So, in this one there little tid-bits of interesting things. I'm intrigued by the story of Paul being bitten by the snake. Its only a couple of lines, and must have been important to the story teller.
I almost get the impression that Paul is like Jesus.....walking around healing the sick, teaching about God, being persecuted at every turn. If all of this is true, and I believe that it is, why did God give Paul so much power and authority? Was there something about the time that percipitated Paul? Why don't we have anyone like Paul around today? Is that power available to all of us, if we truly believe?
lot of questions.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Acts 27
This chapter reads more like a suspense thriller. There's so much detial to it, that I felt like I was reading a novel.
I find it very striking how calm Paul is. Yeah, he has the dream that tells him he will survive, but still. When the storm is RAGING around me, I might be tempted to think the dream was all in my head. That's probably the difference between Paul and me. He holds steadfast to his relationship with God, no matter what the circumstance is, and I tend to question.....maybe even questioning myself rather than God.
Just in case you are like me, and didn't know exactly where the Adriatic Sea is......its on the back side of the "boot" of Italy. Its big, but to blow around for 14 days without knowing where you are......it must have been a really big storm.
Paul's faith is amazing. And it all stems from one encounter with God. Good lesson to be learned.
I'm glad your prayer life is moving along in a good direction. Mine isn't yet. I have found time here and there, but nothing consistent. That's the key for me.....finding a timeslot that works consistently.
peace
I find it very striking how calm Paul is. Yeah, he has the dream that tells him he will survive, but still. When the storm is RAGING around me, I might be tempted to think the dream was all in my head. That's probably the difference between Paul and me. He holds steadfast to his relationship with God, no matter what the circumstance is, and I tend to question.....maybe even questioning myself rather than God.
Just in case you are like me, and didn't know exactly where the Adriatic Sea is......its on the back side of the "boot" of Italy. Its big, but to blow around for 14 days without knowing where you are......it must have been a really big storm.
Paul's faith is amazing. And it all stems from one encounter with God. Good lesson to be learned.
I'm glad your prayer life is moving along in a good direction. Mine isn't yet. I have found time here and there, but nothing consistent. That's the key for me.....finding a timeslot that works consistently.
peace
Monday, July 29, 2013
Acts 26
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Pray persistently for those we are not sure have found God, do not give up even if it takes a long time before you know the Holy Spirit has changed their heart. Do not give up.
knut
Pray persistently for those we are not sure have found God, do not give up even if it takes a long time before you know the Holy Spirit has changed their heart. Do not give up.
knut
Friday, July 26, 2013
Acts 24-25
8 Then Paul took the stand and said simply, “I’ve done nothing wrong against the Jewish religion, or the Temple, or Caesar. Period.”
I'm enjoying the story and the history but in any given chapter I don't find and striking takeaways. One thing I am noting is that by Paul living within the laws of the land he is taking away any potential ammunition that might be fabricated against him as a red herring for why they really want to take him down.
That probably still applies today. If we want to be the best advocate for Jesus one thing we need is credibility and keeping ghosts out of our closets is helpful in that regard.
Continued prayers for God's prescence for you and Kim and calm for Max.
knut
I'm enjoying the story and the history but in any given chapter I don't find and striking takeaways. One thing I am noting is that by Paul living within the laws of the land he is taking away any potential ammunition that might be fabricated against him as a red herring for why they really want to take him down.
That probably still applies today. If we want to be the best advocate for Jesus one thing we need is credibility and keeping ghosts out of our closets is helpful in that regard.
Continued prayers for God's prescence for you and Kim and calm for Max.
knut
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Acts 23
3 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”
I feel like for the most art I live a decent life, but yet I'm not sure I could stand and face a group of elders or church leaders and look them straight in the eye and may Paul's statement. Training ourselves in His Word helps to have a conscience that keeps us on the right path--staying on that right path makes you like Paul--being like Paul gives sure seems like a good thing to strive for.
knut
I feel like for the most art I live a decent life, but yet I'm not sure I could stand and face a group of elders or church leaders and look them straight in the eye and may Paul's statement. Training ourselves in His Word helps to have a conscience that keeps us on the right path--staying on that right path makes you like Paul--being like Paul gives sure seems like a good thing to strive for.
knut
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Acts 22
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
Like you said yesterday, its difficult to pull specific actions and ideas of how to live differently from this book. But I really do appreciate reading the history of the beginning of the church.
The type of person I am requires a bit of proof sometimes to steady my faith or I can begin to question things logically. Paul is a person that wouldn't believe in Jesus just because someone said too, he had an unbelievable experience that changed him in an instant. He even addressed it when he said these people know who I am and if I now believe in Jesus they will know its the real deal because they know how much I was against him before and I must have good reason to be spreading the word of Jesus now. The whole chapter feels like its written like a history book (all the travel paths documented in detail) that could be verified to lend proof that it is more than just a story and also if a part of it is documentation of history that the portions that can't be verified are likely true too as well.
long and rambling, so back to v7 it says to me that I have a choice everyday to make I am either with Him like Paul or against Him like Saul.
knut
Like you said yesterday, its difficult to pull specific actions and ideas of how to live differently from this book. But I really do appreciate reading the history of the beginning of the church.
The type of person I am requires a bit of proof sometimes to steady my faith or I can begin to question things logically. Paul is a person that wouldn't believe in Jesus just because someone said too, he had an unbelievable experience that changed him in an instant. He even addressed it when he said these people know who I am and if I now believe in Jesus they will know its the real deal because they know how much I was against him before and I must have good reason to be spreading the word of Jesus now. The whole chapter feels like its written like a history book (all the travel paths documented in detail) that could be verified to lend proof that it is more than just a story and also if a part of it is documentation of history that the portions that can't be verified are likely true too as well.
long and rambling, so back to v7 it says to me that I have a choice everyday to make I am either with Him like Paul or against Him like Saul.
knut
Monday, July 22, 2013
Acts 21
To add more to our discussion last Friday.
Paul knew he was walking into hardship, and yet he goes anyway. Because he believes that its God's will.
I don't have any big insight here. Just the admiration for Paul and his conviction. I am noticing, however, that God isn't mentioned actively, in these passages. Interesting.
I actually read on ahead, just to give a little more context. Its hard to pull something out of these passages, for me. I get the story, and think its amazing....but, its not grabbing me.
You?
tp
Paul knew he was walking into hardship, and yet he goes anyway. Because he believes that its God's will.
I don't have any big insight here. Just the admiration for Paul and his conviction. I am noticing, however, that God isn't mentioned actively, in these passages. Interesting.
I actually read on ahead, just to give a little more context. Its hard to pull something out of these passages, for me. I get the story, and think its amazing....but, its not grabbing me.
You?
tp
Friday, July 19, 2013
Acts 20
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
WOW! Paul was definitely somebody that was living for the eternal, and not the immediate. That is such an admirable position. I'm also struck reading this chapter how Paul travels around from region to region; city to city. How does he support himself. Is he given shelter and food when he arrives? Probably.
Sometimes I say think to myself that I really can't live like that, cause I have a family to support, and a job to keep, and bills to pay, and my hobbies to fund, and a yard to keep up.......but then none of that stuff really matters in the end. Why do we put SSSOOO much stock in the temporary?
sorry, don't mean to be a debbie-downer....after all, its friday!
good luck this weekend! I'm assuming your at a track somewhere.
tp
WOW! Paul was definitely somebody that was living for the eternal, and not the immediate. That is such an admirable position. I'm also struck reading this chapter how Paul travels around from region to region; city to city. How does he support himself. Is he given shelter and food when he arrives? Probably.
Sometimes I say think to myself that I really can't live like that, cause I have a family to support, and a job to keep, and bills to pay, and my hobbies to fund, and a yard to keep up.......but then none of that stuff really matters in the end. Why do we put SSSOOO much stock in the temporary?
sorry, don't mean to be a debbie-downer....after all, its friday!
good luck this weekend! I'm assuming your at a track somewhere.
tp
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Acts 19
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
So I was baptized as a baby and our church here also baptizes babies. To become a member of our church in Bettendorf you had to be baptized by submersion and it had to be by your choice not as a baby. The explanation was they were trying to follow to the best of their ability what was laid out in the bible. I believe all examples of baptism in the bible have repentance and belief in God before the baptism.
I am wondering why in the Reformed Church (and many others) we baptize babies? Is there a biblical principle for this?
any insight?
knut
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Acts 18
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
One thing I took from today is we should be sharing God's word whenever possible even if it appears fruitless to us. Maybe Todd's open sharing about his faith with say Mary is the opening act for someone else down the road to share with her and maybe the combination of these efforts God uses to bring someone else to know him. Do not be silent, he has many people around us on his side more than we know and he can use each of us.
knut
One thing I took from today is we should be sharing God's word whenever possible even if it appears fruitless to us. Maybe Todd's open sharing about his faith with say Mary is the opening act for someone else down the road to share with her and maybe the combination of these efforts God uses to bring someone else to know him. Do not be silent, he has many people around us on his side more than we know and he can use each of us.
knut
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Acts 17
28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.
So often when I pray I think of sending my prayers off to him some where distant. This is a reminder he is right here all the time, like this poet said we are in him. Crazy to think about God of the universe is right here right now and always with me.
knut
So often when I pray I think of sending my prayers off to him some where distant. This is a reminder he is right here all the time, like this poet said we are in him. Crazy to think about God of the universe is right here right now and always with me.
knut
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Acts 16
10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
This chapter contains the familiar story of the earthquake that could have freed the inmates from jail but they stayed put and in turn the guard became a believer.
But before that message is detail on traveling and searching for the next place to share the message. This verse hit me, they immediately take action and head off where Paul's vision told them to go. I have dreams too but don't act on them, do I (we) receive messages through visions in dreams that we discount as our own human thoughts but could actually be direction from the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine Kim telling you she had a vision last night and you just drop everything at work and head off to wherever to follow through on the direction received via this vision?
hmmm?
knut
This chapter contains the familiar story of the earthquake that could have freed the inmates from jail but they stayed put and in turn the guard became a believer.
But before that message is detail on traveling and searching for the next place to share the message. This verse hit me, they immediately take action and head off where Paul's vision told them to go. I have dreams too but don't act on them, do I (we) receive messages through visions in dreams that we discount as our own human thoughts but could actually be direction from the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine Kim telling you she had a vision last night and you just drop everything at work and head off to wherever to follow through on the direction received via this vision?
hmmm?
knut
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Acts 15
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
This chapter seems to be a lesson on how the church should deal with conflict and issues. First we need leaders within the church who are strongly connected with the Holy Spirit. Even with strong connection to the Holy Spirit they must have different perspectives though since as it said here there is much discussion which indicates to me lack of immediate agreement. After reaching agreement we need them to communicate first between each other and then to the masses. I know in our church we have gone through phases where we didn't execute on this very well, especially the communication piece. I think our current leaders are doing this well now and the health of the church is improving greatly.
short and sweet
knut
This chapter seems to be a lesson on how the church should deal with conflict and issues. First we need leaders within the church who are strongly connected with the Holy Spirit. Even with strong connection to the Holy Spirit they must have different perspectives though since as it said here there is much discussion which indicates to me lack of immediate agreement. After reaching agreement we need them to communicate first between each other and then to the masses. I know in our church we have gone through phases where we didn't execute on this very well, especially the communication piece. I think our current leaders are doing this well now and the health of the church is improving greatly.
short and sweet
knut
Monday, July 8, 2013
Acts 14
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
Today I was just thinking about the active battle against God that seems to be going on in society. From TV shows hosted by Bill Maher to our own politicians there is a constant and direct attacks on Christianity, in fact many seem almost afraid of it with the vigor they attack. I think of it as something going wrong with today's society yet it started back at the beginning of the church. The Jews actually following Paul around trying to counter act the spreading of the good news.
no matter how violent the attack Paul gets back up and keeps telling the news, he's not doing it for fun...he is just that convicted to share. Thank God for Paul.
knut
Today I was just thinking about the active battle against God that seems to be going on in society. From TV shows hosted by Bill Maher to our own politicians there is a constant and direct attacks on Christianity, in fact many seem almost afraid of it with the vigor they attack. I think of it as something going wrong with today's society yet it started back at the beginning of the church. The Jews actually following Paul around trying to counter act the spreading of the good news.
no matter how violent the attack Paul gets back up and keeps telling the news, he's not doing it for fun...he is just that convicted to share. Thank God for Paul.
knut
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Acts 13
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
I find the story of the early church interesting to follow and I have supplemented by doing some google searches. This is one short verse but an illustration of the how powerful Paul and Barnabas' message must have been to convert so many Jews that on the next Sabbath you had virtually the entire city gathering.
no big take away, maybe you have something more?
knut
I find the story of the early church interesting to follow and I have supplemented by doing some google searches. This is one short verse but an illustration of the how powerful Paul and Barnabas' message must have been to convert so many Jews that on the next Sabbath you had virtually the entire city gathering.
no big take away, maybe you have something more?
knut
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Acts 12
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
So one thing we changed in my life over the past year and a half is that I am in the bible every week and most days. Even though some days I don't feel I pick things out at that moment I know being in the bible everyday is good for my soul and I love that its just part of my life now when it wasn't before.
I think praying earnestly needs to be my next step. We have talked about this and I have tried but fail. I started a prayer log but I could probably go look to see the last notes were months ago. In this chapter we see Peter in a hopeless situation with proof from Herod's previous actions that it is likely he will be killed, yet the church prayed earnestly and even to their surprise he was saved. I want to be surprised by God's answers to my prayers.
Lord help me talk to you daily and put all of my thoughts and concerns with you, this is my prayer. TP help me be accountable.
knut
So one thing we changed in my life over the past year and a half is that I am in the bible every week and most days. Even though some days I don't feel I pick things out at that moment I know being in the bible everyday is good for my soul and I love that its just part of my life now when it wasn't before.
I think praying earnestly needs to be my next step. We have talked about this and I have tried but fail. I started a prayer log but I could probably go look to see the last notes were months ago. In this chapter we see Peter in a hopeless situation with proof from Herod's previous actions that it is likely he will be killed, yet the church prayed earnestly and even to their surprise he was saved. I want to be surprised by God's answers to my prayers.
Lord help me talk to you daily and put all of my thoughts and concerns with you, this is my prayer. TP help me be accountable.
knut
Monday, July 1, 2013
Acts 11
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Interesting how God used the persecution as a tool to spread the word over a wider area by everyone being spread out. Also, is this the start of our little Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo IA? Can I get an Amen? Hallelujah?
knut
Interesting how God used the persecution as a tool to spread the word over a wider area by everyone being spread out. Also, is this the start of our little Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo IA? Can I get an Amen? Hallelujah?
knut