Monday Miscellaneous: Bible Study Matthew 4:1-11

I was studying in Matthew some time back and I wrote part of this then. I found it while doing some "housekeeping" on my blog last week. It's still so inspiring, I decided to finish it and post it.

Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation of Christ

Verse 1, "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."

Okay, I've read this a thousand times and never noticed the way it reads, as though the entire purpose of this time of fasting was for Jesus to be tempted!

I run from temptation. If I know it awaits me in a certain place, I quickly and deliberately turn the other way. But Jesus went toward it. Why?

He went toward the temptation so he could give us an example to follow when we are tempted.

Satan tempted Jesus three separate times before giving up.

Jesus continually faced Satan's assaults with Scripture.  "It is written..." was his standard reply.

Even on the third temptation, Jesus didn't say, "You can't offer me that! It's already mine! And by the way, I created you, so it's not likely I'm gonna worship you. Sheesh!" (which would have made perfect sense to me). Once again, He quoted Scripture.

Verse 11 "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

Satan admitted defeat and left. He didn't leave forever, Luke 4:13 says, "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." (emphasis added). He wasn't finished, but he admitted defeat for the moment and went off to torment someone else for a while, I suppose.

My most favorite part is, "and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." How long had it been since He had stood in the presence of His adoring angels or partaken of the good things Heaven offers? His body was tired, sore, and hungry from weeks of deprivation. But the angels came and ministered to him bringing - I believe - Heavenly rations to restore and strengthen Him for His coming ministry.

So what does all this mean to me? Well, I think I've boiled it down to three basic facts.

1. Satan will not give up easily.
If he went three rounds with the Son of God, Creator of the Universe, how much more will he bring against me, a mere mortal.

I realize that's a pretty dismal view to take, but don't give up yet. There's more, and it's really, really good.

2. Satan cannot stand against a defense based on Scripture.
The Bible is the only weapon we can use to defeat Satan. But what a weapon!

Inside this unassuming little book (or perhaps your copy is large and forbidding) lies an arsenal powerful enough to defeat the greatest enemy that ever came against mankind.  And it is at my disposal.

If I take Jesus's example and fire Scripture at Satan every time he comes at me, he cannot defeat me! (yes, I really think it deserves all that emphasis). Eventually he'll get bored and move on, at least for a while.

3. I will receive Heavenly rations when I resist Satan with Scripture.
Okay, so angels may not come down from Heaven bodily and minister to me with food and drink. I'll admit that. But there's something much better than food or drink.

After Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, he told his disciples, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." Of course he meant spiritual nourishment. The good stuff!

That's what Jesus gives us when we resist Satan in His name--peace that surpasses understanding and joy rooted deeply in our souls that Satan cannot reach it to corrupt it.

Each time we defeat Satan with Scripture, we grow stronger. Resisting will be easier and easier. Then one day we'll see him coming and whip out that old "Gospel Gun" and send that rascal running with his forked tail between his legs!

What a great God I serve!

Brief Bible Study: Acts 8:3-4, Only God!

Okay, there's no giveaway here today, but a Wednesday without a post just feels funny. Some of you are saying, "Well you didn't post anything last Wednesday!"

To that, I answer, "That's why I know it feels funny."

So to keep feeling funny at bay, I'm offering a brief (for me) post on this morning's Bible study.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was reading the lesson for our Thursday night Bible Study at church (Yes, Thursday not Wednesday, and there is a reason for this. Curious? Ask in the comments and I'll explain).

So anyway...We are reading through Acts, aka My Favorite Book in the Entire Bible!

Here are the verses that shouted out to me this morning (the did not merely "speak" to me; it was definitely a shout):

Act 8:3-4 - "As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."

Did you catch that? Therefore.

According to Webster, "therefore" means "because of that" (there are other definitions, click the link to see them, but they're all pretty close to this).

I'm gonna put a little "Andrea Spin" on this verse to modern it up a little. I think I've got the meaning right.

"Saul tormented the church, barging into people's homes, arresting them, and carting them off to prison. Because of that, the disciples who were scattered around the country went every where preaching the Gospel."

Okay, back up the truck here. Saul was arresting Christians, and the rest of the Christians preached the word even more? Look at the context to be even more amazed.  Stephen had just been stoned to death for preaching the Gospel! And still the faithful disciples of Jesus continued preaching the word.

Wouldn't it be safer to lay low until the danger passed? Instinct and human wisdom told them one thing, but they ignored those impulses and pressed on for the cause of Christ.

Let's not forget the "therefore" that started all this talk. These people didn't preach the word in spite of persecution, but according to the Scripture because of it. (For those who take issue with the King James Version, a search of the Unbound Bible website reveals at least two other well respected translations, NASB and ASV, that use the word "therefore.")


Only God could make that happen. Without the strength of conviction given by the Holy Spirit living in their lives, these disciples would have folded like a card table.

But with that Spirit helping them stand firm, persecuting these Christians was like pouring Miracle Gro on a dandelion. The thing they were trying to get rid of simply spread farther and faster than before.

That brings to mind another verse and a question:

1 Corinthians 3:19a -  "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."


Could Saul be learning anything through all this?


In the interest of brevity, I'll share more on that at a later date...

Wives, Submit...But to Whom?

WARNING: You are about to see just how old-fashioned I am for a thirty-odd year old woman.

I read an article on this topic Monday at a lovely blog called The Pastor's Wife Speaks. It was by a pastor's wife named Niki Turner. Here's the link if you'd like to read it too: Answering the Submission Question

Here's a little of what Mrs. Turner says, paraphrased, of course. I don't have to walk around with my eyes down and hands folded, scrambling to obey my husband's every whim.  I can, and should, have an opinion. It is valid and valuable, and it can help my family make right decisions.

I agree completely with everything Mrs. Turner said. But I know from experience there is another, harder side to the issue of submission in marriage.

I started to comment on that blog, but it got a little long. So I decided to move my comment over here...and turned it into a Bible Study of sorts.

The Scriptures
"Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
     ~Ephesians 5:22

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men"
     ~Colossians 3:23

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
     ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Andrea's Take:
I've been married ten years. I love my husband more than anything or anyone in the world. We have a happy life together. But I have struggled (and will again if I know me) with the biblical requirement of a wife's submission. I know what it is in me that causes this struggle, but I won't bore you with the details. I'll just put it this way:

I am by nature a hen, and I have married a man who simply won't be pecked.

The three verses above have been invaluable to me. Together they address the problem I encounter when submitting to my husband is hard to do. And sometimes it is hard.

~ ~ ~

When her husband is absolutely certain of one course of action and she is equally certain of another. When submitting to her husband means she must let go of a plan or dream she holds very dear...

What is a wife to do? 

The short answer is Ephesians 5:22. Submit.

But what if that's not enough. What if it's still hard?

Well, try this one on for size. Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the Lord.

I have asked myself, "Do I trust in the Lord?" Occasionally, my honest answer has been, "No, right now, I don't trust in the Lord." That is an act of fear. I refuse to submit when I am afraid of losing something, or losing control of something.

Then I have to repent and ask God to help me trust in him. That's verse 6. Acknowledge him and he will show you the way.

He has done so every time. That shouldn't amaze me, but it does.

When I've trusted in him and acknowledged him, the initial command has always remained the same. Submit. Relinquish control of whatever I'm holding onto so tightly.

But...the direction changed. Colossians 3:23. Dedicate every action to God, not man.

If I take my husband out of the picture (figuratively, of course), I'm submitting to God, and God alone. I am giving him control of what I value so highly.


This is an act of faith.

I trust him, so I do what he commanded...

Do not kill.

Okay. 

Give to the poor.

Okay.

Submit to your husband.

Oh. Uh...Okay.

I guess all this can be summed up in one pretty quick sentence.

Trust God, and do everything for him, including submit.

Bible Study: I Love Trouble!

The Scriptures

Romans 5:3-5—And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Andrea’s Take:

Paul says, “we glory in tribulations.”

Wait a minute! That’s like saying “I love trouble.” That’s nuts! If I’m gonna be happy about trouble, I’ve gotta have a good reason.

Okay, here it is. Trouble helps you learn to be patient.

Well whoop-de-doo! If I didn’t have trouble, I wouldn’t need to be patient! I’m still not convinced. What else ya’ got?

Being patient gives you experience.

Lots of things give me experience. Experience ain’t all good.

This experience is a personal encounter with God. When you live through a trial and see God work it out for good.

Oh. Well, that don’t sound too bad. I’ll take it.

There’s more.

More?

Yes. These personal encounters with God give us hope.

Hope? Like, "I hope I win the lottery"?

No, not like that. This hope is more like knowing. Certainty.

How so?

Well, say you’re sick…

You’re sick.

Thank you, but I’m not finished.

Oh. Sorry.

That's quite all right. Now, say you’re sick, and you can’t seem to get better no matter what you do. Finally, you go to the doctor and say, “Doc, is there any hope?” The doctor says, “Yes, there is hope.” He pulls out a medicine you’ve never tried and says, “Take this medicine, and you will get better.” He doesn’t say this medicine should or might make you better. You will get better. There is hope, absolutely certain hope.  This is the kind of hope we learn when we experience God’s work in our times of trouble.

So God is like the only medicine that’ll take care of the trouble when nothing else works. Is that it?

That’s it. The more we wait on God, the more our experience tells us to trust him. When we know nothing else is going to work, we place our hope in him first.

Like going to the doctor when you first get sick instead of waiting until you've tried everything else.

Very good!

I still don’t love trouble.

You don’t have to love the trouble as much as you love what it brings in the end.

In the end, I trust God more. Right?

Right.

So trouble is worth the trouble?

I think you’re finally getting it.

~ ~ ~

Now for something a little more dignified.

Hebrews 11:1-- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.

I had so much fun in the first part of this post illustrating a process, the process by which our hope in Christ is made solid. Our faith becomes substance, as real as something we actually hold in our hands. When we wait on God and see his provision again and again, we begin to hope for it.  Soon, hope becomes certain knowledge that God will provide.

To me, this certainty, this unwavering faith, is only a step shy of actual sight. There is no doubt. When we continually experience God's provision, we don't have to see him moving to know he's there. We know he's there better than we would if we could see him.

I confess, I'm not there yet. But someday, Lord willing, I will be.

Have a blessed day!

It is Finished--John 19:29-30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Of all the Scriptures God gave me to accompany my one word – Finish – this one convicts me most.  In last week’s verse I learned that God is not glorified in unfinished tasks.  In this Scripture, I learn that God does not leave tasks unfinished.

In Psalm 69:21 David writes, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”  In John 19:29, this prophecy is fulfilled, when the soldiers offer Jesus vinegar to quench his thirst. 

I believe he knew every prophecy that had been written about him, and he knew when they were fulfilled.  It almost seems to me that he knew this was the last one and his task would be complete. Drinking this vinegar was the last thing he had to do before he “gave up the ghost.”

I’ve always liked that phrase, “gave up the ghost.” What a picturesque way to say, “He died.” But when I think about it here I realized that Jesus is the only person who ever lived who actually had the power to “give up” his life.  He knew he had FINISHED the job he came to do, and He chose that moment do die.

We’ve often heard that he could have called ten-thousand angels to remove him from that Cross.  Likewise, I believe the decision of when to die was entirely in his hands.  He could have chosen any moment before then to be relieved of his terrible pain.  But he waited, just until the job was FINISHED.  He had suffered unspeakable pain for sins not his own.  He had fulfilled all the prophecies, right down to this tiny one.  His suffering was FINISHED.  The plan to purchase man’s redemption from sin was FINISHED.  His task was FINISHED.

Jesus came to earth that first Christmas with a task ahead of him that would be the hardest and most painful any person had ever endured.  Perhaps there were moments he loved his job, when teaching little children, when his disciples truly understood his teachings. Perhaps there were times when he hated his job.  This must have been one of those times. 

Jesus did not put off his awful task or dawdle to complete it once he started.  He faced his horrible ordeal head on, and FINISHED it as quickly as he was able.  Since His great task was to buy my pardon, I am so glad he did FINISH it. I am so glad he didn’t call those angels. I am so glad he chose that moment to die and not the one before.   

I worked hard last night to clean a very messy kitchen, but as I look about I see things I left undone:  a pan not washed, a counter not wiped, a table covered with papers.  I am convicted.  I am doing a poor job of applying My One Word.  I am certainly not the finisher that Jesus was.  With his help, I know I can change that.

Later this week, please join me as I review a wonderful little debut novel, Rocky Mountain Hero, written by a new friend of mine, Audra Harders.

Heartily, as to the Lord

Have you ever stepped into clear stream or creek, thinking to wade in, only to find it deeper than it appeared?  That is what happened with this week’s Bible Study.  I thought I would just get my feet wet, but before I knew it, I found myself waist-high in the cool, refreshing Word of God.  I hope you are as inspired by it as I am.

Colossians 3:23 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men

When this verse first came to me in support of My One Word – FINISH, the rationale was “God is not glorified in unfinished tasks.”  If my goal is to please man, well, I might fudge a little or cut corners.  But never in a task dedicated to God. My goal became to dedicate all my tasks to the Lord.  This would lead me to FINISH them, bringing him glory. (As I type this I think of how I patted myself on the back about FINISHING my tasks Monday, and I realize that I kinda hogged all the glory. Conviction, just like a ton o’ bricks. Ouch.)

When reading this verse, I have always focused on the phrase “to the Lord,” and comforted myself with the idea that I am laying up treasures in Heaven when I do all my unpleasant tasks willingly (without complaint) and dedicate them to God. Today, I find from my study of this verse, while my traditional position is fair and accurate, as far as it goes, it stops short the true goal.

Instead of focusing on “to the Lord,” let’s focus on “heartily.” John Wesley defines “heartily” as “cheerfully, diligently.” I don’t always agree with Wesley, so let’s put him to the test. 

*Heartily –

            1. in a hearty manner

            2. with all sincerity: wholeheartedly: with zest or gusto

            3. wholly: thoroughly

 Now let’s compare…

*Cheerful –

1.  Full of good spirits: merry…ungrudging

2.  Conducive to cheer: likely to dispel gloom or worry

*Diligent –

characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort:  painstaking

Okay, in my opinion, Mr. Wesley did pretty good with this one.

Have you ever considered a task with the mindset of, "I'll do it, but I won't like it!" This is the “willingly=without complaint” attitude.  One thing I know about God is that he won’t make me do anything.  My willingness is key. 

It is key, but it is not truly enough.  If I want to squeeze out the maximum available blessing from serving God, I must serve willingly, merrily, and earnestly: in a word “heartily.” I have to do it...and like it. : )

I want to close this study with one last nugget of wisdom from the Esteemed Mr. Wesley, on being “single-hearted” in dedicating our work, all our work, to God:

“Menpleasers are soon dejected and made angry: the single-hearted are never displeased or disappointed; because they have another aim, which the good or evil treatment of those they serve cannot disappoint.”

People may not notice what we do.  They might notice and belittle us...even when we work cheerfully and diligently.  But God, knowing our hearts, will always notice and be well-pleased with our efforts.

*From Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition (1998)

On the Boat Again

Okay, that was a bad Willie Nelson joke.  Moving on, I’ll warn you there’s a lot in these 21 verses (at least it seems so to me)

Now, back to Paul.  After wintering in Malta, he and his associates were indeed aboard ship again.  In a mere five verses they travel from Malta to Rome.  Paul set up housekeeping with one Roman soldier (at least one at a time) as constant companion. After taking a few days to get settled, Paul got down to business.  His regular routine was to preach Jesus in the synagogue, at least until the Jews ran him off.  But he couldn’t do that here, being under house arrest and all. 

If you can’t bring Paul to the synagogue, then bring the synagogue to Paul.  That’s just what he did.  He called all the elders among the Roman Jews to his home.  He told them of the charges brought against him in Jerusalem, and of his appeal to Caesar.  In verse 20, he says, “For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 

The elders assured Paul that they knew nothing of him or the charges against him. No Jews coming from Judea had mentioned him, and none had sent word ahead of his arrival or his mission.  I find it interesting. Did they fail to warn their Roman brothers because they knew they had no case against Paul? Or was it because they didn’t want to make them curious about Paul’s message?  If the latter was the case, made a serious error, as you’ll soon see. 

The Roman Jews were indeed curious enough to listen, “…we desire to hear from you…for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against” (vs. 22).  So they appointed a time to bring their congregation to Paul, and hear what he had to say.  I find myself admiring their willingness to hear Paul and make informed decisions instead of buying in to the "hype" they had heard.

When the day came, I imagine Paul’s rented quarters simply bursting at the seams with curious listeners.  By the time he finished his testimony, some of his listeners were, no doubt, eager to hear more. Others were disappointed in what they had heard and prepared to disregard it completely.  My guess is that most fell into the latter group.

After scolding them (basically) with scathing words from Isaiah about having dull ears, closed eyes, and hard hearts, Paul makes this pronouncement, “Therefore let it be known to you  that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen” (vs. 28).

This statement is so powerful to me.  His entire ministry Paul began his work among the Jews, and was always pushed from them into the waiting arms of the Gentiles.  When he says these words to the Roman Jewish congregation, he speaks not only what God has told him to speak (though certainly that), but what he has observed time and again during his many years of ministry throughout the Roman world. In spite of his best efforts, the majority of Jews have always refused Christ.  He knows beyond any doubt that Gentiles will accept Christ because he has seen them do so everywhere he has ever gone. 

In my mind’s eye I see Paul closing the door behind the last Jew, heaving an exhausted sigh.  He is now resigned to the fact that his people, Jesus’s own people, have fully rejected the redemption He brought them. I also sense a spiritual door closing.  The invited wedding guests have all made their excuses, and the master of the house has sent the servants to highways and byways to gather in any who will come.  This passage tells me that the Jews, the original invited guests, have lost their "reserved seats." They are still welcome, and God still wants them to attend, but they no longer hold any special claim to His affections.

I imagine Paul must have felt a profound sadness at the people’s rejection, a sadness akin to (though certainly in no way equal to) God’s own sadness.

Paul is an amazing example to me in this way. His sadness was born of great love for his audience.  Do I love the people to whom I witness deeply enough to feel that kind of sadness over their rejection of my Savior? I am afraid, I get angry instead, and this is not good.

Brandon Heath has a song called “Give Me Your Eyes.” It is a prayer for God to help us see other people the way he does.  It is a good thing to pray.

I believe Paul was very sad, but he didn’t let it stop him.  The last verse of the book of Acts tells us that Paul spent the next two years “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (vs. 31).

Again I have an amazing example in Paul.  As a stay at home mom, my daily “mission field” consists of one three-year-old girl. Paul had his guard; I have my daughter.  But Paul didn’t stop there.  He reached out of his four walls, and made continual efforts to further Christ’s kingdom. 

I shouldn't stop there either. I suppose I hope that by telling in this blog what I learn in my personal Bible study, and by writing the stories of God’s love that he has given me, I can reach out in some small way.

For the rest of December and into January, I’ll be studying the Christmas story. It’s pretty scattered out, as you know, and I want to do it in chronological order.  So be prepared for some skipping about.  I’ll start with Gabriel’s visits to Mary (Luke 1:26-39) and Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25) and possibly (if I don’t wax long-winded) Mary’s visit with Elisabeth (the rest of Luke 1).

Thanks for bearing with me. I hope something I have said resonates with some of you.

God Bless

Shipwrecked and Snakebit...How much more can one Apostle take?!

I like to try to cover a chapter in a blog, but chapter 28 is neatly broken into two distinct parts: Paul's winter on Malta and Paul's arrival in Rome and his minstry there.  So I'm going to follow the natural break and split this chapter into two posts.

Also...I haven't decided what I'm going to study next, and this gives me a while to decide.

We last left Paul and his shipmates washing safely ashore, with all their hair intact : ).

In the first verse of Ch. 28, Paul's company learns they've washed up on Malta. The natives they met were very good to them, welcoming them, starting fires to warm them.  Paul, never one to rest when there was work to be done helped by gathering wood.  He placed the wood on the fire, and out jumped a snake and bit him! Or did it...?

The KJV, NIV, and ESV all use the word "fastened." The NLT uses the word "bit." My father-in-law says, "Maybe the snake didn't bite him. Maybe it only wrapped around his arm, so it looked like it bit him." I've never determined if he actually believes this or if he's just making the argument to make me think (he does that somtimes.  It's very helpful, and I appreciate it).  I probably never will figure it out for sure.

I think the snake bit Paul.  A couple of reasons:  First, put yourself in the snake's shoes (no not "snake shoes" though I'd love to have a pair. Focus people!)  He's found a nice cozy niche in a woodpile and decided to winter there, when all of a sudden, his "house" has been thrown in a fire, and his tail is getting singed!  If your house was suddenly tossed into a fire, wouldn't you come out fighting?!  In my admittedly limited experience, a snake that is threatened strikes, and this snake was certainly threatened. 

Second, I feel certain the people observing the incident were smart enough to tell the difference between a snake wrapped around a man's arm and one hanging from a man's arm by its teeth.  They assumed, at first, that some providential power was judging Paul for his sins.  The shipwreck didn't do him in, so "the gods" immediately found another way to handle the problem.  But Paul didn't die.  In fact the only action Luke records for Paul is shaking "the creature into the fire." No exclamation of fear, no expression of pain.  He merely shook it off and went about his business.  When Paul suffered no harm, the people decided, "He must be a god!"  They're a fickle bunch, aren't they?

Also I think claiming the snake didn't bite him, is somehow taking glory away from God. Or at least giving Him less than the maximum possible glory.  I guess if the snake hadn't bitten him, that in itself would have been a miracle, being outside of a snake's instinctive behavior.  It's a greater miracle if the snake bit him with its deadly venom, and he didn't die.  Right?  Well, given the choice between a little miracle or a big one, I'll take the big one every time.  : ) How about you?

I have a simple theory why Paul made no expression of fear at the sight (and bite) of the snake. He wasn't afraid.  God had promised him many weeks, possibly months, before, that he would see Rome.  God had just seen him and 276 other people safely through a huge storm and a great shipwreck.  God didn't do all of that just to allow Paul to die of snakebite on some tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean. Right?

Remember those fickle islanders? They're about to become a lot less so.  The island's chief, a man named Publius, was near at hand and decided to entertain the visitors for a few days. During this time, Paul found out that Publius's father was suffering mightily with fever and dysentery.  Paul visited him, prayed for him, and healed him.  After this, Paul got pretty popular with the sick people! (I imagine that was a pretty normal state of affairs for him).  They came to him for healing, and received it. The ESV says in verse 9, "...the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured." Paul didn't turn any away. I believe when he left that island three months later, there was not a sick person to be found.

A couple of ideas for commenting...

1. Did the snake bite Paul? Or did it "fasten on his hand" in some other way that somehow fooled the natives?

2. Imagine you were the first to see the shipwreck victims washing ashore.  Describe what you see. All you writers, consider this an opportunity to excercise your improvisational muscles.

Acts 27--The Shipwreck

Rejoining Paul, we find he is about to set sail on his great adventure to Rome.  He is accompanied by at least two men, by my reckoning, Luke himself (the narration has turned again to first person, indicating that Luke was along for the ride) and Aristarchus, who joined Paul back in chapter 20 when Paul was in Macedonia.  Verse 2 here calls Aristarchus "a Macedonian of Thessalonica."  I call him a Macedonian Thessalonian.  It trips nicely off the tougue.  Try it.  I think you'll like it : ) 

They sail laboriously along for a while, apparently having problems.  We read phrases like, "the winds were contrary" (v. 4) and "the wind not suffering us" (v. 7). Then as they are about to set out once again, things start to pick up.  Paul tries to warn them that they're gonna face trouble, but they do not listen.  They set out anyway.  With a bit of mild weather, they did okay for a while, but "not long after there arose a tempestuous wind...and the ship was caught" (v. 14, 15). 

Paul remains silent about this for days, watching and, no doubt, working alongside all his shipmates--"undergirding the ship," securing rigging,* and tossing cargo overboard--to keep the vessel afloat.  Finally, he speaks, telling them, "You should have listened to me, but you didn't, and now we're in a pickle.  But don't worry.  I had word from an angel of God last night.  We're all gonna live, but we'll lose all the cargo and the ship." (ASV--Andrea Strong Version)

About the time the begin to drift toward land, Paul has to stop some crooked sailors from sneaking off with the lifeboat.  Then he tells everyone, "Eat something, you've been through a lot, and you haven't eaten a bite in days." (ASV). 

I love the beauty of the words in the KJV and the promise God makes here, "there shall not an hair fall from the head of anyone of you" (v. 34)   I can't manage to get through a shower and shampoo with out losing a handful of hair, let alone a shipwreck.  Usually that phrasing is used as a figure of speech, but here I think it means exactly what it says.  I am in awe of the God who, in the midst of saving the lives of 276 people from a shipwreck, can still count the hairs on their heads and make certain that they all stay put.

Paul blesses the food and starts to eat.  Apparently the people took his words and his promises to heart because, "Then they were all of good chear, and they also took some meat" (v. 36)  Isn't that why we like to talk to our Christian friends when we have problems?  They remind us of God's promises and tell us that everything is going to be all right.

In verses 42 and 43 the soldiers guarding the prisoners wanted to kill them all.  This is probably because they feared the harsh consequences they would likely face if any prisoners escaped.  But Paul's presence saved the lives of all the other prisoners, "But the centurion, willing to save Paul kept them from their purpose" (v. 43).

Those who could, swam.  The rest floated in on pieces of the ship.  "And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land" (v.44) just as God had promised. Amazing!



*This is a phrase I learned as a child watching The Little Mermaid.  I think it makes me sound smart.  What do you think?

I managed to meet the goal this week. Yes!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Don't wear yourselves out too much with shopping and Christmas decorating.

Paul Two Years Later

I didn't intend to cover two chapters in this post, but chapters 25 and 26 are inseparable to me. 
So...here it is.  Andrea's Take.

Acts 25
After two years of imprisonment, Paul's lot was much the same.  The Jews were still plotting to kill him, and he was still being brought before Roman and Jewish authorities to state his case, and he was still saying the same words, over and over again.  The only difference I find is in his appeal to Caesar.  When offered a chance to answer the charges in Jerusalem again, he refused.  "I stand before the Roman authority, where I should be tried.  I have done no wrong to the Jews.  I do not wish to escape punishment for wrongdoing, but if the charges they bring are false, no one can deliver me to them.  I appeal to Caesar."*  It seems to me that he's saying that the Jews have no authority over him.  Since he was a free-born Roman citizen, this could be true.  His claim seems to be that the only real authority he will accept in this case is that of Caesar himself.

When I read this chapter it seemed to me that God used Rome to protect Paul.  If Paul had not been in a Roman prison these last two years, he would constantly have been running for his life, as he had done in the past.  His imprisonment gave him something he'd never had before: an opportunity to minister to his fellow Christians and serve God without the need to look constantly over his shoulder to avoid the danger the Jews posed to him.

*For this quote, I didn't like the wording in any of my versions, so I paraphrased. The verses are Acts 25:10-11.

Acts 26
In this chapter Paul presented his case before the Jewish civil authority, Agrippa.  It seems Festus wanted to share the curiosity of Paul's case with his fellow ruler.  When speaking of his conversion on the Damascus road, Paul quoted Jesus, "I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness.  You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future." (16)+

I think of Paul blinded on that road.  When he made it to Damascus and found Ananias, he told Ananias all that he had seen, and experienced.  After receiving back his sight, Paul told others of his healing.  From the day of his conversion to this day before Festus and Agrippa, Paul had done two things constantly: watch God work and tell the world about that work.  My husband often preaches that we are to be witnesses.  We are not the judge or jury.  We are witnesses who can tell only what we have seen, heard, and experienced ourselves...Just like Paul.

Following the testimony of his conversion Paul offered his defense of his actions.  Verse 22 is powerful, "To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:"** (emphasis mine)  This is the first time I recall Paul making the argument in just these words. These are the words the priests and scribes never manage to let him say. 

These words are, even today, one of the most powerful weapons in the fight to see Jewish people saved.  I have read different accounts of Jewish people who say, "I can't love Jesus, I'm Jewish."  They don't know that Jesus came and died for them.  When they read their own Scriptures, and compare the prophesies they find there with the facts about Jesus, they are convinced.

I picture Paul's face alight with passion for his Lord, voice breathless with his enthusiasm.  Could this be what Festus saw when he said, "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." (24)*  And when Agrippa claims to be "almost persuaded" (28),* I love Paul's answer, "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." (29)* I can hardly read these words without choking up.

Another thing that I noticed reading this is that the Romans Paul dealt with at this time, saw him and Christianity itself as no real threat to their own livelihood.  To them, the only real threat was the constant disturbance the Jews made regarding the followers of the Way. It seems the Roman practice of imprisoning Christians began as nothing more than an attempt to keep the peace.  Later, it became something much worse, to the detriment of Paul, and most of the other Apostles.

That's what I think.  If anyone has other ideas, I'd love to hear them.

+New Living Translation
*KJV
**ESV

Once again with Paul.

Let me open with a welcome to my 2nd follower.  You know who you are, and I'm so excited to have you.

When we last left Paul, he was being held in a Roman garrison in Jerusalem...

In Acts 23:11, Jesus spoke to Paul saying, "Take Courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."*  Did Paul wonder when? Did he have any idea how quickly God would act?  And God did act quickly.  That very night, Jews were plotting to kill Paul, and the Council was in on it.  No sooner had they hatched their plot than they were found out and thwarted.  Paul's nephew found out about the plot, and went immediately to Paul with his knowledge. 

Paul's interaction with the Romans holding him is very interesting to me.  In 17-19, "Paul called on of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."  So he [the centurion] took him [the nephew] and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul, the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you as he has something to say to you."  The tribune took him [the nephew] by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"*  The Romans heed Paul, both the centurion and the commander.  They take his words and wishes seriously.  This could be because they know Paul to be a free-born Roman citizen, but he is also a prisoner, currently of much lower social standing than say, the High Preist Ananias. But Paul is the man they heed, and he is ushered out of the city that very night.  Before the plotters can even put their plan into action.

The commander orders Paul's exodus amidst what I call "a magnificent display of Roman might." Two hundred seventy men-- soldiers, spearmen, and horsemen--escort this one little prisoner out of Jerusalem. I wonder, did the High Council hear of their departure?  Or did Ananias receive a missive from the commander to report to Caesarea to plead his case before Felix.  I picture Ananias with a piece of parchment crushed in his fist, an angry gleam in his eye.  That he, the High Priest of God's Chosen People should be summoned to the Court of this Gentile who calls himself a leader...  Am I endowing Ananias with a little too much venom?  I don't know.  I tend to think not since he was so willing to participate in a plot of murder, but maybe I am. 

In Chapter 24, The plot to kill Paul has failed.  It seems that the High Council has scrambled to put together a "legal team" to travel to Caesarea.  It would seem this was not the finest hour for either Ananias or Tertullus, the spokesman.  Paul, in his defense, calls them on their failure to produce witnesses to testify to their case, particularly the "Jews from Asia" who caused the original tumult so many days ago in the Temple. 

I love verse 22 "But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way [emphasis added], put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."* It would seem that Felix was at least familiar enough with Christians to understand that they were doing nothing deserving of death.  So he allowed Paul some liberty as what we might call a "minimum security prisoner." Though he was self-serving enough to keep Paul in prison with an eye and ear toward the possiblity of filling his own coffers with bribe money from Paul, and toward pacifying the Jews.

*Today's Scripture from the English Standard Version

This seems a rather long post, but maybe they'll be shorter when I get the hang of this.

My second Post--Hey, I'm gettin' good at this!

As promised, or warned, whatever you prefer, I'm posting about my Bible Study. Now, don't think I'm posting this stuff because I think anyone needs my input on what the Bible says.  Just the opposite really, I'd love to hear if people think I'm right on or way off base.  If I say something that makes you think--or that makes you think I'm crazy--I'd love to know.  Keep in mind all my commentary is just that--mine--with no benefit of any more educated mind. So here goes...

I'm studying Acts.  Today I read 22:30-23:10.  Paul has been seized by the Romans to protect him from the Jews, and to prevent them from rioting.  The garrison commander has called for him to appear before the High Council, ostensibly to get to the bottom of their crazy situation.  Had he been dealing with reasonable men, that may have been possible.  Alas, he was not.

Paul appeared before the Council, and after having words with Ananias, claims he didn't know Ananias was the High Priest.  This confuses me a little because, given Paul's history, it seems like he would have known that.   But far be it from me to call Paul a liar, so obviously, I'll give him the benefit of my ignorance.

After this little altercation, Paul looked around him, and in what I consider a stroke of genius, appealed to his "brother" Pharisees concerning the resurrection of the dead.  Paul would have known, as a Jew, that mention of this would set the two factions of the Council ablaze. He would also have known, as a Roman, that the authorities would have little patience with such antics and end the hearing immediately.  I almost wonder if he had a bit of fun "stirring the pot," so to speak, though I credit Paul with far more maturity than I possess.  Probably he was as solemn as the occasion required. 

Paul would gladly have faced a fair trial, but he knew he would get no such thing in a room full of Jewish elders, and so took it upon himself to end the farce.  Or so it seems.

On Paul:  I think I would have hated the Jewish leaders for what they did, but I believe Paul did not. I think he was uniquely equipped to love them.  Having been one of them, he knew their thoughts.  He knew what a hard sell they would be because he could remember his own conversion.  It took nothing less than Jesus himself stopping him in his tracks and blinding him to open his own eyes to the truth. 

On the Sadducees:  They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  I fail to see the point in trying to follow all of the cumbersome and onerous laws and traditions of the Jews if there was to be no reward at the end of life.  Even as a Christian, knowing I am free from the bonds of sin, there are times that living Christ like would be hard if I didn't know that Heaven awaits me if I continue. 

If I may be a little irreverent and retell a joke by one of my college professors:  "The difference between the Pharissees and the Sadducees was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and that's why they were sad, you see."  The word "Sadducee" almost seems like proof that God has a sense of humor.  He had to know that joke was coming, and how appropriate it is; yet they managed to take that name for themselves any how. 

Yes, this really is how I think.