Worthy To Suffer – January 29, 2009

Worthy To Suffer

Acts 5:41

Jim Stephens

01-29-09

 

Scripture:

 

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:41 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

The apostles were powerfully demonstrating God’s power through miracles and healings.  People were coming to the city from the surrounding towns and villages and the sick were lining the streets on cots and mats in hopes that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on them.  Crowds of both men and women believed and were brought to the Lord!

 

In the midst of all this wonder, the apostles were arrested, jailed, and but for the intervention of a moderate Pharisee, they would have been killed.  Instead, they were publicly flogged with whips, threatened with worse, and let go.

 

They left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer arrest, imprisonment, and the humiliation of public flogging for the name of Jesus!

 

I’m more inclined to rejoice if God counts me worthy to receive public recognition that I’m a great guy and doing a wonderful job and my ministry is a tremendous blessing.

 

Application:

 

So which is it?  Is it being worthy to receive blessing and recognition for serving Jesus or is it being worthy to suffer rebuke and dishonor for serving Jesus?

 

Actually I think it’s both.  One feeds something in my soul and makes me feel better for a while.  The other strengthens my spirit and makes a difference where it really counts – in eternity.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Thanks for these words that make me think deeply today.  This is a good heart check for me.  I trust you to decide at any given time whether I need to receive recognition and blessing or suffer anonymity and learn humility.  Help me keep the big picture clear in my mind and heart.  Amen.

 

Joy And Suffering

Joy And Suffering

1 Thessalonians 1:6

Jim Stephens

11-28-08

 

Scripture:

 

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 1:6 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

The Christ-followers in the city of Thessalonica joyfully received the message of Jesus Christ even though their faith brought opposition and persecution.

 

2 …and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.  (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NLT)

 

The persecution and suffering they experienced was so great that Paul was afraid their infant faith might be fragile and that they would become discouraged and give up.

 

Application:

 

I need a reality check once in a while.  We tend to think that faith in Jesus Christ is supposed to solve all our problems and make everything in life sweet and easy.  Actually I wouldn’t mind if it worked out that way.  However, most of the problems the Christ-followers in Thessalonica were experiencing was caused by their faith, not solved by their faith.

 

Paul’s example, Jesus’ example, and the example of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us makes it clear that faith in Jesus will not necessarily keep us from problems nor remove our problems immediately when we pray, but that he will without fail be with us in our problems and make a way through our problems.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I have such a long way to go on this.  The years have shown my faith to be strong, but my own minor problems and sufferings (I’m embarrassed to call them that) sometimes show my joy to be fragile.  Help me to be like the Thessalonians who had joy that came from the Holy Spirit and not from a trouble-free life.  Amen.

 

Doing God’s Work – November 10, 2008

Doing God’s Work

1 Corinthians 7:30-31, 35

Jim Stephens

11-10-08

 

Scripture:

 

30 Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from doing God’s work. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. (1 Corinthians 7:30-31, 35 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Paul had counted everything else as insignificant compared with declaring God’s Good News and advancing God’s Kingdom through the church.  Paul believed that time was short.  Paul encouraged all who would hear him to organize their lives around these same values and beliefs.

 

Application:

 

It’s not easy to live like Paul is recommending.  For most of us, in the West at least, it’s possible and has become common to live a balanced life of pretty well fitting into our culture and being a Christian as well.

 

I believe that Paul’s statements are a continual challenge, not to an either-or lifestyle, but to continually examine our hearts, our values, and our lives to see if we are passionate about God’s work and willing to let go of things that hinder single-minded discipleship.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Thank you for these words that continually challenge me to a life of faithful discipleship.  I purpose to do God’s work.  Amen.

 

Disciple – October 1, 2008

Disciple

Luke 14:33

Jim Stephens

10-01-08

 

Scripture:

 

So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. (Luke 14:33 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Great crowds were following Jesus.  He was at the peak of his popularity (or notoriety).  His bold, authoritative teaching, his miracles of healing, the occasional miraculous free lunch – it all combined to create great crowds wherever he went.  In fact there were so many people, it was more and more difficult to distinguish between the real Christ-followers and those who were just there for the show.

 

Jesus said that to be a true disciple and not just a member of the crowd would cost you something – it would cost you everything.

 

Application:

 

When I chose to become a follower of Jesus, I gave up everything for him – my own plans and ambitions, the right to decide for myself about how I would live my life, my will surrendered to his will.

 

The interesting and challenging thing about being a Christ-follower is that there’s always one more thing to give up – one thing I thought didn’t matter and now, to keep on being a disciple and not just part of the crowd – it has to go.

 

Unfortunately, sometimes it’s something I gave up for Jesus a long time ago and somehow I got my grubby little hands on it again.  It’s got to go!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, thanks for continuing to challenge me about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, a real Christ-follower.  I know you’re putting your finger on a couple of things that I’ve given up before.  There they are again!  Please give me the grace required to let them go and follow Jesus without hesitation or complaining.  Amen.