The Need to Discover

If you’re unsure about your precise location, it’s good to look around.

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Acts 28:13 – And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

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Do you know where you are right now?  I’m not talking about geographically, but spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.  It is amazing how often through life that we come to moments in time where we might ask ourselves just such a question.  You may have just faced a crisis in life; one of almost any kind, that has left you with a momentary sense of questioning about what’s next in life.  And there are those times in life when you feel like you just need to “get away from it all.”  You feel like you need a get-away, a vacation, a break from it all.  And it could be that you really are so overshadowed by difficulties that you simply want to run away.  While every human being has likely had such feelings, I can assure you that there is no reason you have to live that way. 

In Paul’s case in our Text for Today.  Paul, along with his travel companions, including his custodial guards, had gone through a very difficult time, including, shipwreck, horrible weather, being stranded on an island, snake-bitten, and finally coming to a place where none of his company had a thoroughly accurate account of where they were.  So, they “fetched a compass.”  That means that they chose to travel in perhaps a circular pattern, using their starting point as the center of the circle in an attempt to re-discover a point from which they could begin their journey to their intended destination.  In one way or another, all of us have been in that place.  You may be one of those people who presently find yourself in just such a place.  I have good news for you.  You can find your way on your journey.

• Take a moment right where you are and give God thanks that you’re still alive and well.
• Find someone around you, whether you know them or not, and minister to their needs.
• Rejoice in the blessing of the Lord that such ministry will bring to you.
• “Fetch a compass.”  Make a determination about you next step.  Use where you are as a launching pad and begin to discover what you can reach from where you are.  Discover what’s around you.  It’s called being circumspect.
• In that process of searching will come moments of discovery.  When you find a definitive point from which you can determine your necessary direction, and allow Holy Spirit and wise counsel from those who know where they are to help steer you to where you need to go. 

While these may sound like very natural instructions, they are, in truth, deeply spiritual instruction and wisdom.  Your destination awaits your arrival.  Be blessed in your travel.

Manna for Today – Acts 28:11-16; Ephesians 5:1-21

The Need to Discover

f you’re unsure about your precise location, it’s good to look around.

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Acts 28:13 – And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

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Do you know where you are right now?  I’m not talking about geographically, but spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.  It is amazing how often through life that we come to moments in time where we might ask ourselves just such a question.  You may have just faced a crisis in life; one of almost any kind, that has left you with a momentary sense of questioning about what’s next in life.  And there are those times in life when you feel like you just need to “get away from it all.”  You feel like you need a get-away, a vacation, a break from it all.  And it could be that you really are so overshadowed by difficulties that you simply want to run away.  While every human being has likely had such feelings, I can assure you that there is no reason you have to live that way. 

In Paul’s case in our Text for Today.  Paul, along with his travel companions, including his custodial guards, had gone through a very difficult time, including, shipwreck, horrible weather, being stranded on an island, snake-bitten, and finally coming to a place where none of his company had a thoroughly accurate account of where they were.  So, they “fetched a compass.”  That means that they chose to travel in perhaps a circular pattern, using their starting point as the center of the circle in at attempt to re-discover a point from which they could begin their journey to their intended destination.  In one way or another, all of us have been in that place.  You may be one of those people who presently find yourself in just such a place.  I have good news for you.  You can find your way on your journey.

• Take a moment right where you are and give God thanks that you’re still alive and well.
• Find someone around you, whether you know them or not, and minister to their needs.
• Rejoice in the blessing of the Lord that such ministry will bring to you.
• “Fetch a compass.”  Make a determination about you next step.  Use where you are as a launching pad and begin to discover what you can reach from where you are.  Discover what’s around you.  It’s called being circumspect.
• In that process of searching will come moments of discovery.  When you find a definitive point from which you can determine you necessary direction, and allow Holy Spirit and wise counsel from those who know where they are to help steer you to where you need to go. 

While these may sound like very natural instructions, they are, in truth, deeply spiritual instruction and wisdom.  Your destination awaits your arrival.  Be blessed in your travel.

Manna for Today – Acts 28:11-16; Ephesians 5:1-21

The Honorable Attracts Honor

Acts 28:10 – Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

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Some people crave it while others shun it.  Some people embrace it while others run from it.  Some people clamber after it, doing whatever they must to gain it, while others think it sinful if all honor is not given to the Lord.  I am writing about HONOR.  How do you view it?  What is your perception of how honor should be handled? 

In Romans we read that we are to “give honor to whom honor is due.”  It also speaks of giving, or paying tribute, which can be a form of giving honor.  My writing today is to encourage the honorable Christian to keep themselves in the love of God, praying in the Holy Ghost, and to NOT flee from or shy away from real honor that comes to you for your faithfulness to God and life of righteousness in Jesus.  I have witnessed for my entire life as a Christian a wrong attitude in so many Christians concerning receiving honor.  It has arisen form a false humility that is so well concealed that many believers worthy of honor go out of their way to try to appear humble, when they are in fact misunderstanding and misdirecting the honor Father wishes them to have. 

For example, someone speaks a great word from the Lord, the church is truly stirred, lives are powerfully impacted and changed, and people come to that minister with sincere words of thanks, honoring him as a truly anointed man of God.  But what does the minister do?  He responds something like this.  “Oh, no; I didn’t do anything.  It was all the Lord.  Give Him all the glory.”  Dear reader, what does the Bible say about such words and such an attitude?  Jesus said that the glory Father gave to Him, He has given to us.  When the Scriptures declare that God will not give His glory “to another,” it is speaking of God giving his glory to any other being that people would worship.  The fact is, that the glory God gave Jesus is the same glory Jesus has given us.  It has been given to you.  What will you do with it?  God has given it to you.  Will you deny it?  Will you deny His will for your life? 

I am in no way speaking of a sense of arrogance, pride in which people with false pride glory.  I am talking about integrity of heart.  When you are honored for your labor and service in the kingdom of God, accept it humbly, acknowledge the honor God has bestowed upon you, thank Him for it, and testify to His faithfulness to you for your obedience.  Father wants to honor you.  Embrace it with great thankfulness to the Lord, and rejoice in the honor that is yours for being allowed to serve Him wherever you can.

Manna for Today – Acts 28:1-10; Romans 13:7; Revelation 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; John 17:18 & 20:21; Isiah 42:8

Clothed with Proof

God will not leave His faithful witnesses standing naked for their speech.  He will clothe them with proof.

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Acts 28:6 – Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

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Look closely at the picture revealed by our Text for Today.  Paul had just been bitten by a venomous viper, which he had simply shaken off into the fire.  He then proceeded on about the business at hand; living.  The native people on the island knew what kind of snake it was; obviously one possessing a fast-acting venom that quickly impaired and even killed its victims.  But this was not so with Paul.  With Paul, something was different.  Instead of swelling from the venom, and then convulsing and dying, especially after a “great while” had passed, he simply kept on living.  Keep in mind that Paul was a Pharisee among the Pharisees.  He was well educated in Old Testament and the Law.  He knew the Old Covenant well.  He knew his authority, that “no weapon” formed against him would prosper, and he stood on his faith.

My dear reader friend, that should be the mindset and faith in which we, too, live every day of our lives.  When a faithful witness of God’s Covenant stood forth, speaking forth the Word of God in faith, God never failed to clothe them with truth.  Consider the following examples.  Noah spoke truth and was faithful, the flood came, but Noah was clothed the proof – the ark.  Abraham spoke truth and was faithful, the time for sacrifice on Moriah came, but Abraham was clothed with proof – God provided a ram in the thicket.  Joseph spoke truth and was faithful, slavery came, but Joseph was clothed with proof – Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt.  Gideon spoke truth and was faith, tens of thousands of Amalekites and Midianites made war against him, but Gideon was clothed with proof – the armies were destroyed.  David spoke truth and was faithful, Goliath rose up and roared, but David was clothed with proof – David slew Goliath and took his head. 

Example after example in the Scriptures show clear evidence and pattern that God always clothes his faithful spokesmen with proof.  He always confirms His Word with signs following.  Our God is faithful.  Will you arise and speak the truth?  Will you remain faithful, even when great attacks come against the truth you have spoken?   We need a series of meetings.  Meet God, meet his requirements, meet the enemy, meet victory, meet the future, and have every one of these meetings in faith, walking in love, honoring the Lord.  He will see to it that you are well-clothed.

Manna for Today – Acts 28:1-10; Mark 16:15-20; Jeremiah 1:12

Handling Death

When you deal with death, things bite. 

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Acts 28:3 – And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

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If you’ve ever worked at clearing land of trees, shrubs, brush, and the like, you have likely experienced at least a small portion of what Paul encountered as he gathered dry wood for fire.  If you’ve ever camped and had to build a campfire, you’ve had similar experience.  In both instances, you have gathered sticks for burning.  You may not have encountered a venomous snake, but you were likely exposed to some kind of poisonous plant (poison oak or ivy or sumac), and if you’ve lived long enough, you’ve surely encountered thorns or briars.  The point is simple; when you’re about the business of just living, obstacles, problems, and even attacks will arise against you.

At this point, the key question is this.  When those attacks come, what will you do?  A point I often make when speaking and writing is this.  Every attack that comes against you in life, be it satanic or not, Satan will use as a tool in his attempt to steal from you, kill, you, and destroy any possible righteous influence you can bring.  After all, that is his modus operandi, or his M.O.  I urge you, for that reason, don’t deliberately say or do things that make such attacks possible.  There will be more than enough for you to battle in life to prevent Satan’s John 10:10 description.

Once again, I submit this question to you.  When lethal attacks come at you, what will be your response?  We see Paul’s.  He simply shook the serpent off into the fire, trusting the Lord, and went on without any ill effects.  But let me become a bit more focused.  What was Paul doing?  He was building and maintaining a fire necessary for warmth and survival.  My friend, in the church today, that is still the work of every man and woman of God.  You have the Consuming Fire (Holy Ghost) living inside you.  What fuel do you offer to keep that fire burning brightly, intensely, in its consuming capacity, and in its purifying capacity?  The world about you is in darkness.  it’s cold out there, and sadly, the chill seems to be doing more than simply spilling over into the church.  In some churches, the fire has all but gone out.  Let our prayer be this; no matter how many serpents may rise from the fire, no matter how desert-like the world around us is, we will build the fire, keep it high, and bring others to it that their life, too, may become ignited by Holy Ghost.  Don’t fear death.  Handle it like a child of God, with boldness, with authority, with fire.

Manna for Today – Acts 28:1-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; John 10:10

Know Where You Are

To know where we are going, it is necessary to know where you are.

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Acts 28:1 – And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

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Here is a simple statement of fact in the world in which we live.  If you don’t know where you are, you cannot go, alone, to where you want to be.  If you have someone with you who knows where you are, you have a starting point.  For example, if I find myself in Ndola, Zambia, unable to speak the language (Bimba), and not knowing where I am, you could say I am lost.  How do I get from there to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA?  Do I go north, south, east, or west?  Do I travel up or down, to the right or to the left?  Do I need a plane, a ship, or will an automobile be sufficient?  If I don’t know where I am, I don’t know the answer to any of those questions, and therefore cannot go to where I want to be.

In our Text for Today, Paul had been in a similar situation.  Yes, he had sailors who could navigate by the stars.  He had soldiers who could keep him safe.  But personally, he did not know where he was.  After being a sea for many days, facing a destructive storm, and being cast ashore when the ship was destroyed, he did not know where he was.  Only after they had escaped the storm, did sailors possibly discover their position by the stars, or local people they encountered told them where they were.  But until they discovered where they were, in the natural sense of the word, they were at the mercy of circumstances.

Do you find yourself today at the mercy of circumstances?  Are you in a place at this moment in which you don’ know where you are?  Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially?  It makes no difference what arena of life we are discussing, if you don’t know where you are, you don’t really know how to get where you want to be.  Once again, if you don’t know where you are, what direction do you start?  What resources will you need to make the journey?  You need to know where you are to begin.  OR, you need to know someone you trust who knows the lay of the land.

If you don’t have such a person in your life, allow me to recommend one to you.  He is absolutely trust-worthy, full of life and wisdom, and because He has traveled through this life already, is never lost, always knowing precisely where you are, and what you need to do to arrive where you want to go.  His Name is Jesus.  He is King of kings and Lord of lords, Savior, Redeemer, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God.  He’ll never steer you wrong.  He knows where you are and where you need to be.  Follow Him.

Manna for Today – Acts 28:1-10; Psalm 119:30; Joshua 1:6-8

Moving

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Life is not stagnant.  In life, there is movement.  All life doesn’t happen at one place.

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Acts 27:1 – And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

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The entire 27^th chapter of Acts is all about movement.  Reading this chapter will reveal that from the moment Paul was taken into custody, his life became one of constant movement with some rare intervals of being in one place for perhaps a season.  I am not writing about a specific point of his journey during the years of trial process.  I merely point to the fact that during those years, and in fact, all the years of Paul’s ministry, he was moving.  He moved with the Spirit.  He moved to fulfill the vision the Lord had set before him.  He moved, at times, because he was compelled to do so by the law of the land.  In short, Paul moved.

My friend, that is the story of life.  Whether we like it or not, we must move.  And it is so important that we learn to move when it is time to move.  We must learn to be led by the Spirit, for if we are led by the Spirit, we will know when to move, how to move, and where to move.  Holy Ghost is never wrong.  Once again, that is the story of life.  We were meant to move. 

When circumstances declare our moving, we need to know the voice of Holy Spirit, for He knows what to say and do at any given time.  Regardless of circumstances, you will never go wrong obeying Holy Spirit.  But we need to be very aware that we do not follow Holy Spirit on our terms.  Putting off his leadership is wrong.  It is called the sin of omission; knowing to do something, but not doing it.  It is, at the same time, a sin of commission; choosing to deliberately disobey the leadership of Holy Spirit. 

I urge you today, with all my heart, that you lend yourself strongly to the process of learning to be led by Holy Spirit, and then choosing to daily walk the path that is conspicuously marked by the leading of Holy Ghost.  When we walk, moving with Holy Spirit, guided by Him in our steps, counseled by Him in our choices, leaning wholly on Him and the Word, especially in the hard places, our moving will honor Him.  And in honoring Him, our moving will be amplified in its impact on the world about us, thus moving others in a powerful and righteous way.  That’s the way life should be; moving, and that with, by, and through Holy Spirit.

Manna for Today – Acts 27

The Heart of God

• As complicated as people try to make it, the heart of God is clearly focused.

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Acts 26:29 – And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

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Let’s keep it simple; shall we?  Allow me to come directly to the truth we examine today.  God is love!  There!  That should settle the entire matter.  God loves you.  If clarity is needed, there it is.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost are all three One, and exist for eternity in total unity.  For more clarity, I cite it in this manner; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost IS love, and Father, Son, and Holy Ghost loves you.

Is there a hell?  Yes.  Will there be a lake of fire?  Yes.  Does God want any human being to go to either one of those places?  No!  Despite His desire, will people go to those places?  Yes.  And they will go there by their own choosing.  Those who do go there may scream their objections, declaring with every ounce of their being that it was not their choice.  But the simple fact remains, God has made a way for every person to be saved.  It is not His will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  But many will not repent.  And the truth that remains is this.  Whoever will not confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their hear that God has raised Jesus from the dead will, at the close of life on this earth, find themselves in hell, and ultimately the lake of fire.  And the choice will be their own.  God has not designated that some go to heaven and some to hell.  Any person’s eternal destiny arises from his/her own choosing.

When Paul spoke to Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice, his heart was fixed and in complete agreement with the heart of Father God.  Father, Son, and Holy Ghost wanted them saved.  Paul wanted them saved.  The word He spoke to them provided a clear entry for any of them to enter into the kingdom of God.  While I do not know the ultimate end of the lives of Festus, Agrippa, or Bernice, or Felix, or anyone else who heart the witness of Christ on that day, I do know they were presented a clear choice, that if accepted, would have brought them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

That is the heart of God to every human being.  No one is excluded; large or small; rich or poor, male or female, young or old.  Ethnicity, financial status, education, social standing, or professional standing makes no difference.  God is no respecter of men.  But allow me to make one point her.  God IS a respecter of faith.  It is faith that pleases God.

Manna for Today – Acts 26:12-32; John 3:16-17; Romans 10:6-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 2 Peter 3:9

Persuasion

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What tools of persuasion do you possess in the winning of the lost?

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Acts 26:28 – Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

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You are a persuader.  Regardless of your name, you are a persuader; regardless of your age, you are a persuader; regardless of your estate in life, you are a persuader; regardless of your position in the body of Christ, you are a persuader.  As a child of God, you are a persuader.  You are a persuader.  You are called to persuade.  You have been equipped to persuade.  You are sent to persuade.  That should be the work and identity of your life; you are a persuader.

I remember sitting in a science lab in college as I pursued my degree in music (the science course was required), and having a conversation with a fellow student.  He said he was a believer, but I saw no fruit to give any indication of that.  We were talking about the Scriptures when I said something that I knew challenged his comfort zone.  Immediately, and in a somewhat hostile tone, he said, “Don’t preach to me.  My faith is private.”  My challenge to him was immediate.  I was not reactive to his somewhat hostile tone, nor was my statement harsh or hostile.  I said to him, “My brother, your faith is certainly personal, but it is in no way private.”  His look betrayed his mild shock at what I had said.  I continued by saying, “Jesus said to let your light shine so men could see your good works. Jesus said we were to preach the Gospel to every creature, not just those who would agree with us.  So, I don’t think I’ll stop preaching, even to you.”  His heart was immediately softened by the word of the Lord, and he received my witness.

You see, I am a persuader.  But you can’t persuade people to whom you fail to give an adequate witness.  So, who will stand responsible if I fail to give an adequate witness?  No one but myself.  And what is an adequate witness?  It is a witness that brings a person to a point of decision.  Having given an adequate witness does not mean a person has accepted Jesus as Lord.  What is does mean is that a witness was given that provokes a person to make a decision.  Did you see the word “provoke?”  That is a verb that indicates forward action; to move someone towards a desired action.  An adequate witness does that; it moves someone forward to a decision.  Their decision may not be to accept Jesus as Lord, but that have been provoked to make a decision.  My friend, the simple truth is this.  Decisionless people will go to hell.  Only those who have made a decision to follow Christ will be saved.  Get busy, my friend.  Persuade.

Manna for Today – Acts 26:12-32; Mark 16:15-20; John 14:12-14; John 13:35; John 15:7; Acts 1:8;           2 Timothy 4:2

Meet for Repentance

Though often overlooked or rejected by many, repentance is STILL in the covenant.

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Acts 26:20 – But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

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Repent – to think differently; reconsider.  That is the definition according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.  In the older languages, well before the 11^th and 12^th centuries, repent and regret were not really differentiated; that is, they were very closely related.  If one was regretful, one was considered repentant.  If one was repentant, one was considered regretful.  Still, at the root of the word repent is the core action of re-thinking.  And when connected as it was in older language usage, to regret, it means to rethink with tears. 

Now look once again at our Text for Today.  Paul had received his instructions for ministry, his vision for the work to which God had called him.  Here he states, in brief, what his message to the Gentiles entailed.  It was that they should “turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”  But please note three key words of the message he was to proclaim that preceded “turn to God.”  Those words were “they should repent.”  Examine that preaching command in light of our definition of the word repent.  Have you heard the message of redemption?  Is it your desire to follow Christ, to become a Christian?  Well, dear friend, while the work of redemption has already been accomplished, and there is nothing you can do to earn that marvelous free gift, there are certain decisive actions you must take if you will enjoy the full range of life that is in it.  And one of those decisive actions is repentance.

In the words of Paul, repentance precedes turning to God.  Allow me to state it in this manner.  Unless your mind is made up, unless you have made the determined decision to follow the Lord, you may speak of it, think about it, and even attempt to produce evidence of such a choice, but if you have not truly repented, turning to God will only be an unfilled dream.  While repentance does indeed speak to the changing of one’s thinking, it is much deeper than intellect.  Will and emotions are involved, as well.  Repentance marks the true recognition that the path one has once walked, the manner of life one has previously pursued is wrong; more than wrong; dark and deceptive, hurtful and injurious, blind and deceptive.   And the turning from such, when true repentance is involved, does indeed stir one’s emotions, brings one to deep, moving, and powerful decisions to make true changes in turning from that previous life.  I know and fully accept that salvation is through faith in Christ, and faith is not established on feelings of any kind, but on the truth of God’s Word.  However, we must acknowledge that salvation is for the whole man, spirit, soul, and body.  To that end, I ask, in today’s salvation experience, where are the works of which Paul writes, that demonstrate the depth of the work of redemption that rises from true repentance?  Just a thought.

Manna for Today – Acts 26:12-32; Mark 1:15 & 6:12; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38 & 3:19; Revelation 2:5 & 16