Yesterday's reading and today's reading of Acts are very special for the sake of rejoicing. Paul and Silas end up in prison because Paul had called out a spirit to come out of her. Now, if you recall the note about the author of Acts, using inclusive/exclusive language, it the Scriptures say the girl was exclaiming what Paul and his followers were up to, and it said she was following "us" (inclusive) and that this happened "for many days." So while Paul, Silas, the supposed author, Luke, (and maybe even others), were going around telling people about Jesus, she has repeatedly stated "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." (Acts 16:17). Now, friends, I do believe that there are some ways to do ministry/evangelization - and there are ways to not do ministry. We don't know just how this girl was going about doing this, all we know is Paul put up with it for "many days" and then decided enough was enough.
In reality, I see this as a release. The girl is released from the spirit, and then her "owners" (verse 16) cannot use her to make money. My first instinct then was to think about how working in a non-profit organization (Not For Sale) is fighting to set people free. As the men in the Acts story became angered that their business was now interrupted due to the work of two followers of Christ, so too will there be anger and other repercussions for their work to come to a complete halt. "Owning people" is a crime - it is wrong. It is wrong to take advantage of people. And when Paul and Silas challenge this, their lives are immediately endangered.
Therefore, while there is rejoicing for the girl to be freed, persecution does not end. Which is how Paul and Silas become imprisoned in today's reading. Yet even in shackles, they "sing hymns to God." (It is my guess that they were singing in Greek, because Paul is in the midst of a missionary journey and he is located outside of Judea). Then, when this mighty earthquake happens, and those in prison are released from their chains, the jailer bids them to show him a means of salvation, which he finds in Christ and he and his family are rejoicing (verse 34).
The Spirit of God has the power to break chains. It has the power to set people free. It has the power to move hearts, fight our fears, and give us peace and joy! I pray you all take hold of this Spirit and let it grow in your hearts by faith!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday 26 July 2011 DAILY LECTIONARY
2 Samuel 3:6-21
My first thought when reading this passage is just how God has worked to bring about David's reign over time. Even before Israel becomes a united kingdom, David is anointed as a young boy. Yet, even before that, God tells Abraham that kings will descend from his line, and prophecies before, during, and after Israel's exile state that a greater Messiah will come from the line of Judah, one of Jacob's 12 sons, to form the 12 tribes of Israel. The passage discusses Saul, the first king of Israel, who comes from the line of Benjamin. I taught in my Sunday school, just how faithful Saul was when he first became king, but his disobedience causes him to lose favor and David is to be the next king. It is not a simple succession, and David's struggle to maintain rule is continual. Yet, this passage already demonstrates David's authority, something Saul lacked for most of his reign.
Acts 16:6-15
My only comment regarding the Book of Acts is to note the various passages where the author includes himself in the action. In the middle of the passage we read "God had called us to proclaim the good news to them." and at the very end, " And she prevailed upon us." There are several of these passages where the author, the supposed St. Luke who writes to a certain Theophilus at the beginning of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. When you read Acts, think of which of the narrative is Luke including himself, and which ones is he simply documenting. Is Luke traveling with St. Paul? Is he staying somewhere else?
Mark 6:30-46
This is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament: "As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
I love this passage because people are always willing, ready, and eager to flock to something that ignites a certain kind of energy inside of us. People were ready to see a black man elected as president. People have been screaming for rock stars since Elvis rocked his pelvis. If Steve Jobs was handing out free iPads in the dead of winter, I'm sure offices would shut down. DOWN. People ran to meet Jesus, and they came in the thousands (as it says in Scripture). Yet, Jesus has compassion on them because he knows their hearts. We're all looking for something in our lives. We all want fulfillment, appreciation, and love. Without someone to guide us, lead us, or sometimes carry us in our brokenness, we put our hope in the wrong things. We put our faith in things that do not satisfy and do not bring real fulfillment. When the compassion of Christ lives inside of us, we're turned into beings of healing. The miracle of feeding five thousand hungry souls in the middle of a "solitary place" (verse 32) is not to show how awesome Jesus is... (though I don't deny his awesomeness ever), but it's to show God's love.
My first thought when reading this passage is just how God has worked to bring about David's reign over time. Even before Israel becomes a united kingdom, David is anointed as a young boy. Yet, even before that, God tells Abraham that kings will descend from his line, and prophecies before, during, and after Israel's exile state that a greater Messiah will come from the line of Judah, one of Jacob's 12 sons, to form the 12 tribes of Israel. The passage discusses Saul, the first king of Israel, who comes from the line of Benjamin. I taught in my Sunday school, just how faithful Saul was when he first became king, but his disobedience causes him to lose favor and David is to be the next king. It is not a simple succession, and David's struggle to maintain rule is continual. Yet, this passage already demonstrates David's authority, something Saul lacked for most of his reign.
Acts 16:6-15
My only comment regarding the Book of Acts is to note the various passages where the author includes himself in the action. In the middle of the passage we read "God had called us to proclaim the good news to them." and at the very end, " And she prevailed upon us." There are several of these passages where the author, the supposed St. Luke who writes to a certain Theophilus at the beginning of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. When you read Acts, think of which of the narrative is Luke including himself, and which ones is he simply documenting. Is Luke traveling with St. Paul? Is he staying somewhere else?
Mark 6:30-46
This is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament: "As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
I love this passage because people are always willing, ready, and eager to flock to something that ignites a certain kind of energy inside of us. People were ready to see a black man elected as president. People have been screaming for rock stars since Elvis rocked his pelvis. If Steve Jobs was handing out free iPads in the dead of winter, I'm sure offices would shut down. DOWN. People ran to meet Jesus, and they came in the thousands (as it says in Scripture). Yet, Jesus has compassion on them because he knows their hearts. We're all looking for something in our lives. We all want fulfillment, appreciation, and love. Without someone to guide us, lead us, or sometimes carry us in our brokenness, we put our hope in the wrong things. We put our faith in things that do not satisfy and do not bring real fulfillment. When the compassion of Christ lives inside of us, we're turned into beings of healing. The miracle of feeding five thousand hungry souls in the middle of a "solitary place" (verse 32) is not to show how awesome Jesus is... (though I don't deny his awesomeness ever), but it's to show God's love.
What's all this?
Have you ever seen Mary Poppins? Of course you have. ANYWAY, George Banks walks in to his home to find a bunch of jumping, happy, soot-covered chimney sweeps creating a havoc all over his home. His children are black as night, and George's first exclamation is "What's all this?!?!?" to which the chimney sweeps begin, in a unified chorus "What's all this! What's all this?" It's quite hilarious. If you haven't, then.. oh well.
I'm more than happy to walk ANYONE through the Bible and here is a good place to start. You can have the Daily Lectionary (from the Anglican BCP - that is Book of Common Prayer) emailed directly to you, and all you have to do is open your email every day, which you might be more inclined to do than to lift the Holy Word of God (I know, because I've been there). It takes work to do get yourself on schedule with doing work.
Reading the Bible is like working out. It doesn't say "fun-fun-fun for me" the same way that parties, video games, and going to Disneyworld would. Yet, the rewards for getting exercise are having a healthy mind and body. I've been more inclined to read a newsfeed on facebook than to spend time learning about God! Why is that?
The Bible is full of challenging stuff! You can't just read Psalm 23 every day and feel about yourself. You have to read Psalm 73.... a revelation about us feeling small when everyone else seems to have it made. We can't read the gifts of the Spirit in Galatians without confronting the sins that have passed down from Genesis. We cannot be pickers and choosers when it comes to knowing the Bible. You can't focus on one scene from a film to be an expert. You can't study the corner of a painting - we all need to engage with the entire picture.
If we want to be do'ers of God's word, enabling transformation and healing for the world, while exposing the beauty of God's love and the power of God's kingdom, we have to know the Bible. The funny thing is... there are Bibles just floating all over (even in CYBERSPACE). Get yours!
God be with you and bless you, no matter where you are in life.
I'm more than happy to walk ANYONE through the Bible and here is a good place to start. You can have the Daily Lectionary (from the Anglican BCP - that is Book of Common Prayer) emailed directly to you, and all you have to do is open your email every day, which you might be more inclined to do than to lift the Holy Word of God (I know, because I've been there). It takes work to do get yourself on schedule with doing work.
Reading the Bible is like working out. It doesn't say "fun-fun-fun for me" the same way that parties, video games, and going to Disneyworld would. Yet, the rewards for getting exercise are having a healthy mind and body. I've been more inclined to read a newsfeed on facebook than to spend time learning about God! Why is that?
The Bible is full of challenging stuff! You can't just read Psalm 23 every day and feel about yourself. You have to read Psalm 73.... a revelation about us feeling small when everyone else seems to have it made. We can't read the gifts of the Spirit in Galatians without confronting the sins that have passed down from Genesis. We cannot be pickers and choosers when it comes to knowing the Bible. You can't focus on one scene from a film to be an expert. You can't study the corner of a painting - we all need to engage with the entire picture.
If we want to be do'ers of God's word, enabling transformation and healing for the world, while exposing the beauty of God's love and the power of God's kingdom, we have to know the Bible. The funny thing is... there are Bibles just floating all over (even in CYBERSPACE). Get yours!
God be with you and bless you, no matter where you are in life.
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