GraceNotes

The Real Issue
Acts 21:10-13
Jim Stephens
10-25-09

Scripture:

10 During our stay of several days, a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. 11 When he visited us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit declares, 'So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Romans.'" 12 When we heard this, we who were traveling with him, as well as the local believers, begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 13 But he said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus."  (Acts 21:10-13 NLT)

I get frustrated over this part of the story. Acts 21 tells of Paul's journey to Jerusalem after saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders. Paul and his team arrived in Caesarea and were staying in the home of Philip, one of the original Acts 6 deacons. God had already spoken through Spirit-filled believers and warned him that trouble would be in store if he went to Jerusalem. Now the prophet Agabus arrived and dramatically and specifically declared that Paul would be arrested by the Jews and handed over to the Romans. It makes me think that there could be lots more chapters in the book of Acts if Paul had just heeded the warnings.

The warnings were accurate, and it played out just the way God told Paul it would. The real issue is how you look at it. The issue for Paul's friends was that they were concerned about what would happen to him. The issue for Paul was that he was anticipating how Jesus would use him if he followed through on his determination to reach Jerusalem.

Sidebar: If Paul had heeded the warnings, taken the safer option, and stayed out of prison we might not have Paul's prison letters that give us much of the New Testament theology of Christ's deity and of God's plan for the church. I thin k Paul's friends got it right when they said, "Let the will of th e Lord be done."

I've got to ask myself, "Am I more concerned about what might happen to me if I take the risk or about how God will use me if I act in obedient faith?"

Prayer:

Father, I need your help on this one. I find myself thinking way too much about what might happen to me if I take risks and "faith-steps." I need an attitude adjustment that makes me think more about what the Master Jesus will do through my obedience. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Unless I Use It
Acts 20:21-24
Jim Stephens
10-24-09

Scripture:

21 I have had one message for Jews and Gentiles alike - the necessity of turning from sin and turning to God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love. (Acts 20:21-24 NLT)

This story of Paul's goodbye to the Ephesian church leaders is very poignant for me. Jean and I have had some bittersweet goodbyes at pivotal change-points in our life together. I remember leaving Medford, Oregon in 1984, after praying with the congregation, looking back and seeing the leaders standing in the road as we drove away. Then in 1990, leaving the Bible Training Centre in Ki ngston, Jamaica after pouring our lives into others for nearly seven years. Then leaving London and ELBTC in 1999, after eight years of challenging, satisfying, fruitful labor and good friendships.

Paul is saying goodbye to the leaders of this good church he founded. He had invested himself in these people, and he knows he will not see them again. Warned by prophecies from God that if he continues on to Jerusalem it will mean imprisonment and suffering, he maintains his determination to continue on because he is living a God-directed life.

Paul could settle down and retire comfortably in Corinth, Ephesus, or Antioch and enjoy the fruits of his labors - really enjoy the latter years of his life. But Paul's statement tells the story... "My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love."

What made Paul's life worthwhile was do ing the work God assigned him. For Paul, this meant continually movin g on to tell people the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.

What makes my life worthwhile? Am I clear on the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus? Are my values in line with the assignment? Can I say, like Paul, that my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus?

Prayer:

Father, Thanks for giving me purpose, direction, abilities, and the opportunity to serve. Help me to keep my values straight and my purpose clear. May my life be worthwhile according to your purpose for me. I determine to remain faithful, teachable, and adjustable. Please encourage someone who reads this today that you have a "life-worthwhile-making" assignment for them to do as well.  Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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He Just Kept Trying
Acts 18:4-5
Jim Stephens
10-23-09

Scripture:

4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent his full time preaching and testifying to the Jews, telling them, "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus." (Acts 18:4-5 NLT)

Even though the Jews were responsible for most of the opposition and suffering Paul experienced, he never quit trying to tell them about Jesus. They opposed and insulted him here in Corinth so he said, "Your blood be upon your own heads - I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Yet later, when he went to Ephesus, the very first thing he did was to go to the synagogue and try to tell Good News of Jesus to the Jews.

Later, in his letter to the Romans, Paul said, "2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief 3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed - cut off f rom Christ! - if that would save them." (Romans 9:2-3 NLT) Even when he arrived in Rome to be imprisoned, the first thing he did was to call together the local Jewish leaders to tell them about Jesus! (Acts 28:20)

That is passionate persistence!

It's so tempting to take the easy way out. It's easier to just give up on some people. It's easier to just write some people off than to keep trying with them, whether it's a neighbor whose kids leave toys and junk all over the sidewalk or whose dog keeps you awake at night - whether it's someone you just can't seem to get along with - whether it's someone who just seems to always be there opposing you - it's easier just to write them off. It's tough to just keep trying when it seems to be getting nowhere.

Paul kept trying and never gave up on the Jews. God keeps trying and never gives up on me. Who is it that I'm to just keep trying and never give up on?

Prayer:

Father, he lp me not to ever write people off. Work in me to make me more like P aul who was like Jesus in his unwillingness to ever give up on people. Thank you that you always keep trying and never give up on me! Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Strong Disagreement
Acts 15:36-41
Jim Stephens
10-22-09

Scripture:

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return to each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are getting along." 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not shared in their work. 39 Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and the believers sent them off, entrusting them to the Lord's grace. 41 So they traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches there. (Acts 15:36-41 NLT)

Barnabas and Paul split up over whether or not to give Barnabas' nephew John Mark another chance. Paul said, "He quit on us last time. No way he's going with us!" Barnabas said, "He's young. He made a mistake. Let's give him another chance."

They had been through a lot togeth er. Barnabas had given Paul his chance at Jerusalem and at Antioch. They had planted churches, endured beatings, worked miracles, it had been amazing. Now Barnabas and Paul couldn't agree - tempers flared and they went separate ways! I don't know whether to be encouraged by this story or to think, "What chance in the world do we have?! If Barnabas and Paul can't work out their differences, who can?"

Lessons for me in this story:
* God uses people I don't agree with!
* God can use me even if others don't agree with me!
* God uses people who aren't perfect yet!
* People God uses aren't perfect yet!

If that seems confusing or repetitive, I make no apology. Those are different lessons.
* It gives me hope to see that people God has used so powerfully can have this level of conflict, fail to resolve it, and still be effective for God. So I realize that God can use me and people like me in spite of ourselves.
* It reminds me that we 're not going to see everything just the same. God uses us not becaus e we agree on every detail, but because we have a heart for his Kingdom and his church.
* It reminds me that we've all got a long way to go. Let's not give up on each other!

Prayer:

Father, thanks for both the honesty and the lessons in this story. I wish it had gone another way. It makes me wonder how the Book of Acts would have read if they could have worked this out. But it didn't and they still changed the world. And years later, Paul asked John Mark to come and help him. Thanks for Barnabas. Thanks for Paul. Thanks for John Mark. Thanks for not giving up on us. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Remain Faithful
Acts 14:21-23
Jim Stephens
10-21-09

Scripture:

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:21-23 NLT)

What a wild ride this first missionary journey was! Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News and made many disciples. God gave them power to heal the sick and perform miracles that validate their Kingdom of God message. They were mistaken for "gods" and then stoned as heretics (did Paul live with scars and pain for the rest of his life from this beating?). They strengthened the believers, encouraged them to continue in the faith, re minded them that entering God's Kingdom involves many hardships, appointed elders in each church, and entrusted the whole thing to the Lord.

There's so much I see in these verses that challenges me to look at my Good News message and the expectations it produces in people. In this story, the Good News brought faith, but it also brought hardship and sacrifice. The believers experienced supernatural power, but they also suffered violent persecution. They were entering God's Kingdom, but they were opposed, beaten, and run out of town. The Christ-followers were persecuted but filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

God loves me and has a difficult plan for my life! I want to be sure that my expectations are not selfish and simplistic. Being a Christ-follower is the path of blessing, significance, and joy. But it's not without challenges and difficulties. For myself and for those I influence, my message and my example must include faith for blessi ngs and faithfulness for the challenges.

Prayer:

Father, I'm sorry to be such a bother. It's just that every time I read the gospels and the book of Acts, I wonder again if it's all as easy and as difficult, as simple and as complicated as we make it. I purpose to keep pressing toward living the Kingdom of God life. May I and those I love and serve and serve with live in faith for the blessings. May we "by God's grace remain faithful" in the hardships and challenges. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Truth-Telling
Job 6:11-13, 25-26
Jim Stephens
10-20-09

Scripture:

11 But I do not have the strength to endure. I do not have a goal that encourages me to carry on. 12 Do I have strength as hard as stone? Is my body made of bronze? 13 No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success. 25 Honest words are painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? 26 Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation? (Job 6:11-13, 25-26 NLT)

These things stood out to me from Job's response to the charges and accusations his "friend" Eliphaz leveled at him:

* Job 6:11 It's doubly hard to hold on and not give up if you're in so much present pain nothing makes sense and you've lost your sense of vision and purpose for the future. Job was a strong man, a man of character and integrity, but when he sat helpless and confused, with no goal or purpose to drive him forward, he said, "I can't go on. I just want to die!"

* Job 6:13 Hopel essness creates helplessness. Even someone who is intelligent and competent becomes confused, negative, and fearful when hope is gone. You've got to have hope before you can receive help.

* Job 6:25 Truth-telling, honest words from a faithful friend, though painful to hear, can be like a surgeon's scalpel, skillfully removing a cancer that would ultimately kill me. Words of compassionless criticism are like a dull axe that batters, tears, and crushes. Criticism only increases the sense of "aloneness" and hopelessness.

* Job 6:26 People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care! Eliphaz was giving advice without listening to Job's desperate cry for help. Advice and correction may be needed sometimes, but it's not the primary task of a friend. The role of a friend is to be a friend, to be simply present, to listen, to encourage, to love. When my friend is confused or discouraged, I've got to remember to liste n, really listen, before spouting off answers.

Prayer:

Father, Help me to help people find hope and purpose when they are confused and discouraged. May I never confuse "truth-telling" with compassionless criticism, or spout off advice without really listening to their desperate cry. May my presence and my words give peace for the present, hope for the future, and courage to carry on. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Noticed By God
Acts 10:30-31
Jim Stephens
10-19-09

Scripture:

30 Cornelius replied, "Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!'"  (Acts 10:30-31 NLT)

Cornelius was a Roman army officer who loved the Jews and used his wealth and influence to be a blessing to them. He was a spiritual man who prayed fervently to God (not to gods) and he gave generously to help the poor.

God heard his prayers. God noticed his compassionate generosity to the poor.

If I made a list of all the "spiritual" things I do: Prayer, daily Bible reading, journaling, truth-seeking, pastoral ministry, administrative tasks, care for the churches in Southwest Idaho, mentoring, church attendance, message preparation, public speaking, tithing, giving to missions, ministry to people in other nations, giving to the poor... if I listed all these things, which ones might actually be "noticed by God?"

Of all the things I do, which of my activities might actually prompt God to turn to a nearby angel and say, "Look at that! Look what Jim Stephens is doing right there. Now I like that!" This is worth some thought and prayer.

What about your list? Any ideas on which of your activities may attract the notice of Father God?

Prayer:

Father, I'm afraid I more often think about what others may notice and approve than about what you notice. Please work in me and direct me by your Spirit that I may live more for your notice than for the notice or approval of others. Let me see through Spirit-eyes so that I will notice the things you notice in me and in others. And help me spend more time and energy on the things that attract your notice than on the things that don't really matter. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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What I Dreaded
Job 3:25
Jim Stephens
10-18-09

Scripture:

What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come to be. (Job 3:25 NLT)

I admire this man Job. I have no criticism of him or his response to the terrible things he experienced. God grant that I would respond half as well.

Sidebar: Someone in my circle of friends, acquaintances, and associates is - at any given time - experiencing some part of Job's pain and loss. Someone has lost financial security, has experienced a death or the break-up of a close relationship, is experiencing physical pain or illness, or is feeling isolated and alone. Do I have time and grace to sit silent with them for seven days and just be a friend?

Back to Job: Way down deep in Job was an area of insecurity - "What I always feared... What I dreaded." The things that happened to Job dug really deep and brought to the surface his innermost feelings and fears. The tragic l oss and pain he experienced took him way beyond the person who had been apparent to others - prosperous, gracious, confident, in control. At the deepest level of Job's mind and heart, there was a nagging fear and dread. Also at the deepest level in Job was the fear of the Lord and integrity of character.

What about me? What can I do to identify the fear, the dread, the termite-infested or rust-weakened place deep inside that would be exposed should the worst happen?  Am I willing, with the help of God's Word and Spirit, and a good friend or two, to find, face, and acknowledge the places in me that are not fully faith-anchored to Jesus?

If I can find that core weakness, that nagging fear, and deal with it before the storm hits, maybe I can come through better and suffer less structural damage. I'd like to think so. But If not, thank God for Job's story. He faced it all and made it through.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be pro-active in finding and facing the areas of my life t hat are not solid, not anchored by faith to the rock. I pray again the prayer of Jeremiah 10:23-24, "I know, Lord, that a person's life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die."  Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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This Sin
Acts 6:5,8 & 7:59-60
Jim Stephens
10-17-09

Scripture:

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. (Acts 6:5, 8 NLT)

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died. (Acts 7:59-60 NLT)

Stephen was such a good guy! Because he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit, he was chosen as one of the original seven administrator-overseers for the church. Because he was full of God's grace and power, he performed amazing signs and miracles among the people. Because of the jealousy of rigid, small-minded religious people, he was quasi-legally murdered by a religious mob. What a waste! What a tragedy!

And then because he was such a Christ-like man, he asked Jesus to receive his spirit in death, just as Jesus had asked his Father to receive his spirit in death. And just as Jesus had prayed that his murderers not be charged with their crime, Stephen died praying that the stone-throwing mob not be held guilty for the sin they were committing as they killed him.

Where's the satisfaction, where's the justice in "Lord, Don't charge them with this sin!" Rambo would have pulled the pin on his one remaining grenade and thrown it into the mob and they would have died with him. Sort of Samson-like.

I've been a Christ-follower a long time. I'm serious about my faith. But all it takes is one story like this to remind me how far I have to go and how utterly dependent I am on God's Amazing Grace.

Prayer:

Father, Please forgive me for the pettiness that makes me keep track and makes me want you to keep track of all the hurtful things people do. Is it possible you could help me get to the place where instead of being angry or hurt or offended and then eventually forgiving, I could just say, "Father, don't bother to put this one on the books. They don't realize what they're doing. Let's let it go." Could I get there? Help me. Please. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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When God Eavesdrops
Malachi 3:16
Jim Stephens
10-16-09

Scripture:

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. (Malachi 3:16 NLT)

God is everywhere, watching and listening. God sees all, hears all, knows all. I don't know of any God-believing parent who hasn't at some time tried to instill the "fear of God" into their children by saying, "God sees you all the time and he hears every word you say!"

But here's a slightly different perspective on the matter. God is listening to the conversations of those who fear him, those who believe in him and love him and like to think about him. God isn't just listening to what we say or reading our thoughts to try to catch us in a sin.

God is listening to our conversations about his blessings in our lives, about the challenges we face and how we are seeking his wi sdom, care, and provision. God likes to hear us talking about him and encouraging each other through those conversations.

When we speak words of hope, faith, and encouragement, God smiles. When we give others the benefit of the doubt and refuse to engage in gossip and criticism, God takes note.

God is having the names of those who fear him and love to think about him recorded in a book of remembrance in his presence. I want my name on God's "worth listening to" list!

Prayer:

Father, thanks for listening in to my conversations. I know the awareness of your constant presence helps me think and talk better. But I'm also thankful that you are making note of the encouraging and faith-building conversations I have with my family and my fellow Christ-followers. I hope you enjoy what you hear. May our conversations be "for your listening pleasure." Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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