fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 14, 2019 11:06:28 GMT -5
Acts 14:1-7
v.1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.
v.2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
v.3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
v. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
v. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.
v. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,
v.7 where they continued to preach the gospel.
So Paul and Barnabas traveled about 80 miles to Iconium. It was a notorious for its seemingly' impenetrable paganism (with idols etc).
Tho they left the Jews in Antioch, they go to the synagogue in Iconium .
They did, after all, reap spiritual fruit in Antioch.
There were both Jews and Gentiles at this synagogue just like at Antioch.
However, the non-believing Jews stirred up the Gentiles.
They spoke with supernatural boldness, which we all need.
God confirmed their message by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
We can depend on the gospel stirring up opposition and eventual persecution . The gospel always divides people and so it did in this case also.
And soon it turned ugly, and violent,
One commentator put it this way: "Preach the Word and duck!"
Often missionaries are sheep in the midst of wolves.
In any case, this mob violence , had the effect of moving these two missionaries onto the next cities God wanted them to go to.
When they persecute you in one city, flee to the next....
where they continued to preach the gospel ( don't give up, just because you have to move might be the application.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 15, 2019 11:35:09 GMT -5
Acts 13:44-52
v.44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
v.45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
v.46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
v. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
v.48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
v.49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
v. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
v.51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.
v.52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
It seems like the good news has spread throughout the city, so many came the next Sabbath. They came to hear the Word of the Lord ( not Paul).
Nevertheless, When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy.
It was necessary the gospel go to the Jews first as Jesus had said.
But these Jews argued and heaped abuse on Paul and Barnabas,
So they (P and B) will now offer it to the Gentiles.
I guess there is a lesson for us, to not waste precious time, on those whose hearts are completely hardened, (which can be a temptation).
Because, in fact, the Jews were supposed to have been a light to the Gentiles in the first place, as God had told them, and so now Paul and Barnabas will do so. ( God's people were a bit slow in carrying out God's command's).
I read a comment by a new Pastor I don't really know, but I liked this quote:
"Election makes me a little bit wiser as a worker. It is the wise servant who prays, “Lord guide me to those You have already elected. Guide me to the place where You have already put it in someone’s heart to turn to You.”
The Gentiles were thrilled that God was willing to save them, and The word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.
So the Jews incited persecution by devout women of prominence so they were expelled.
Paul and Barnabas responded just like Jesus instructed the disciples and shook the dust off their feet.
Another lesson ( especially for those like me) is they did not give up or go home ( saying: well I tried Lord, and you saw the result, so I am done!)
No, instead, they just moved on to the next city ( kind of like how they moved from one group....the Jews....to the next, the Gentiles).
The disciples were filled with joy continually. So instead of bringing defeat, the persecution brought joy.
““When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”” (Matthew 12:43–45) Here, He's mainly speaking about Israel. They'd stopped their idolatry after being conquered by Babylon, but that wasn't enough. They needed to receive Jesus as their Savior and be filled with Spiritual life. But they rejected Him and their end was worse then when they'd been taken captive by Babylon, now there'd be complete destruction, which happened in 70ad. Now they're like the dry bones that Ezekiel 37 describes. They've been gathered together in Israel, though more will come, but there is still no breath in them. (so spirit). They're basically a secular nation. The breath won't happen until they accept Jesus as their Savior at the end of the Tribulation.
Acts 14:1-7
v.1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.
v.2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
v.3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
v. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
v. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.
v. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,
v.7 where they continued to preach the gospel.
So Paul and Barnabas traveled about 80 miles to Iconium. It was a notorious for its seemingly' impenetrable paganism (with idols etc).
Tho they left the Jews in Antioch, they go to the synagogue in Iconium .
They did, after all, reap spiritual fruit in Antioch.
There were both Jews and Gentiles at this synagogue just like at Antioch.
However, the non-believing Jews stirred up the Gentiles.
They spoke with supernatural boldness, which we all need.
God confirmed their message by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
We can depend on the gospel stirring up opposition and eventual persecution . The gospel always divides people and so it did in this case also.
And soon it turned ugly, and violent,
One commentator put it this way: "Preach the Word and duck!"
Often missionaries are sheep in the midst of wolves.
In any case, this mob violence , had the effect of moving these two missionaries onto the next cities God wanted them to go to.
When they persecute you in one city, flee to the next....
where they continued to preach the gospel ( don't give up, just because you have to move might be the application.)
But look at that scripture again...there's actually quite a lot in it! “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) We talked about the "self discipline" already, but there's two other things the Lord gives us that are mentioned here. First is a spirit of power and that's obviously important! What power is it? It's the Lord's power; the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. You just can't get more powerful than that! Sadly though most of us trust in ourselves when we go to tell others about Him, so we don't have that Spirit of power. If we'd just trust Him, then we'd speak like Paul did. He describes it here: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5) He explains: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20) Again he says: “because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
The next one is a Spirit of love and again we're speaking of God's love which He poured into our hearts at our salvation. He gave us His love so we could love Him and so we could love others the way He does. He knows that we can't possibly witness to others about Him until we really love them like He does. We see His love in Paul constantly, especially in his writings. Even when he's coming down hard on someone for sinning, you can still see his love for them. He even says that it makes his heart break and that when one of them are sad, so is he, and so on. Our love for God and for others grows as we spend with Him in His Word, and apply it to our life. It's a fruit of the Spirit and is the first one listed. Plus, the more our love grows the more our joy grows, and our peace grows! Sounds like a great deal to me!
The other thing Paul is saying in this scripture is that the fear or timidity we experience when we consider telling others about Him, doesn't come from God, it's from Satan and our sin nature. When we refuse to listen to that fear, and step out in obedience, then God's power and love will take over, for those are from Him! We actually already have the spirit of power and of love and of self discipline, but we have to use them to make them grow stronger. The more we use them the stronger they'll grow and the weaker the fear or timidity will get. (by the way, this is what I tell myself regularly too!) Anyway, I repeat this verse to myself whenever considering speaking to someone about the Lord, and it gives me courage.
You know I've memorized a bunch of scriptures. I'm up to about 90 something now I believe. I have each on a separate index card. (well not each verse, as sometimes I memorize 4 or 5 verses together, but each set is on a different card. ) I numbered them 1-11 over and over again and each night when I go to bed, I repeat 11. I hide the actual verse with a blank card so all I can see is the book, chapter and verse(s), which is at the top of each card. That way, in one weeks time I can go through all the ones I've memorized. (I used to do 10 a night, and soon I'll have to change it to 12 a night as I'll be memorizing more). I also reflect on the verses when I'm not too tired, and it's really helped me a great deal. The verses I chose to memorize always seem to be the ones I need to hear. God is just so amazing!
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 15, 2019 12:23:42 GMT -5
Acts 14:8-15
In Lystra
v.8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked.
v.9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed
v.10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
v.11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”
v.12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.
v. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
v.15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you.
Paul preached the gospel before he performed the miracle,
A physically lame man seemed symbolic of the spiritually lame, both were sad and weak states to be in.
But when we are saved we can do all things through Jesus, the man was able to physically walk and we can walk in faith.
The lame man listened to Paul, reminds me of how attentive I need to be to God's word. Also, that tho there may be many scoffers, there will also be listeners.
The faith was that God could heal, not that because of the man's faith, god was like a slave and HAD to heal the man....I think so many people caught up in faith healing cults, think that only if they have enough faith, can they demand God to heal them. The power is not our faith to be saved ( or even healed) but in God and His mercy, and power, but also knowing, he may choose NOT to heal us ( and it will be for our benefit....either way).
In this instance God choose to do a miracle and completely heal the man physically.
But actually when people are 'born again', it is an infinitely more miraculous event!!!
However, this miracle caused a big problem....
the witnesses of it,
thought Paul and Barnabas were gods come down to them.
It is always a big problem when a group of people,
make someone an 'idol', a little 'god' in their sight.
Satan always counterfeits the truth!
The truth is GOD (Jesus) came down to men, in human form!!!
But satan has these heathens believing in myths of
Zeus and Hermes.
However, it is also a dangerous trap the devil hopes to ensnare Paul and Barnabas with.
Imagine, men of a weaker character, given this 'opportunity' to be considered 'gods'....think of the power and wealth they might gain!
I think many pastors may have to fight this battle ( albeit perhaps a little less intense, but as dangerous none the less).
Well, Paul and Barnabas did not desire that kind of glory for themselves 9 and steal it from God).
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 16, 2019 11:21:21 GMT -5
Acts 14:8-15
In Lystra
v.8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked.
v.9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed
v.10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
v.11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”
v.12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.
v. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
v.15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you.
Paul preached the gospel before he performed the miracle,
A physically lame man seemed symbolic of the spiritually lame, both were sad and weak states to be in.
But when we are saved we can do all things through Jesus, the man was able to physically walk and we can walk in faith.
The lame man listened to Paul, reminds me of how attentive I need to be to God's word. Also, that tho there may be many scoffers, there will also be listeners.
The faith was that God could heal, not that because of the man's faith, god was like a slave and HAD to heal the man....I think so many people caught up in faith healing cults, think that only if they have enough faith, can they demand God to heal them. The power is not our faith to be saved ( or even healed) but in God and His mercy, and power, but also knowing, he may choose NOT to heal us ( and it will be for our benefit....either way).
In this instance God choose to do a miracle and completely heal the man physically.
But actually when people are 'born again', it is an infinitely more miraculous event!!!
However, this miracle caused a big problem....
the witnesses of it,
thought Paul and Barnabas were gods come down to them.
It is always a big problem when a group of people,
make someone an 'idol', a little 'god' in their sight.
Satan always counterfeits the truth!
The truth is GOD (Jesus) came down to men, in human form!!!
But satan has these heathens believing in myths of
Zeus and Hermes.
However, it is also a dangerous trap the devil hopes to ensnare Paul and Barnabas with.
Imagine, men of a weaker character, given this 'opportunity' to be considered 'gods'....think of the power and wealth they might gain!
I think many pastors may have to fight this battle ( albeit perhaps a little less intense, but as dangerous none the less).
Well, Paul and Barnabas did not desire that kind of glory for themselves 9 and steal it from God).
You're doing great!
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 16, 2019 11:23:21 GMT -5
I have been having a LOT of pain in one leg I think it might be sciatica.
I have had it before, and when I mentioned it to medical folk, they always say: No that cannot be it because it happens here, not where you are saying.
Maybe so
but it hurts a LOT and I have been using ice and heat, pain patches for dollar tree, Aspercreme with Lidocaine, upped the pain meds, and muscle relaxers, massaging the area ( from hip/back to lower knee). etc.
I wonder if the reason the pain is not where it is 'supposed' to be, might have anything to do with having triple scoliosis? So that it is seemingly in the wrong place?
Anyway, I can't concentrate for too long.
Oh about memorizing, I do it similarly ( tho I also write on the back of the card,
where I have the verse written out
The first letter of each word.
So for example if I wrote: Fear not for I am with you
on the back side I will write: F N F I A W Y
as a hint when just starting to memorize the verse or passage.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 16, 2019 11:49:24 GMT -5
I meant to ask you a question but clicked reply too soon. I'm assuming you've just been too tired or something, but after talking about it a long time ago, you always did a section each time. In other words, you didn't used to stop in the middle of a section but finished it. In this last one you only had 5 verses left to go, as the whole section ends at verse 20. I wasn't going to say anything because I thought you'd get back to it, but you've been doing this the whole time you've been doing Acts now, so I figured I'd better say something again. If you recall, when we talked about this before, one thing we determined is that it's much easier to misinterpret something when you don't read it in context. The only way to do that is by either doing a chapter at a time, or at least a section at a time, always remembering to check back at what you last read to remind yourself of what was going on before. The next section is only 8 verses long, so I'm sure you won't have a problem with that.
I really like it when you put in your own words what you've learned from what you read. That's really a very good way to learn too! Much better than quoting a commentary. Speaking of commentaries, I was thinking about that the other day too. I suspect that you're enjoying being able to read various commentaries now, and that's fine. I do get a little concerned though, as I hate the thought of anyone becoming addicted to them. (can't think of a better word then that.) What I mean is when people think that the only way they can understand a passage is if they can read what other people say about it. I know I've told you this before, but honestly, the Holy Spirit is a much better teacher then MacArthur, or anyone on this earth. I too enjoy the commentaries, and I read them as well. The difference is that I've already had the experience of studying the entire Bible for years and learning what it's saying to us, before I ever read a single commentary, or handbook or anything else. The great thing about that is it was a wonderful confirmation for me as I would read the commentary and realize that they were saying exactly what the Lord had already taught me. They may say it better then I can, but that's not what's important. What is important was recognizing that the Holy Spirit really did teach me all I needed to know, and that He still is.
I'll tell you something else that may be surprising too. I don't think I've ever read anything in a commentary that I didn't already know. What I enjoy most is when pastors like Wiersbe show what the passage looks like in day to day life. They're not saying things I don't know, but they are putting it in daily life and that helps me know how to live the passage... how to apply it better. I'm sure you know what I mean. Here's one example, although it's what the Holy Spirit taught me and not what I saw in a commentary... When God tells us that Satan (the thief) comes to steal, kill, and destroy, I realized that we generally think of that as stealing items, but that it can also mean stealing someone's hope or dreams, or destroying their hope or dreams, or killing their hopes or dreams. So it's not that the Holy Spirit doesn't teach me how to apply things to my life, He obviously does, but since I haven't experienced many "real" Christians in my life, it does help me to see things like that. I'm sure you like that kind of thing as well.
You know I don't think commentaries are bad, after all, I use them too. But I do worry that people will use them exclusively, not giving the Holy Spirit the time to teach them as well, and think that's the only way they can understand scripture. (and that's calling God a liar!) At least the commentaries you use are scriptural, but not everyone uses those. Sadly there are a great many that are full of false teaching. The people who rely on them wind up ignoring the Holy Spirit and only listening only to false teachers. Their minds become even more corrupted. That's the biggest danger I think.
I don't know....what do you think?
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 16, 2019 12:19:58 GMT -5
Acts 14: 14-20
v. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
v.15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
v.16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
v.17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
v.18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
v.19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
v,20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Barnabas and Paul reacted strongly and immediately to this idolatry, and this is a good example to us, if we are ever put on a pedestal.
This was so serious, that they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, telling the crowd that they were not divine but mere men proclaiming the gospel ( about the one and only true God) .
They tell these idolaters that they should turn from their false idols of Zeus and Hermes which were empty, worthless, and dead, and turn to the living God.
It is also important to note, I think, that Paul starts with God as the Creator who made everything. Especially since these were people with no idea of the Old testament, so Paul started with what they knew, nature around them, and who created it. Nature does not really show there is a bunch of competing gods, but rather nature works together as a whole, because it was made by one God.
Trying to reply without looking at any commentary now......
People often wonder why does God allow evil and let people and nations go their own way which horrible evil? Of course, if God had made it so they could not be sin or evil, we would not have free choice and the choice to love God ( and others truly) but we would have been robots.
But people are responsible for the knowledge they do have.....even the fact God gave gave people rains from heaven and fruitful seasons.
Nevertheless the people, seemed determined to sacrifice to them.
I am thinking its a problem many people have ( back then and today). They want to 'see' with their eyes, and touch, and be able to converse with their 'gods'. Yet there are so many things on earth we don't 'see' but are really there none the less, like atoms etc.
And in today's world, it is almost worse, there are tons of t.v. programs with the very name 'idol' in it....
the idea seems to be that some humans are so gifted they 'deserve' to be worshiped. So it was not that these were just some ignorant backwoods people, this problem is alive today.
Then along comes opposition ( and really in the end, satan is behind such people). It seems to be a continuing pattern. When God's people start to have some success, satan always brings opposition. He may use different tactics, but his plan is to stop the progress one way or another.
So these Jews incite the crowd to major violence ( it seems like we are heading more and more in this direction in our country and the world over)
so the crowd stones Paul, to the point they think he is dead!! They drag him outside the city
BUT
the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city!
I wonder if they prayed, it does not say that, I just think that would be the first thing they did when they got to him.
But to have been stoned so severely that the people thought he was dead, and he gets up, seems nearly like a miracle to me. I would think people saw death a lot more closely than most of us do today, so they would have a pretty good idea what death looked like.
However, the last part stunned me.....okay so he gets up and runs as far away from that city and mob.....
Oh wait
it does not say that!!!
What????
He does what? He goes back to the city!
I don't think that would have been my first choice, but I so admire Paul, he seems so fearless, and his whole purpose is to glorify God.
However, the next day they leave for Derby.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 16, 2019 12:56:00 GMT -5
So again, we must have been posing at the same time.
I did write about what has been going on with a pain issue, but its above your post.
In writing about this latest passage, I for the first part was also reading commentaries,
but in order not to lose what I wrote, I have been copying and posting bits and pieces,
and then working on it some more.
So, I noticed what you wrote about commentaries,
and the last half of my post today,
I did not look at any commentaries at all.
So I will do that from now on.
However, for me, when I read commentaries, they often do have things I did not catch,
or
they might mention something, I vaguely got, but as soon as I read it, I then am more aware, and see a tie in to real life, or how to apply it to my life etc.
But for now ( maybe a long time really),
I just won't look at any commentaries....
at least, not while doing our bible study :-).
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 17, 2019 6:08:56 GMT -5
Acts 14: 21-28
The Return to Antioch in Syria
v.21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
v. 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
v.23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
v.24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,
v.25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
v.26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
v.27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
v.28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
In Derbe they preached the gospel and won a large number of disciples.
It seems like they did not have the opposition they had in the other cities, if so, it is encouraging to note, that the Lord gives times of 'rest' and blessings, and the devil's evil is thwarted for a time.
It must have been such a joy to win a large number of disciples!
But then ( being the brave men they were and wanting to give God all the glory) they go back to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
It had to be out of such great love for the Lord and with His strength, because honestly, if it were me, that would be the only way I could go back to a place where they nearly killed me!!
One of my biggest worries is that I fear people more than I love Jesus. It is definitely NOT what I want, I want to be like Paul, and not fear any person because I love the Lord.
So Paul and Barnabas strengthened the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
They said to the disciples there “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” .
That is a message to me as well.
They also appointed church leaders with prayer and fasting committing them to the Lord.
Having done all that they traveled on preaching the Word. Finally they sailed back to Antioch, where they gather the church to give a report.
They tell them what God has done ( not what 'they' had done),
how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
As I mentioned before, it is so easy for us to take credit for any good thing ourselves. We might even think, that God 'helped' us a wee bit.
But we figure, it was our hard work, diligence, good character, cleaver words, good looks, etc. etc. It's important to remember that even the very air we breath is a gift from God and He deserves ALL the glory!
Then they stay there for a long time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 17, 2019 9:57:57 GMT -5
I have been having a LOT of pain in one leg I think it might be sciatica.
I have had it before, and when I mentioned it to medical folk, they always say: No that cannot be it because it happens here, not where you are saying.
Maybe so
but it hurts a LOT and I have been using ice and heat, pain patches for dollar tree, Aspercreme with Lidocaine, upped the pain meds, and muscle relaxers, massaging the area ( from hip/back to lower knee). etc.
I wonder if the reason the pain is not where it is 'supposed' to be, might have anything to do with having triple scoliosis? So that it is seemingly in the wrong place?
Anyway, I can't concentrate for too long.
Oh about memorizing, I do it similarly ( tho I also write on the back of the card,
where I have the verse written out
The first letter of each word.
So for example if I wrote: Fear not for I am with you
on the back side I will write: F N F I A W Y
as a hint when just starting to memorize the verse or passage.
They kept telling me that scoliosis doesn't cause pain.... yeah right! It does for me! And from what I've read it does for others too. I finally found one site that said scoliosis is more likely to cause pain in adults, suggesting low back pain and pain shooting down your legs.
www.healthline.com/health/scoliosis-pain#symptoms
But I didn't find any that mentioned pain until I googled scoliosis pain, instead of just scoliosis. That's unusual as most list pain for a disease under symptoms.
That's a neat way to remind yourself of a verse too. I just love how the Lord uses my cards to encourage me during the week!
Acts 14: 14-20
v. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
v.15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
v.16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
v.17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
v.18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
v.19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
v,20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Barnabas and Paul reacted strongly and immediately to this idolatry, and this is a good example to us, if we are ever put on a pedestal.
This was so serious, that they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, telling the crowd that they were not divine but mere men proclaiming the gospel ( about the one and only true God) .
They tell these idolaters that they should turn from their false idols of Zeus and Hermes which were empty, worthless, and dead, and turn to the living God.
It is also important to note, I think, that Paul starts with God as the Creator who made everything. Especially since these were people with no idea of the Old testament, so Paul started with what they knew, nature around them, and who created it. Nature does not really show there is a bunch of competing gods, but rather nature works together as a whole, because it was made by one God.
Trying to reply without looking at any commentary now......
People often wonder why does God allow evil and let people and nations go their own way which horrible evil? Of course, if God had made it so they could not be sin or evil, we would not have free choice and the choice to love God ( and others truly) but we would have been robots.
But people are responsible for the knowledge they do have.....even the fact God gave gave people rains from heaven and fruitful seasons.
Nevertheless the people, seemed determined to sacrifice to them.
I am thinking its a problem many people have ( back then and today). They want to 'see' with their eyes, and touch, and be able to converse with their 'gods'. Yet there are so many things on earth we don't 'see' but are really there none the less, like atoms etc.
And in today's world, it is almost worse, there are tons of t.v. programs with the very name 'idol' in it....
the idea seems to be that some humans are so gifted they 'deserve' to be worshiped. So it was not that these were just some ignorant backwoods people, this problem is alive today.
Then along comes opposition ( and really in the end, satan is behind such people). It seems to be a continuing pattern. When God's people start to have some success, satan always brings opposition. He may use different tactics, but his plan is to stop the progress one way or another.
So these Jews incite the crowd to major violence ( it seems like we are heading more and more in this direction in our country and the world over)
so the crowd stones Paul, to the point they think he is dead!! They drag him outside the city
BUT
the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city!
I wonder if they prayed, it does not say that, I just think that would be the first thing they did when they got to him.
But to have been stoned so severely that the people thought he was dead, and he gets up, seems nearly like a miracle to me. I would think people saw death a lot more closely than most of us do today, so they would have a pretty good idea what death looked like.
However, the last part stunned me.....okay so he gets up and runs as far away from that city and mob.....
Oh wait
it does not say that!!!
What????
He does what? He goes back to the city!
I don't think that would have been my first choice, but I so admire Paul, he seems so fearless, and his whole purpose is to glorify God.
However, the next day they leave for Derby.
So again, we must have been posing at the same time.
I did write about what has been going on with a pain issue, but its above your post.
In writing about this latest passage, I for the first part was also reading commentaries,
but in order not to lose what I wrote, I have been copying and posting bits and pieces,
and then working on it some more.
So, I noticed what you wrote about commentaries,
and the last half of my post today,
I did not look at any commentaries at all.
So I will do that from now on.
However, for me, when I read commentaries, they often do have things I did not catch,
or
they might mention something, I vaguely got, but as soon as I read it, I then am more aware, and see a tie in to real life, or how to apply it to my life etc.
But for now ( maybe a long time really),
I just won't look at any commentaries....
at least, not while doing our bible study :-).
The Return to Antioch in Syria
v.21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
v. 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
v.23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
v.24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,
v.25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
v.26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
v.27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
v.28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
In Derbe they preached the gospel and won a large number of disciples.
It seems like they did not have the opposition they had in the other cities, if so, it is encouraging to note, that the Lord gives times of 'rest' and blessings, and the devil's evil is thwarted for a time.
It must have been such a joy to win a large number of disciples!
But then ( being the brave men they were and wanting to give God all the glory) they go back to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
It had to be out of such great love for the Lord and with His strength, because honestly, if it were me, that would be the only way I could go back to a place where they nearly killed me!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 18, 2019 9:09:27 GMT -5
I'm afraid that I have company coming shortly so won't be able to wait any longer for your next one. I'll have to check back with you tomorrow. Hope you're feeling better!
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 18, 2019 9:51:29 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy, my leg/hip/ back/knee is feeling better. It's not 100% and I am waiting to see if it is really on it's way out, or just took a break, and might come back?
I have no idea why it comes when it does? I can't remember if I over did something physical, or didn't sleep enough, or something lacking in my diet ( some mineral maybe) etc. etc.
However.........speaking of not sleeping enough, last night was the 2nd night in a row of just 2 or 3 hours of sleep!!! arrggghhh
I, have had night with absolutely NO sleep at all....but this is still making it hard for me to stay awake during the day!!!
Well, I will continue for awhile ( not sure how long) without commentaries in this Bible study.....
I was amazed you said you thought the post without using commentaries was better than most.
Oh, a couple of other things I used to do when memorizing scripture were:
beside the first initial of each word....as a 'hint' ( written on the back of the full words on the front)
was if I always seemed to forgot one or two words, I would write them in different colors
Also sometimes I would do little stick figures, emojis, etc. drawing of the verse....
just to help 'stick' ( get it...stick figure ha ha) it in my mind
like an arrow with East and west written on each end
( for as far as East is to west), <<<EAST-----WEST>>>
or draw a heart, if it was about loving your neighbor, etc etc. etc.
I did tell you that Devon and I have started a memorizing challenge right?
And....
On our 1st verse, he already has it word perfectly memorized
so it took him only a couple of days....I was thinking it might take a week.....
not so)
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 18, 2019 11:10:19 GMT -5
Acts 15:1-13
The Council at Jerusalem
v.1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
v.2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
v.3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.
v.4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
v.5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
v.6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
v.7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
v. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
v. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
v.10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? v.11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
v.12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
v.13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.
Satan never gives up. Sometimes rather than physically trying to kill ( or actually killing) Christians and thus stop the growth of the church, he works to kill from within by falseness.
It doesn't have to be 'seemingly' a big issue, in this case, at first glance, it didn't appear to be a big deal....
( and hey, circumcision was probably even a 'good' thing-health-wise)
Anyway some came from Judea to Antioch teaching that
The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.
However, this is a much bigger deal ( and satan knew it), but the devil hoped to stop a true relationship with the Lord, by insisting people had to be saved by 'good works'.
Well, I imagine that the devil was pleased that it caused dissension in that:
This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with these men from Judea.
It's truly amazing, to this very day, satan continues to use this basic tactic ( not the circumcision issue, but all manner of other ' good works').
It turned out the only way to solve these serious issues Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
As they traveled they told the Jewish believers how the Gentiles had been saved and that made the believers happy.
When they get to Jerusalem they were welcomed and they gave a report.
Satan was able to stir up controversy in Jerusalem also. it didn't take long until some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
So these false gospel issues had to be dealt with, and so the apostles and elders met to consider this question.
After much discussion.....again satan managed to cause trouble, but actually, this is going to work out for good!
Peter eventually gets up and reminds them that God accepted the Gentiles and gave them the Holy Spirit.
Then he asks a very pertinent question:
"why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear"?
No one can be 'good enough' otherwise know as 'perfect' to merit, earn, demand that God has to save them ( but many many try).
Paul put it this way:
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Next, Paul and Barnabas Barnabas and Paul tell about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
And then James spoke up.
I was going to try and finish but I just endlessly keep falling asleep...sorry, at least I did more than 2 or 3 verses.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 19, 2019 10:17:09 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy, my leg/hip/ back/knee is feeling better. It's not 100% and I am waiting to see if it is really on it's way out, or just took a break, and might come back?
I have no idea why it comes when it does? I can't remember if I over did something physical, or didn't sleep enough, or something lacking in my diet ( some mineral maybe) etc. etc.
However.........speaking of not sleeping enough, last night was the 2nd night in a row of just 2 or 3 hours of sleep!!! arrggghhh
I, have had night with absolutely NO sleep at all....but this is still making it hard for me to stay awake during the day!!!
Well, I will continue for awhile ( not sure how long) without commentaries in this Bible study.....
I was amazed you said you thought the post without using commentaries was better than most.
Oh, a couple of other things I used to do when memorizing scripture were:
beside the first initial of each word....as a 'hint' ( written on the back of the full words on the front)
was if I always seemed to forgot one or two words, I would write them in different colors
Also sometimes I would do little stick figures, emojis, etc. drawing of the verse....
just to help 'stick' ( get it...stick figure ha ha) it in my mind
like an arrow with East and west written on each end
( for as far as East is to west), <<<EAST-----WEST>>>
or draw a heart, if it was about loving your neighbor, etc etc. etc.
I did tell you that Devon and I have started a memorizing challenge right?
And....
On our 1st verse, he already has it word perfectly memorized
so it took him only a couple of days....I was thinking it might take a week.....
not so)
Why would you be amazed? God is the one who's giving you understanding and He's the best teacher there is!
If you have Rheumatoid disease like I think you do, the only thing that causes it is that the RD has decided to act up in that way. it can last anywhere from a few minutes, to an hour or two, to a day, or a week, or a month, or however long it wants to. There is no rhyme or reason for it. It can happen to one side or both, to just one hip and leg and lower back, or to both sides, or it can include your knee(s) ankles, feet, elbows, wrists, neck, shoulders, in any combination it feels like. It can be absolutely horribly painful for several days (or however long) and then feel much better for a day (or whatever) and then be horrible again, or be completely gone. It's like your body is playing a game with you.... can you guess what's going to hurt next? or how long?  It's often been so painful that I've thought I've broken my leg or arm. Now when I think that I know it's just the RD acting up yet again. My lower back, hips and leg are still real bad too, as is my left shoulder. But then, what else is new?
God always reminds me that He never wastes a single moment of my pain (or yours) so I can deal with it knowing He's using it to make me more like Jesus.
Oh, I've also discovered something interesting about sleep lately. Having insomnia is another symptom of RD - I've known that forever. But what I've discovered is that when I think I haven't slept at all at night, I actually have slept some. It's just that it wasn't a deep sleep and I thought I was aware of what was going on and so thought I was awake. But one night when I was sure I'd been awake, I realized that the time didn't make sense. I thought I'd been laying in bed for maybe an hour and a half, but several hours had passed. My next clue was that my thoughts weren't always clear like they would be if I was awake. I thought they were, but when I began to try and really focus on what I'd been thinking just before I'd get up to use the bathroom, I realized that most of the time I have been asleep and dreaming that I was awake!
Of course another symptom of RD is the grogginess the next morning and even throughout the day, which again often made me think I hadn't slept the night before. Now I know that most of the time I have slept, but it just didn't seem like it.
Acts 15:1-13
The Council at Jerusalem
v.1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
v.2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
v.3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.
v.4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
v.5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
v.6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
v.7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
v. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
v. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
v.10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? v.11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
v.12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
v.13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.
Satan never gives up. Sometimes rather than physically trying to kill ( or actually killing) Christians and thus stop the growth of the church, he works to kill from within by falseness.
It doesn't have to be 'seemingly' a big issue, in this case, at first glance, it didn't appear to be a big deal....
( and hey, circumcision was probably even a 'good' thing-health-wise)
Anyway some came from Judea to Antioch teaching that
The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.
However, this is a much bigger deal ( and satan knew it), but the devil hoped to stop a true relationship with the Lord, by insisting people had to be saved by 'good works'.
Well, I imagine that the devil was pleased that it caused dissension in that:
This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with these men from Judea.
It's truly amazing, to this very day, satan continues to use this basic tactic ( not the circumcision issue, but all manner of other ' good works').
It turned out the only way to solve these serious issues Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
As they traveled they told the Jewish believers how the Gentiles had been saved and that made the believers happy.
When they get to Jerusalem they were welcomed and they gave a report.
Satan was able to stir up controversy in Jerusalem also. it didn't take long until some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
So these false gospel issues had to be dealt with, and so the apostles and elders met to consider this question.
After much discussion.....again satan managed to cause trouble, but actually, this is going to work out for good!
Peter eventually gets up and reminds them that God accepted the Gentiles and gave them the Holy Spirit.
Then he asks a very pertinent question:
"why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear"?
No one can be 'good enough' otherwise know as 'perfect' to merit, earn, demand that God has to save them ( but many many try).
Paul put it this way:
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Next, Paul and Barnabas Barnabas and Paul tell about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
And then James spoke up.
I was going to try and finish but I just endlessly keep falling asleep...sorry, at least I did more than 2 or 3 verses.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 19, 2019 10:41:42 GMT -5
You are right, this particular pain, sometimes is on both sides ( so this time I felt blessed that is was not on both sides anyway).
It still seems to be mainly gone....except for feeling more 'achy' than normal all over....I am hopeful it may be gone for now ( forever would be better).
Thank you for the info about it, because it is always strange like you said, there seems to be no real rhyme or reason for it ( like knowing for a fact, I really overdid something, or ate or did not eat something, lack of sleep etc.).
Yes, I used to write the verse or verses over and over ( I will try that again). I do say it over and over.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 19, 2019 10:43:17 GMT -5
Acts 15:14-29
v. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles
v. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
v.16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
v.17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’—
v,18 things known from long ago.
v.19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
v. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
v.21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
v.22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.
v.23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
v.24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
v.25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—
v.26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. v.27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
v.28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
v.29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
So James reiterates what Peter has told them about how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.
I think the believing Jews had a very hard time understanding this, because for centuries, they learned from early childhood, that the Jews alone were God's chosen people. Not to mention that the Gentiles were always immersed in pagan idol worship and worse.
But what the Jews either missed or chose not to consider was what God had really said about this issue.
Therefore James goes to scripture ( the Word of God) as the final arbitrator and ultimate authority.
He cites Amos 9 and I think the verse that makes his point about God's intentions from long ago considering the Gentiles is
v. 17
"that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,"
The Jews were to have spread the good news of the true God to all of mankind, instead of keeping it to themselves.
Based on God's word James says:
"we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God".......
and that the things they should avoid are: " to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood".
Then the decision was made to send Paul, Barnabas, Judas, Silas, back to Antioch with a letter To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
The letter stated that those that had disturbed the Gentile believers had not been authorized to do so. However the men that men had risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Paul and Barnabas) along with Judas and Silas were being sent to clear up the matter.
Namely, that the Gentile believers were not to be burden with all the endless Jewish burdens, but only the following requirements ( as previously stated) were best to be avoided.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 20, 2019 13:12:39 GMT -5
Acts:15:30-41
v.30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.
v. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
v.32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.
v.33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.
v. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
v.36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
v.37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
v.38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
v.39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
v.40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.
v.41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
The men chosen (Paul, Barnabas ) went to Antioch and the believers read the letter and were encouraged.
This is something we believers can also do when we feel discouraged, read the Bible, God's Word.
Judas and Silas, also used God's word, which encouraged and strengthen the believers. After a time, Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem.
So there is a time to stay and a time to return, at least for some.
However, Paul and Barnabas stayed and preached the word.
But then, a disagreement arose. One of the things that is so great about the Bible is it shows the absolute truth in so many ways!! And put people together for a period of time, and disagreements are bound to happens.
This time it was between Paul and Barnabas over what at first seemed like a great idea.
Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
But then, comes the worm in the ointment:
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
It seems that Barnabas thought it would be a good idea to take Mark, but Paul did NOT think it was wise
and a a sharp disagreement ensued.
These were two Godly men, and yet, still sinners. I imagine they both thought they were right. I do wonder if they prayed together about this issue?
Whatever, the argument was so severe, they decided to split up.
How sad, I think satan was happy,
So Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, while Paul, Paul chose Silas, and traveled to Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
I wonder tho, if either Paul or Barnabas felt sad about the split up, or even worried that their testimony was somehow slightly sullied.
But again, it only proves the truth, all men are sinners in need of a savior.
And they were able to cover more area by splitting up.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 20, 2019 18:26:36 GMT -5
I have kind of a strange question. I just finished reading Shadowed by a Spy by Marilyn Turk.
I don't know if you remember much about it?
But here's the thing, I thought it was a good book, and would like to give it 5 stars...
All but for one issue
She mentions Norman Vincent Peale, who wrote among many other books The Power of Positive Thinking.
Things like you can just 'think' (visualization) of something and it will happen ( become successful, cure your health etc.) I believe the first chapter was: the first chapter of Peale’s book is titled “Believe in Yourself. I read parts or all of this book as a young kid.
I am thinking he was a false teacher with a false gospel?
I would otherwise give the book 5 stars but the fact the author talked about him at least twice, has me confused.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 21, 2019 9:37:06 GMT -5
Acts 16: 1-5
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
v.1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
v.2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
v.3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
v. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
v.5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
In Lystra Paul meets a young disciple named Timothy.
I have to confess, I did go and read the 1st commentary of this short passage, because, at first it really confused me. Paul had just settled the issue about salvation being by grace alone, and works ( like being circumcised was not to be demanded of Gentiles).
I have no idea who the commentator was ( someone new to me, as I just read the first one that came up, and the pastor listed 3 main points about why Paul circumcised Timothy....but I will only mention one of the points as it was just a little long).
However, it now made more sense to me why scripture stated this about Timothy:
whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
Circumcising Timothy seemed to be because Timothy was 'Jewish', and he was well versed in the Old Testament which added to his Jewishness.
It was a requirement to Timothy's salvation, but this was about his culture.
And the Gentiles for sure, did not need to be circumcised.
Which was part of the message concerning the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
The great news is the people were strengthened in the faith, and the church membership grew 'daily'!!!
Would that it was growing like that now, instead, the churches seem to be constantly losing members, which is sad.
[/font comic sans
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 22, 2019 10:38:26 GMT -5
Acts 15:14-29
v. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles
v. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
v.16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
v.17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’—
v,18 things known from long ago.
v.19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
v. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
v.21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
v.22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.
v.23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
v.24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
v.25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—
v.26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. v.27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
v.28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
v.29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
So James reiterates what Peter has told them about how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.
I think the believing Jews had a very hard time understanding this, because for centuries, they learned from early childhood, that the Jews alone were God's chosen people. Not to mention that the Gentiles were always immersed in pagan idol worship and worse.
But what the Jews either missed or chose not to consider was what God had really said about this issue.
Therefore James goes to scripture ( the Word of God) as the final arbitrator and ultimate authority.
He cites Amos 9 and I think the verse that makes his point about God's intentions from long ago considering the Gentiles is
v. 17
"that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,"
The Jews were to have spread the good news of the true God to all of mankind, instead of keeping it to themselves.
Based on God's word James says:
"we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God".......
and that the things they should avoid are: " to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood".
Then the decision was made to send Paul, Barnabas, Judas, Silas, back to Antioch with a letter To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
The letter stated that those that had disturbed the Gentile believers had not been authorized to do so. However the men that men had risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Paul and Barnabas) along with Judas and Silas were being sent to clear up the matter.
Namely, that the Gentile believers were not to be burden with all the endless Jewish burdens, but only the following requirements ( as previously stated) were best to be avoided.
Acts:15:30-41
v.30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.
v. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
v.32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.
v.33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.
v. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
v.36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
v.37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
v.38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
v.39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
v.40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.
v.41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
The men chosen (Paul, Barnabas ) went to Antioch and the believers read the letter and were encouraged.
This is something we believers can also do when we feel discouraged, read the Bible, God's Word.
Judas and Silas, also used God's word, which encouraged and strengthen the believers. After a time, Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem.
So there is a time to stay and a time to return, at least for some.
However, Paul and Barnabas stayed and preached the word.
But then, a disagreement arose. One of the things that is so great about the Bible is it shows the absolute truth in so many ways!! And put people together for a period of time, and disagreements are bound to happens.
This time it was between Paul and Barnabas over what at first seemed like a great idea.
Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
But then, comes the worm in the ointment:
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
It seems that Barnabas thought it would be a good idea to take Mark, but Paul did NOT think it was wise
and a a sharp disagreement ensued.
These were two Godly men, and yet, still sinners. I imagine they both thought they were right. I do wonder if they prayed together about this issue?
Whatever, the argument was so severe, they decided to split up.
How sad, I think satan was happy,
So Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, while Paul, Paul chose Silas, and traveled to Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
I wonder tho, if either Paul or Barnabas felt sad about the split up, or even worried that their testimony was somehow slightly sullied.
But again, it only proves the truth, all men are sinners in need of a savior.
And they were able to cover more area by splitting up.
I have kind of a strange question. I just finished reading Shadowed by a Spy by Marilyn Turk.
I don't know if you remember much about it?
But here's the thing, I thought it was a good book, and would like to give it 5 stars...
All but for one issue
She mentions Norman Vincent Peale, who wrote among many other books The Power of Positive Thinking.
Things like you can just 'think' (visualization) of something and it will happen ( become successful, cure your health etc.) I believe the first chapter was: the first chapter of Peale’s book is titled “Believe in Yourself. I read parts or all of this book as a young kid.
I am thinking he was a false teacher with a false gospel?
I would otherwise give the book 5 stars but the fact the author talked about him at least twice, has me confused.
Not that you think this, but today many people seem to think that if a teacher is wrong about anything it makes them a false teacher, but that's not what the Bible says. Only someone who insists on continuing to teach others something that would affect a persons salvation, that they have been shown is false, only then is the person a false teacher. If it's not part of our core beliefs, then they're simply wrong, not a false teacher. Of course, if it's one of the things that isn't specifically covered in scripture, they shouldn't even be called wrong, because that's just a matter between each person and God.
Acts 16: 1-5
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
v.1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
v.2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
v.3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
v. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
v.5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
In Lystra Paul meets a young disciple named Timothy.
I have to confess, I did go and read the 1st commentary of this short passage, because, at first it really confused me. Paul had just settled the issue about salvation being by grace alone, and works ( like being circumcised was not to be demanded of Gentiles).
I have no idea who the commentator was ( someone new to me, as I just read the first one that came up, and the pastor listed 3 main points about why Paul circumcised Timothy....but I will only mention one of the points as it was just a little long).
However, it now made more sense to me why scripture stated this about Timothy:
whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
Circumcising Timothy seemed to be because Timothy was 'Jewish', and he was well versed in the Old Testament which added to his Jewishness.
It was a requirement to Timothy's salvation, but this was about his culture.
And the Gentiles for sure, did not need to be circumcised.
Which was part of the message concerning the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
The great news is the people were strengthened in the faith, and the church membership grew 'daily'!!!
Would that it was growing like that now, instead, the churches seem to be constantly losing members, which is sad.
I think you meant that it was NOT a requirement for Timothy's salvation, right? Yes, earlier Paul had made the point that circumcision was not a requirement for salvation and he sticks to that in all his writings. He wanted Timothy circumcised not so Timothy would be saved, because Timothy was already saved. He had him circumcised so that he wouldn't offend the Jewish unbelievers they would be witnessing to. This is part of what Paul means later when he wrote: “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:20–23)
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 22, 2019 14:03:07 GMT -5
Yes, I meant it was NOT a requirement for Timothy......probably I was just tired.
My leg has been flaring up and then not so bad, and back again...like a yo-yo.
So I am not sleeping some nights or very little, and other nites are better.
Thank you about the book. I did not underline it, so I am not sure where in the book he was mentioned several times.
But I don't think, the characters ever decided he was a false teacher, that I remember.
But oh well, I was going to rate it, and I have managed to loose it....it's not in trash either. It just disappeared? That has never happened before.
I am here late because our internet had gone down last night and we only just got it back.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 22, 2019 14:23:06 GMT -5
Acts 16:6-15
The Macedonian Call
v.6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
v.7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
v.8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
v.9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
v.10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the[d] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
I understand it's best not to question God, but rather just obey......but there was a part of me that wonder 'why' the Holy Spirit forbid them to speak the word in Asia.
They, however, just obeyed!
And then again, when they attempted to go into Bithynia..... but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, so they instead they went down to Troas.
I wonder if it was a test of obedience, (not just for God),
but it showed them, how willing they were to do God's will,
and not their own........
even IF they thought their will was 'good'.
Now comes God's plan.....
Paul has a vision of a man in Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
So they went immediately ( the example, is to obey God quickly and not procrastinate ),
concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.
They stayed in Philippi for awhile, and on the Sabbath, they went to the riverside, where they thought people might be praying.
There were also woman there and one was named Lydia, she worshiped God.
But she needed to hear the gospel and so The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Afterwards she was baptized, and her household as well.
No procrastination with Lydia or her household either.
She then invited them to stay at her home.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 23, 2019 13:06:32 GMT -5
Acts 16:16-24
Paul and Silas in Prison
v.16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
v.17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
v.18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
v.19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
v.20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.
v.21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
v.22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.
v.23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
v.24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
I guess, I shouldn't be shocked that on their way to prayer, satan accosts them, thru a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and she made a lot of money for her owners by fortune telling.
It seems we can pretty much count on, if believers get busy spreading the gospel, the devil will for sure throw up road blocks of all kinds.
At first glance, it would seem hard to fault what she was saying, because, it was the truth: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
But just like our Lord did not want demons even saying 'good' things about Him, neither did Paul.
It kind of reminds me of the disingenuous flattery of fans to all sorts of idols ( music, actors, sports figures, ceo's etc etc.) By hanging around the famous, they hope to get a type of secondary fame for themselves ( they may even hate the fan they pander to).
So after many days of her stalking them, Paul was thoroughly annoyed and cast the demon out.
You would think they would have been greatly thanked, but that would be silly....the owners of this slave girl had now lost their money maker.
They were furious!!
Therefore they seized seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the rulers with a bucketful of complaints.
The magistrates immediately
( does not seemed to have been any trial)
gave orders to beat them with rods and had them put in prison with their feet put in stocks.
It's amazing, Paul cast out a demon, (God performed a miracle), you would think the people would have been in great awe, but instead greed for money trumped a miracle!
That seems strange.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 24, 2019 12:38:53 GMT -5
Acts 16: 25-40
The Philippian Jailer Converted
v.25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
v.26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
v.27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
v.28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
v.29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
v.30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
v.31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
v.32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
v.33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
v.34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
v.35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.”
v. 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”
v. 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”
v. 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.
v.39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
v. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.]
It has always amazed me that Paul etc. could sing after being badly beaten. I am not sure I could.
However, I do imagine it helped with the pain and uplifted their spirits.
Not only that, but the other prisoners were listening.
I think it might behoove us to remember, that the unsaved world is always watching us and how we respond to various situation.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake and all the prison doors were opened.
Thinking that all the prisons had escaped the jailer was about to commit suicide, but Paul cried out to him, not to do it, that in fact, all the prisoners were still there.
Imagine that....how tempting it might have been, to have escaped!!! What a testimony of godly character, to not have run when you could!!
Once again the world was watching, and this time, when the jailer came in and saw that they were indeed sill there, he fell down and asked Paul how could he be saved.
And that I think is perhaps key to one of the main reasons why they stayed.
First, God got the glory, and secondly, the result ( in some cases at least), is such honorable behavior, might lead another to ask, how they might be saved. That was more important than running away to be 'free', without any care of how it might effect others.
The results of having such godly behavior reaped great results in the the jailer and his whole family were saved and baptized.
Then in the day time the magistrates sent the police, to say to let them go free.
But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly?
Apparently the magistrates had not even taken time to discover Paul etc. were Roman citizens. When they were told, they were afraid they came and apologized to them, and asked them to leave the city ( politely, I am guessing).
After visiting Lydia and the brethren, and encouraging them, they did leave.
Another, example this left me, when you could seek revenge ( as Paul etc. could have done), it is best to leave that up to God. Well, more than that, to even pray for your abusers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 25, 2019 10:12:31 GMT -5
Yes, I meant it was NOT a requirement for Timothy......probably I was just tired.
My leg has been flaring up and then not so bad, and back again...like a yo-yo.
So I am not sleeping some nights or very little, and other nites are better.
Thank you about the book. I did not underline it, so I am not sure where in the book he was mentioned several times.
But I don't think, the characters ever decided he was a false teacher, that I remember.
But oh well, I was going to rate it, and I have managed to loose it....it's not in trash either. It just disappeared? That has never happened before.
I am here late because our internet had gone down last night and we only just got it back.
Acts 16:6-15
The Macedonian Call
v.6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
v.7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
v.8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
v.9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
v.10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the[d] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
I understand it's best not to question God, but rather just obey......but there was a part of me that wonder 'why' the Holy Spirit forbid them to speak the word in Asia.
They, however, just obeyed!
And then again, when they attempted to go into Bithynia..... but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, so they instead they went down to Troas.
I wonder if it was a test of obedience, (not just for God),
but it showed them, how willing they were to do God's will,
and not their own........
even IF they thought their will was 'good'.
Now comes God's plan.....
Paul has a vision of a man in Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
So they went immediately ( the example, is to obey God quickly and not procrastinate ),
concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.
They stayed in Philippi for awhile, and on the Sabbath, they went to the riverside, where they thought people might be praying.
There were also woman there and one was named Lydia, she worshiped God.
But she needed to hear the gospel and so The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Afterwards she was baptized, and her household as well.
No procrastination with Lydia or her household either.
She then invited them to stay at her home.
Very good!
About questioning God, there's nothing wrong with an honest question IF we aren't doubting that He knows what's best. In other words, it's perfectly OK to ask the Lord why He didn't want them to go into that area then, if we're asking for information and not doubting that He knows what's best. It would be ok for us to ask and for Paul to ask. We aren't told whether or not Paul asked God why, so we can't know whether he did or not. But being human, I suspect he did.
Isn't it amazing how much detail we're given about Lydia? I mean, back then women didn't mean much, yet God's Word often speaks of women, in both the Old and New Testaments. It shows me that God considers women just as important and precious as men and wants us to know that.
Acts 16:16-24
Paul and Silas in Prison
v.16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
v.17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
v.18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
v.19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
v.20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.
v.21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
v.22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.
v.23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
v.24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
I guess, I shouldn't be shocked that on their way to prayer, satan accosts them, thru a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and she made a lot of money for her owners by fortune telling.
It seems we can pretty much count on, if believers get busy spreading the gospel, the devil will for sure throw up road blocks of all kinds.
At first glance, it would seem hard to fault what she was saying, because, it was the truth: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
But just like our Lord did not want demons even saying 'good' things about Him, neither did Paul.
It kind of reminds me of the disingenuous flattery of fans to all sorts of idols ( music, actors, sports figures, ceo's etc etc.) By hanging around the famous, they hope to get a type of secondary fame for themselves ( they may even hate the fan they pander to).
So after many days of her stalking them, Paul was thoroughly annoyed and cast the demon out.
You would think they would have been greatly thanked, but that would be silly....the owners of this slave girl had now lost their money maker.
They were furious!!
Therefore they seized seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the rulers with a bucketful of complaints.
The magistrates immediately
( does not seemed to have been any trial)
gave orders to beat them with rods and had them put in prison with their feet put in stocks.
It's amazing, Paul cast out a demon, (God performed a miracle), you would think the people would have been in great awe, but instead greed for money trumped a miracle!
That seems strange.
Acts 16: 25-40
The Philippian Jailer Converted
v.25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
v.26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
v.27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
v.28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
v.29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
v.30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
v.31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
v.32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
v.33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
v.34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
v.35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.”
v. 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”
v. 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”
v. 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.
v.39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
v. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.]
It has always amazed me that Paul etc. could sing after being badly beaten. I am not sure I could.
However, I do imagine it helped with the pain and uplifted their spirits.
Not only that, but the other prisoners were listening.
I think it might behoove us to remember, that the unsaved world is always watching us and how we respond to various situation.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake and all the prison doors were opened.
Thinking that all the prisons had escaped the jailer was about to commit suicide, but Paul cried out to him, not to do it, that in fact, all the prisoners were still there.
Imagine that....how tempting it might have been, to have escaped!!! What a testimony of godly character, to not have run when you could!!
Once again the world was watching, and this time, when the jailer came in and saw that they were indeed sill there, he fell down and asked Paul how could he be saved.
And that I think is perhaps key to one of the main reasons why they stayed.
First, God got the glory, and secondly, the result ( in some cases at least), is such honorable behavior, might lead another to ask, how they might be saved. That was more important than running away to be 'free', without any care of how it might effect others.
The results of having such godly behavior reaped great results in the the jailer and his whole family were saved and baptized.
Then in the day time the magistrates sent the police, to say to let them go free.
But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly?
Apparently the magistrates had not even taken time to discover Paul etc. were Roman citizens. When they were told, they were afraid they came and apologized to them, and asked them to leave the city ( politely, I am guessing).
After visiting Lydia and the brethren, and encouraging them, they did leave.
Another, example this left me, when you could seek revenge ( as Paul etc. could have done), it is best to leave that up to God. Well, more than that, to even pray for your abusers.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 25, 2019 11:08:07 GMT -5
I had a feeling you were not feeling well, and Bruce also ( and your kitty) wow talk about getting hit on all sides.
I am so sorry to hear that, and I have been praying for you and Bruce ( will add kitty too).
I had one day where it seemed every part of me hurt, bones and muscles and then, it faded the next day, but now am fighting off a cold.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 25, 2019 11:34:59 GMT -5
Acts 17: 1-9
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
v.1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
v.2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
v.3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
v.4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
v.5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
v.6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
v.7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
v.8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.
v.9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
They seemed to have passed by some towns until the came to Thessalonica ( reminds me of Eva, I guess we have lost her participation for good, sadly).
In Thessalonica there was a synagogue and so following ( I am thinking) the idea of to the Jew first, Paul went there and reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.
I think the Jews could never understand why Jesus had to die. It did not fit their view of a Savior ( tho the Bible in the old testament makes it clear).
Also the cornerstone to Christianity, is the resurrection.
In any case some were persuaded, which was a blessing, but then, yet again comes the opposition!!
The Jews were jealous which reminds me of Proverbs 27:4 "Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy"?
It seems to me like their jealousy combined all of the above : Jealousy, anger and wrath.
They form a mob and go to the house of Jason ( where they thought Paul etc were staying).
But since they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities and claimed:
they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.
Well of course, Jesus was, is and shall ever be King of kings....but apparently Caesar did not allow there to be any king but himself.
So the authorities took money as security from Jason ( some kind of restitution and/or pledge that Paul etc would not cause any more 'trouble')?
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 25, 2019 13:59:40 GMT -5
ok, here's what is said, I found it in my notes in the book.
On page 97:
I’ve heard a lot about the min minister at Marble Collegiate Church, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. I’d like to go there tomorrow if it’s okay with you.” “Sounds swell. I’ve wanted to hear him preach too. Do you mind if I invite Penny?”
Sadly a false teacher.
Then on page 107:
Peale’s sermon was motivational, encouraging, and inspirational, and Lexie noticed many of the congregants smiling and nodding as he spoke. Even the young men in uniform looked hopeful. Worshippers eagerly shook Dr. Peale’s hand when they exited the front doors of the sanctuary, thanking him for his positive message.
Yep, and it had nothing to do with the Bible - at least nothing accurate. They go on to discuss it:
As they walked away, Russell said, “I liked what he said about our attitude—‘Change your thoughts and you change your world.’” “I like that, too, and I wish it was that simple.” “You disagree?” “What about the war? Can we just change our thoughts about it and it’ll go away?”
They determine there's some truth to the idea, but also that it's not completely true. There's about one page to the discussion.
Now keep in mind that this is a historical fiction book, and Norman Vincent Peale was a very important historical figure that couldn't be ignored in this setting especially. Many Christians went to hear him. Today, many still read his books. So there was nothing wrong with him being mentioned. It would have been nice if they'd clearly stated he was a false teacher, but they did point out a big problem with what he says. They just leave it up to the reader to decide for themselves. That's ok too, as God can bring their minds to know the truth. In the entire book, only 2 pages are about him. Practically nothing.
I don't think it would be fair to rate the book lower because we don't like someone who was part of history due to their false teaching. Instead, add a note explaining he's a false teacher if you want to be specific about it. I preferred not to as I thought they handled it well, so I just added the note in the book itself, so others could read it if they chose to. I figure God will guide those who need to see it.
Hope that helps.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Apr 26, 2019 9:52:01 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy! That helped a lot!!! I also think at least 1/2 the people reading the novel, would not even know who he was, or that he was a real person. But I do wish she had made it a bit more clear that he was a real historical figure, and a false teacher.
But like you said, it was 2 pages at best and they do discuss a problem with his ideas.
The author also talks about shock treatments for some 'mentally ill' people, which was also historically true, in that time period. They also did lobotomies in that time frame as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 26, 2019 11:01:34 GMT -5
I had a feeling you were not feeling well, and Bruce also ( and your kitty) wow talk about getting hit on all sides.
I am so sorry to hear that, and I have been praying for you and Bruce ( will add kitty too).
I had one day where it seemed every part of me hurt, bones and muscles and then, it faded the next day, but now am fighting off a cold.
Acts 17: 1-9
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
v.1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
v.2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
v.3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
v.4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
v.5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
v.6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
v.7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
v.8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.
v.9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
They seemed to have passed by some towns until the came to Thessalonica ( reminds me of Eva, I guess we have lost her participation for good, sadly).
In Thessalonica there was a synagogue and so following ( I am thinking) the idea of to the Jew first, Paul went there and reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.
I think the Jews could never understand why Jesus had to die. It did not fit their view of a Savior ( tho the Bible in the old testament makes it clear).
Also the cornerstone to Christianity, is the resurrection.
In any case some were persuaded, which was a blessing, but then, yet again comes the opposition!!
The Jews were jealous which reminds me of Proverbs 27:4 "Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy"?
It seems to me like their jealousy combined all of the above : Jealousy, anger and wrath.
They form a mob and go to the house of Jason ( where they thought Paul etc were staying).
But since they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities and claimed:
they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.
Well of course, Jesus was, is and shall ever be King of kings....but apparently Caesar did not allow there to be any king but himself.
So the authorities took money as security from Jason ( some kind of restitution and/or pledge that Paul etc would not cause any more 'trouble')?
Thank you Cindy! That helped a lot!!! I also think at least 1/2 the people reading the novel, would not even know who he was, or that he was a real person. But I do wish she had made it a bit more clear that he was a real historical figure, and a false teacher.
But like you said, it was 2 pages at best and they do discuss a problem with his ideas.
The author also talks about shock treatments for some 'mentally ill' people, which was also historically true, in that time period. They also did lobotomies in that time frame as well. |
|
It's often been so painful that I've thought I've broken my leg or arm. Now when I think that I know it's just the RD acting up yet again. My lower back, hips and leg are still real bad too, as is my left shoulder. But then, what else is new? 
