One Way

In my quiet time this morning, I read Acts 17. Paul, Silas, and Timothy are in Thessalonica, where Paul preaches over the course of three days. A large number of Greeks and some Jews are persuaded, but many of the Jews become jealous, and stir up trouble. Some of the brothers then send them away to Berea where the people are more noble than the Thessalonians (vs.11). However, the Thessalonians hear about it, and come to Berea to stir things up! Paul is then sent to Athens until things calm down a bit. Although it seems like it would be a great trial, having been run out of two cities, and having an angry mob threaten your death, as always, God works things for good. Paul is able to preach the Gospel to an elite group of philosophers in the Areopagus! Although some scorn and sneer, a number are saved. One of my favorite verses from Paul's sermon in the Areopagus is after he tells of God's sovereignty over the creation of man: "God did this so that men would seek him and...

And no, this blog post has nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. Can you tell I'm running out of ideas for interesting titles? But in truth, when we delve into Scripture, we should have at least part of our mind in detective mode, wot, wot? Getting on with it...this morning I read Acts 15 and 16. Acts 15 talks about the issue when Jews came to Antioch saying that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses if they wanted to be saved. When news of this reaches the Apostles in Jerusalem, Peter gives a very wise speech, the end of which is as follows: "Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (Acts 15:10-11) Peter understood that it's by God's grace, and not ultimately by works, that we are saved. But I fear some Christians may take this...

Sorry I haven't written in a while! It's been a crazy, juggling kind of month. Why do April, May, and June always seem to be like this? Well today, I read Acts 13 and 14. Here are some verses that caught my eye: (Paul speaking) "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39) This would've been a pretty startling statement to all present. What the law could not do (justify a person, or declare him righteous) Jesus Christ can do! "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed." (Acts 13:48) This is after the sermon was finished, and some of the Jews were being boisterous. Paul basically says to the Jews, that since you continue to reject, we're now turning to the Gen...

Today I read Acts chapters 1-3, which includes Jesus' ascension and promise of return, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and Peter healing the lame man. And I just kept thinking while reading all this...can it still happen today? The Apostles speaking in different languages, a Spirit empowered sermon by Peter...this stuff just doesn't happen anymore, right? Well, why not!? Maybe it's simply a matter of our faith. Do we have less than they did back then? If so, we shouldn't use this as an excuse, but simply pray like they did--"Lord, increase our faith!" God sent His only son to die for us, why would he then refuse us if we ask for faith?? ~~~ "My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." ~Psalm 73:26 In Christ, Ellie

This morning I continued my study on training in godliness in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 which reads: "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." So according to this verse: Why do we train? To receive a crown that will last forever, and that we will not be disqualified for the prize. How do we train? Strictly, as for a competition. With purpose. Having total self-control over our bodies. This verse also brought up the idea that we can loose the prize --not our salvation, but our reward in heaven: "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the...

A while ago I began a study on 1 Timothy 4:7-8, verses that talk about training in godliness: "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." I wondered, "How can you train yourself to be godly?" I've really enjoyed studying cross references and words in the Greek to really understand these verses and their application points. So today, I looked at two of my cross reference verses in Hebrews. Hebrews 5:11-14 ~ "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousnes...

Learning to forgive others can be hard, but for me at least, it can be just as hard asking forgiveness for something I've done wrong. In my earlier blog post (http://elliejoi.blogspot.com/2012/04/relationship-vs-fellowship.html) , I talked about the difference between our Relationship and Fellowship with God. We need to confess our sins to the Lord to restore fellowship, but sometimes (in fact a lot), part of that repentance is confessing and asking forgiveness from other people--especially if you've done something to wrong them and they don't even know it! And man, I was feeling it this morning. My own words were coming back to haunt me as the Lord convicted me of a couple sins that I hadn't confessed to the people I'd wronged. It was one of those kick-yourself-in-the-pants moments. :) I felt stupid, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that asking forgiveness isn't just the right thing to do, it's also part of growing in humility. The part ...

Today I read 2 Corinthians 11-13. Kind of random, I know, but actually, I was trying to go back to an earlier study, a cross reference led me to chapter 11, and I just couldn't stop reading! I love Paul's sarcasm X-) One verse that really struck me was chapter 11 verses 13-14: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." Not only does Satan masquerade, but his servants as well--and this verse is not talking about those in the world, but those in the church! We have to be so careful when hearing/listening/reading/watching what Christian teachers are saying, and check it first with Scripture, and not just accept it offhand if we "feel" it's right. Later in chapter 11, Paul is "boasting" about all his persec...

I'm really loving this new believer follow-up material that I'm prepping to use. It's given me insight on stuff that I'd kind of known growing up in a Christian home, but hadn't really digested. The name of the lesson I'd like to share with you is titled "Experiencing God's Love": Your relationship with God is here to stay because, through Jesus, you are forgiven and accepted by God. Along with this relationship, God also longs for you to walk closely with Him, and talk to Him throughout each day. This is called fellowship. When we sin, our relationship (being God’s children) does not change, but our fellowship is interrupted. Here’s an example: Your relationship with your earthly Dad will never change. No matter what you do, you will always be his child. But let’s just say you rebelled against your father and left home angry even though he tried to work things out with you. You would still be your Dad’s child, right? But can you see how you ...

Today I read the first two chapters of Song of Solomon and chapter six of Ezekiel. Haha, toooootally opposite of each other! In SOS, the Shulammite woman and Solomon proclaim their love for each other in the most adamant language, while in Ezekiel, God describes the horrible things that he is going to inflict upon the rebellious Israelites. Chapter six ends with the statement-- "Then they will know that I am the Lord." It really does work like this, doesn't it? Like when Katrina hit, or other natural disasters, people seem to always recognize (though blame) God. I believe as Christians we should watch out for the same things in our lives. Are we only recognizing God when he brings troubles and tribulations into our lives? Yes, they may be a means to draw us back to Him (imagine that troubles are sheep dogs rounding up the sheep), but why were we straying so far in the first place? As rich Americans (rich compared to most of the world), even the poorest of us have everythi...