"Crucified, Hidden, Seated"

Acts 21: When Stupid Stuff Happens

Acts 21: 21-30:

When the seven-day period was almost over, a number of Jews from western Turkey who had seen him in the temple courts stirred up the whole crowd against him. Seizing him, they shouted, “Men of Israel, help us! This the the man who teaches everywhere what is contrary to our nation, our law, and this temple. And not only that, but now he brings these non-Jewish men with him into the inner courts of our temple! They have made this sacred place ritually unclean. (For Trophimus, an Ephesian, had been seen previously with him, and they assumed that he entered the inner courts with Paul). This ignited a huge riot . . .

A riot occurred, A Roman commander heard that the city was in an uproar. He ended up arresting Paul, but let him speak to the people.

Emotions were running high. So high, that no one bothered to check if Trophimus was actually in the temple courts with Paul. Sigh. Some ‘fact checking’ would have solved the problem. Paul was in Jerusalem, and had taken the advice of the elders in Jerusalem to try and prove that he was living according to the law of Moses. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles — but still an observant Jew.

Paul took the opportunity to speak to the people, to give his defense before them.

It was all he could do. He handled the situation well, even though he had just been arrested by a Roman commander and bound with chains.

How do I respond when ‘stupid stuff’ happens to me? Do I have the grace that Paul did? (Okay, I’ll admit it, usually I don’t.)

Also, have I ever contributed to ‘stupid stuff happening”, assuming I know the facts without checking them out?

Just a couple of things for me to think about . . .

Prayer: Father, when things happen that do not make sense to me, give me the grace to continue serving you. Lord Jesus, you are worthy to be served, no matter what the circumstances are. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 20: Following into Hardship

Acts 20: 22-24: “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Wow. Paul was knowingly heading into affliction. He knew that chains awaited him. He didn’t care. He still moved forward to do what God called him to do.

Paul was used to travelling around, free to go where the Spirit led him. He knew the Spirit was leading him to Jerusalem. He didn’t care that it meant trouble for him personally.

If Paul had been able to travel, some of the most precious parts of the Bible may not have been written. When he was imprisoned he wrote to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, and some believe even to the Hebrews. He even wrote personal letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Many wonderful scriptures come from these books, including an exhortation to have an attitude like that of Christ in Philippians 2 and to put on the armor of God in Ephesians 6.

The church is much richer because of Paul’s obedience to the Spirit.

My challenge for myself is this: Am I willing to follow the Holy Spirit into hardship for the furtherance of the gospel? It gives me much to think about.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me walk closely with you. Help me listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice and yield to it. Help me love you so much, that I like Paul, would be willing to follow You, even if it means hardship. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 19: Protection Amid Mob Mayhem

Acts 19:30 Though Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going into the amphitheater.

A riot occurred in Ephesus while Paul was there. A silversmith names Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, stirred up the people saying Paul was misleading others into believing that gods made by hand are not gods. He was afraid of losing his business, of having the temple of Artemis in Ephesus come into disrepute. People began to cry out “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Artemis was the Greek goddess believed to control fertility.) As people were yelling, the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed into the amphitheater, dragging some of Paul’s travelling companions with them, Gaius and Aristarchus, who were from Macedonia.

The disciples did not let Paul go into the amphitheater. Provincial officials did not want Paul to go into a dangerous situation. It was the city clerk who calmed the mob by saying that Artemis was great and that everyone knew it, so what was the fuss. He then sent everyone home. He did not want his city charged with rioting, he did not want Roman soldiers coming in to quell a riot.

Paul wanted to defend the gospel. However, the disciples understood there was no reason for Paul to risk his life in this situation.

I am grateful for the disciples’ protection of Paul. It leads me to a question: am I protecting those over me in the Lord? Am I praying for them? Am I encouraging them? Am I trying to make their work a joy?

Prayer: Father, I pray for the Pastor and Elders over me. I thank you for how they have ministered to me. Keep them safe. Bless them and their families. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 18 : Unconcerned

Acts 18:12-16 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the judge’s bench. “This man,” they said, “persuades people to worship God contrary to the law!” As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of a crime or of moral evil, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews. But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I don’t want to be a judge of such things.”. So he drove them from the judge’s bench.

Gallio was proconsul, and had authority. But he knew the limits to his authority. He was not willing to oversee matters outside of his jurisdiction.

Prayer: Father, help me to discern what matters I should be concerned with, and what matters I should not concern myself with. Lead me and guide me. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 16: Profit or People

Acts 16: 16 – 21 Once when we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit of prediction. she made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation, are the slaves of the Most High God. And she did this for many days. But Paul was greatly aggravated and turning to the spirit, said “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away. When her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.”

The slave girl’s owners cared more about the money they were making off of her gift, than about her. They were acting out of concern for their economic situation.

Paul and Silas had done nothing wrong. Paul had cast a demon out of someone, because he had become aggravated with the spirit that was following him around. The young slave girl was now free to live a better life. The owners did not give that a second thought — they just saw a potential lower bank balance.

The magistrates listened to the crowds, beat Paul and Silas and threw them in jail. The two men had done nothing wrong. They prayed and sang in prison — despite how they must have been physically feeling at the time. An earthquake caused prison doors to open, and the jailer was ready to kill himself, because he thought the prisoners had escaped. Instead, he and his family were lead to the Lord by Paul and Silas.

Paul’s and Silas’ had two hardships: the slave girl disturbing them and then being beaten and thrown in jail. If they were not in jail, they may not have met the jailer and he and his family would not have met the Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions to myself: What am I willing to go through to benefit others? Am I more concerned with my own profit, my own activities or am I willing to suffer some inconvenience to benefit others? (Yes, I know, Paul and Silas were a lot more than inconvenienced!)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me grow in hearing your voice and in my willingness to follow you. Help me to act in such a way that I see the people in front of me the way You see them. If I face setbacks, help me to see that there may actually be a ministry opportunity awaiting. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 15: Necessary Things

Acts 15:19-20: Therefore in my judgement, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

I am grateful for the Jerusalem council and James’ words at it. The decision of the council meant that the Gentiles did not have to follow Jewish laws to serve Jesus. The council tried to make the burden on the Gentiles as light as possible. Following Jesus is not a burden, but a joy.

Jesus invites us to walk with him. God’s yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus said these words, which are recorded in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

We can walk yoked with Jesus, knowing that He is the One carrying the weight of the yoke. His burden on us is light.

Yet, there are things that the early apostles considered necessary. They listed four things, which are stated in the scripture above. Many versions of the Bible say that to abstain from things polluted by idols meant not to eat food that had been offered to idols. Most Christians would never consider offering their food to idols, but idols can come into our life in subtle ways. I play computer solitaire and other games are promoted. Some of those games seem innocent: trying to match three of the same objects in our row to advance in the game and get to the next level of the story. Yet, some of those games have talismans, (an object that is supposed to bring good luck) or rewards that include building idols. I have thought about these games, and consider them unnecessary in my life. They take time that can be spent in better ways.

Prayer: Father, help me to discern between necessary things and unnecessary things in my life. Help me to do more and more of what pleases you. Help me to manage my time more wisely. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 13 Watch out for Jealousy

Acts 13:44, 45 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the message of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to oppose what Paul was saying by opposing him.

Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch and Paul spoke to the people at the synagogue. He spoke so well, that the people wanted to hear more so they were invited back for the next Sabbath.

Nearly everyone in the city gathered to hear them on that day. Verse 45 states that when the Jewish leaders say the size of the crowds, vicious jealousy filled their hearts and they rose up to oppose what Paul was teaching. They insulted him and argued with him about everything he said (TPT). They further stirred up a mob and ran them out of town (verse 50).

The Jewish leaders were so jealous that they could not hear what Paul was saying. They could not hear the offer of eternal life through Christ. They may have been fearful of losing influence. They may not have wanted Paul and Barnabas to be more popular than they were.

Yet, in their jealousy, they missed the opportunity to know Christ.

I know a woman in church who is honored with a ministry I would love to have. However, being jealous of her is not a good option! Spending time in jealousy, takes time away from my own focus on the Lord, and from developing my relationship with Him and doing what he calls me to do.

Jealousy can be repented of — then I can go forward, be blessed by the other woman’s ministry and develop my own relationship with the Lord and her, and develop my own ministry.

Prayer: Father, help me quickly repent of any jealous feelings I have. Have me focus on You and what you have called me to do. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.