Today’s chapter reveals that aggressive religious intolerance has been part of our Maker’s story for at least 2,000 years…
READ ACTS 21 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Looking out at my peaceful garden day after day, it’s hard for me to imagine life in times of aggressive turmoil. What happened to Paul, in today’s chapter, reminds me of Chairman Mao’s China – especially through the 1960s and early ’70s. Those who were favoured, and had the authority to throw people into prison, were themselves arrested and beaten a few years later! [v30-31] In Paul’s experience, it was first century religious intolerance. [v28-29] But whatever comes our way – however shocking it may be to us – today’s chapter shows that it doesn’t take the Creator God (the author of the script) by surprise. [v4b,v10-14]
From His vantage point above this planet[a], the Creator God knew in advance the extent of the religious intolerance that Paul would face. [v4b,10-14] But, like any commanding officer[b], He’s planning ahead of time what to do with those who put their trust in Him.[c] This doesn’t mean a smooth ride. And yet, Paul knew the God who calls Himself “I AM”[d] …not “I was” or “I will be”. As YHWH: the Great “I AM”, His all-encompassing knowledge and provision, in the present, covers all that we need, right when we need it…
Read more? … CLICK “12 September – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Finding it hard to connect with the One who knows what’s next? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[e]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
I’ll praise Your Name with song. I’ll magnify You, Lord, with thanksgiving. [Psalm 69:30]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: The work of NGOs in Nepal[f]
Your Country: Up-coming Gospel Events and missions
Yourself: A biblical response to wrong done
Your concerns for today
Heavenly Father, may I live to see Your prediction: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will acknowledge God.” [Isaiah 45:23]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
If I confess my sins to others and pray for other so that I’ll be healed, then the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. [James 5:16]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
Thank-you Lord that I have a Great High Priest who’s ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Now I can hold firmly to the faith I profess. [Hebrews 4:14]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[g] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing the script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Being a Good “Caretaker”
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” [Hebrews 13:5]
[a] Matthew 5:34b-35a (heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool)
[b] Joshua 5:13-15
[c] Hebrews 12:2
[d] Exodus 3:14
[e] Matthew 6:5-15
[f] http://www.operationworld.org/country/nepa/owtext.html
[g] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31