If ever there was any doubt, this should clarify. What exactly was the gospel message that the apostle Paul and others taught and shared? Notice carefully this verse:

"When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening." (Acts 28:23)

Sounding like the old "Mission Impossible" opening ("your mission, should you decide to accept it is ..."), this one verse outlines the most extensive assignment any of us will ever undertake. If we are willing and receptive, our mission is to do like Paul and research all that can be found of the kingdom of God and the Messiah from the first five books of the Bible and the Prophets. No small task! Diligence and persistence are essential to this long-term assignment. But the result will be immensely beneficial not only to those we share our findings with, but to us personally.

Many believers yearn for the impact of the Christian faith today that is recorded in the Book of Acts. Amidst the astounding progress and impact of the Muslim faith, many Christian believers lament the decline of the local church and the diminishing effect of the Christian faith on today's world. But note carefully: the impact of the Christian faith in the first century centered on knowing and sharing the message described in Acts 28:23. When an army of believers research, know, and live this message well enough to share it widely, we can anticipate a radical new impact on today's world.

The secret to the most exciting phase of the Christian faith is clearly evident in both the beginning and ending of the Book of Acts. Notice:

"To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)

"And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered."(Acts 28:30-31)

Do you see it? Are you motivated by the challenge? The adventure of a lifetime - and beyond - awaits all who take up the call to know, live and share the great message that was foundational to the explosive movement of first-century Christianity. The very real possibility to "re-enact Acts" is within our grasp.

Who is ready to accept the assignment?

Steve

If ever there was any doubt, this should clarify. What exactly was the gospel message that the apostle Paul and others taught and shared? Notice carefully this verse:

"When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening." (Acts 28:23)

Sounding like the old "Mission Impossible" opening ("your mission, should you decide to accept it is ..."), this one verse outlines the most extensive assignment any of us will ever undertake. If we are willing and receptive, our mission is to do like Paul and research all that can be found of the kingdom of God and the Messiah from the first five books of the Bible and the Prophets. No small task! Diligence and persistence are essential to this long-term assignment. But the result will be immensely beneficial not only to those we share our findings with, but to us personally.

Many believers yearn for the impact of the Christian faith today that is recorded in the Book of Acts. Amidst the astounding progress and impact of the Muslim faith, many Christian believers lament the decline of the local church and the diminishing effect of the Christian faith on today's world. But note carefully: the impact of the Christian faith in the first century centered on knowing and sharing the message described in Acts 28:23. When an army of believers research, know, and live this message well enough to share it widely, we can anticipate a radical new impact on today's world.

The secret to the most exciting phase of the Christian faith is clearly evident in both the beginning and ending of the Book of Acts. Notice:

"To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)

"And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered."(Acts 28:30-31)

Do you see it? Are you motivated by the challenge? The adventure of a lifetime - and beyond - awaits all who take up the call to know, live and share the great message that was foundational to the explosive movement of first-century Christianity. The very real possibility to "re-enact Acts" is within our grasp.

Who is ready to accept the assignment?

Steve

Where is God in the midst of the storm? Who hasn't gone through severe trials and questioned His interest and involvement. Many can identify with Jesus on the cross as he echoed the Psalmist's words, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" (Matthew 27:46).

Acts 27 records the perilous journey of the apostle Paul to Rome. His safety as well as that of his traveling companions is nothing short of a miracle. A horrific storm lasting at least two weeks caused indescribable anguish. One verse is especially descriptive: "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned." (Acts 27:20).

But God was in the midst of the storm. Paul declared, "I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, `Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." (Acts 27:22-25)

When things seemed darkest God intervened with a message of reassurance and hope. Resolute in faith, Paul offered confident reassurance to those who had gradually abandoned all hope of being saved.

This present age is a storm of increasing intensity. A pervading darkness has caused many to give up all hope of being saved. Assumed securities and comforts are being stripped away and the unsteady anchor which many have relied on is proving to be of little value.

Amidst the storm of this age comes a message of assurance for all who will believe. A new age is coming, full of hope and possibilities. The dead will live again, the crippled will run, the deaf will hear, the blind see. Unemployment and financial hardships will be forgotten concepts as all its citizens find meaningful and fulfilling roles in the government of Jesus the Christ.

We are the 'Pauls' of our age who are given a confident and reassuring message to all threatened by today's storms. All who believe and accept can embrace this hope and see the possibilities that exist beyond the storm.

God is in the midst of the storm. Embrace and declare your hope to a storm-weary world.

Steve

"If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Although it's been a long time since I've seen this bumper sticker, I often ponder it's searching question.

The apostle Paul was literally arrested for being a Christian and was privileged to make his defense before the highest court of the day. The stakes could not have been higher; he could have babbled like a mad man and been discredited in the eyes of the court, or presented his case concisely and intelligently and gained his freedom. Apparently the latter was true, based on the response of the powerful magistrate before whom he stood: "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." (Acts 26:32)

So what was Paul's compelling argument? In his own words, "I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles." (Acts 26:22-23)

Paul's entire defense was based upon the believer's hope of resurrection made possible through the resurrection of Jesus, as revealed in Scripture. This was the key non-negotiable belief for Paul. This key truth made it possible "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith" (Acts 26:18). Without Christ's resurrection and the believer's resurrection there is no kingdom hope.

A worthy cause inspires sacrifice and service. There is no higher cause worthy of our highest sacrifice and service than this - the hope of resurrection through Christ. This belief provides the energy and enthusiasm for Christian living, outreach, and mission.

Several years ago I grappled with the question, "What do I believe strongly enough that I would be willing to die for?" The hope of resurrection through Christ's resurrection was at the top of the list, followed closely by the future Kingdom of God on earth, the sleep of the dead, the oneness of God, and the sonship of Jesus. These are my resolute beliefs and worthy of my utmost in service and sacrifice.

May you find powerful motivation today in the truths that matter.

Steve

What's a body to do? It's human nature to be long on intention and short on action. Even worse, the internal battle between good and evil is more intense than we likely realize.

The apostle Paul was not one to rationalize or hide his sinful nature. This giant of the faith was bluntly honest regarding his struggle with sin. Consider these words:

"For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15) ... "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." (Romans 7:18-19) ... " I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:21-24)

These hardly sound like the words of a man attempting to whitewash personal sin. A full recognition of his true nature set Paul on the path to profoundly appreciate the grace of God in Christ: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! " (Romans 7:25)

Perhaps the greatest danger we face in life is in believing that we are good. The hard truth is we are more evil than we realize. None of us are beyond the worst criminal behavior, much as we might like to think otherwise. The roots of sin run much deeper in our lives than we are willing to admit. Our plight is more desperate than we know.

Depressing thoughts? You bet. But like Paul, it is only when we realize how bad and desperate we are that we can truly appreciate how profound God's grace and forgiveness are in Christ. If we do not honestly grapple with Paul's bluntly honest words in Romans 7 we are not truly ready to embrace the truth that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

I cut my sinful nature plenty of slack. I dare in my mind to believe that I am beyond certain evil behavior, even though I know that what Paul says in Romans 7 is true. It is only the grace of God in Christ that will keep me from what I am fully capable of humanly.

The danger of "seniority" in Christian living is that we can easily come to believe that Christ's goodness in us is really our own goodness. That attitude is the surest step toward a dangerous sinful fall. We dare not lose sight of the fact that we are more sinful than we know and God's grace in Christ is greater than we realize.

May we face life today with a clearer understanding of who and what we really are, and with an even greater awe of God's goodness and mercy through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Steve

They sound like fitting words for our times:

"For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head." (Obadiah 15)

We live in unprecedented times.Turmoil among the nations of the world has never been greater, and vehement threats against the Israeli nation are at fever pitch. Tremendous pressure is brought to bear against this tiny nation to give up territory presumed to belong to non-Jewish peoples. Yet any territory given up in the near future is destined to be temporary at best. Obadiah's words read like tomorrow's headlines:

"Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau, And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain; Also, possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, And Benjamin will possess Gilead. And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will possess the cities of the Negev. The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion To judge the mountain of Esau, And the kingdom will be the LORD'S." (Obadiah 19-21)

The modern-day conflict, as it has always been, is all about territory. Numerous peoples feel it to be their right to possess real estate in the Middle East inhabited by others. But one thing is certain: the Israeli nation is destined for astounding expansion. Now, lest we feel threatened by this Zionist movement, we do well to remember that by faith we each are a part of it.

"if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." (Galatians 3:29)

The amazing triumph of the Jewish nation is our triumph as well. It is ultimately not about race but grace. People of faith are fully adopted into the lineage of promise through Christ, the descendant of Abraham. As such we have a rightful claim to the land of the Middle East, destined to be the headquarters of the Kingdom of God.

Diplomats are actively seeking a brilliant solution to the centuries-old conflict in the Middle East. Unfortunately, a charismatic political figure will arise to offer a solution that will result in worldwide domination and unprecedented bloodshed. But our hope lies beyond that intense tumultuous time. As Obadiah was inspired to promise, "And the kingdom will be the LORD'S."

With an eye on today's news and our other eye on God's word, we are in an opportune position to live hopefully and to share freely of the greatest good news concerning the Kingdom of God. Don't let today's disturbing news of military aggression or political upheaval deter you from the resolute fact that "the kingdom will be the LORD'S."

As those who know the true outcome of today's events, let's live triumphantly.

Steve

Better to be faithful than popular. That's much easier said when it's popular to be faithful.

The prophet Jeremiah seemed to give little thought to the cost of unpopularity when faithfully speaking the word of the Lord. If there were opinion polls in his day they would no doubt have reflected very unfavorably on him. Speaking the word of the Lord was nothing less than a public relations disaster, which ultimately culminated in an ugly confrontation with the king.

"the officials said to the king, "Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm." So King Zedekiah said, "Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you." Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud." (Jeremiah 38:4-6)

The ridicule many of us have faced for faithfully sharing the word of the Lord is nothing compared to the harsh treatment that Jeremiah faced. Being God's faithful spokesman mattered more than popularity or comfort.

I'm humbled by the example of such men. The word of the Lord concerning the place of future reward, the nature of death, and the nature of God and His Son Jesus is hardly popular and is all too easy to be silent or subtle about. The risk of popularity and ridicule easily overrides the call to faithfully share God's truth.

The greatest commandments to wholeheartedly love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40) is the overriding factor that offsets the risk of popularity or comfort. Love for God and His truth and our fellow man are the forces that overcome complacency.

I'm no Jeremiah, but he is a hero and model. I want to love the Lord and His truth and faithfully share regardless of its popularity. I want to be faithful to do as Paul instructed Timothy; to "preach the word; be ready in season (when it is convenient) and out of season (when it is not convenient)." (2 Timothy 4:2).

God and His word meant so much to Jeremiah that to refuse to share it was to have a fire burn within that could not be contained (Jeremiah 20:9).

May His word be a burning fire within each of us today - and always.

Steve

If you're headed in to the woods, be sure to tie something to some trees so you'll find your way back out. That's the conventional wisdom to prevent getting lost. It makes good sense spiritually as well.

"Set up for yourself roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went. " (Jeremiah 31:21)

It's all too easy to forget where we are going or where we have come from. We begin the Christian life with high ideals and aspirations but we can easily turn to the path of compromise and accommodation. Without realizing it, we can be headed in the wrong direction away from our faith and convictions.

I'm reminded that people of faith recorded in the Old Testament often built altars and landmarks to remind them of significant spiritual events. Joshua and the Israelites built two twelve-stone altars as they crossed into the promised land (Joshua 4). Jacob built an altar in a place called Bethel after a nighttime encounter with God (Genesis 28). They knew that they needed to be reminded of these significant events along the highway of the adventure of faith with the One True God.

We need similar reminders in our journey of faith. My home church in rural Indiana will always serve as a spiritual altar. It was there that I learned the great truths of the Bible and first sensed the presence of the Father and His Son, Jesus. An old schoolhouse in Ohio will always be another altar because of a spiritual experience there.

If we don't mark the significant spiritual events in our lives we are in danger of venturing down a path that can lead to spiritual ruin. By regularly remembering and even revisiting those significant places and times we can better gauge our spiritual progress.

This day offers an excellent opportunity to mentally return to our spiritual roadmarks and guideposts. Is the road you are traveling today near or far from these significant events? Are you still on the road to the Kingdom or have you taken a dangerous detour? The roadmarks and guideposts are the truest indicators.

May this be a significant day of directing and redirecting.

Steve