Romans 1

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

I won't expound.  It says a lot here.

Acts 28

28 “You’ve had your chance. The non-Jewish outsiders are next on the list. And believe me, they’re going to receive it with open arms!”

I don't have a great take from this chapter, but just wondering when will the non-Jewish outsiders be done getting 'our chance'.  It doesn't appear collectively we are receiving the message with open arms, at least not anymore.

oh random wonderings...so how is it that people know when Paul is coming?  How does word travel faster than him, especially when he's coming by boat?  Three is used 5 times in this chapter, just sayin

kinda a weak, i know
knut

Acts 27

There's a lot to this story.  A couple of things hit me.

16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together.

I can picture the fear this is causing.  If you are trying to tie the board together, to keep it from falling apart....the has to be pretty scary.

The second thing I can sense from this story, is that Paul is in control.  Because he is so connected to his heavenly father, he is calm in the storm. (literally)  Everything looks hopeless, they are throwing things overboard...trying everything to save their own lives.  And, here is Paul.....reminding them that "I told you so," then what is happening....and how it will end.  If I was on the boat, I would be asking myself, "who is this guy?"

Paul is the man!

tp

Acts 26

Sometimes I get apprehensive about sharing my faith, or trying to convince someone that this Jesus thing is real.  It seems like a debate that's hard to win.  But, what Paul does here is brilliant.  He doesn't really try to convince Agrippa.  What he does is tell his story.  This is why he believes what he does.  He had an authentic encounter with something he couldn't explain.  That has shaped his actions into what he is now doing.
1.  First he recalls his past and education
2.  Then he recounts the story of the road to Demascus
3.  Based on that experience....this is how I MUST now live my life.

brilliantly done.
Paul is the man!

tp

Acts 25

26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

The world will always struggle with someone who is living "on mission."  The funny thing to me here, is that they can't even specify what it is that Paul has done wrong.  Festus can't articulate it.  He doesn't have any written down.  It's pretty amusing to me.

Paul is the man!

tp

Acts 23-24

I was struggling to pick out a message in 23 so read on through 24 with the same result.  So I searched our past posts and found that I felt the same way the last time.  Enjoy reading the story but struggle to pick out specific things to learn from.

In general, Paul just has a peace about him in the midst of all the anger and commotion around him.  His faith is so strong he truly seems to have no worries.  Its hard to think in his situation he has no worries but that is my take.  So maybe that is the message for me, be more like Paul--He has a peace that can only be found through his faith and relationship with Jesus.

knut

Acts 22

14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.

Talk about getting a big assignment.  Here is that big and clear purpose about to be laid on Paul.  His response is no hesitation, he goes and does exactly as God has directed him.

What am I doing that God is directing me to do?  I told you I have been feeling anxious, I attribute it to work.  We are failing to hit some key dates, we have some people challenges.  It all makes me feel restless.  I was asked last week by our associate pastor to participate in this year's Journey3 class--some deep self study from October to April about where I have come from and where I am going in my walk with God.  

I told him no yesterday because I just don't see how I fit it into my schedule without getting more anxious.  Maybe I am making a mistake?  Maybe I need to make room for it so I have more clarity in my purpose?  Maybe this is where my anxiety is coming from?  I'm not there yet.  Not ready to commit but I'm sharing my internal struggle with you.  its probably 8-10hrs a week, not that much and yet so hard to think about finding.

Paul didn't hesitate in his commitment--that is what is sparking my wondering thoughts.

knut

Acts 21

Once again, I didn't pull out a specific verse.  But, I am fascinated with what a "super-hero" Paul is.  He just amazes me with his faith and mission.  First he is told that he will be bound and beaten.  His response? ......I don't care.....I'm ready for whatever God brings my way.  WOW!  Then he incites a riot just by his presence and is probably almost torn apart by the angry mob in Jerusalem.  And what is his response to the infuriated people?  He begs the commander to address the people.  THESE ARE THE PEOPLE TRYING TO RIP YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!  And you want to talk to them?  Again, WOW!

My second hero.....just after Jesus.

tp

Acts 20

10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 

This one confuses me a little bit.  I'm not sure what the intent of the resurrection is?  This is usually a miracle performed by Jesus, to teach the people of his power and dominance over death.....or to reward someones faith.  But, this one is strange.  The dude just falls asleep during his sermon.  It doesn't say that an angel caused him to fall into a deep sleep.  It just says he falls asleep.  So, what does this prove/show/teach the people that were there?
I'm not sure.
I put it in the old google.....and came up with a lot of hits.  Lots of people trying to justify the story or the symbolism.  But, nothing really stuck with me.

tp

Acts 19

I think you quoted from Ch 19 in your last post, but I'll continue here.

15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

The verses about demons and evils spirits seem to capture my attention and spark my curiosity.  Where are they from, are they fallen angels?  Are angels still falling today creating new demons? if so that really confuses me but I won't even go there, thats for another day.

Really my take away here is that just saying I know and believe Jesus is not enough.  I need him in my heart so that he shines through me.  So people recognize Him in me, so no demon would dare to touch me.

knut  

Acts 18

21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

I didn't get much of a take today.  The one thing I noted was how much Paul moves around.  I'm not sure how he chose where to go next but I have a feeling he was just going wherever he felt the Spirit was leading him and he had complete trust in doing that no matter what risk he might perceive.  He just wanted to do God's will.  

I don't know that I could let go of my own desires so completely as Paul, though he modeled the way.

knut