Scripture - Acts 15:1 –Acts 15:2 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 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.

Observation - Paul and Barnabas came into sharp dispute (stasis - a standing position, a popular uprising; controversy, dissension, insurrection, uproar) with some men from Judea regarding, of all things, doctrine!!! Being circumscised Jews, they began to teach Gentiles who had gotten saved that they needed to be circumsicsed to be saved, basically because they had. Paul, though he was circumcised, completely disagreed with any "salvation by works" message.

Application - I love that Paul felt it necessary to "defend" truth to the point of becoming sharp! In the house of God, there aren't many things worth arguing over, but any teaching that takes away from the saving power of the grace of Jesus Christ needs to be argued!

This is an important scripture to remind leaders that we are charged with the defense of the Gospel. There is a message in the house that needs to be protected vehemently. Doctrine is of eternal consequences! Through the years there will be those who attempt to subvert the message, either from within or without, but the message of salvation is life-changing water that needs to remain pure. We must protect the water source!

Prayer - Lord, thank you for your word! Let it remain pure and flowing in our lives!

Scripture - Acts 13:45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

Observation - while in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue and taught about Jesus. Most were very interested in what they had to say, which led to Acts 13:44, On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. A huge turnout took place. The Jews responded by 1) being jealous; and 2) talking abusively against what Paul was saying.

I'm not sure about the spiritual state of the Jews in Antioch prior to Paul's arrival, but I expect it wasn't a time of spiritual revival. Record numbers weren't showing up at the synagogue. Those who were showing up did so out of religious faithfulness. Being the only "show in town" allowed the movement to trudge along without any competition, and then Paul showed up.

Application - Personally, I am challenged in three areas:

1. Is there something life-giving going on in "my synagogue." If there is, people will verify it with their attendance. There is no replacement for a life-giving movement. This is not accomplished by activity or programs, but with the Presence of God and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
2. Am I jealous when I see other people successful? If I am it's probably because 1) I recognize that their is something lacking "in my synagogue" and yet I am not doing the right things to correct it; 2) I am attempting to build my own Kingdom instead of His and I have to be territorial to protect it; 3) I am bitter about my own lack of personal success; 4) I've failed to recognized what a blessing it is to have additional (that God is sending) to help to accomplish the same task that I cannot accomplish on my own.
3. Do I talk abusively about others when I experience numbers 1 & 2? If so, it is my attempt to chop them down to my level or to impede their success. This is easier than sprinting to catch up to their speed or striving to grow.

I've experienced this from both sides and have watched it take place in communities time and time again. Having a Paul & Barnabas show up in our town on the Christian scene is a good thing! They play for the same team. We do have the same goals. Their success will impact what's going on in our synagogue if we allow it to. There are things we can learn from them. We don't have to get in trouble with God by becoming jealous or maligning others!

Prayer - Lord, help me to be successful, but help others around me to be successful as well. Clearly, we need each other!

Scripture - Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Observation - the Psalmist is concerned not only about his spoken conversations, which God can audibly hear, but the conversations taking place in his mind while he was silent. He asks that God help him to even have thoughts that are pleasing.

Application - this verse represents one of the great doxologies used by the church to end various gatherings and send people on their way with an intentional direction for their steps that follow. I can remember corporately saying these words before leaving church services as a kid.

I think we all recognize the sin in coversations we have or words we speak that are inappropriate. They sound bad. Other people hear them. We are embarassed. We are wrong and we know it.

I think it is much harder to recognize when the meditations of our heart (our thoughts) are wrong. Thought happens, often without even recognizing the activity. We worry, we argue, we lash out, we doubt, we rebuke, all within the confines of our minds, and then we move on to other things without realizing where we have been or what we have done. It can easily become a pattern for living that we are oblivious to. We end up inappropriately handling things within the confines of our mind without realizing it's damaging capacity to our health, our way of living, or our relationship with God. We can become negative, bitter, argumentative, etc, all because of what is happening in our skulls!

I am reminded to address this issue today. How is my thought life? Is it healthy? Is it pleasing to God?

Prayer - Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Scripture - Acts 10:24-26 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

Observation - Peter was certainly well known in the Jewish community and the Christian community. His reputation was second only to Jesus because of the things He experienced. Cornelius, being such a God-fearing man, and having experienced a legitimate vision from God that was fullfilled in his presence upon Peter's arrival, responded as only an overwhelmed person would - he fell to the ground in front of Peter, almost in worship. After all, he really didn't know the rules.

Peter's had every opportunity to milk the response of this new disciple. He could have demanded special treatment. He could have exacted a price for services. He could have manipulated this man because of his means and willingness to use them to serve people. He had a great opportunity to create a social-spiritual chasm between himself and Cornelius that put them on two different spiritual planes.

And yet, Peter did none of that. He taught the man that his response was improper. "I am but a man" went farther that communicating he was not a god. It silently proclaimed, "I am not a rock star. I am not a hero. I am a normal personal just like you. I require no special treatment. You and me are similar. I want to share the wealth with you!"

Application - Humility in the midst of success is such an attractive quality. Granted, very few of us will ever experience the level of noteriety and achievement of Peter, but far lower levels of success have corrupted men far more easily!

I think it important as a leader to guard against people placing me on any type of pedistal. It's not just an issue of humility. It's more an encouragement for them that my success (whatever that may be) is easily achieved by them as well. I frequently mention in my preaching that God has only really told me what to do a few times in my walk with him. I frequently mention that I struggle to hear His voice, I struggle to know what to do, I struggle as I take steps forward because I'm not sure if they are right. I struggle with my screaming emotions that attempt to make me feel unsaved, unloved, and insecure, when facts tell me that I am saved, loved and well endowed wit the tools to get the job done!

As Peter told Cornelius to get up, he was leveling the playing ground, bringing confidence - "You too are a man of God. You too have heard his voice. You too are wanting to impact the world. You too are someone with destiny. Stand here with me!" People need that invitation, and they need the curtain that hides the Wizard of Oz pulled back so they can strive for an achievable status in Christ.

Prayer - Lord, help me to be successful. Lord, help me to bring people into that same success. Help me to portray a realistic reflection of you!

Scripture - Ps 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Observation - Psalm 16 has so many verses worth noting. Verse 8 identifies the position the psalmist has given to the Lord.

• he is always before me - neged - neh'-ghed - a front, part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate. This paints the picture of a relationship formed between God an man, and in this context, man if following his partner, God.
• he is at my right hand - a further illustration of partnership, and yet, the Lord at the psalmist right hand is indicative of a position of power. The most influencial relationship in the psalmists life is the Lord.

As a result of this position, the author of the psalm recognizes that he will not be shaken (môt - mote' - to waver; by implication to slip, shake, fall:—be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay)

Application - in this life I have absolutely no confidence, not in myself, not in circumstances, not in situations, not in people, not in movements. Even if I were the most capable, proficient, well trained, amply resourced individual with a pheomenal support team in a cutting edge corperation taking on a simple task, success is not guaranteed because absolutely anything can happen.

And yet, I have absolute confidence, regardless of myself, circumstances, situations, people and movements regardless of the difficulty of the task simply because I am following Jesus. He is leading. There is nothing impossible, because of that relationship. He is able (Eph 3:20) do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power... There is nothing too hard for Him. Therein lies my confidence!

Prayer - Lord, a smile is on my face! You are my confidence.

Scripture - Ex 17:5 –Ex 17:7 The LORD answered Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Observation - Moses was leading the Israelites post Red Sea through the wilderness toward Canaan. In the process they ran out of water. The people began accusing him and quarreling with him. They had completely forgotten God's miraculous acts just days previous. Moses calls out on God and He tells Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, which interestingly means desolate,  releasing a miraculous flow of water. After that took place, Moses gave the place two names:

• Massah - testing
• Meribah - quarreling

Application - so often, great Old Testament leaders experienced God and afterward named the place wonderful things like "On the Mountain of the Lord, it will be provided!" our of their fondness for what God had done. It becomes "a favorite chapter" in the book of their life. Unfortunately, great encounters with God aren't always pleasant. Moses encounter at Horeb was one of those experiences. Sure, he experienced God, but he also came close to death and he saw the absolute fleshly side of the people he was leading. While water was provided in a desolate place, it was a bad experience. It was a place where he was tested. It was a place where the people were tested. It reaked of failure as the people did nothing but bicker and argue and complain.

He took the time to name the place. It was still and iconic moment. It was an important chapter in the book.

This completely resonates with my soul! There have been chapters in my walk that have been extremely difficult. One part of me would not even want them in the book of my life, and another part of me recognizes that these are potentially the most important chapters of the entire book. They are defining moments. They are less than glamourous. They pull back the curtain and reveal the ugly side of life. But they also reveal God's faitfulness to never leave me or forsake me, even when things go to... go to.... well, you know! 

I am glad for the key places where things get messy! He is still faithful.

Prayer - Lord, thank you for not embellishing your Word. Thank you that it portrays real situations with real people who went through hard places... with YOU! I am encouraged!

Scripture - Ex 14:1 –Ex 14:31 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off  so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward  it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Observation - the Israelites were finally leaving Egypt's slavery after 400 years.

Application - reading through the scripture today, I was amazed at how many principles are revealed in this account describing man, God, His plan and His ways.  They include:

• even though you are in God's will, you will have enemies
• your enemies will try to stop God's best from coming to you
• God has a plan
• God often shares His plan with His leaders, not always everyone else
• God's instructions can seem stupid in the natural
• God's instructions are tactical
• Sometimes we are "bait" for God to catch the big fish and get glory!
• God always hardens the heart of the rebellious
• People typically have short term memories
• God is always up to making himself known
• When you look at life's circumstances, they will often eclipse the promises of God
• If you are going to get stuck between an enemy and the sea, you better have arrived there in the process of following Him... and not just because you made people mad. In the one case you can expect deliverance, and in the other, you can expect a beating!
• God can part any obstacle

 Prayer - Lord., thank you for the powerful revelation of truth in your word.