How To Love God 101

How To Love God 101

Two stories are told of God and his people Israel in Exodus.  The first story is of how God frees his people from slavery.  The second is God imparting the Ten Commandments to his people.  This shows what may seem to be two extremes.  God first free Israel as a knight would save a princess, but then surrounds Israel with his own laws and decrees.  Do these themes of liberation and covenant contradict each other?  This is not a story of God freeing his people then setting boundaries for them.  Exodus is a story of how God shows his people how to love and have a relationship with him. 

 

In Exodus 19:5-8(English Standard Version) a covenant is made between God and his people:

5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

 7So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.

God is not saying, “Do this or I will smite you.”  God is offering his blessing to Israel much like a man proposes to a woman.  The woman is free to reject the proposal, but once she says her wedding vows she is in a contract of how she will show her love to her husband.  “If you… obey my voice and keep my covenant…” God offers his blessing and “showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:6). “  It takes hard work to not lie, steal, covet, and to not put other things before God.  As a jealous God, God wanted to be remembered in his people’s day-to-day lives.  The Ten Commandments were like little love notes that reminded Israel of him. “In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you (Exodus 20:24b).”  It is important to remember that following the Ten Commandments would not save Israel from their sin.  The covenant that God made did not promise that, but that following the covenant would improve their relationship with God. 

As humans we have much experience with human relationships.  Problems need to be worked out and communication is a key factor that takes effort.  Yet as humans relate to different people differently, so Israel could not relate to God the same way the other nations related to their gods.  Just a husband and wife have to show each other how to best relate to each other God showed his people how to best relate to him.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Habakkuk 3:17-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

 17Though the fig tree should not blossom,

   nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

   and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

   and there be no herd in the stalls,

18(AH) yet I will rejoice in the LORD;

   (AI) I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

19GOD, the Lord, is my strength;

   (AJ) he makes my feet like the deer’s;

   he makes me(AK) tread on my(AL) high places.

This year has been a year of great blessings; however, it takes looking back at years of great difficulty to appreciate them to the fullest.

A few years ago my mother was very sick. I watched as she lost 40 pounds in 3 months and did not know why she was so sick. I was preparing myself for what would happen to our family if she died. Now I not only thank God for giving my mother good health, but also for the bond that my family has with each other as a result of difficult times. For this I am thankful.

A couples years ago my sister was struggling with infertility and I was struggling with not ever having a boyfriend. She and I had several conversations about how we were waiting for God to provide people in our lives. She and her husband were blessed with a beautiful baby boy last year. This year I was blessed with a wonderful boyfriend. For this I am thankful.

My family has always been an academic family. My mother homeschooled all five daughters and ever since I can remember my father has been in school. Learning has always been a huge blessing that my family has provided. My learning at Notre Dame is another blessing and my learning at BWMC is yet another blessing. My mother is going to finish her Bachelors this semester and our family couldn’t be more proud of her. For this I am thankful.

God is good through the good times and the times that war on our hearts. Thanksgiving is a time to recollect the great things God gives us in light of the trials that come our way. For this I am thankful. 

MTW Ethiopia ACT Project from Go Global on Vimeo.

God has greatly blessed me this past week. I was feeling a little lost, a little rejected, and not sure what was the next step for me. My mother encouraged me to try and do a missions trip. I looked into it and I am, pending approval by the Ethiopian government, going for 9 days to Ethiopia. I will be helping out in a clinic and working with AIDS patients. I feel so excited, so blessed, so encouraged by my Savior.

““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9

How wonderful to know that my Fathers thoughts are not my thoughts. For my mind is broken and bitter. How dear it is to know that His ways are not my ways. For I, like the apostle Paul, do the things that I do not want to do...

Father, guide me in Your ways this day. May the words that I say and my actions reflect who You are in me. Give me peace of mind and calmness of spirit. May my presence bring healing and peace, not calamity and war. Give me forgiveness in my heart and wisdom on what to say. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Acts 26:22-23 (English Standard Version)

²² To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: ²³ that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

Paul is testifying in front of King Agrippa and Governor Festus. He has finished recounting of who he was before his conversion, what occurred during his conversion, and about his ministry after his conversion. He told of why the Pharisees wanted to persecute him and how he used to be one of them. How I to wish that I had the passion that Paul has for sharing the gospel. I had coffee with a close friend who I don't get to see very often. In the conversation we discussed how we are both very shy to share our faith. She is thinking about joining a doctorate program for history and I am about start working on my bachelors. We both want to share our faiths, but work and learn in circles where our faith is not widely accepted. We both wish to serve God, but are not sure of the exact path the God would choose for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, give us guidance. May we have hearts that are tuned into Your will. May we follow Your way no matter how hard it is to do. Father, we are so thankful for the tools You have given us and the work our parents did to raise us. Father, we want to continue the legacy of faith that they have instilled in us. Grant us the strength and courage that we need to do Your work as You did with Paul. In Your Sons Name, Amen.

1. In the hours of pain and sorrow,
When the world brings no relief
When the eye is dim and heavy,
And the heart oppressed with grief
While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!
While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!

2. When the snares of death surround us,
Pride, ambition, love of ease
Mammon with her false allurements,
Words that flatter, smiles that please
Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield
Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield

3. When forsaken in distress,
Poor despised and tempest-tossed
With no anchor here to stay us,
Drifting, sail and rudder lost
Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow
Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow

4. Thou the hated and forsaken,
Thou the bearer of the cross
Crowned of thorns and mocked and smitten,
Counting earthly gain but loss
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee

5. Thou the Father's best beloved,
Thou the throned and sceptered King
Who but Thee should we adoring,
All our prayers and praises bring?
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee

Acts 24:10-16 (New International Version, ©2010)
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Here I take comfort in the way that Paul defends himself. I often find myself defending myself escepcially when someone has hurt my pride. I am quick to take offense if someone accuses me. Paul defends himself, but he does not lash out at his accusers. He states his case and trust God and the man that God put in charge to take care of him. I pray that I can do the same. To respectfully stand up for myself, but my pride would melt away. May I look to my almighty Father to provide for me instead of seeking the best thing for myself.

Acts 23:1-11 (English Standard Version)

Acts 23

1And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." 2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" 4Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God’s high priest?" 5And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." 7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" 10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."

Paul has just finished giving his testimony to some of the most powerful people in Jerusalem. There is something in this passage that surprises me. Paul is disrespected by the council and is mistreated according to how he should be treated as a Roman citizen and a former Pharisee. Yet Paul apologises for when disrespects there leader accidentally, but we would say with just cause. Many people take the view you disrespect me and I'll disrespect you. This can lead to a lot of problems. Here Paul is admitting he did something wrong when the same injustice has been done over and over again to him within the past few hours. This is a man not concerned with his pride, but truly with spreading the gospel. What a lesson to learn. I work with doctors and other professionals at my work. There are times when I don't think I am being listened too when I call the doctor with a problem. There are times when I don't listen to my fellow nurses. There have been numerous occasions where patients don't listen to me because I have am to young, a woman, just a nurse, have never had this situation happen to me, ect. My response to this is often less than Christ-like. I have wonderful opportunities to learn from doctors and those around me with more experience and knowledge, yet sometimes I pass these by because of my pride and ability to listen to others.

Father, please heal my heart. Give me guidance as I work with people. May I be respectful, kind, and compassionate. Help me to behave in a way that honors You. Give me a humble spirit, but a spirit that seeks to protect those that are in my care. As I switch my work hours help me to deal with the business and confusion with grace and understanding. Be with me Father as I struggle to comprehend Your ways and follow Your commands. Be with me in my loneliness and tiredness. Give me Your strength and love. Amen.

Still processing what Dr. Pronovost is saying here, yet it has made me think about how I practice and what are my checks and controls.

I have been reading Acts 21 and 22. In this passage Paul is returning to Jerusalem. He is warned that if He returns to Jerusalem that he will be chained. It comes to pass that he is put in chains. He then is protected from death by him being a Roman citizen. He will go on still imprisoned, but he will write letter after letter that will still be with us today. Amy Carmichael once prayed as a child for blue eyes. When she awoke, she was disappointed to find that she still had brown eyes. These brown eyes would later allow her to be come one of the most effective missionaries in India.

I am a 24 year old woman. I have never had a boyfriend and only had one date ever. This past Valentines day I was feeling a little bit sorry for my self. Through talking to my sister and parents I was encouraged. I have said in the past that God has a great plan for my life. My father encouraged me to go live it. I wonder if God is protecting me right now, by allowing me to be single for a time or for a lifetime. Right now I want to encourage everyone who is called by God to do His work, yet you feel lonely. We have a constant companion in the Holy Spirit who we need if we are in a relationship or not.

Psalm 25:16 (English Standard Version)

¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

Acts 20:18-35 (English Standard Version)

¹⁸And when they came to him, he said to them:

"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. ²²And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. ²⁴But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. ²⁶Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, ²⁷for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ²⁹I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. ³²And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and^{BD)" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">} remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

The fist part of this passage Paul talks about his ministry. He has ministered publicly. I find myself comforting myself with saying my actions will eventually point people to God. No, I need to preach His word using words. I need to be bold in my faith like Paul. Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles. Some people are called to ministry to those already covered by the blood of Christ and others are called to ministry to those who have no idea who God is. My point is that we/I are/am called to ministry. I want my words and actions to mean something. Did I show others the gospel? Did my life reflect what Christ would want from my life? Probably not, but we have a powerful God who loves to take the weak things in this world and use them. May He do so with me. This is why I take comfort in this verse:

²⁴But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

The second part of this passage Paul takes time to warn and guide the Ephesians. Beware of people who would twist God's truth. Beware of doing it yourselves. Don't be materialistic. Provide for yourselves and don't covet. Yet God's grace will still be with you and me as we run the race that God has given us to run.

Dear Father, give me a clear path. Help me train and build me up with Your rightouesness so that I may run the race that You would have me run. Give me strength of will and character so that I will not back down against Your enemines. Give me Your truth so that I will not distorte or twist the truth that You would have me spread. Give me courage to speak the words and behave as You would have me. Mold me into Your character, Father. Keep me from sinning, that I might harm no one. In Your Son's Name, Amen.

Acts 20:7-12 (English Standard Version)
Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him." 11And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

Within this passage we have an echo of the miracles that Jesus performed while he walked the earth. Here is Paul raising a young man from the dead. Sometimes I feel like this young man. I work night shift, so there are nights, days, weeks where I feel like the walking dead. (On a side note I am trying to decide whether or not to take a day position that has been offered to me, so pray for me.) There has been recent discussion in church concerning the subject of current day miracles. Does God still work through His people and perform the supernatural? Or did this end with Jesus and the Apostles? Does the Holy Spirit still work in us today like He did Paul and Peter? Does God still choose to use us in this way; to perform miracles and signs and wonders in His name? I don't know the answer. I would like to think so. I still believe that God can do the impossible today. Is this the most theologically sound doctrine that I have. Not in the lest. But the same God who revealed Himself to Troas here through Paul is still my Lord and Savior today. Will God use me like He did Paul? I don't know. All I can do wait on the Lord and believe in Him.

Holy Father, as I wait on You, I ask that You would prepare my heart for the work that You would have me do. Give me the strength and courage to carry our Your will. May I trust You in You day by day, moment by moment. Please ease my heart and take away my anxiety. May I have peace with You in my heart and in my mind every moment. Give me grace and love to give to others. Give me compassion for You people. Show me how to best love and serve them. Father, I need You to guide my decisions right now as I have many tough choices to make right now concerning work, love, and how to carry out Your name. Give me the words to lift people up to You and point them to You. Keeping me from sinning Holy Spirit, so that I might do no harm to others. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Acts 16:13-15 (English Standard Version)

¹³And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. ¹⁴One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. ¹⁵And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 16:40 (English Standard Version)

⁴⁰So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Lydia might have been to Paul what Mary and Martha were to Jesus. A place of hospitality and rest. A place where people were faithful to the Lord and Paul could enjoy what God had done in the hearts that Paul had ministered to. The gentile version of Mary and Martha. Our hearts need encouragement. Our hearts need spiritual rest. Our bodies need physical rest. Here is one of the few places we see Paul getting that. It is the only woman who was able to provide it to him mentioned in scriptures. As the Lord moved her heart, I pray that He would move mine.

Father, please open up my heart to Your word. Give me people in my life who preach Your truth. May my heart and mind be open to it. Give me strength as I seek to do Your will. May my heart not be won over by other emotions and thoughts. Father, I am seeking and asking for Your truth in my heart. May my actions and words be to lift You up before everyone in my life as a good and powerful. In Your Sons name, Amen.

Acts 15:36-41 (English Standard Version)

Paul and Barnabas Separate

³⁶And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."³⁷Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹And he went through Syria and Cilicia,strengthening the churches.

Is it wrong that I find comfort in the fact that the Apostle Paul fought with his fellow Christians. Here are two men called to do the same work, but they disagree on who to take with them. I have heard about many people who were called to the mission field and when they get there it's not the people who they are preaching to that they argue with. It's with their fellow missionaries that there is discourse. I find right now in my life that the worst fights are not with people who I try and minister to. It is within the church that I have the most complaints and an augmentative spirit. It is within my own family that I have the least amount of grace.

Father, as I seek to do Your will, may You give me a heart that has grace with everyone in my life. May my heart always be atune to how I should treat people. May I speak words that You would say. May my actions be things that You would do. I know that You can use even the bad things of this world to further Your kingdom. May You use my sin and mistakes to make Your name known. Spirit, give me Your spirit of kindness, gentleness, and self-control; yet give me a spirit that will fight for You and honors You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Acts 15:7-11

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. ⁸ God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹ He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

As christian I often find myself putting on my self this burden. Do this not that. Be perfect, but not to perfect. This is the yoke that Jesus Christ has taken from us. Why do we still burden ourselves with such depravity? No one can live up to God's standards like this, but we try and make it an atainable goal. I find hope in this, "he purified their hearts by faith." All I need to is have faith. So easy, yet so hard. Paul will later echo this same thought when he writes to the Galations. Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." I know I am called to love others. I know I am called to have faith in Christ. May God grow these two things in my heart, that I might be His light to the world.

Acts 13:44-52 (English Standard Version)
44The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
48And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

This passage speaks to me on two levels. I know that I have a hard heart towards the gospel. I also know that I can use my tongue to tear down others very easily. I often find myself behaving like these Jews did. I don't want to hear the gospel that is preached to me. These men used "women of high standing" to destroy Paul's ministry. I have used my complaining and my tongue to tear down others ministry. I rejected God's word in light of my own gospel. This passage gives me great fear because it shows me what I am. This passage also gives me great hope. Despite my behaving like these Jews, God can still use this situation. I hope that I to can show God's light to the Gentiles. I hope that God can use this sinner to create order out of chaos and bring healing to people's bodies and souls through the gospel.

Father, please pour Your gospel into me. May Your truths fill my life. May I not be a person who rejects Your words. May I not be a person who tears down those whom You have sent to preach the gospel. Guide my tongue as I speak this week. May I be honest and truthful. May I always have Your words on my tongue and may I always be preaching Your gospel.

Acts 13:2-3 (English Standard Version)
2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

This is the begining of one of the most powerful missionaries story. It begins with a calling from the Holy Spirit. They heard the call while worshiping and fasting. I think this passage speaks to the importance of taking time to open up yourself to hearing the Holy Spirit. I know I live a busy life. I work night shift and I often will choose sleep over extra time in prayer or simply check my devotion off my list so that I can get on with the rest of my day. Some of the best moments of my life have been when I have been taking time with the fellowship of other Christians to listen to God. I love singing and worshiping the Father, but when we come together and worship God together something amazing happens. Because I work night shift I often have schedualing conflicts with my Christian friends who work during the day. I miss the fellowship I can have. I miss the oppritunities for Christ to say,"Here send her."

Dear Father, I ask that You would provide good Christian fellowship for me. Put me in places where I can join in fasting and praying with fellow believers who are seeking out the voice of Your Holy Spirit. Give me strength to focus on You and not on my own problems and tasks. Give my spirit rest in You. May I be close to You Fahter and not push You away. Help me to tell the story Your gospel to the nations. May Your love out pour from my soul into others.

Acts 9:1-19 (English Standard Version)

Acts 9

The Conversion of Saul

¹But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" ⁵And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." ¹¹And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹²and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." ¹³But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." ¹⁵But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." ¹⁷So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; ¹⁹and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

If only my spiritual life had the work ethic of Paul and the faith of Ananias. Ananias as he is going to the house let God know that he has some fear and teperdation in going to a legal killer of Christians. Yet with faith he continues on the path God had set before him and little does he know that starts one of the biggest missionaries of all times on his way. As I grow older, I can see my sin more and more. I am the greatest of sinners in my eyes. I am judgmental of others, lustful, proud, untrusting in God, and lazy. In Acts I am reading about how different people approch Christianity. Some is brings about their ruin because they are not honest with God. A different Ananias and his wife Sapphira fall down dead. Yet some go to meet their Father in Heaven. Stephen is stoned to death after he gives one of the most passionate and historical case recorded in the New Testament. Here in this passage we find just the beginning of one of the greatest missionaries of all time and my hear longs for the same. That I too would be able to spread the gospel through my own version of tent-making.

Holy Father, give me strength throughout this day as I seek to do Your will. Make my mind stayed on You and no one else. May the words that I speak and the things that I do reflect You and Your son. Bless us as the snow is coming. Please keep people safe in my community. Bless all the LPNs who were put out of work from my hospital. May You give them jobs where they can do well and can accomplish much. May they come to know that You are with them and put their trust in You. Bless me in my relationships with my patients. May You keep them safe and may the care that I give point them to You. Father bless my sisters as they are in school may they do well and not feel overwhelmed. Jesus be with me as I start school. May I be able to make good grades and give me understanding of the material. Lord, I ask that You would give me apportunities to spread Your word and to take a missions trip this year. Amen.

Acts 4:23-31 (English Standard Version)

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

"'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed'—

²⁷for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, ³⁰while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." ³¹And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

The apostle after Jesus died and were filled with the Holy Spirit did some awesome things. Miracles were performed the like that had not been seen before. Thousands of people in a single day were converted after hearing Peter speak. People were hearing the testament of Jesus in their own language. With these great happenings came great persecution, yet this is the prayer that is prayed," grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

I find myself hesitating to speak the word of God, but I have to great excuse except that I am a coward and do not rely on the Holy Spirit. Women who rely on the Holy Spirit do great things with their lives and touch many with their words and deeds. I long and desire to touch and serve others as God calls me to, but I find myself lacking heart and just plain ignoring God.

Father, please change my heart. I wish to serve you with the strength that you gave Samson, the courage you gave Stephen, with the faith you gave to Paul. Change my heart that I might not sin against thee. Give me what I need to talk to and change the hearts around me so that they long for you. Give me a soul and mind that longs, seeks, prays after you. Lord give me faith. Jesus give me love. Amen.

Creation reminds us that we live in a broken world. Creation also reminds us that we were not always broken and promises us that we will not always be broken. ~ Pastor O'Neil

O Father, I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I thank You for Your Spirit that is able to keep me from falling. May You bless me in my relationships with my family, friends, enemies, and my patients. Father bless me as I seek to love and communicate with the people in my life. Bless me as I seek love from others and as I seek to love others. Amen.