bsf acts of the apostles notes – Page 4

Living in Fear of the Lord

Acts 9:31 tells us the early church was, among other traits, “living in fear of the Lord.” What does that mean? Is that a good thing?

When we think of someone “living in fear” we think of that as a horrible state. We think of a victim of abuse and domestic violence. We think of someone in a rough area of town, always vigilant of gang violence, shootings, muggings, rape and murder. We think of someone who has a horrible secret, an unconfessed wrongdoing that they suffer its revelation every day.

If that is what is meant by “living in fear of the Lord” then, for most of us, our first thought would be: count me out!

But as I prayed on this and researched it, I found a completely different, but accurate, meaning. In Isaiah 11:2, we learn that “the fear of the Lord” is a gift of the Spirit, on the same par with “wisdom, understanding, counsel and power.” Clearly, this isn’t something to avoid or dread. So what is it?

Christ refers to “God the Father”, which prompted me to think in terms of fear of my Dad. I grew up far before the days of “time out” and when I, justly, had pushed things to the degree that I was going to receive a deserved spanking, then I had a clear element of fear. But that was seldom and a last resort, so I didn’t believe that is what these verses were trying to portray. Instead I thought more to my teen and adult years and my view of my Father.

I grew up in an area where, from my perspective at least, everyone knew my father. He has been gone from this earth for 7 years and, on a weekly basis, I will still run into someone who recognizes me because of my Dad. My Dad cared for me, loved his family, went to church was involved in the community and did his best to follow God’s design for his life. As I matured to the point that I understood this and appreciated it, I realized that one of my greatest fears was to do something to let my Father down or cast him in a negative light. How could I repay his love and devotion, not to mention his support and patience, by dishonoring him or his name?

I think this type of fear is what is meant by “living in fear of the Lord.” When we mature to the point that we recognize the love and sacrifice that our Lord has made for us, we should live our lives guardedly. How could we ever desire to disappoint or reflect His love and gifts to us in a negative light by our actions? We live in fear, not of punishment or retribution, but that, by our actions, we would somehow fail to show our appreciation, respect and honor for the Father who has given us so much – His only Son!

They say that there are healthy fears. Fear of power tools, fear of great heights, fear of electricity. These fears don’t paralyze us, but they cause us to be attentive in all that we do. I believe that as we mature in our faith and the Spirit grants us the amazing gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel and power, we also receive a very healthy and humbling gift of being able to “live in fear of the Lord.”

What are you thoughts and experiences? Please comment back to me!

Bible Lesson 6: Acts 9:31 – 12:25

Aim: Jew or Gentile, there is only one way: Jesus

Last week we saw the conversion of Saul, and what a turn around that was – from persecutor to preacher. He saw the light. We also heard that Saul was being given a mission, to help spread the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles – people that weren’t Jewish. Now this caused quite a stir because the Jews were God’s chosen people, so was this going to be OK? Should they be invited, too?

So, as we begin to think about our lesson this week, picture this: William and Kate (Prince/Princess) are coming to your town and throwing a huge party that lasts a really long time. However, tickets to the event cost $1 bizzillion (a really, really big number). Is there any way you can buy a ticket? Is there anyway that anyone can pay that kind of price? Probably not even the queen. But, wait, they just announced that they are going to give away free tickets with only 3 requirements:

You have to accept the gift of the ticket. You can’t ignore it, or throw it away, or sell it, or anything like that.
You have to come in through the front door only, the door that is opened by the host to let in his guests. No trying to sneak in the back.
While not a requirement, it is strongly suggested that you act grateful for this amazing gift.

That is how things are with God. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He paid the price for all of our tickets. And God wants everyone of us to accept that ticket and join the party. But he gets very frustrated when someone shows up with a fake ticket that they tried to make on their own. Or they try to sneak in some backdoor.

There is only one way into this party. It doesn’t matter who you are, who your parents were or how much you work to make your own ticket.

Division 1: Acts 9:31-10:48

In chapter 9 we have 2 amazing stories of healing and prayer. The power of the Holy Spirit is overflowing and as Peter travels outside of Jerusalem he is partaking in and witness the power of the Holy Spirit, not only in changed bodies, but in changed hearts and souls. The first is the story of Aeneas, so crippled that he had stayed in bed for 8 years. Then, with one blessing from God, he gets up and walks. Are you saying, we’ve seen that before – ok, how about Dead Dorcas? Her friends pray and talk about the gifts she has made and… back from the dead.

But in Acts 10, we get into the really interesting story of Peter and Cornelius. Peter was a Jew. Jesus came to the Jews. And when you are a Jew you live as a Jew. This isn’t a club, it is a way of life, every moment of every day. You mess up one thing, touch a dead animal by accident, brush against someone with a skin disease, and you can be living outside of the city for days or weeks.

I’m going to talk about the blanket and food restrictions. This meeting with Cornelius, in his house, eating and just how big of a deal that was. But the whole time God was working on Peter, from the inside out, to help him see God’s love for all.

Principle: God welcomes all who believe

Illustration: Picture the gates of heaven. In your mind, do you see a sign next to the door that says, Girls only, no boys allowed? Or boys only? Or only people with black hair allowed? Of course not. There is a big welcome mat saying all believers enter here.

Applications: Do you understand that God is bigger than skin tone, eye color, nationality or any other difference in humans?

Do you welcome into your church family people that don’t look, act or sound like you? Do you call them brother and sister?

What “rules” are you expecting people to jump through because that is how you did it when you were a new believer?

Division 2: Acts 11

The jewish born christians are troubled by this new understanding that Peter has received and they have no issue speaking up about it. Peter goes to Jerusalem, right to the heart of the discussion and lays out the facts. In one verse (18) they understand, “so, then, that’s how it is.” God said it, done deal. Meanwhile, Antioch becomes a hotbed of God’s spirit, Barnabas is dispatched, joined by Saul and the new church gets its legs.

Principle: God’s word unites believers

Illustration: Have you ever used the words, “Mom said” or “Dad says” or “the coach said to”? When you are in a family or on a team, it is important to know who is in charge and calling the plays. There is nothing wrong when you see someone heading a different direction to stop them and ask questions. But when the direction comes from God, it is best to get on board.

Application: When you have an issue, do you go to the source or chitchat rumor about it?

When you understand that a direction is spelled out in the bible, do you accept it or still want to argue?

Division 3: Acts 12

King Herod (Agrippa), seeks to build his political cachet by imprisoning some of the heathen christians. When that goes well, he murders James. Seeing how well that is received he imprison Peter, with plans to kill him as well.

(retell story of the Peter in jail, shackled, 2 guards, sound asleep, freed by H/S, Rhoda, the church praying)

Finally, King Herod get eaten by worms and dies – yuck!

Principle: God sets us free of earthly confines

Illustration: (I’m sticking with Peter and this story)

Application: If someone wanted to jail the christians, would they know you were one?

What are you losing sleep over?

Do you believe it when God answers your prayers?

What are you shackled to that God needs to set you free from? Past sins? Current guilt? Worry? Fear? Secrets?

Conclusion: In all that is happening, don’t miss the skill movement of the master’s hand in everything that is happening. I was reading an article on grand masters at chess. It pointed out that if you take any chess game, at any point in the game, and for less 2 seconds show the board to a master. They can go to another board and place every piece in place, where a non-chess player is doing good to get 3-4 pieces. God not only knows this board that we live on, He created it, and He is the Master of All.

Acts: Week 5, Day 6

Acts 9:31–12:25.

15. I am learning from these lessons that the more I give up to God the more I receive in power and peace. It has made me question why I tend to hold onto stuff until it is simply too much to bear and, then finally, I relent it to God. It sounds insane, but it is like I am trying to impress God with my ability to take care of stuff. I know… when I think about it, it doesn’t make sense to me either. The story this week of Peter, the night before his “trial” and probably execution is chained to two guards, on a prison floor, sleeping like a baby. It makes me think about all of the times I wake up in the middle of the night or can’t sleep. My prayer is to remind myself of these lessons. God wants a humble heart, a heart that He will fill up with the power of the spirit and give peace in the midst of whatever is happening.

Acts: Week 5, Day 5

Acts 12.

Summary:

The apostle James is martyred by King Herod for political favor with the Jews.

Peter is arrested and jailed, pending passover. The church prays. An angel appears and frees Peter from bondage and takes him out of the jail, past a number of guards.

Peter knocks on the door of the house where many are praying. Rhoda recognizes his voice and is too excited to open the door. Peter is let in, asks them to spread the word, then leaves.

Commotion ensues. Herod orders search for Peter and executes the guards.

Tyre and Sidon negotiate peace and bow to Herod. He presents himself as a god, not a man, but dies that day and learns he was wrong.

But the word of God continued to increase and spread. Barnabas and Saul are joing by Mark.

Questions:

13. I saw 3 different lessons:

James died. As we read these biblical stories it is important to remember that this is real. In the movies main characters such as one of the sons of Thunder, who had been with Jesus at so many critical moments, aren’t murdered for political favor. No matter what some modern day prosperity preachers may lead people to believe, the bible does not promise believers an easy time, free of persecution and pain – at least not in this life! But it does say we will be filled with Joy.
Peter slept. The night before his trial and probable execution. Shortly after the murder of one of his closest friends. Shackled to not one but two guards, in prison behind 2 more sets of guards and an iron gate. Peter was sound asleep. Is there any better verse to show the the peace and joy these believers felt even in the midst of persectuation?
There is only one God. Everyone else who thought themselves a god or was thought of by others as a god is dead or will die. Only God is eternal.

Even through the valleys of life, the word of God continues to increase and spread.

14.

God gives great gifts. When we think about it, what do we really want? An easy time or amazing peace and joy in even the worst of situations? This level of peace and joy is only found in the gift of the spirit.
God is sovereign. God is the king of kings but a king is never a god.

Conclusion:

I love the lessons in this chapter. The tales of hardship and sadness combined with peace and joy. The thought of Peter sound asleep, needing a whack on the side to wake up. But through it all 2 verses really touch my heart.

The first is 12:5 “but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Notice it isn’t a few ladies at the church or some people showed up for a prayer vigil. It is “the church”. What an amazing song that must make to God to have the entire body of believers on the earth united in earnest prayer.

The second is the story of Rhoda in versus 13-16. It may stem from too many Mary Tyler Moore episodes in my youth (Rhoda Morgenstern), but I picture all of the people in the room with heavy Bronx accents (Like Mike Meyers on an SNL “coffee talk” skit). Quiet Rhoda is all of a sudden bounding around the room jumping like a cheerleader while the people in the room kvetch, “the girl has lost her marbles. she’s crazy.” And then the look on their faces when they open the door. But the really funny and touching part to me is that, this is exactly what they were there praying for. I catch myself doing that. I pray earnestly to God. He grants my prayer, and I am so shocked and amazed that God did it that I am, literally, in disbelief.

Final:

On a macabre note, you may have noticed Acts 12:23, “he was eaten by worms and died.” At first I thought this meant he died and then decomposed, but upon further investigation I learned, it is what it says. One of the way historians know who this King Herod was (Agrippa), since there are a number with the same name, is by note of his death. It is suspected that he had Fournier’s Gangrene consisting of necrosis of the perineum and genitalia. In comparison, death by the sword doesn’t sound so bad at all!

Acts: Week 5, Day 3

Acts 10:1–11:18.

In Caesarea there was a Roman centurion named Cornelius who loved God and worked to honor Him through generosity and prayer. An angel appears and tells him to send for Peter in Joppa.

Meanwhile, Peter on a rooftop in Joppa has a vision of a sheet being lowered and various animals presented to him to eat, including those who were “unclean” by the law of moses. While pondering this vision, the 3 messengers from Cornelius arrive.

Peter and his entourage go to Caesarea and enter and dine with Cornelius, a fact that would have also been in violation of the law since Cornelius did not follow Jewish dietary law in the prep of food or even in the decoration of his home (prayer at the doorpost, etc.)

Peter receives the revelation of his vision – all belong to God: “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Peter witnesses about Christ and, without any altar call at all, the entire household present receives the Holy Spirit with proof in the speaking of tongues. Peter calls for them to be baptized.

Peter catches flack from Jews for extending the gift of the Holy Spirit to non-Jews.

5. a. v2: “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly”

b. I believe others, particularly friends and family, see me as a man devoted to God.

6. (Challenge) Acts 10:9–18; Leviticus 17:10–14; Leviticus 11 Leviticus 20:25.

a. Unclean

b. Act 10:15 – God made it clean. The price of sin was paid by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Mat 5:17: the law has been fulfilled

Rom 14:14-17: kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

7. a. 12: Get up, kill and eat; v15 do not call anything impure that God has made clean; v19 go with the men without hesitation

b. v21, the men were there; v22, A holy angel told him to have you come to his house

c. 33: we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us., 34: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. 44: while still speaking the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message

8. Unquestioning obedience and humility to God’s direction. He said go, they went. The act of Cornelius, a centurion, bowing at Peter’s feet who was an outlaw, simply because God had directed him to this man, therefore this must be a man of honor in God’s kingdom.

9. (Challenge) no, it says who fear him and do what is right.

The fear of the Lord is a gift of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
Even the spies of the sanhedrin recognized that Jesus “taught what is right” Luke 20:21
Jesus is the only way (John 14:6)

10. To follow jewish law was akin to running a marathon. Each step counted and you were in it for the distance. And now, with the death and resurrection of Jesus and the advent of the Holy Spirit, there is a big banquet the runners are enjoying. But how unfair it seems to them that these gentiles (non-runners) are showing up at the banquet. They aren’t saying they can’t participate, they just want them to go run the race first.

Conclusion: God’s patience and self constraint amazes me. Sometimes he is very clear and exact with us and sometimes he presents us with a message in such a way that we have to take it in and steep in it for a while to really internalize the message.

Last week we had God revealing specific instructions to Ananias, go to this house on Straight street, meet with this guy. He couldn’t have been more clear if he had just plugged it into his calendar. And even this week to Peter: go downstairs, there are 3 men looking for you, go with them, don’t hesitate.

I was doing some work with furniture this week and this story reminds me of it. Think of it this way. The specific directions God gives us are a lot like furniture cleaners. You spray it on, you wipe it off – clean. God says it, you do it – clean. The less specific information God gives us is more like paint stripper. You spray it on, wait for it to soak down in and get under the surface so that it works on cleaning from the inside out.

This is a major shift in reality for these jewish Christians: that they would now be dining with gentiles, associating with them as family, foregoing dietary law to spread the good news. Peter is not a young man and he notes that he has never eaten something unclean. This is a really big change. Now, God could have told him and Peter probably would have followed. But, God was so much wiser and more patient. He revealed his message to Peter in such a way that it could soak down in and then work on changing Peter’s views and perceptions from the inside, rather than just on the surface.

Acts: Week 5, Day 1

2. There are some weeks I read the notes and something immediately pops out at me that challenges the way I had thought. There is a new perspective or thought or information that I didn’t know before. Other weeks, it is more like a marinate. There isn’t one thing, but a slow working away at me that, I believe, is the message. This is a marinating week.

In several places in the notes this week it discusses change. The notes talked about closing and opening doors, disruption, displacement, removal from one place, new endeavors. I don’t consider myself to be particularly change adverse. I have a history of championing changes and improvements in work and the community. But, spending some time thinking and praying about the message in the notes revealed how this isn’t particularly true in my view of church. I’m one of those who grew up in the faith, so my memory of church is a source of comfort and stability. No matter what goes on, how much changes and how confusing things get, I want that comfort that I could walk back into my old church in my old neighborhood and it would be exactly like it was.

But that isn’t the case, nor is it the message that God gives us in these passages. Church is not supposed to be a place that serves as an old security blanket or teddy bear, that we can go back to regress to a happy time when life gets hard. I don’t see much mention of God talking about church as a place at all. In fact, as we read this past week, God purposefully causes the body of the church to be on the move and drastically changing. He allowed the death of Stephen and the persecution at the hands of Saul to send people out of their comfortable spot into uncomfortable places and fearful situations. Then he grabs the most zealous persecutor and brings him in, much to the disbelief even of the 12 apostles 3 years later.

Does God want us to be in turmoil where everything is changing and we can’t even count on the church (or BSF) to stay the same – leaving us feeling like we don’t have any stable place to stand and no safe place to go back to? Not exactly. Here is what I’m learning as I reread the notes and pondered the message:

God desires perfection. I am not perfect. You are not perfect. My old house or neighborhood or school is not perfect. My kids are not perfect. The church is not perfect. The earth is not perfect. Therefore all of those things must change. For God to leave these things, which he loves, as they are or were, would be for Him to leave them broken. That isn’t love, that is selfishness, and while I may crave that, it is not God’s character. With that in mind, of course they are going to change.
God gives us a rock to stand on: Himself and His Word. God is unchanging. The scripture is complete. All other ground is shifting sand, but this is the rock that cannot be shaken.

I pray that God continues to teach me to rely only on Him and His Word and to not look for stability to come from other sources. I also pray that He is gentle with me in that process. I know it says He won’t give us more than we can bear, but some days I like the idea of not bearing too much. I also pray that when I walk into a situation where things feel odd and different and uncomfortable because they aren’t the way I want them or remember them that he would send me a Barnabas. Sometimes we all need that person to wrap their arm around our shoulder and help us see God in all the uncomfortable change that is occurring around us. To remind us that God is in control and has a plan and, as scary as it may be, we need to trust His plan and be in fellowship of it, even if we don’t yet have a clue what it is.

Bible Lesson 5: Acts 8-9:30

Aim: The good news spreads through witnessing and obedience despite persecution

Last week we left Acts with the death of Stephen and the joy he experienced, even while being murdered, in seeing heaven opened up and Jesus at God’s right hand.

I want to start this week with a different picture. Imagine you are sitting on a beach with some of your friends. The waves are lapping by your toes. The sun is shining but not too hot with a nice umbrella to shade you. After sitting for a while you go to get up and find that you have sunk down into the sand. There are only two forces that might help you – either a pull or a push. In our lesson this week we get to see examples of both. Saul’s persecution pushes the believers to move on to Judea and Samaria. Philip pulls Samarians into a true faith. Peter pushes Simon the Sorcerer to confront his sin. Jesus pushes Saul, then sends Ananias to extend a hand to lift him up, with a gentle push to Ananias thrown in first.

Division 1: Acts 8:1-40: Saul’s persecution spreads witnesses to “all of Judea and Samaria”

Principle: God fills a humble heart

Illustration: Discuss the differences in Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethopian Eunuch. The power that each had, the authority and influence and then how they each approached the teaching of Philip. Focus on accepting the gift with a humble heart.

Principle: Is pride and self reliance keeping you from fully experiencing God’s gift? (SS tried to buy it)
What in your life is “smoke and mirrors” that you don’t want to reveal to others? (SS’s whole profession was a sham)
Do you “go the distance” for your faith and take time along the journey to stop and study and learn? (EE traveled 1500 miles – reading Isaiah)
Are you putting off devoting yourself to God because you might appear a bit dirty in the process? (EE didn’t have an issue jumping into water along the side of the road)

Division 2: Acts 9:1-9: Saul “sees the light” on Damascus Road

Principle: God calls us to do His work

Illustration: Read things clearly. Saul was not an evil person. He was someone who was zealous about trying to do right in God’s eyes. If he believed or was taught that it was pleasing to God to go a mile, he wanted to go two. But Saul had been blinded to the truth about God by the very teachers that he thought were teaching him about God. Jesus had called these teachers a bunch of snakes who speak only evil. That doesn’t make what Saul was doing, right, but it does help us understand what is going on. Jesus asks Saul a question. Did Jesus not know the answer? Of course He did. He is God. He knows everything. One thing you will find in scripture is that when God asks us a question it is for us to stop and think, rather than to give Him an answer. Saul had been blinded by his teachers and his understanding. Jesus showed him just how blind he was so that Saul could re-open his heart to the true teaching of the spirit.

Application: Do you test all teaching against the word of the Lord or, if someone is an authority, do you just accept what they say?
What truth about Jesus might you be blind to?

Division 3: Acts 9:10-30: Ananias and Barnabas help Saul’s ministry by listening to God over their own fears

Principle: Fear may say stop, but God says go. Wise men go.

Illustration: I’m sticking with the story of Ananias and the fear he had and set aside to follow God. God sent him to see Saul. Picture this. There is men and his associates who, with the authority of the police and courts, are dragging people out of their houses, beating them, even killing them. Your name is on their list. God comes to you and says I want you to go to this guy, he is expecting you. What would you say? (I’ll talk a little bit more and read what Ananias said). Then look at Barnabas. You rarely see someone with more faith in God’s power than the Apostles, but here is this guy, when everyone else can’t see how Saul could possibly have changed, who believes that God can do any miracle, even this one.

Application: What is fear stopping you from doing that God is calling you to?
How many times does God need to tell you to Go?
How big do you believe God is and what he is capable of?

Closing: I want to bring some focus on “the supporting cast” in these stories this week. We spend so much time on the key players, such as Saul, that sometimes we completely miss the others. Did you notice the people that were with Saul on the Damascas road? They were part of this same “persecution party.” God didn’t call them by name, but did you notice what they did. They supported a missionary. They helped lead a blind brother. They stayed with him even when he wouldn’t eat for 3 days. Do you think Saul lowered himself in a basket down the side of the city walls at night?

While the bible is full of the names we know. The only way that they survive is by the quiet support of other believers (some of those others only coming to belief at the very same time). I think we need to model more of our lives on these quiet supporters. They don’t require a direct message from God, but when they see a brother with a need, they are filled with the spirit to help. God bless the quiet supporters of the faith.

Acts: Week 4, Day 6

Acts 8:1–9: 30.

15. To demonstrate humble faith to God like the Ethiopian Eunuch. To immediately answer when God calls me despite my worries and fears like Ananias. To not become paralyzed lamenting my sins but instead be called into a changed life like Saul.

Acts: Week 4, Day 5

Acts 9:19b–30 with Galatians 1:11–24.

Saul is converted and begins his unorthodox path – not consulting with the Apostles or established church, he instead goes to Arabia and Damascus, before spending a 2 week “visit’ to Jerusalem.

13. (Challenge) a. Galatians 1:17–20. Arabia for 3 years then back to Damascus

b. Another interesting question. So here is the argument of that day against christianity – “it is just “group-think”. ” You have a core of really influential people, Peter and the Apostles, who get on a roll and everyone falls in line with their teaching. But, out of left field, now we have Paul. He is clearly not sitting at the feet of “the Way” learning from them. Instead, he was a man, deeply steeped in the jewish law, who realized he was blind but now sees. His revelation is from Jesus, not man.

14.Lasted 15 days, visited Peter, saw no other apostles, only James, the brother of Jesus. The christians feared him, but Barnabas spoke up for him and his teaching. He was received and commissioned back into his home land.

Conclusion: A few points on Saul and Arabia. The unanswered question of Question 13a is what did Saul do in Arabia for up to 3 years. And the answer is, we don’t know. Some think he went to spend time alone with God. Some think he followed a path like Moses and Isaiah. Some think he studied under locals in the area much like Moses did under his father-in-law. This last point is contradicted by Paul’s accounts that he received the truth of the gospel from direct revelation and not from man.

But here is what I think is really neat about this period of time: I don’t think Paul knew, either. Stay with me for a minute on this, it is really important. In Acts 9, Acts 22, Acts 26 and Galations 1 we see that Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit and God is directly telling him what to do and where to go and Paul is being fully obedient. So why did Paul go to Arabia. If you believe what is written, it is clearly because God wanted him to go there. Why? We don’t know and I’m not sure Paul ever knew (at least not while on this earth). I think if he knew, if there was some revelation that occurred, he would have told about it – but he didn’t.

But isn’t this how it sometimes is in our lives? We pray, we listen, we obey and we end up in a place asking, “what am I doing here, God?” and we simply don’t get an answer or at least not right away. Maybe it is for us to spend some quiet time. Maybe it is because other things need to line up. Maybe it is because we need to be there because of or for someone else. Maybe it is simply to teach us to trust in God and be patient for His timing. I don’t know. We don’t know.

But, the important thing is that God knows and He is in control, even when we don’t have a clue why we are where we are or what He is preparing for us to do. So what do we do when it happens. Here is what I’m learning:

It isn’t just me – this same thing happens to people like the Apostle Paul
God has a plan – I don’t need to come up with a “better plan” and try to pray Him into following it
I do, however, need to keep praying and keep myself filled with the holy spirit so I don’t miss whatever my next calling is (miss, probably isn’t the right word, God will get me there, regardless, but maybe if I’m paying close enough attention He can do it without resorting to the 2×4 whack it often takes)
I need to find ways to make the most of the time I am spending waiting. Joseph worked doing odds and ends jobs. Moses learned a trade (tending sheep). The Apostles did a bible study on Psalms and prayed and organized. But in all cases, they stayed close to God and found people filled with the spirit and with wisdom to have fellowship with while waiting.
Trusting in God’s timing and being patient are some of the hardest things to do in our spiritual walk

Acts: Week 4, Day 4

Read Acts 9:1–19a; 22:1–16; 26:9–19.

Intro: Saul/Paul is “blinded by the light” and get’s revved up better than and 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe ever could – (OK, I can’t be the only one singing that song as I read these verses). The good Ananias is called on to open Saul’s eyes which he does with a giant step of faith.

9.a. around me, seen by companions; brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions

b. not understood by companions; spoke in aramaic

c. of Nazareth, told all that you have been assigned; hard for you to kick against the goads, appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness, rescue you from your people and sending to Gentiles to turn them from darkness.

d. Not disobedient, went and preached

10. a. (Challenge) Rom 2:17-29: This is Paul preaching to the Jews about being blind (sounds like he is preaching to his old self) Prov 13:9 The light of righteousness shines brightly, the lamp of wickedness is snuffed out; Psalm 119:105 Word is lamp to my feet and light to path; Acts 13:47-49 Paul and Barnabas explain that they have been called to be a “light for the gentiles” – To have fellowship with those in darkness and bring them to the light, you sometimes have to realize that you were also blind at one point.

b.Time – since doing this study on a daily basis, something that I was never good at before, the time I spend studying the word is so precious to me that I am jealous and protective of it.

11. This is a hard question, persecute is such a strong word. But, to be honest, I had not spoken or thought highly of those in “the Way” as Paul put it, who came across as “holy than thou”. I would have thought of a group of people praying at a restaurant as “being showy” rather than being true to their faith. I thought of people with WWJD symbols and fish on their cars as being self promoting instead of humble servants. But this study has opened my eyes to be BOLD in my faith and praise and honor those doing the same.

12. I love this guy! It is probably a generational thing that some of you reading wont’ get this next line, but I can’t read this story and not hear the words, “what you talkin’ about, Willis?” ringing loud and clear from Ananias. Here is man of deep faith. When God calls, he immediately answers. In the beginning it reminds you so much of all the old testament patriarchs who answered: Here I am (Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Esau, Jacob, Eli and Isaiah), but, after hearing God’s command it turns into a comedy routine. Can’t you just hear the voice of Bill Cosby… ” ummmm, God? you, like, know about this Saul guy, right? You know he’s been sent here to find people like me and stone us? I even heard that he took the extra step to get papers, making it official. So, you want me to do what again? Maybe you got the wrong number…. Maybe you were trying to call another Ananias – it is a pretty common name this year. And, by the way, I heard about the other Ananias… you don’t have something against people with this name, right?” To which God, in God’s gentle way replies, “Go.” Ya know, when you get a one word sentence from the almighty, it should probably light a fire under you! And, in this case it does. He not only goes, but he calls Saul a brother and lays hands on him, restores his sight through the H/S and baptizes him. At which point, Saul changes uniforms and starts playing for the other team. And, while the scriptures do not specifically say it, I have a feeling that Ananias was rejoicing way more than the Ethiopian Eunuch ever did!

Main observation:

In all this talk about blinding light and 3 days of darkness and the conversion of Saul – do not miss the faith of Ananias. In his, and every other christian of the days, “humble opinion”, God was calling him, in a vision, into a suicide mission. And what does he do? He goes. No grumbling. No negotiating. No whining. I am truly humbled by the faith of this man. Let’s be clear – Simon=face of a angel – Saul helped stone to death. Ananias – no angel that anyone professes… and God is calling him to go stand in the presence of Saul and tell him about the power of the Holy Spirit. You can’t read this story and not put yourself in the shoes of this man. How would you have responded? What would you have done? Oh, to have the faith that he demonstrated. God willing!!!!