On the Way to Wonder

Acts 15:36-40

Paul and Barnabas are ready to start their second missionary journey.  There is a problem.  John Mark, the young disciple who went with them on the first journey, had deserted them on that journey and Paul is unwilling to give him a second chance.  Barnabas, the encourager though, wants to take John Mark.  Paul and Barnabas have a sharp disagreement.  Paul heads out with Silas and Barnabas heads out with John Mark.  It is not a pretty moment but Luke records this disagreement so there must be a lesson for us to learn.

         We all have those moments of failure in our past and perhaps our present.  We’ve argued with people we cared about and had disappointed them.  Even our leaders are human and disagree.  Paul writes in Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”  God can take our arguments and our mistakes and make them work to his glory.  It does not make the mistake any less a mistake, any less full of pride, any less a result of our stubbornness but it does affirm that God is able to weave together a new ending to our story and help us work things out.  We will never know what would have happened if we had gone down that other road rather than parting, if the marriage had survived, if we had just gone to one more doctor for advice, or if we had gotten that job.  We don’t know but we do know the God who holds our lives in his hands, can help us pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try again.

         Perhaps there is somewhere in your life where you need to say, “sorry.”  The other may not receive it but you can try to clear matters as best you can.  Maybe it is time to stop crying over a mistake from the past and put it in God’s hands.  Jesus came so that we might have life, life abundant.  Both Paul and Barnabas prospered.  Blessings as you face your future with your “Silas” and the Lord!  Thank God for second chances.

Acts 15: 1-11

When a decision needs to be made and both sides feel differently, how is the impasse resolved?  These are tough times.  We hear all the time about the 50/50 Senate of the USA and the deciding vote then goes to our Vice President.  I want to marry but my parents don’t approve.  I may resort to prayer.  I may enlist the testimony of others to persuade my parents.  A doctor gives a prognosis of 50/50 chances and I may seek another opinion.  My favorite memory is my small twins fighting over a toy they both wanted.  One would say, “I had it first!”  The other would say, “Our big brother gave it to me!”  I had to mediate.  As they got older “height makes right,” and “might makes right” became mantras.

         Paul and Barnabas return from their first missionary journey around Turkey to find the body of believers in Antioch divided about how Gentiles are to be welcomed into fellowship.  Many felt new believers should enter Christianity by becoming circumcised and becoming Jews first.  Others saw Christianity as a new forming dynamic that was not dependent on a commitment to the Judaic laws.  The Holy Spirit had blessed both sets of believers.  It might seem silly to us today but it was a serious question then and a fork in the road of faith for new believers.  Swabbles in the church cause divisions and drive people away.

          Those early believers decided is to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to the “elders.”  It is not unlike referring to the Pope or referring to the Supreme Court.  They resorted to the advice of a wiser, more experienced body of people.  So how do we make a decision when we get stuck between two very reasonable explanations and ways forward?  Very seldom does a decision need to be made immediately but rather taking a breath, counting to ten, getting advise, doing more research, talking to someone respected are all good coping strategies. 

         Spend a few minutes to list the wise elders in your life and thank God for them.  We might ask God to reveal any thorns that have gotten under our skin and that we have allowed to fester and destroy fellowship.  It may be time to seek forgiveness or forgive.  We don’t have to send representatives to Congress or Jerusalem.  We only need to talk to God and listen!  Blessings.

“Tie Breakers”

Acts 15: 1-11

When a decision needs to be made and both sides feel differently, how is the impasse resolved?  These are tough times.  We hear all the time about the 50/50 Senate of the USA and the deciding vote then goes to our Vice President.  I want to marry but my parents don’t approve.  I may resort to prayer.  I may enlist the testimony of others to persuade my parents.  A doctor gives a prognosis of 50/50 chances and I may seek another opinion.  My favorite memory is my small twins fighting over a toy they both wanted.  One would say, “I had it first!”  The other would say, “Our big brother gave it to me!”  I had to mediate.  As they got older “height makes right,” and “might makes right” became mantras.

         Paul and Barnabas return from their first missionary journey around Turkey to find the body of believers in Antioch divided about how Gentiles are to be welcomed into fellowship.  Many felt new believers should enter Christianity by becoming circumcised and becoming Jews first.  Others saw Christianity as a new forming dynamic that was not dependent on a commitment to the Judaic laws.  The Holy Spirit had blessed both sets of believers.  It might seem silly to us today but it was a serious question then and a fork in the road of faith for new believers.  Swabbles in the church cause divisions and drive people away.

          Those early believers decided is to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to the “elders.”  It is not unlike referring to the Pope or referring to the Supreme Court.  They resorted to the advice of a wiser, more experienced body of people.  So how do we make a decision when we get stuck between two very reasonable explanations and ways forward?  Very seldom does a decision need to be made immediately but rather taking a breath, counting to ten, getting advise, doing more research, talking to someone respected are all good coping strategies. 

         Spend a few minutes to list the wise elders in your life and thank God for them.  We might ask God to reveal any thorns that have gotten under our skin and that we have allowed to fester and destroy fellowship.  It may be time to seek forgiveness or forgive.  We don’t have to send representatives to Congress or Jerusalem.  We only need to talk to God and listen!  Blessings.

Acts 14:21-28

Paul and Barnabas continue their journey through Turkey sharing their spiritual truth with those they encounter.  I do not know the cities or why they chose the cities they did but Luke reports that in each place they visit, people become believers.  Derbe is their next stop and then they begin to circle back, visiting all the places a second time.  This time, with prayer and fasting, they appoint leadership and elders.  Finally they reach their original launching point, Antioch, where they had been commissioned and sent forth.  They report in telling how God had blessed their journeys.

         So who are we accountable to?  To whom do we report in?   It is so easy to just gather with friends at church and chit-chat about family, social events, sports or whatever.  Accountability it seems in these reports involves an objective that others knew about, an effort, and then a report to those who are praying and supporting us.  It is more than gathering to read Scripture together or even pray together.  Accountability is our hopes and dreams becoming our actions with successes and failures.  We rejoice together and we cry together.

         The travels of Paul and Barnabas this week made me think of Johnny Cash singing “I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger.”  The song is said to have first been published around 1858.  It comes from words scratched on the wall of the Libby Prison by a Union soldier during the civil war.  Many consider it one of the top 100 Western songs of all time.  Enjoy.

Acts 14:8-20

Our heroes continue their journey back East over Turkey as they are headed to Jerusalem.  In Lystra, Paul heals a man born lame who has never walked in his life but who believes.  Paul identifies his budding faith and calls the man into life!  Wow!  That is what the crowd says also and prepares a sacrifice, assuming Paul and Barnabas are their gods Zeus and Hermes.  Talk about mistaken identity.  How often is the miraculous credited to the known gods of people?  Do we worship the vaccine or the maker of our bodies?  Do we idolize the politician that delivers what we want rather than the God who blesses us with sun, rain, and life, what we need?  The miraculous can lead us astray if we do not recognize the true God at work!

         Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes, run into the crowd who are bringing a bull to sacrifice and yell, “We, too, are only human like you.”  It seems that was a real bubble breaker.  I suspect much like getting that medical bill in the mail, like failing your driving test, like being told the marriage is over…like being told you’re a failure.  The crowd does not search for the truth but turns on our men and stones them.  It is true, they are only human.  They are left, assumed dead.  Amazingly as the believers gather to mourn, Paul gets up and goes back to the city, leaving the next day.

         I suspect most of us are a bit like the crowd more so than being a miracle worker like Paul.  Like the crowd we make mistakes.  The question that comes to mind is how we handle our mistakes or unfulfilled expectations?  How do we handle disappointment?  When the doctor doesn’t heal us, when the pastor is not perfect, when a friend seems to betray us, all those things that throw us into a tailspin, do we erupt in condemnation and stoning?  Aesop told a fable of a fox who saw juicy grapes growing on a tall tree.  The fox jumped and jumped but could not get them.  So in frustration, the fox turns its back and walks away saying the grapes are probably sour.  I’m guessing that is the origin of the saying “sour grapes.” 

         Paul and Barnabas are only human like us and we are challenged to look beyond them to see the truth of the real God giving power to heal and who raises us up from our rejections.  Paul and Barnabas do not wait around to argue with people unwilling to slow their roll and listen.  They move on.

      Lord, help us to truly see your hand in our lives and to be patient with others who are truly only human.  Help us keep our eyes on you!

Acts 14:1-7

Paul and Barnabas leave Pisidian Antioch and head east in Turkey to Iconium.  We see a similar pattern of going to the Jewish synagogue and sharing their truth with the Jews and Gentiles gathered there.  Again, as we have seen in Luke’s report in Acts, the audience is divided with those that embrace the news of the resurrection and Jesus as the promised Messiah verses those who violently oppose.  God even allows Paul and Barnabas to confirm their truth with “signs and wonders.”  That only aggravates the opposition that then plots to kill our heroes. Hmmmm.  Paul and Barnabas move on.

         Luke makes an interesting statement, “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the others Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (verse 2)”  There are some strong words here.  “Refused” implies an openness that the will of the person blocks.  Faith is a choice to embrace the truth shared with us but we have the responsibility to “test the spirits” for truth.  We do not have to believe something because the preacher or TV says so.  Using our spiritual roles to manipulate people has some ugly stories.  We have the ability, unlike many, to search scripture and to confirm new ideas.  Likewise being part of a body of believers with whom you can talk through ideas and pray is important.

         But the second big word I see is “poisoned.”  The nay-sayers, the resistant, poisoned the minds of others.  Poison kills.  I think of the parable of the sower who sows his seeds but some fell on the road and was trampled.  No faith.  Some fell among the rocks and couldn’t grow.  Some fell among thorns and thistles and got chocked out.  But seed, the word of God that fell on the good soil grew and multiplied.  So the question for us today is to reflect on what “poisons” our faith life? 

         Things that poison faith can be troubles that whisper, “God is not able.”  Perhaps you have a friend that always sees the glass half full and whines or grumps about everything.  For some people, nothing is done right or could be done better.  “Use it or lose it” is a quote we use in talking about exercising but I think it can also be used with faith.  Our faith muscles cannot grow if we allow them to atrophy by lack of use.  Likewise we can ask ourselves this morning if we are that “wet blanket” to other’s faith.  Are we energy depleting to be around.  That is not to say we must always be happy but it is to ask ourselves if we act like poison to the young in faith.

         Today we will face challenges but how will we handle them.  Will we set our minds to the negative or try to get to the truth?  Will we be poison to others or allow others to poison us?  Lord, help me to see your hand leading and guiding in the challenges I face today!  Blessings.

Acts 13:44-52

Paul and Barnabas are in are in Turkey.  Yesterday we read that they were invited to share at the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath and were well received.  They are invited to preach the next Sunday and the synagogue is full of Jews and Gentiles.  A packed crowd!  Luke reports, “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy.”  Yup, in the midst of success is also the little green eyed monster that stirs the pot.  People contradict, argue, abuse and generally oppose.  The Jewish leaders stirred up the situation and Paul and Barnabas were forced to move on.  It seems that Paul and Barnabas did not waste energy fighting with jealousy and demanding their rights.  They “shook the dust off their feet” and moved on.

         Jealousy divides and creates sides as we see in this story.  I find it interesting that Paul and Barnabas do not engage with jealousy but realize how jealousy closes the heart of the other and that the solution for them is to move on.  Perhaps we would say ignore.  Jealousy breaks relationships and closes ears.  Communication breaks down.  Most of us have that person or persons in our relationship network that develops green eyes about us.  Trying to win their favor may not be the best approach.  Arguing with them may be useless.  Examining our own hearts, actions, and  motives to make sure we are right before the Lord may be absolutely necessary.  In the end, engaging with jealousy is distracting and staying focused on truth is necessary.  Perhaps like in this story, God is allowing jealousy so that we are forced to move on in our thinking and living, if possible.

         Spend a moment now to reflect on relationships where you might be experiencing tension.  Confess where you might have been in the wrong.  Ponder if you are being sucked into an unresolvable downward spiral.  Maybe it is time to move on and see where God is leading you.  Blessings as the struggle is real!

Acts 13:13-25

Paul and Barnabas are moving west.  They next head to Turkey, Pisidian Antioch.  Again they start by sharing their story in the synagogue.  The tradition was that after the set readings, visitors were invited to bring a word of exhortation.  The door opened for them to share and they did!

         What follows in Paul’s speech sounds awfully familiar to how Stephen shared before he was stoned – with Paul watching!  Paul hadn’t forgotten.  Paul starts with the Egyptian period and Israel’s growth as a nation.  He slides past the judges and prophets to King David, “a man after God’s own heart” and someone God knew “would do anything I want him to do.”  Paul quickly jumps to Jesus, introduced by John the Baptist, Jesus crucified and resurrected.  The people are delighted and ask Paul and Barnabas to return the following week.

         My heart is touched today by the title Paul gives to David, “a man after God’s own heart.”  That title is loaded with meaning.  What picture does it bring to your mind?  Perhaps we think of someone courting “the love of his or her life” as being someone after someone else’s heart.  It implies a relationship that is covenanted for better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and in health, under all conditions.  David was seeking a relationship with God that would be rock solid in all situations.  It does not speak to me of a relationship seeking the goodies and blessings of knowing someone important.  It does not speak to me of slave to master.  It does not speak to me of being a citizenship in a “better kingdom.”  David was after God’s heart.  Perhaps today we need to reflect on the flavor of our relationship with God.  Are we after God’s heart?

         Secondly God trusted that David would handle with integrity anything God gifted him with.  Not only was David after God’s heart, he was a man of integrity in his relationship with God.  So are we people of integrity?

         Lord, may I thirst for a deep, committed relationship with you and may I be found to be a person of integrity?  Help me to become that sort of person.  Blessings as you grow in faith!

Acts 13: 4-12

Luke now identifies Saul as Paul who starts his first missionary trip with Barnabas, the encourager, and their young friend John Mark.  Their first stop is the island of Cyprus.  They started by sharing their truth with the Jews, with people with whom they had a common language and a common culture.  Learning to tell our story with people who understand our background is a good place to start.  I don’t know about you, but just because I believe something or experience something, it takes me a few dry runs to figure out how to share it with another.  It’s ok to be a beginner.  Perhaps we can see that sharing our faith is a talent that grows.

         The proconsul, perhaps something like a governor or legal leadership person sends for them to hear what they are teaching.  The man who had an attendant, Elymas, whom Luke describes as a sorcerer, tries to undermine Paul’s testimony.  As we grow, our ability to share grows and sometimes draws attention to us by people who are interested and by people who oppose us.  Opposition does not necessarily mean we are doing something wrong.  Opposition challenges us to refine our story and perhaps help us identify weak points where we need to be clear.

         More importantly, though, is that Paul recognizes Elymas as evil.  Paul identifies deceit, trickery, and perverting the truth.  I think we would call it as being sly.  For parents who have had children in addiction and been pressured by their smooth talk to finance the addiction, this sounds all too familiar.  We look at both sides that justify war and need spiritual insight to find the true story.  Recognizing the disguises of evil is a sign of spiritual growth and wisdom.  Elymas became as blind physically as he was spiritually and the proconsul, upon seeing, believes in Jesus.

         As we reflect on this story today, let us ask ourselves if we are growing in our ability and in our willingness to share our spiritual truth of God’s hand in our lives.  Are we growing in our ability to recognize the different guises of evil?  It is so easy to tell a story in our favor and just slip a little with the truth.  Lord help us to be people of integrity and help us recognize evil deceiving us.  Blessings!