Appointed for Eternal Life

July 3

(Acts 13:48-49 NIV) “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. {49} The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”

(1 Thessalonians 1:2-6 NIV) "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. {3} We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. {4} For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, {5} because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. {6} You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."

(1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV) "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, {2} who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."

When Paul and Barnabas took the gospel to the Gentiles, the results were immediate. The Gentiles responded enthusiastically, and those appointed for eternal life were saved. People who had never known God began to honor the word of the Lord, and the good news of Jesus began to spread throughout the region. Paul and Barnabas discovered that the gospel seemed to spread quickly among the Gentiles. Perhaps that is because religious people tend to think they need nothing, while those who are lost in the dark will always move toward a light when they see it. People who are hungry will eat food that others refuse. The gospel will catch fire among those who are dry and weary. The word of the Lord will spread when we share the gospel with those whose hearts have been prepared by God to receive it. This is what it means to be appointed for eternal life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

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