May 27, 2015
It would be great if the Lord’s way was the easy way. But, you likely know from experience that just the opposite is true. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14.22)
"a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.' “ (Acts 21:10-14)
In the face of certain danger, nothing would be easier than to turn tail and run. And, perhaps that was the point of the dramatic declaration through a man named Agabus: for Paul to run away, not into, harm’s way. Regardless, Paul was resolutely committed to both imprisonment and even death for the cause of Christ his lord.
What does it cost me to serve Christ? I’ve lately contemplated creature comforts, and realize I - as well as most of us - are perilously immersed in them. Our lives are lived in stark contrast to Paul’s. Who of us can truly relate to being “beaten with rods … shipwrecked … in dangers from rivers … robbers … countrymen … in the city … in the wilderness … on the sea … among false brethren; in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (1 Corinthians 11.25-27)?
Images of orange-cloaked Christian martyrs, at the hands of radical Muslim adherents, cause us to consider the dangers in the world for the followers of Christ. These modern-day persecutors have set their sights on all who name the name of Jesus the Christ, and may well be seeking to bring their venomous hatred to our homeland. Is imprisonment and even death too high a price for us to pay in our devotion to Christ and the kingdom?
Hebrews 12.2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." The joy of our hope is the motivation to endure the hardships that inevitably are a part of our Christian walk. There would be no point to the pain if there were nothing to gain. Kingdom hope and power, as well as deep love for the Christ who gave His life that we might enter, are the incentive.
May the threats and challenges before us today be vastly overshadowed by joy, hope, and love for Christ, our heavenly Father, and one another.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
"a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.' “ (Acts 21:10-14)
In the face of certain danger, nothing would be easier than to turn tail and run. And, perhaps that was the point of the dramatic declaration through a man named Agabus: for Paul to run away, not into, harm’s way. Regardless, Paul was resolutely committed to both imprisonment and even death for the cause of Christ his lord.
What does it cost me to serve Christ? I’ve lately contemplated creature comforts, and realize I - as well as most of us - are perilously immersed in them. Our lives are lived in stark contrast to Paul’s. Who of us can truly relate to being “beaten with rods … shipwrecked … in dangers from rivers … robbers … countrymen … in the city … in the wilderness … on the sea … among false brethren; in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (1 Corinthians 11.25-27)?
Images of orange-cloaked Christian martyrs, at the hands of radical Muslim adherents, cause us to consider the dangers in the world for the followers of Christ. These modern-day persecutors have set their sights on all who name the name of Jesus the Christ, and may well be seeking to bring their venomous hatred to our homeland. Is imprisonment and even death too high a price for us to pay in our devotion to Christ and the kingdom?
Hebrews 12.2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." The joy of our hope is the motivation to endure the hardships that inevitably are a part of our Christian walk. There would be no point to the pain if there were nothing to gain. Kingdom hope and power, as well as deep love for the Christ who gave His life that we might enter, are the incentive.
May the threats and challenges before us today be vastly overshadowed by joy, hope, and love for Christ, our heavenly Father, and one another.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:08 AM
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