GraceNotes

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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Dangerous Drift
Nehemiah 13:6-7
Jim Stephens
10-15-09

Scripture:

6 I was not in Jerusalem at that time, for I had returned to the king in the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Babylon, though I later received his permission to return. 7 When I arrived back in Jerusalem and learned the extent of this evil deed of Eliashib...  (Nehemiah 13:6-7 NLT)

When Nehemiah came from Babylon, he rallied the leaders and the people and quickly rebuilt the wall and brought fresh passion and order into the spiritual life of Israel. His leadership, sacrifice, and service got things on track and kept things focused.

He went back to Babylon at the King's orders, possibly for as little as a year, and when he returned he found things had drifted dangerously from the course he had set. An enemy of the Jews had been given a room in God's Temple; the Levites had gone back to their farms and fields to earn a living; the Sabbath had become just another day in the week. Nehemiah act ed quickly and decisively to stop the dangerous drift.

You and I have got to guard against our own dangerous drift. It's not only the big temptations to terrible sin we have to watch out for. It's the daily grind, the busyness, the ordinariness of life, the little compromises, the "What does it really matter?"

Here are some things I recommend to guard against dangerous drift:
* Regular, consistent, daily reading and thoughtfully applying God's Word to my life.
* Quick response to the Holy Spirit's promptings and convictions.
* Cultivate God-awareness and prayerfulness.
* Become actively involved in a church or group led by truly Godly leadership.
* Develop at least one or two close friendships with people whose attitude and example pulls you forward and doesn't drag you backward.

Don't worry if you don't get them all going right away. Start with one or two and be consistent, then add as you go and grow.

Prayer:

Father, Today I pray for myself and for my friends that you will keep us on track, focused, and passionately pursuing your purpose. You know our tendency to drift. Give us a heart for you above all and wisdom to maintain the disciplines that keep us from drifting dangerously from the path. We love you and want to follow Jesus with all our hearts for all our lives. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Under Royal Orders
Nehemiah 11:22-23
Jim Stephens
10-14-09

Scripture:

22 The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, a descendant of Asaph, whose family served as singers at God's Temple. 23 They were under royal orders, which determined their daily activities. (Nehemiah 11:22-23 NLT)

The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, but the city remained almost empty. Nehemiah wanted ten percent of the population to live in the city, so he called for volunteers to move from all the towns and villages of Judah and Benjamin to re-populate Jerusalem.

These verses focus on a small group of Levites who moved to Jerusalem and had the responsibility of sacrifices, service, and singing - all the activities involved in maintaining the daily worship at the Temple. They were under royal orders and the orders of the king determined their daily activities.

Centuries earlier, King David had incorporated music with instruments and singing into the practice of worship at the Tabernacle on Mount Zion. When Solomon completed the Temple, he carried on the specific instructions for the Levites, singers, and musicians and their ministry of music and worship. Now under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah the royal orders were again given to the Levites and singers and they left their farms and villages and began to fulfill their calling. Their royal orders determined where they lived, how they lived, and what activities filled their days.

I too am under royal orders. I've been called by God to be a follower of Christ, specifically to be a pastor, teacher, and leader of God's people. Those orders - that calling and the responsibilities that accompany it - must determine my daily activities. What must not determine my daily activities is self-interest, personal ambition, the cares of this world, pressure to perform, the opinions of others, urgency, apathy.

Heart check: As a Christ-follower, do his royal orders determine your daily activities?

Prayer:

My Father and King, I place myself under your royal orders. I submit myself to your royal purpose. I seek for your royal plan. I align myself with your schedule and predetermined seasons for my life. Let your royal orders increasingly and always determine my daily activities. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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In Spite Of All This
Nehemiah 9:38
Jim Stephens
10-13-09

Scripture:

"Yet in spite of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our princes and Levites and priests." (Nehemiah 9:38 NLT)

Nehemiah Chapter 9 is a sermon preached to the Jews in Jerusalem on the Day of Observation. The Levites who were preaching to the people re-told the entire story of God and his people from creation, Abraham, Egypt, Moses, the Exodus and the wilderness, entering the land, the apostasy that came with their prosperity, God's attempts to turn them back to himself, and finally the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

Then, In Spite Of All This, on a this particular day the people were repenting, confessing their sins, worshipping God in spirit and truth, and renewing their covenant with him. And God was receiving them back into covenant relationship with himself!

Amazing! Grace! Amazing Grace!

So much of my life, my relationship with God, my service to him and his people could be introduced with the phrase, "In Spite of All This!"

It's his Amazing Grace that allows me to go on living, serving, and making a difference.

For me, it's mostly "In Spite Of All This."

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, that you allow me to renew my covenant with you daily In Spite Of All This - In spite of my weaknesses, my failures to perform, my failures to obey, my failures to fully appreciate what you do for me, my failure to trust you completely. In Spite of All This, you allow me to belong, to serve, and to enjoy your great blessings on my life. Thanks for being to me an "In Spite Of All This" God and Father. Today I commit to love and serve and obey you with all my heart. But we both know that I'm completely dependent on your "In Spite of All This" mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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