Archive for the ‘Thought for the Day’ Category

Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  NIV

Paul was zealous for God.  He just didn’t know he was actually zealous against God, but more on that later.  He was searching for those who belonged to the Way.  There was a cult called The Way.  Luke is describing one of the labels of the early church – the Way.

Following Jesus is a way of life; it means taking His path, His Way.  There are many forks in the road, each and every day.  We choose either self or Jesus.  We choose our way or His Way.  We choose resentment, bitterness, addiction, unresolved conflict, and much of our personal pain, to name a few.  We choose a way that leads us away from Jesus.  Or, we can choose a way that keeps us close to Jesus.

The concept of The Slight Edge is simple.  The small choices we make on a daily basis either takes us closer or further from our goals.  The small incremental decisions seem meaningless at the moment, but the repetition and continued path can lead us to amazing results or devastating disappointment.

Following Jesus is not a religion, or even a worldview, it is a Way of life.  As more and more followers tread on the pathway of Jesus, our friends, neighbors, families and communities will catch a glimpse of the peace, hope, joy and love of God this Advent.

Acts 8:36-40
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”  And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.  NIV

Baptisms were one of my most favorite days as a pastor.  People would share with me the tremendous emotional experience of that mystical moment.  “I have never felt so clean.”  “I felt so close to God.”  “I felt so good to invite my family and friends to see my baptism and hear my testimony.”  There was plenty of rejoicing!

In later years of ministry, I wanted those who played an important part of bringing a person to faith in Christ to perform the baptism.  These invited participants went away rejoicing as well.  There was much crying, laughing and celebrating.

Why all the rejoicing?  We celebrate birth, spiritual birth.  There are few things in life that hold a candle to the birth of children and grand children.  They were magic, mystical, powerful moments between mom, babe and dad.  Baptisms hold that candle; powerful, mystical moments between Father, Son, Holy Spirit and the one baptized.  Celebrations in heaven and earth, Abba, angels, family, friends, and the Church as a whole.  This is why Jesus gave the command to baptize.  In those moments of doubt, depression, or despair, remember your baptism.  The angels danced, the Father smiled, family rejoiced, and you were center of the celebration.  You were worth celebrating.  Share a little joy of heaven today.  Many around you need the sonshine.

Acts 8:32-35
This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. NIV

Mohammad rode into Mecca on an Arabian horse brandishing a sword.  Jesus was led to the cross, bruised, beaten and bleeding like a sheep to the slaughter.  There is a significant difference between Jesus and Mohammad.  Unfortunately, through the centuries, there has been little difference in warfare and animosity in their followers.  The eunuch was captured by the humility of Jesus.  He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He left heaven for a manger.  He was not born in a castle.  He lived a simple life as a child.  In his ministry, he had no home, no wife, no children.  His followers deserted him when arrested.  Why follow Jesus?  Although some of his teachings may be compared to other religious leaders, His life, death and resurrection cannot.  The prophets spoke of Him, the Father sent Him, and the Spirit continues to testify of Him.

People are looking for genuine followers who can articulate faith.  We are all tired of pretense, failure, and scandal.  True followers do not make the news.  They just show up every day, faithfully living out loud the commands of Christ in humility and obedience.  Those around them know the difference, they can smell the scent of Jesus.  Some are attracted, others repelled.  You don’t need a degree from a seminary to spread the good news. Philip knew enough to point to Jesus.  You know that much and more.  Let’s splash on a little Jesus today and carry His fragrance throughout the day.   You may be surprised who picks up the scent.

Acts 8:26-31
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  NIV

There are two thoughts from this one passage.  One, the Spirit of God prepares those who will hear and receive the gospel.  Two, the Word of God is powerful to convict and draw people to Christ.  Jesus tells the parable of the sower.  The sower sows indiscriminately.  The seed falls on the path, rocky and weed-filled soil.  It also falls on the good, rich soil producing a hundred fold.  I have realized far too much of my time as a pastor was spent on the seed which fell on the path or shallow soil.  When I prayed, watched where God was at work, and joined Him, I often found more fertile soil – those whom God had prepared.  Would you join me in praying that God direct us to those whom He has prepared.  We need to listen, watch and move to where He is working.

And, when we find those whom God has prepared, let us expose them to the Word of God.  I have yet to begin a study of the Bible with a seeker who did not become a follower of Christ.  I find few things on this earth compare to sitting with a seeker discussing principles found in the Scriptures. There is amazing joy when you celebrate the day a seeker crosses the line to become a follower.

Where do you see God working?  How can you join Him?  Whom is He preparing for you to bring the gospel?

Acts 8:25
After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.  NIV

Peter and John  proclaimed the gospel and testified about Jesus in many Samaritan villages.  They spoke to those other Jews would not speak.  They went to villages others would not go.  Their words and actions matched.  When they spoke the Good News, they brought Good News.  They could testify about how Jesus changed their lives.

Jesus is still looking for us to go where others will not go.  He is asking us to speak to those others will not speak.  Our words need to match our actions that authenticity rings true.  We need to bring Good News and speak Good News.  May others see the dramatic effect Jesus brought to our lives.

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, a Celebration of Peace.  In the midst of Black Friday fights, protests, broken relationships,  greed, and domestic violence, we can bring peace to a world of unrest.  We can bring the Spirit of Christ; the Peace, Hope, Joy and Love of Advent every day.