Truth Divides

July 7

(Acts 14:2-4 NIV) “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. {3} So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. {4} The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.”

(John 7:40-43 NIV) ““On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." {41} Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? {42} Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" {43} Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.””

(Luke 12:49-53 NIV) “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! {50} But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! {51} Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. {52} From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. {53} They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

(1 Thessalonians 2:2 NIV) “We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.”

Preaching and witnessing about Jesus causes division. The Name that brings peace also disturbs the peace. Jesus caused division. Truth always causes division. The church must never value holding the crowd, more than preaching the truth. We must not shade the truth, or compromise the gospel, in a quest to never be offensive. When the church values “unity” more than truth, and bodies more than souls, the gospel suffers. When we make “being together” more important than being saved, souls are at risk. The gospel brings salvation, but it also brings division. As witnesses for Jesus, we are not called to strive for unity, but to speak the truth in love. Some will believe and praise God -- others will mock the name of Jesus and curse us. Continue to speak the truth in love, and learn to live with the opposition and division it brings. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Speaking Effectively For Jesus

July 6

(Acts 14:1 NIV) "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.”

(1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NIV) "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, {9} because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."

(Colossians 4:3-6 NIV) "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. {4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. {5} Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. {6} Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Paul and Barnabas spoke so effectively in Iconium that great numbers of people believed. We are called to do the same. Speak effectively for the Lord. Never pass up the opportunity to witness about what Jesus has done in your life. You may face opposition from family, neighbors, our government, and perhaps even from religious people, but never assume this means your witness is ineffective. With words of grace and a life salted by Christ, press on and speak the truth in love. Become adept at sprinkling Jesus throughout your conversations. You don’t have to be a preacher to do this. We should be seasoned with the love of Christ to the point that our everyday lives invite questions, and then we should be ready with an answer for people who ask why we are different. Make the most of every opportunity to share your story of God’s mercy and love, and doors will open. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Filled With Joy

July 5

(Acts 13:52 NIV) “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

(Psalms 126:3-6 NIV) "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. {4} Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. {5} Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. {6} He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."

Paul and Barnabas and the disciples had plenty to complain about. Not everyone liked them. They had many enemies because of the gospel. They were run out of so many towns that they had automatic dust removers for their feet. They were disrespected, ejected, protested, arrested, and rejected. But they were filled with joy, because salvation and the Holy Spirit and joy go together. When people are being saved, it’s hard to feel sorry for yourself. When God is moving and working through you it is difficult to be a whiner. Paul and the others genuinely believed that their life here on earth was about glorifying God, not about finding happiness. If and when we come to that same realization, we too can be filled with joy, and produce fruit for God’s Kingdom in times of trials and testing. Difficult days will not defeat us when we see them as opportunities to glorify Christ. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shake The Dust Off Your Feet

July 4

(Acts 13:50-51 NIV) “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. {51} So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.”

(Luke 9:1-6 NIV) ““When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, {2} and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. {3} He told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. {4} Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. {5} If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." {6} So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.””

Paul and Barnabas met with a high level of resistance in Pisidian Antioch, and decided to move on, taking the gospel down the road to Iconium. Before they left, they shook the dust off their feet -- a Middle Eastern sign of contempt. Jesus had instructed His disciples to do this if their message was rejected by a city or a group of people. It was a way of saying, “You had your chance to hear the truth, but you refused to listen. The consequences of your stubbornness are on your head, not ours.” It is often difficult to decide whether to tough it out or move on, but this episode demonstrates that when it comes to sharing the gospel, there may indeed be a time to move on to greener pastures. Once someone has heard the gospel, whether or not they accept the truth, they have been evangelized. We are not responsible for the gospel’s success. We are only responsible to share it with love. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day