So I talked to K. Glad that's over with. First time's the hardest... I feel like we're more on the same page than we used to. Yes, avoidance is good but not forever :-P
Lord, if you could help calm my mind and focus now, that'd be great.
I feel like I've barely held on this week with readings. Haven't even thought about the challenges... hum... We'll work on that :-D
Wow, that didn't take long at all (sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm...). Lord, help me to remember this is not my real country. My true country is in another place. I pray though that I would learn to revel in your creation and find true delight in your presence.
Love,
Acts 6-7
So they deal with a food distribution issue. Sounds superficial, but they were actually dealing with a rift between the two groups of Christians: Jews and Gentiles. And that's not a so what situation!
Oh sweet! Stephen. This man gets two chapters in the bible, but they are completely amazing!
A man full of God's grace and power. Grace first, power second. Big significant things!
Ok, dude, this is ridiculous. So these people are trying to get Stephen thrown in jail/killed. So they accuse him falsely of some things. And so here's Steve-o, right, and he's standing there at his trial, and his face is like that of an angel. An angel! Ridiculous.
I love how they ask Stephen if those accusations are true, and he doesn't even ask if they want the short answer or the long answer. He goes straight for the long stuff, because he knows he's got a captive audience :-) So I always thought that he kinda just took that time to talk about the gospel, but he actually answered their question: Jesus didn't come to change Moses' customs; he came to fulfill them. Then he basically insults them by saying that they were just like their forefathers who killed the prophets. Tough stuff! No wonder they wanted to kill him!
Holy cow! So Stephen sees Jesus at God's right hand, and the people don't want to hear any of it--they actually cover their ears and shout! LALALALAICAN'THEARYOU!!!! And then they stone him, with Saul's approval. Just wait...
But the strength Stephen had to tell them all that, and then while they are in the process of killing him, he asks God not to hold that death against them. That is courage. Love. Grace. Yes. Grace.
Hebrews 11
Abraham is like, the major faith dude. It's ridiculous!
i think it;s really important to remember that these people didn't receive their promise here on earth, yet the still loved, trusted, and obeyed God every step of the way. They knew their promise was waiting at home for them, but they weren't home yet.
Lord, help me get the mindset of living in a country that is not my home.
Can I just say that Moses' parents rocked??!! oh yeah...
Hebrews 11:24-27:
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
^^ awesome.
Faith is powerful. Read Hebrews 11:32-40 if you don't believe me.
All that is possible, within anyone's grasp. All they need is faith in God.
"the world was not worthy of them"
Revelation 13-14
Patient endurance and faithfulness from us as the beast takes control. They blaspheme you. Your enemies misuse your name. And I'm sure it would be painful to listen to.
So sometime here this world is going to be rocked. My generation so doesn't believe in miracles. Nothing like healings or fire coming from heaven. I can totally see how the world would follow after the beast. Lord, help the people as they go through what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to deal with all those years ago. Help them draw from your strength and refuse to worship the image of the beast...
Then it moves on to the 144,000 people who sing a new song, and the blessed martyrs to come, and the reaping of the earth. How ridiculous will that be. The reaping of the earth!
Proverbs 8
So, wisdom, something to chase after. And it's not something you'll never get. everyone who seeks wisdom finds it!
Wisdom makes the earth go 'round.
So. What I just kinda thought here as I was reading: Wisdom delights in God and his creation, yes, even in mankind! (not just nature). So should we. Delight in God's presence. In his word. In his creation. There's a big ol' world out there that he made for us to live in. How crazy it would be if we actually stepped outside the agenda and looked around us!
So wait and listen to wisdom, for there you find life. Good thing to have. :-)