My SOAP devotional for June 6th - This will be my last devotional on my blog for 3 months. I am taking a break from blogging to take the challenge to read the entire Bible in 90 days! Will you join me in this challenge beginning June 23rd? At various times I will give updates on how I'm doing with this 90 day challenge, so come back and check it out!
S - Acts 24:24-25
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
O - Felix left Paul in prison to make the Jewish leaders happy but he wanted to learn more for himself about Jesus. He would have been familiar with the Christians having been governor for six years. This was a frequent topic of conversation among the Roman leaders. He brought his wife Drusilla so that they both could learn more about Jesus. Felix was very uncomfortable in their conversations about righteousness, self-control, and judgment, perhaps because Felix was not one interested in the changes he would have to make in his own life.
A - When we share our faith with others it can lead to conversations about righteousness, self-control and coming judgment. For some, perhaps many, this can create an uncomfortable moment of realizing that following Jesus requires change. There are times when the Holy Spirit convicts me of needing to look at my own actions and I have to make a choice to follow Christ or follow the ways of the world. This is a daily choice, even when we have chosen Jesus as savior and Lord of our life.
P - Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. I choose you. Amen.
Showing posts with label Paul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Redemption by the church
This is my SOAP devotional for May 6th
This is the Saul that would become Paul and be the greatest apostle to the gentiles, spreading the story of Jesus around the world.
S - Acts 9:26-28
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
O - Saul was a fierce persecutor of the new believers. As a Jew he had a severe passion against the "blasphemy" he believed they were spreading. As Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, the believers were hiding from him in fear. He had committed many wrongs but had been converted and baptized. Ananias had conquered his fear of Saul to be obedient to God and in this passage we see that Barnabas was also obedient, coming alongside Saul to be his advocate to the "church". In order for Saul to do God's work, he had to be accepted by the believers.
A - We will all make mistakes and sometimes it is so severe that trust is damaged. Those that have lost their way but return to the church need us to be their advocates, standing up bold in faith, to show fellow believers that the effort is genuine. Unfortunately we judge. But I am called, as a believer, to forgive as Jesus forgives...over and over. I cannot question what God will do with the redemption that is available. I must be a Barnabas to those seeking redemption by the church, for they have asked and they receive by God - why shouldn't they receive the same from me.
P - It is too easy God to take the position of "judge" when it comes to the wrong that we see. But you have not asked this of me...you call me to love. May you Lord soften my heart to be a Barnabas and an advocate, preaching redemption for those that confess and turn back to you. Oh that I would look past the wrongdoing and trust YOU as the supreme judge, allowing me the freedom to love and care for those that feel unworthy and need it most. Amen.
This is the Saul that would become Paul and be the greatest apostle to the gentiles, spreading the story of Jesus around the world.
S - Acts 9:26-28
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
O - Saul was a fierce persecutor of the new believers. As a Jew he had a severe passion against the "blasphemy" he believed they were spreading. As Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, the believers were hiding from him in fear. He had committed many wrongs but had been converted and baptized. Ananias had conquered his fear of Saul to be obedient to God and in this passage we see that Barnabas was also obedient, coming alongside Saul to be his advocate to the "church". In order for Saul to do God's work, he had to be accepted by the believers.
A - We will all make mistakes and sometimes it is so severe that trust is damaged. Those that have lost their way but return to the church need us to be their advocates, standing up bold in faith, to show fellow believers that the effort is genuine. Unfortunately we judge. But I am called, as a believer, to forgive as Jesus forgives...over and over. I cannot question what God will do with the redemption that is available. I must be a Barnabas to those seeking redemption by the church, for they have asked and they receive by God - why shouldn't they receive the same from me.
P - It is too easy God to take the position of "judge" when it comes to the wrong that we see. But you have not asked this of me...you call me to love. May you Lord soften my heart to be a Barnabas and an advocate, preaching redemption for those that confess and turn back to you. Oh that I would look past the wrongdoing and trust YOU as the supreme judge, allowing me the freedom to love and care for those that feel unworthy and need it most. Amen.
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