No Christianity Lite

April 22        

(Acts 9:16 NIV)  “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

(Romans 5:1-4 NIV) "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2} through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. {3} Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; {4} perseverance, character; and character, hope."

(Romans 8:17-18 NIV) "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. {18} I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

(Philippians 3:10-11 NIV) "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, {11} and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

(Hebrews 10:32-36 NIV) "Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. {33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. {34} You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. {35} So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. {36} You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

(1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV) "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. {13} But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. {14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. {15} If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. {16} However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. {17} For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? {18} And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" {19} So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

There would be no Christianity Lite or Prosperity Gospel for Saul. Right up front, he is informed that he is destined for suffering. His temporary blindness would be the easy part. This suffering would last his entire lifetime. He was hunted down and beaten, stoned within an inch of his life, shipwrecked and stranded at sea, bitten by snakes, and cursed by men. He lived without food or money much of the time, and in the end, the gospel would cost him his very life. We are so into “seeker friendly, sugar coated, what’s-in-it-for-me” Christianity today that it’s tough for us to believe Jesus would say something like this -- but He did. One wonders how attendance numbers would be affected if every church welcome packet contained this warning. Saul would suffer -- and so will we. If you’re not ready for that, you’re not ready for the real Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Chosen Instrument

April 21        

(Acts 9:15 NIV) “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

(Ephesians 1:11-14 NIV) "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, {12} in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. {13} And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, {14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory."

(2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV) "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. {21} If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

The Lord chose Ananias to be His instrument to bring healing and salvation to Saul. Christ chose Saul to be His instrument to carry His Name to the Gentiles. God chose Moses to be His instrument to bring deliverance to the Israelites enslaved in Egypt. Ananias, Saul, and Moses were God’s chosen instruments for someone, and so are you! If we are in Christ, we are His chosen instruments to bring Him glory, to be His witnesses, to carry His name, and to share His gospel. You may be called to just one person, like Ananias, or you may be called to a nation or people group, like Saul and Moses. But you are Christ’s chosen instrument for someone. All that matters is if you perform the function for which you were chosen -- for if you do your job as an instrument of the Lord, someone will likely find Jesus and gain eternity because of your faith and obedient service. And that’s what it’s all about. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Scales Come Off

April 20

(Acts 9:17-19 NIV) “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." {18} Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, {19} and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”

(John 12:35-40 NIV) ““Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. {36} Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. {37} Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. {38} This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" {39} For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: {40} "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn--and I would heal them.””

Ananias chose to obey the Lord. He went and laid hands on Saul, and something like scales fell off of Saul’s eyes. But scales also came off of Saul’s blinded and hardened heart. After this day, Saul never saw Jesus, or the church, in the same way again. He had new eyes, and a new heart. Saul’s conversion serves as an example of God’s sovereignty, and man’s free will. In His sovereignty, the Lord blinded Saul. He was neither the first nor the last to be blinded by our sovereign Lord. But then, because Ananias freely chose to obey God, he became an angel of mercy in Saul’s life. Our “angels of mercy” often are flesh and blood people who choose to obey Christ. Ananias chose to minister, and Saul was healed. He was baptized as a new believer, and regained his strength. God’s sovereign will and man’s free will worked together. The result was an apostle who changed the world. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Reluctant Disciples

April 19

(Acts 9:13-14 NIV) ““Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. {14} And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.””

(Exodus 3:10-11 NIV) ““So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." {11} But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?””

(Exodus 4:1 NIV) ““Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?””

(Exodus 4:10-13 NIV) ““Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." {11} The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? {12} Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." {13} But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it.””

The Lord called on Ananias to go and minister to Saul, but Ananias was reluctant. Saul had a nasty reputation in Christian circles. Ananias questioned God and balked at doing what God told him to do. There was danger involved, and he didn’t want to go. He sounds a lot like Moses in Exodus. Have you ever argued with Jesus like this? We make excuses. We drag our feet. At times, we flat out refuse. The Lord works with so many reluctant disciples, it’s a wonder He doesn’t just pull the plug on us all. Most of God’s tests do not have multiple choice answers. They are usually “Yes” or “No” questions, and with God, the correct answer is always “Yes”. God seldom makes suggestions. Mostly, He issues commands, and when God says “Go”, our answer should never be “No”. Somebody has to do the hard stuff. On that day it was Ananias. Today it may be you. Say “Yes”. Go! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day