took place, and reminding people about Jesus' death, but this makes a point about them being annoyed because they were talking about the resurrection-and in part that is because the Sadducees did not believe that resurrection from the dead was even possible. I suppose it could be understandable in general terms that they would feel this way, but it was something they had been debating for...I don't know a long time; the Pharisees believed it was a possibility but the Sadducees did not so this was an affront to their understanding of what God did.
These two men now are different than they had been. Peter is not hiding in the shadows waiting to see what will happen, he is standing up front and loudly teaching about the old prophets and the current glory of God. No wonder the learned people were amazed, since as far as they could tell they had never had any official schooling or been trained by any accepted Rabbi; so from where did they get this knowledge, and why were they no longer cowering behind locked doors? That the lame 40 year old man was no longer lame was obvious and they couldn't deny that. so they commanded (begged) them not to say anything...Peter and John said "whether it is better in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge," but we will speak of what we know.
No wonder the others pray for boldness; this is something to behold. Now they are the ones who are carrying the message. It is as if the teaching that they had been receiving has finally sunk in. All the time we heard them asking questions and not quite getting the message; now they were able - and willing to speak plainly, clearly and powerfully.
Again this says the believers had everything in common; that they were of one heart and soul. This single-purpose focus amplifies the power with which they are able to proclaim the good news. When Peter and John heal and proclaim in Jesus' name, are imprisoned and released, the others ask for more of this same boldness. Together they can be encouraged. I want this focus, and I need this support.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
The beginning of the reading today we see a man who has been lame since birth, and this time the disciples don't ask who sinned, instead they tell him to get up in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He jumps up! He leaps up! He is REALLY up, alive and praising God. It is interesting that while he is very glad and light of spirit, it says he clings to Peter and John. He has probably never been inside the Temple before-certainly not on his own feet so he has never seen this place and these people from this perspective. Peter and John, now, he trusts them.
Peter is no longer timid either, he praises God and again clearly brings the truth of the prophets from old into this new situation. I love that he says 'why do you look at us, as if we did this ourselves. God did this; "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of our fathers." Peter also says they must repent and turn to the Lord, just as the prophets said of old, and he points out for them (and this is for us too) that "You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'"
This goes on to say that the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were annoyed they were preaching about the resurrection from the dead. Now we might think they were upset about them pointing out what took place, and reminding people about Jesus' death, but this makes a point about them being annoyed because they were talking about the resurrection-and in part that is because the Sadducees did not believe that resurrection from the dead was even possible. I suppose it could be understandable in general terms that they would feel this way, but it was something they had been debating for...I don't know a long time; the Pharisees believed it was a possibility but the Sadducees did not so this was an affront to their understanding of what God did.
These two men now are different than they had been. Peter is not hiding in the shadows waiting to see what will happen, he is standing up front and loudly teaching about the old prophets and the current glory of God. No wonder the learned people were amazed, since as far as they could tell they had never had any official schooling or been trained by any accepted Rabbi; so from where did they get this knowledge, and why were they no longer cowering behind locked doors? That the lame 40 year old man was no longer lame was obvious and they couldn't deny that. so they commanded (begged) them not to say anything...Peter and John said "whether it is better in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge," but we will speak of what we know.
No wonder the others pray for boldness; this is something to behold. Now they are the ones who are carrying the message. It is as if the teaching that they had been receiving has finally sunk in. All the time we heard them asking questions and not quite getting the message; now they were able - and willing to speak plainly, clearly and powerfully.
Again this says the believers had everything in common; that they were of one heart and soul. This single-purpose focus amplifies the power with which they are able to proclaim the good news. When Peter and John heal and proclaim in Jesus' name, are imprisoned and released, the others ask for more of this same boldness. Together they can be encouraged. I want this focus, and I need this support.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Day of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-47
This the 71st day out of 100 readings we read about the Day of Pentecost. The happenings were described for us so that we knew what happened, but there was already a reason for them to be together. This day had a name before the scene unfolded as described. So I looked it up (On Judaism 101) It says that this day of Pentecost was a day of gathering and no labor was to be done. It is a celebration of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and in thanksgiving of the gifts of God (First fruits). These celebrations should be familiar to us from when we read about these occurrences in the Old Testament. And it explains why all these people from all over, these 'devout men from all over the world' were there.
I wonder why, when they were telling them all the wonders of God - in their own language some thought they were drunk? If they were talking gibberish, then they couldn't have known they were telling all the wonders of God, and yet there was certainly something remarkable going on, and my guess is they were HAPPY! After we have read about them first being scared, and then being timid and confused...now all of a sudden they were happy and BOLD. That was the difference that people really wondered at.
OK, we remember when the people were dispersed in Babel all the way back on day 6 of our reading, and this is an anti-babel; on this day everyone hears and understands. But even more than that, there are tongues as of fire appearing on their heads, and a big wind from heaven that filled the whole house. Something in the heavens was moving.
I love that Peter here yells out to everyone, 'Nope we are not drunk-it's a little early for that don't you know.' this is the fulfillment of the promises from the prophets. And he goes ahead and makes a case for them logically and clearly (not drunkenly, or timidly, or fearfully) He just says here it is-pay attention! And guess what? They did. Just like when John the baptizer said "You brood of vipers," and people asked what must we do? This too brings the same response. And again the message is not new: Repent and be baptized.
"For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." We are these people that are far off. We can have this gift of the Holy Spirit.
The last of this passage we are reading today says that they gathered together daily and gave to each other as any had need and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to breaking bread together and praying together. And everyone who saw them, saw signs and wonders, and they gained favor among the people-and people were drawn to them and this way of living that made such a difference in the lives of the people.
This belonging and gathering of people all devoted to the apostles' teaching and sharing their lives with one another is something that would stand out today, too. We are disconnected from each other by our work, and our computers and our locked doors. No longer do we share this kind of life with people who strive for the same thing and know and care about us as individuals. This fellowship is certainly something that would-or could bring us closer to God. I don't think an hour a week is enough even to know God, how can it be all there is of our lives that we share with other believers? Just wondering.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
This the 71st day out of 100 readings we read about the Day of Pentecost. The happenings were described for us so that we knew what happened, but there was already a reason for them to be together. This day had a name before the scene unfolded as described. So I looked it up (On Judaism 101) It says that this day of Pentecost was a day of gathering and no labor was to be done. It is a celebration of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and in thanksgiving of the gifts of God (First fruits). These celebrations should be familiar to us from when we read about these occurrences in the Old Testament. And it explains why all these people from all over, these 'devout men from all over the world' were there.
I wonder why, when they were telling them all the wonders of God - in their own language some thought they were drunk? If they were talking gibberish, then they couldn't have known they were telling all the wonders of God, and yet there was certainly something remarkable going on, and my guess is they were HAPPY! After we have read about them first being scared, and then being timid and confused...now all of a sudden they were happy and BOLD. That was the difference that people really wondered at.
OK, we remember when the people were dispersed in Babel all the way back on day 6 of our reading, and this is an anti-babel; on this day everyone hears and understands. But even more than that, there are tongues as of fire appearing on their heads, and a big wind from heaven that filled the whole house. Something in the heavens was moving.
I love that Peter here yells out to everyone, 'Nope we are not drunk-it's a little early for that don't you know.' this is the fulfillment of the promises from the prophets. And he goes ahead and makes a case for them logically and clearly (not drunkenly, or timidly, or fearfully) He just says here it is-pay attention! And guess what? They did. Just like when John the baptizer said "You brood of vipers," and people asked what must we do? This too brings the same response. And again the message is not new: Repent and be baptized.
"For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." We are these people that are far off. We can have this gift of the Holy Spirit.
The last of this passage we are reading today says that they gathered together daily and gave to each other as any had need and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to breaking bread together and praying together. And everyone who saw them, saw signs and wonders, and they gained favor among the people-and people were drawn to them and this way of living that made such a difference in the lives of the people.
This belonging and gathering of people all devoted to the apostles' teaching and sharing their lives with one another is something that would stand out today, too. We are disconnected from each other by our work, and our computers and our locked doors. No longer do we share this kind of life with people who strive for the same thing and know and care about us as individuals. This fellowship is certainly something that would-or could bring us closer to God. I don't think an hour a week is enough even to know God, how can it be all there is of our lives that we share with other believers? Just wondering.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Ascension
Acts 1:1-11
This is what happens next? Wow, I wonder what this means? This account is written by a witness, and as it turns out by the author of the Gospel of Luke, so when he says he presented the things Jesus began to do and teach we have read some of those things. He goes on to say that Jesus presented himself alive to many witnesses after the resurrection and we have just read about some of those incidences. Luke goes on to say that they are to await the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, will you restore the Kingdom to Israel? That is a question that must have been on their minds for a long time. Once they figured out he was the one coming that had been spoken about by the prophets; once they had seen him with the prophets; once they had heard the voice of God speak over him; once they had seen the signs and wonders, and the angels, yes once they had seen these things they must have wondered. But what is their answer?
The answer to when is not given. In fact a lot of the questions throughout the Bible are answered with another question, perhaps a different question or a better question. In this case, the answer is God is God and you are not. Well, not exactly that but the gist of it is that asking questions about when something is going to happen is like trying to be God, to have more control then they need. Instead they are commissioned to go out and spread this good news; the news of what they have seen with their own eyes and heard with their own ears, and give this good news to people who are living without the knowledge of the God who loves them and cares enough about them to send his only son as the perfect lamb of sacrifice, in fulfillment of the law, and as prophesied by the righteous ones of old.
When he had spoken these things “he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
These two men; were they the two Mary saw in the tomb? I don’t know but I wonder. Jesus has gone into heaven and they have gotten a job description for what comes next. These words of how Jesus will come again are words I understand, but the meaning is …well, interesting. Jesus will come back on clouds from the sky? Next time the son of God comes he won’t be a helpless baby; he will be the grown adult the resurrected King. This Jesus who commands the waves to be still, and the dead to come out, this Jesus will come down from heaven – and it will be obvious. Ok. I’ll wait.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
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