A Dangerous Way

October 10

(Acts 20:2-3 NIV) "He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, {3} where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia."

(Matthew 12:9-16 NIV) "Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, {10} and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" {11} He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? {12} How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." {13} Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. {14} But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. {15} Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, {16} warning them not to tell who he was."

Everywhere Paul went, people were saved and churches were started. But everywhere Paul went, he also faced plots against his life. He faced this stressful dilemma on a daily basis. His steps were ordained by God, but his way was continuously dangerous. If we share the gospel, our road will also be dangerous. There will be some who plot to do us harm. As a result, many Christians try to remain anonymous. If God gave awards for flying under the radar, many in the church would have a full trophy case. How else can one explain the fact that most believers quake in their boots at the thought of witnessing, and have never led another person to Jesus Christ? It is good that Paul and the other apostles were not like this, or Christianity would have died as an infant in Jerusalem. The Jesus way can certainly be dangerous, but it is our glorious calling to walk in it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Encouraging Words

October 9

(Acts 20:1-2 NIV) "When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. {2} He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,"

(Romans 15:4-6 NIV) "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. {5} May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, {6} so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(Hebrews 3:13 NIV) "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

Paul was an exhorter, a great public speaker, and a devastating debater. Many of Paul’s messages and letters were confrontational in nature, so we can get this image of him as a negative kind of guy who was always on somebody’s case about something. But Paul also had a positive side. You didn’t want him on your case, but you were definitely blessed to have him on your side. As he returned to some of the churches that he had planted, he encouraged them. There is a fine line between exhortation and encouragement, but we need both at times. There are so many things in this world that tear us down. We all need someone who will build us up with encouraging words and exhort us to keep going. When was the last time you encouraged anyone inside or outside the church? Be an encourager in someone’s life. Make that call. Write that note. Just do it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Responsible Government

October 8

(Acts 19:36-41 NIV) "Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. {37} You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. {38} If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. {39} If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. {40} As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." {41} After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly."

(Romans 13:1-7 NIV) "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. {2} Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. {4} For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. {5} Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. {6} This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. {7} Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

(Matthew 22:21 NIV) "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

The God of Scripture is a God of order, not chaos. The mob mentality seen in Acts 19 and that we see on our news broadcasts, is not of God. Responsible government will favor order over chaos, but remain neutral regarding the establishment of religion. The city clerk in Ephesus reminded the mob that it was not the government’s business to judge one religion as better than another. Government’s role is to protect and maintain order. He told them that if laws had been broken, the offenders could be taken to court in an orderly fashion. But the government would not punish people just for having a different religion, nor would it allow any kind of rioting or mob action. Good government will not legislate or mandate religious beliefs. It will not bless a particular religion, nor will it display hostility toward religion. Instead it will protect and work for the good of all. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Grace Out of Darkness

October 7

(Acts 19:35 NIV) “The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?”

(Ephesians 2:1-9 NIV) “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, {2} in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. {3} All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. {4} But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. {6} And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, {7} in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. {8} For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.”

One of the greatest truths of Scripture comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. This “amazing grace” letter becomes even more significant when you consider that Ephesus was a very dark and idolatrous city. The Temple of Artemis was huge and ornate. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The worship of Artemis was sophisticated, upscale idolatry, but idolatry nonetheless. Those who worshipped at her altar were part of the darkness. They were even willing to kill for her, as evidenced by the mob that went after Paul. But God poured out His grace at Ephesus -- people were saved, and a church grew there. The love of God overcomes the hate of the world. Light dispels darkness. Darkness may despise the light, but the light continues to shine. This is our calling as disciples of Jesus. Shine! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day