A Change of Direction

July 2

(Acts 13:46-47 NIV) “Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. {47} For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

(Isaiah 49:5-7 NIV) ““And now the Lord says-- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength-- {6} he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." {7} This is what the Lord says-- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel-- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.””

After Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in the synagogue, they were verbally abused by the Jewish leaders. Being confident of their calling, they boldly answered those critics by quoting from the prophet Isaiah. If the Jews were going to turn a deaf ear toward Jesus, Paul and Barnabas would do something new -- they would take the salvation message directly to the Gentiles. Instead of changing the message, they changed directions. In marketing terms, they didn’t change the product, they changed their marketing strategy. They would now preach Jesus to a completely different demographic. Great criticism can often be the stimulus for great change. Positive results can come out of negative feedback. Perhaps the constant criticism you have been receiving is God’s way of prompting you to change direction and take the gospel somewhere new. Be open to change. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Rising Stars Draw Fire

July 1

(Acts 13:45 NIV) “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.”

(Acts 4:1-4 NIV) "The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. {2} They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. {3} They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. {4} But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand."

(John 15:18-21 NIV) ""If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. {19} If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. {20} Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. {21} They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.""

As Paul’s star rose, his visibility drew negative attention. Rising up can bring glory to God, but it also makes one an excellent target. Satan cares little when you are ineffective in sharing Jesus, but if you start to draw a crowd, watch out. Paul’s opposition arose from within the religious community. Religion is often possessive and jealous. It does not take kindly to competition or correction. Many a godly prophet preached their last sermon in front of a religious crowd, their reward for challenging the status quo coming in the form of physical or verbal stoning. Many churches today suffer from this mentality, as they claim exclusive rights to the truth. They compete more than they cooperate. Instead of praising God when someone gets saved, they curse men because they got saved somewhere else. Paul and Barnabas reaped the fruit of that spirit. Don’t be a part of it today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Initial Success

June 30

(Acts 13:42-44 NIV) “As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. {43} When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. {44} On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.”

(Matthew 4:23-25 NIV) “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. {24} News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. {25} Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”

As Paul preached the good news of Jesus, there were those who wanted to hear more on the subject. Not everyone was hostile to the gospel, and so Paul and Barnabas were invited back to speak on the next Sabbath. When they returned the next week, the place was packed out. Just about everyone in the city was in attendance. The same kind of large crowds were attracted to Jesus early in His ministry. There are always some who are open to new things. There are always some who are seeking life in every city. Likewise, there will always be people who do not want to hear, and if we focus on these negative frowners and gripers we will only get frustrated. The gospel of God’s grace is a grand truth that has the power to positively change lives. There will always be some who recognize that, and some who don’t. Time is short. Preach to the living and to those seeking life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Warning Against Unbelief

June 29

(Acts 13:40-41 NIV) ““Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: {41} "Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.””

(Malachi 4:1-6 NIV) ““Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. {2} But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. {3} Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the Lord Almighty. {4} "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. {5} "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. {6} He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.””

Paul shares one more piece of the Gospel. It often gets left out today because it makes people uncomfortable, but without it the Gospel is incomplete. Believing the good news of Jesus is optional, but the consequences for unbelief are not. Paul quotes the prophet Habakkuk, who told God’s people that a judgment was coming… because of their unfaithfulness they would be conquered by the Babylonians. Paul is saying, “Remember Babylon and choose wisely, for choices have consequences.” There are two eternal destinations for all mankind -- one for those who put their faith in Christ, and another for those who do not. Every person reading this page will spend eternity in either Heaven or Hell based upon their choice to accept Christ and His sacrifice for sin, or to refuse God’s grace and go their own way. Our faith makes a difference. The Gospel has not changed. Have you believed it? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day