The Daily Dose

Not a victim

For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”  Acts 25:11

 For years I have read through the letters that Paul sent to the churches in the New Testament books.  Often, his letters began with something about being a prisoner or being in chains.  He briefly acknowledged his location and the conditions why he was being held, but he never took on a victim mentality.  He certainly could have, but he maintained his focus and determined that he was going to complete his mission regardless of the outside forces coming against him. He never made excuses the he was not able to complete each assignment God gave him because his circumstances were stopping him.

Today’s reading in Acts 25 is no different.  After he had been kept at the palace for two years, a new procurator moved into the place, Festus.  He didn’t know Paul and he didn’t have the history that Felix had with him.  Festus went right to Jerusalem and met with the high priest before he settled in at Caesarea.  When he finally got to the palace, he had brought the priest and Jewish leaders back with him to hear Paul’s case.  Paul could have been made excuses and complained that he was just trying to do God’s work, but all these outside influences were prohibiting him from getting the work done.  Instead, Paul was actually given an option.  A choice to go back to Jerusalem to be heard, but Paul took control of the situation by appealing to Caesar.  As a Roman, he knew that once he made that appeal, there would be nothing to get in his way until he met Caesar face to face.  Since Jesus had told him on the road to Damascus that he would be his witness before kings, he knew he would one day go to Rome, and he took this opportunity to be taken there.

How many times in life do we let our circumstances limit the things God is trying to get done through us.  How many times do we play the victim.  When the outside forces rage, do we have our eyes fixed on the One who will overcome the obstacles, or do we sit down and let the winds blow us away?  Of course, the only way to stay on mission is if you know the mission ahead of time.  This is also the only way to not slip into the victim’s mind set.  You must get the plan from God’s Spirit and then follow Him diligently step by step.  Paul is one of the greatest examples of maintaining focus no matter what the outside world brought.

Today I want to encourage you when hard things are surrounding you, keep your eyes on Him. Set some time aside now at the beginning of the year and begin to take steps toward the plans He has for you.  It will be a process, but when you know you are following the leader, you will not be tempted or drawn off track by every opportunity that comes your way.  Press in today and ask Him about the current decisions you are making.  Learn how to ensure that you are hearing His direction and that you are positioning yourself for all that He has for you.  Take away all the chances of falling into a victim mentality by solidifying each decision by following the path He has laid out for you.  You will find your place and along with that will come your joy and peace.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 25:1-12

1 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 

2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, 

3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. 

4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. 

5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”

6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 

7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 

8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”

9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 

11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Set Back?

So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.  Acts 24:23

I bought my grandson a diecast pull back car.  You know, the kind of toy car that you pull backwards on the wheels, then let it go speeding across the floor?  It took him a little while to figure it out because he is only 2 years old, but in no time, he was pulling it back and chasing it as it zoomed ahead of him.  As I watched him playing with the car, I found it interesting that in pulling the car backwards, he was actually setting up the car to move faster than it could if he just pushed it forward.  The backward motion was actually a momentum setter to propel the car into the next room.

I thought about how that is often the case when we feel like we are experiencing a set back in life.  Many times, especially in my walk with God, I have felt like I was gaining ground and finally moving ahead and away from my past when I would once again miss it in some area of life and feel like I lost everything I had worked so hard to gain.  Many times, I felt like I was taking one step forward only to take three steps back.

In today’s reading, it looks like the apostle Paul is once again experiencing a setback.  He had a hearing before the magistrate, but after it was all over, Felix decided to wait for yet another witness before deciding his verdict.  Even though I am sure it was very disappointing at first, I love the fact that Paul was given liberty, and his friends were able to come and stay with him in the palace.  This seemingly setback actually turned into a time of rest for Paul’s team.  So much so that as I mentioned before, he began writing letters to all the churches and we still have the words he wrote, today.  This “set back” was actually setting Paul up to have a ministry way beyond him and his time in the world.  This time created the momentum needed to propel his ministry through time to 2000 years later.

What about you today?  Do you feel like you are experiencing a setback in your life?  Have you missed it or have things not worked out the way you planned that they would to this point in time?  Commit all these things to the Lord and He can turn them into a set up for what He has next for you to accomplish in this world.  Trust that even though you feel you are being pulled backward, He is ready to propel you forward into the purpose you were created for.

Today I want to encourage you if you are living in a setback time.  Commit whatever it is into His hands and exchange that setback for His set up.  He has a plan, and He is ready to propel you into that plan.  Get it sync with His momentum today by committing all your ways to Him. Then continue to do that every time it looks like you have missed it again. As you do this consistently, it will not take long at all for your set backs to become a forward motion that will propel you into all the things that He has planned for you.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 24:22-27

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 

23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 

25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 

26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Dreams

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”  Matthew 2:12-13

So many times, God spoke to people in the scriptures through dreams.  He spoke to Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Solomon, Daniel and many more.  Here we have two dreams that happened almost simultaneously.  The wise men were warned in a dream not to go back to talk to Herod and Joseph was instructed to go to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to protect Jesus from Herod.  We don’t know if these happened in the same night, but it doesn’t even matter.  The point is that God speaks through dreams.

This causes me to ask, does God speak through dreams today?  I believe the answer is yes.  Not only because He said He does in scripture (see Acts 2:17) but also because He has shown me things through dreams personally.  I wrote about one instance where the Holy Spirit showed me in a dream how my prayer for my family and others has changed the outcome of their lives.  Many times, I have dreamed about a person, randomly, so I would pray or send a message of encouragement to them only to find out they were in a struggle and God had reminded me to pray for them for help.

What about you?  Have you ever had a dream that was striking or even disturbing?  Don’t just push them aside, talk to God about them.  Maybe He will show you something He is trying to get across to you or maybe He will just put it on your heart to reach out to someone whom you haven’t connected with for a while.  Whatever the case may be, be aware that God does speak through dreams, and He may be speaking to you.

Today I want to encourage you to be aware that you may have a dream that God has given to you.  Be prepared in the night, if possible, to make a note if you have a strange dream so you don’t forget about it by morning.  You may even take a minute to pray about it right then and ask the LORD if He is trying to say something to you? You can even ask Him before you go to sleep to reveal something to you through a dream if you are not getting it when you are awake.  Doesn’t mean it will happen that night, but at least you will be aware when it does.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 2:7-15

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,

15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Look at the stars

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, WISE MEN from the East came to Jerusalem.  Matthew 2:1

Who were the wise men that came to Jerusalem to worship Jesus?  They were scholars from the east (Persia) that studied the stars.  Tradition calls them kings, but the truth is they were astronomers that understood the significance of events that took place in the sky.

In Genesis 1, God said that the stars were to divide the day from the night, but also that they would be for SIGNS and season.  Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years. (Gen. 1:14) I have always read right over that part of the creation account until recent years. Maybe it’s because technology has come so far or maybe it’s because more events are happening in the sky, but it seems like almost monthly there is another phenomenon to be seen in the heavens and I really enjoy taking the time to observe.

These happenings have always fascinated me, but only about the last 5 years of my life did they take on meaning.  I know that God is in the process of bringing heaven and earth together and that he is speaking to people through these signs.  Of course, as God’s people, he speaks to us through His Word and His Spirit, but to the world, He uses many outside resources including the stars to get their attention.

Interestingly enough, there are many significant displays going on this month. I don’t know what they all means, but I do know who is putting the show on and I don’t want to miss seeing the handiwork of my Father.  Even though I don’t know the significance, I still ask Him if there is anything He wants to say to me through this great light show.  Mostly I just believe He is saying: “Hey, I am here, and I want all people to recognize My hand in the world today.”

Today I want to encourage you to be a “wise man” and give some attention to what is going on in the sky.  You don’t have to try to figure out what it all means but enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.  If anything, step into the moment by taking the time to appreciate all He has done and is doing in the earth and in the sky.  He is speaking to us, up close and from far away in the universe.  Take time to talk with Him and ask Him if there is anything you should be doing to prepare for coming events or if there are things you shouldn’t be doing as we draw near to the end of this age of His grace.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-6

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

False accusations

Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.  Acts 24:1

  Have you ever been falsely accused of something?  What about had a wrong done to you?  We all have at some point in life.  Because people are people, there will always be misunderstandings, miscommunications and false accusations.  How do you take it when those times come?  Do you argue and make your case known loudly so everyone can hear the truth? Or do you take it patiently and let your actions be your witness?

The apostle Paul was no exception to the rule of being falsely accused.  Most of the time we hope it is just a mistake or a misunderstanding when it happens to us, but in Paul’s case false evidence was made up against him intentionally. It seemed to be a common practice among the religious leaders of that day.  Just as they drummed up charges against Jesus to have Him crucified, they were trying to do the same thing to Paul.  Paul’s response to these charges can be an example to each one of us still today.  He responded with unwavering faith, grace in his defense, patience in waiting for the outcome and in God’s timing.  He also used each one of these opportunities to share the message of the good news.

Let’s take a brief look at how he displayed each one of these attitudes:

1. Unwavering faith – Even though Paul had been detained and wrongly accused, he did not doubt his purpose and his faith in God stood firm.  He was not persuaded to doubt his calling, or the grace and provision God was giving him right in the middle of his circumstances.
2. Grace in his defense – He waited patiently as the charges were brought against him and didn’t interrupt or return accusations against the witnesses.  He waited for his turn to speak and gave a clear and calm explanation even though he was under great pressure to be very defensive.
3. Patiently waited for the outcome – Again, after everyone gave their side of the situation, Paul was held longer to wait for another witness.  He didn’t get a bad attitude about it, he just continued to do what he could to share God’s message of salvation right in the middle of his crisis.
4. Confident of God’s timing – Paul trusted that God was with him through it all and He was orchestrating the circumstances with perfect timing.

Today I want to encourage you to not get riled up and defensive with misunderstandings and offenses come in your life.  Follow Paul’s example of unwavering faith, grace, patience and God’s hand on the situation.  Determine that your witness for Him is the most important outcome and share the love of God with all those involved throughout the entire process.  The same way He was with Paul in his troubles, He is with you in yours.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 24:1-21

1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 

3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 

4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. 

5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 

6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. 

7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 

8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 

9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 

11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 

13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 

15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 

18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 

19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 

20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 

21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Armed protection

Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.  Acts 23:31

 I remember several years back, I was having some concerns and actually great fear came on me for the protection of my family.  I began to think about what it would be like if something tragic were to happen to one of them.  Of course, the more I thought about it the more terrified and helpless I felt.  I began to pray about it and ask the Lord what I would do and how could I live with this fear of what could possibly happen in the unknown future.  I am actually glad that I had this conversation with Him because what He showed me in that moment has brought me peace every time that fear tries to creep into my thought life. 

In just a moment of time, He showed me that I can ask and believe for God’s divine protection for my family and loved ones.  In the very same way and with the exact same faith that I asked Him to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior, I could ask Him in faith to protect and watch over those I love and care for.  Then He reminded me of Scripture such as Psalms 91 that say He put His angels in charge of us to keep us in all our ways, Psalms 34 that say the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, Psalms 23 that says when I walk through valleys, He is with me and protects and 2 Thessalonians 3:3 that He is faithful to strengthen and protect from the evil one.

I am encouraged once again as I read through today’s reading when the apostle Paul’s life was threatened by a group that had actually taken a vow to kill him.  God provided him with an armed escort right into the king’s palace where he was protected by the greatest military force on the face of the earth at that point in time.  As I read through to the end of the chapter, I saw that He was kept in Herod’s praetorium, but always thought that was a prison.  It turns out that he was actually in the palace that king Herod had built on the Mediterranean Sea as a place of retreat and no one trying to kill Paul could get to him there. This is actually where he spent the next two years before going on to Rome as we will read in the coming chapters.  It was also the place that he wrote many letters to the churches that we are still reading yet today.

Today I want to encourage you as you read through this passage of scripture to consider how great our heavenly Father is.  Is He big enough to keep you and your loved ones safe as you commit each one of them into His hand?  Is He able to send military forces and armed escorts to protect from evil coming against you?  Does His plan for your life include taking care of the details right down to your health and well-being?  You decide and while you are at it, decide that you are going to trust Him no matter what the circumstances look like to supply you with every kind of grace to get your purpose for being in this world accomplished.  This is why it is so important to find out your mission and assignment in life because when you do, there is nothing that can stop you from finishing because God will make sure you are successful

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 23:23-35

23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; 

24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 

25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.

27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 

28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. 

29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. 

30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him.

Farewell.

31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 

32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. 

33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 

34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, 

35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

Your Anchor

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”  Acts 23:11

Have you ever started out on a project in life?  Something that you were very excited about, a mission that you were sure the Lord was calling you to.  Then when it started taking longer than you thought or it became harder than you anticipated, you change your thinking to say, “I guess that wasn’t God’s will” or “My heart just isn’t in it anymore.”   This is not an uncommon thing.  Many people have given up on their dreams and even assignments from God because the steps of faith required became difficult and so much different than they had originally thought it was going to go.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul had many reasons to doubt if he was doing the right things or if he was actually following the direction that the Holy Spirit had led him to.   He was now imprisoned and there were many people on the outside wanting to silence him for good.  I’m sure he had questions like “why is this happening to me?” and “All I am trying to do is help people know God. Why is it so hard?”  He had every opportunity to be afraid and confused, but then he got a word from God.  At night, when things got quiet, the Lord stood by him and told him to cheer up because just as he had testified in Jerusalem, he would also do at Rome.  This was an encouragement because now Paul had a word from God to anchor his faith to.  He had gotten words from Him in the past like on the Damascus Road and when he had the dream to go to Macedonia.  Paul used these dreams and visitations as a reminder when things got uncomfortable that he knew he was on the right path even though it was rough.

In the book of 2^nd Peter chapter one, it is written that we today have a “more sure” word than the actual audible words that the disciples had when they walked with Jesus on the earth.  The reason is because it is written down for us to remember and re-read often.  God’s word in the scripture is our anchor and He will lead us to a specific passage each time we ask for an anchor in the storms we face in life.  God’s Spirit will often remind you of a passage or even give a soft reminder for you to take hold of when you ask Him in times of trouble.  This is why I often stress the importance of writing down the words that come up from your heart when you are earnestly seeking His guidance and comfort.  Whether it is looking for a new job or concern for a lost loved one, you can receive God’s comfort right in the middle of it all simply by getting alone with Him and asking what He has to say about the situation.  He may remind you of a verse you have recently read or lead you to a new scripture.  He may even give you a “knowing” in your heart that you can ask Him to back up with a scripture and He will lead you there.  I cannot really explain how it all happens, but I know that it does.  It is simply a step of faith to listen and then believe that you now have an anchor, steadfast and sure! That word from Him will be sealed in your heart with His peace! That is when you will know without a doubt that you have heard from Him because God’s word and presence always brings peace right in the middle of what you are going through.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever you are wrestling with.  Whatever is coming against you in life.  Don’t run away and hide and don’t automatically assume you are on the wrong path.  Unknown times will always come but you can have a “more sure” word to cling to when they do.  Get alone with Him today and ask Him what He says about the situations and listen intently to what you hear in your heart.  Shut down the voice of fear and doubt in your thinking and determine that you will get God’s word on the matter.  When He gives you the word that brings peace, write it down immediately and keep it in a place that you can remember to thank Him for that promise every day until you see it come to pass.  You don’t have to wonder if you made a wrong decision of if you are doing the right things, you can know in your heart by listening to God’s word and following His peace today and every day.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 23:11-22

11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 

13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 

14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 

15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” 

18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”

19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. 

21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”

22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

Happy New Year

Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”  Acts 23:9

Happy New Year everyone!  In 2024, I am committing to praying for you all more.  I appreciate each one of your support by subscribing to the Daily Dose daily devotional and it is especially a great honor to send you a word of encouragement each day.  I ask the Father of our Lord Jesus to bless each one of you who read each day in 2024 and to empower every individual to realize God’s unconditional love for you and to accomplish the plans and purpose He has for your life!

Today I want to talk about the power of a God sized vision.  Many times in life, God puts a thought or idea into a person’s heart.  The bible refers to it as a dream or vision.  When God gives a vision to an individual, it is guaranteed that it will be bigger than the person receiving the dream.  The reason is so that you will have to depend on God, step by step, to accomplish this plan.  It also ensures that you will have to have help and to grow in relationships with the people called to work on the mission with you.  However, when God does drop a direction in your heart, as you talk with Him about it, you will sense faith rising up and the energy you need to move forward on the plan.  Sometime, you will have an idea that will require a time of prayer and preparation to get started.  Other times He is calling you to start today, right where you are.  The key is in putting yourself into a quiet space and spending time listening to His voice within your heart to know just what your next step needs to be. 

In my case, I find myself often worrying about how I am going to do the next thing that is needed.  When that happens, I ask Him, “How am I going to do that?”  But I don’t make excuses, I wait and listen.  Each time I think of that step, I thank God that He has the answer and that He is getting it to me at just the right time.  It may take days before the answer comes or even months.  However, I know God is reminding me about it when the thought comes and that is my que to pray about it some more by believing He is going to show me the answer.  God knows you and He know me and what He really knows is how much time each one of us need to start moving and He strategically plans that into the mission equation.

In today’s reading at the beginning of Acts chapter 23, Paul was brought before the chief priests and all their council so that the commander of the Roman guard could find out what the dispute was about the previous day.  Paul started out his defense by saying that he lived in all good conscience before God everyday.  This statement came the next day after he confessed all he had done to persecute the church the day before, meaning that he had been forgiven and didn’t let his regrets and past sin hold him back from what God had called him to do.

This is often the place where people get stuck in life.  They get saved and into a right relationship with God, but cannot get out of the grip of past sin.  In reality, they are the ones gripping and holding on to the past, but God wants us all to let it go because He has cleansed each one of us with the blood of Jesus and washed every stain of sin away!  Before you are able to “see” where God is leading you in life, you have to be looking in the right direction and that is ahead.  Stop looking behind you at your past sin or the hurts you have experienced.  God is working all of those things for good works now to help others.

As Paul continued to speak Acts 23, the people there came into a great argument.  So that finally one group decided that if Paul had a visitation from heaven whether an angel or God Himself, they did not want to try to fight against what God was doing.

This is usually what happens next to each one of us when given a God sized vision.  As we begin to share with others, they quickly see that the dream is much bigger than we can accomplish on our own, so they dispute and try to “talk some sense” into us.  These nay sayers will knock you right off your course if you listen to them.  Although it is not usually wrong to share what God has put in your heart, be selective and start out talking about the idea with those who will pray with you and be encouraging and especially if you do not know for sure if your dream has come from God or just your own imagination.

Next in the reading, Paul is rescued from the dispute and taken to a safe place.  This is where you need to withdraw to, often.  Create a safe, secret space where you can spend quiet time with God each day and every time you are afraid or confused about what is next in the plan.  A place where you can find peace and rest for your soul.  A place to quiet the external voices and even the internal voices of doubt and unbelief that are talking over Him.  This will take place every single day while working on the assignment and when it is accomplished, you will get in that secret place again for your next mission.

Today I want to encourage you to ask your heavenly Father for a God sized vision for 2024.  This is not setting a goal to become healthier or wealthier.  Although those are not bad goals,  God’s assignment on your life will be something that impacts the people around you everywhere you go, not just your own life.  After you ask Him, begin to thank Him that His plan for your life is on the way and you are ready to receive it and walk it out with His empowerment.  Thank Him everyday for it until you realize what it is.  If you find yourself making excuses because of where you have come from, what you have done in the past or the lack of education you have had, turn those excuses over to Him and get rid of them!  Now you are ready to write down the plan when it comes and begin to pray for where and how to start.  Ask Him who to talk to about it and pray about it with.  Then begin to take steps as He brings them to your thoughts and heart and ask for His strength every step of the way.  Retreat often to thank Him for calling you and for staying close to you step by step and for surrounding you with others to help as you need.  And when you do hear objections or unbelief, ask your loving heavenly Father to protect you from those thoughts and remind you of His grace to do big things for Him.  Make 2024 your best year yet by stepping into the great plan God wants to do through your life!

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 22:30 – 23:1-10

Acts 22:30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Acts 23:1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 

8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 

9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

God’s plan

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. Matthew 1:19

Yesterday’s dose was focused on women and their purpose in creation.  Today I want to talk about men and God’s plan for them in the family unit.  When God gave Eve to Adam, Adam said this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.  Then God joined them together and they became one flesh.  Adam named her woman because she came out of man or in other words, she a was part of him.

In today’s scripture, we see Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, wanting to protect Mary from becoming a public example.  Even though I’m sure he was hurt and confused about the news of her being pregnant, he didn’t respond in anger and determine to make her pay for the pain she had caused him.  He had in mind to deal with her in private to protect her reputation and he did not want to shame her.

This is a perfect example of God’s heart for the way a husband loves and cares for his wife.  God wanted man to protect and provide for her.  The directive God gave was not, this is someone who will complete you and help you in all your accomplishment, (even though she does do that).  Rather it was: Here is a precious gift for you to nurture, care for and protect from all outside forces.  She is a part of you so pay attention to her needs the way you pay attention to your own. God never intended for man to dominate his wife, that is not the reason God told her to submit to him.  He gave the husband responsibility to make sure his wife was his number one priority and that she should trust him because he loves her above all other things in the world including himself.

It is easy to see how God’s plan for a married couple would work if kept in His perfect order.  A husband loves his wife above all others (including himself) and she submits everything to him and his direction because she knows he always has her best interest in his heart and likewise she has his.  I have heard it said that men want respect from their wife and women want security and I do believe this is true.  However, the kind of security she wants is in knowing that she is the most precious and protected person in his world, secure in his love for her, not the security of dollars in the bank account.  If he holds her up as the most precious part of him, she will know she can surrender all to him and he will protect that too.

Today I want to encourage you men/husbands to love your wife in the same way that Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25.) Hold her in such a regard that you would even give your life if needed to protect your most precious gift from God.  Make her feel secure by the way you lift her far above all other people in your life and trust me, you will have no problem with her submitting to you after that.  It is all she wants, but it is up to you to take the first step.  Next, I want to encourage all wives to honor and respect your husband.  If he is a husband that doesn’t quite get the order that God planned, it will be easier for him to do his part if you are doing yours.  You don’t need to be telling him the way to love you, instead begin to speak to him with honor and let him take the leading role in your marriage and family.  Then pray for him as he steps into the position of head of the household and God will partner with your efforts because you are living by His structure.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,

25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

A position of success

_{Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. Matthew 1:3-6}

The book of Matthew starts off with the genealogy of Jesus.  You may have read through genealogies in the Old Testament, or not, but it is surprising the things you can learn in the comments about some of the people, the nation and the culture of the time.

I want to focus on the four women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus in Matthew’s account.  They are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba.  I believe God specifically choose each one of these ladies to send a message to all people of the future.  I had initially thought that I was going to write about God working with everyone despite what is in our past, but after taking a closer look I see something different now.

Each one of these women were victims of their circumstances and destined to live as a childless widow for the rest of their lives. A fate, in that culture, that was worse than being dead. Yet, they each made a decision that changed the direction they were headed.  A step of faith that brought God on the scene of their lives and opened the doors for them to walk through right into the blood line of the Son of God.

As I consider these women, the times they lived in and the future they were headed for, I pause to reflect on my own life’s journey.  I have always considered myself to be strong and capable, but ultimately, I know it has been my faith that carried me through many difficult seasons.  I have had failed relationships and I have spent time alone without a husband.  However, while being a single parent in the current culture can still be difficult, it is widely accepted by the world’s standard and there are many programs available to help.  I can see my purpose more clearly now more than ever before.  I am a woman created by God to love and care for a family and household.  I remember times when I was alone and thinking I couldn’t go on.  Thankfully, I knew my children counted on me to be there and provide for our little home.  They were the reason on many days that I kept on going.

Today I want to encourage you if you are a wife and mother.  This is your greatest success in life and your #1 mission.  You were created to fulfill this role and to train up leaders for the next generation.  Your reach spans the generations from mom to grandma to great grandparent.  You are creating a legacy right in your home in your little corner of the world.  If you are not married or have no children, I want to encourage you that this can change, and you can still fulfill this mission in life.  Talk to God about it and trust that He is leading you to the open doors that you are preparing to walk through by faith. Ask Him for the strength and wisdom to position yourself as He leads.  If you are a husband and father, be thankful for the wife and family God has given you to love and provide for.  Proverbs 18:22 says that finding a wife is a good thing and shows the Lord’s favor on your life!  God created women as the answer to the first problem (man being along) and that solution is still going strong in the world today.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 1:1-17

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 

3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 

4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 

5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 

6 and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 

7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 

8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 

9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 

10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 

11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 

13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 

14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 

15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 

16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.