Gift Back

 

Gift Back

Acts 21: ²⁶ The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

 

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After watching over me, and clearing my path, I was appreciative of him.  He became the CEO, so I couldn’t buy a gift that he didn’t already have. What should I give him? I called and offered myself as service to him and said thank you.

 

• There have been many people in my life who I cannot repay.
• There have been many people in my life who have done so much for me that I lost count.
• There have been many people in my life who have done more than I could ever imagine for me.

 

Paul and the men performed the ritual of purification and the offering atoning for sin. Paul followed the law, but knew that atonement for sin was through JESUS. Paul sacrificed his freedom of not needing to ever sacrifice an animal so he could show others the law was still important.

 

• GOD wants me to give my life back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to recognize what HE did through JESUS.
• GOD wants me to see, HE is the one who deserves all the gifts.

 

What do I give JESUS who died for me? I mean, HE owns everything and knows everything and is everywhere? GOD says “Simply believe in JESUS as the one and only Savior.” Is belief enough? YES. That’s all that is required. BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT makes me want to do more.

 

HE leads me to want more of JESUS every day. HE let’s me know that all my sins have been taken care of, and that avoiding sin does not make me clean. Any service or sin avoidance is only to say thank YOU to the one who has it all. I am grateful for what JESUS did for me.

 

• Is your heart full of worry that your relationship with JESUS is not what it should be?
• Do you think you should give more or work harder for the gift of salvation?
• Will you stop trying to work hard to manipulate GOD so you can see HE did everything just for you today?

Fighting Rumors

Fighting Rumors

Acts 21: ²⁰ When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. ²¹ They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. ²² What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, ²³ so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. ²⁴ Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. ²⁵ As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”

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Someone reported a rumor about me. I was highly insulted so I reacted quickly in defense. It seemed the more I reacted the worse the rumor got. In fact, more rumors got added because I was shaken.

• There were times when worried about what people thought of me.
• There were times when I tried to please everyone.
• There were times when I thought rumors could hurt my reputation.

The crowd at Jerusalem was excited to finally see Paul. He told them about all GOD had done. After hearing what Paul had to say, they warned him about the rumors of him preaching against the Laws of Moses. They vowed to clear his name and tell everyone he lived according to the law. They also instructed the Gentiles to have self-control.

• GOD wants me to know my reputation with HIM is spotless.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE forgave me and that is all that matters.
• GOD wants me to embrace HIS protection, especially when people lie about me.

Rumors and lies are very similar. I mean the motive behind both do not come from a good place. The enemy used rumors and lies to trick humanity into sin. He wants to do the same today. GOD holds my reputation.

HE sees my prayers, service and efforts to resist sin. While I fail in everything I do, the HOLY SPIRIT fortifies my relationship with JESUS. I am grateful I cannot be removed from GOD’s hand, even by rumor.

• Is someone slandering you?
• Do you feel your reputation is in trouble because someone is lying on you?
• Will you focus on what GOD wants in your life so you can stop worrying about what people think about you today?

Remember the Details

Remember the Details

Acts 21: ¹⁷ When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. ¹⁸ The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

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After the vacation, I had lots to tell. I described the food, the service and entertainment in picture perfect detail. One description made me remember another fond memory and another. It was a great experience that I gladly shared with anyone who would listen.

There were times when I had plenty to say about something I enjoyed.

There were times when I remembered every detail of the experience.

There were times when I told strangers about the details so they could experience the same.

Paul was now in Jerusalem. After being met by a warm greeting, he told the details of what GOD had done on HIS travels. He must have mentioned the healing of many people and how GOD made a way for him to escape death over and over. He paved a way for other races to hear about JESUS.

GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.

GOD wants me to make memories by serving many people.

GOD wants me to share my memories of how HE has worked in my life.

Sharing details of what GOD has done and is doing is highly important to HIM. I mean, HE wants people to be encouraged that they can get out of their trouble and be rewarded just by giving someone a drink of water in JESUS name. My experiences grow me up and sometimes help others do the same. I am glad the HOLY SPIRIT helps me remember the details.

What has GOD done in your life?

Do you remember an important story you need to share?

Will you write down the details or tell them to someone so they can be encouraged by what GOD is doing in your life today?

Not My Will

Not My Will

Acts 21: ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

¹⁵ After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

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Excited that I was going to finally have sex, I figured out my plan down to the letter. I would “borrow” the car pick up the girl from her house, have sex and go back home. The plan was brilliant. When I asked for the car, I was met with “It needs a new radiator. It’s not going anywhere.”

• Many times I have been prevented from doing what I wanted to do.
• Many times my plans have been derailed.
• Many times my will was pointed in a, not so good, direction.

A huge crowd tried to persuade Paul from going to Jerusalem. When they heard the prophecy of his imprisonment, and knowing what happened to JESUS, they wanted to play it safe. But Paul was not persuaded. He knew he had to lay aside his will and live for GOD.

• GOD wants me to lay aside my will for HIS.
• GOD wants me to sacrifice my will and live for HIM.
• GOD wants me to see my will can get in the way of HIS will.

“YOUR will be done”, are hard words to say. I mean, I want to be in control of the situation or get my way. BUT GOD loves when I say and mean those words. When I want to do something sinful and back off because of GOD said not to do it, HE rejoices and rewards me.

HE also loves when I do something HE wants me to do, especially when I don’t want to do it; like apologize first, or give my last dollar to a homeless person or call the lonely even though they have never called me. I am glad to do GOD’s will for it has many rewards.

• Are you frustrated because you are not getting your way?
• Do you think your way is aligned to what GOD wants in your life?
• Will you take a moment and ask GOD to do HIS will in your life even if it means to let go of something precious to you?

Gifts and Talents

Gifts and Talents

Acts 21: ⁷ We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. ⁸ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

¹⁰ After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

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Never having worked on a team, I found myself challenged with understanding what was my part versus someone else’s. Was I supposed to do everything or just a little? I needed a little clarification on what I was supposed to do, so I asked my boss.

• There have been many times when I needed to know my role.
• There have been many times when I needed to understand where I fit on the team.
• There have been many times when I did not know how or when to use my gifts and talents.

When the disciples landed at Ptolemais and Caesarea, they were greeted by many. Each person had their own gifts and talents. Philip was an evangelist, his daughters were prophets and Agabus was also a prophet. Each person was led by the HOLY SPIRIT. Agabus gave Paul a warning based on what the HOLY SPIRIT said.

• GOD gave me gifts and talents to use for HIS purpose.
• GOD leads me by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to embrace the gifts and talents of others.

Gifts and talents are in abundance in GOD’s kingdom. I mean, every person I meet has a unique way at looking at life. Each flawed person brings a unique piece to the broken mirror that reflects GOD. Only when all pieces are together, can we reflect HIM. I am grateful GOD has made me a tiny piece of a larger plan.

• Do you feel your gifts and talents are better than someone else’s?
• Do you think other people would be better off if they were to follow your way?
• Will you look at other people the way GOD does and value their gifts and talents even if you cannot see them today?

Connected

Connected

Acts 21: After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. ² We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. ³ After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. ⁶ After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

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“Who will I meet and what will I eat?” were the questions that ran through my mind when I ventured on a couple of missions trips in other countries. I was nervous because I never had been out of the country of my birth.

After meeting up with a local church, a guy spoke to me and asked me about JESUS on the first trip. My fears subsided. The same thing happened in other countries on other trips.

• There were times when I worried about being in a strange place.
• There were times when I wondered about my comfort.
• There were times when I felt uncomfortable about speaking to strangers about JESUS.

Paul and the disciples sailed to several ports on the way to Jerusalem, landing in Tyre. There they sought out those who believed in JESUS as their LORD and Savior. Many men, women and children met with them. At the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT they urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. They were connected enough to speak with wisdom, not fear.

• GOD wants me to connect with people through the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to serve people based on the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to live my life with purpose based on the HOLY SPIRIT.

Being led by the HOLY SPIRIT means growing GOD’s kingdom versus tearing it down. JESUS died and rose from the dead, sending the HOLY SPIRIT to those who believe in HIM. When I listen to HIM, I get sent to those who need the connection, or who need to guide me in my journey. I am grateful for the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.

• Are you connected to GOD’s people through JESUS?
• Does your life have purpose to do HIS will?
• Will you accept what GOD is urging you to do and drop your answers to human issues to provide HIS solutions to the problems of others today?

Missed Because of Purpose

Missed Because of Purpose

Acts 20: ³⁶ When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. ³⁷ They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. ³⁸ What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

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Looking back, the people I missed the most were those who had integrity. I mean, these were the people who taught me something I still use to this very day. Their selflessness opened my eyes to a whole new way of behavior. I remember them fondly.

• There were people in my life who had a sense of purpose.
• There were people in my life who spoke “the” truth versus “a” truth.
• There were people in my life who taught me to spread the love of JESUS.

Paul finished speaking to the group of leaders who were strong followers of CHRIST and knelt down to pray. They wept because Paul told them they would never see him again. He demonstrated and spoke with integrity about JESUS. Though they grieved, they understood.

• GOD understands when I grieve over the loss of a person.
• GOD wants me to live my life with HIS purpose so when HE removes me from people HE sent me to, I would have fulfilled what HE told me to do.
• GOD want me to point my life to HIS everlasting life so they can have HIS give of love forever.

With JESUS being the purpose of my life, I can fulfill what HE wants me to do with everyone around me. I can also recognize when others are living their life with purpose. Even if we are separated and I cannot see them for a while, I know it will not be forever.

I will have an eternity to spend with those who believe in JESUS and lived their life with purpose. I will miss those who have gone before me, but my grief for them is not forever. I am grateful GOD has put people in my life who have lived for HIS purpose.

• Are you living your life for GOD’s purpose?
• Do you want people to miss you or are you preparing them for eternal life with you and JESUS?
• Will you live your life with purpose that GOD has given you so you can shorten the grief of others if you are separated from them today?