The Daily Dose

Vent and drain

So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.  2 Corinthians 2:1-2

Have you ever had a friend that always comes to you when they need cheering up?  Someone who’s life seems to be drowned in drama.   Even though you wanted to help them and encourage them, by the time it was your turn to talk, you were depleted and depressed because of everything they unloaded.  It wasn’t your friend’s intent to smother your encouraging words, but after they vented all their thoughts, you had nothing left to give.  Their complaining and condition completely drained any words of wisdom you had for them.

It’s ironic that we use these words: vent and drain, but this is exactly what happens.  A ventilation system is made to improve a drainage system.  Ventilation supplies air into the fixtures to stir up and move substances through and out of the drain.  It is the same way when you vent your thoughts and feelings, you are actually stirring up and moving others either to confusion or exhaustion.  Encouragement and inspiration is diminished.

Evidently, this happened to the apostle Paul when he was at Corinth at an earlier time.  He started the second chapter in 2 Corinthians by saying “I decided not to come for a visit because my words bring you all grief to the extent that I am not able to be encouraged because you are so sad.”  It sounds like Paul poured out his heart in a letter to them or when he visited them last, but instead of his love causing them to rejoice, they were discouraged.  It wasn’t because of Paul’s words; it was someone stirring up trouble and turning the intent of his words against him.  He says they needed to confront and forgive this person to avoid falling into one of Satan’s traps.

This is how important words are.  They can encourage, discourage or even stir up bitter and angry feelings.  Words can heal broken relationships, or they can destroy close connections.  The most important thing to realize is that you always have a choice on the words you speak.  There is power in words and the very fact that you can choose which ones to use verifies just how powerful they are.

The solution?  Consider, carefully select and convey in love. Paul said he wanted to let the people of Corinth know how much love he had for them.  When you take time to consider the thoughts and feelings you are having, then identify who you are most concerned about in the situation, you can wisely select the word to express how you are dealing with a situation.  Consider how you can help improve your surroundings by the words you speak about them.  Then carefully select the words that will build others up and bring love and energy to the circumstances.  Lastly, always make sure your conversation will insert love into the people involved and don’t ever try to stir others to one side or the other.  Look for peace always.

Today I want to encourage you to take ahold of your own thoughts and feelings before you vent them onto others.  Recognize the first onslaught of hurt thoughts and feelings and pull them down quickly.  Don’t let the enemy stir you up until you just have to overflow onto those around you. Pray and submit all your feelings to your loving Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you to deal with what is going on.  If there is a situation that needs to be addressed, carefully choose words that will bring peace and life into the issue.  Don’t make it all about feelings and offenses.  Instead, look for a way to make things better.  Decide that you will communicate love every time you speak and that will defuse the enemy every time.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.

2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

Forgive the Offender

3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.

6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,

7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.

9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.

10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Don’t do it alone

These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.  Acts 20:5

 If you have ever been in ministry, you know that you can’t do it alone.  If you serve at your church, you are ministering to those who attend.  Chances are, you are on a team of servers.  Whether it’s greeters or ushers?   Maybe it’s prayer partners or part of the worship team.  If you serve in any capacity, you probably take a turn with the others on the team so that you are not committed to that position for every service.  If you are in a church that you are covering an area every week alone, there is no doubt room for more help.

The apostle Paul had a team and he named several of them in today’s reading.  In the past, when hearing messages about Paul or reading the letters that he wrote to the churches he planted, I always had the perception that he went from city to city all by himself to ministered to people wherever he was.  But you don’t have to read very far in the book of Acts to hear some of the names of those who worked with Paul on his mission and purpose. In this passage he named five men that went ahead of them to prepare for his arrival.  When Paul talked about them, he said they went and waited for “us”.  Meaning there was still part of the team that stayed with him as others went on ahead to the next town or city to get things ready for when the rest of the team got there.

God never intended for us to do life alone and He especially doesn’t want us to do ministry alone.  Teams are made to support and help each other and most of all, each person on the team brings their own gift and ability to the group that the others do not have.  This is the way for a team to be the most effective.  By utilizing each person’s talents your team will be efficient and make an impact on all those they minister to.

Today I want to encourage you to join up with a team of believers to serve and do ministry with.  If you are already on a team, use your gifts and ability to help the team be successful in all they are called to accomplish.  Pray for your teams and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to be the most effective as a group.  If you are trying to reach out to others on your own, start praying for people to come along with you in your calling to help, keep you accountable and motivated.  You cannot go far all alone because it doesn’t take long to tire from the load.  Bring others along today and soon your ministry will multiply to reach the world.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 20:1-6

1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 

2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 

3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 

4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 

5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 

6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Rearrange your whole life

 I heard a story recently about a person that was having an argument about tithing and giving to God.  The person had the usual objections like: “It’s an old testament practice” and “God doesn’t need my money” even “If I gave God ten percent, I would not have enough left to pay my bills.”  Finally, this person said a statement that really exposed the heart of the issue.  They said “If I gave God ten percent of my income, I would have to totally rearrange my life around Him.”  Bingo!  That is exactly right.  Many Christians are facing so many struggles today all the while telling God what they are doing right and asking why aren’t things going better.  They say things like “I go to church, I read my bible and I pray.”  But the real issue is a matter of the heart.  Who are you living your life for and what is the center and main focus of all your days.  Is it God and His plan or you and doing things your way.

In today’s reading, there was a man who had rearranged his life around his occupations of making shrines for people to worship.  He had totally rearranged his whole existence around his god.  Not Dianna, but money.  When his income was threatened by the message of salvation, he gathered together others whose livelihood was gained from the region’s idol worship.  Things got really out of hand and there was rioting and rebellion all because one person’s cash flow was down.

I am not writing to you today to talk about tithing or giving.  I’m not ever here to talk about the fear of losing what you have.  What I am saying is that when you rearrange your life to put your heavenly Father and His plan right in the middle.  When you make His purpose your purpose for every breath you take.  When you get rid of every ulterior motive of pride and personal gain, only then will you find joy, contentment and true satisfaction in this life.

Today I want to encourage you to put God first in your life.  Not because you secretly think that it will make everything perfect, because it won’t and not because you hope that He will open up the best positions for you.  Chances are that won’t happen either.  When you put God in first place, that will put you in the place of a servant.  Making your heavenly Father your top priority makes you the servant of all people.  You love and give honor to all others and consider your own needs last.  You will trust God to meet every need as you help the people around you.  Start today by giving God the very first place in your day.  Get up earlier than you have to so you can start out your day spending time with God and His word.  Let Him know that He is the number One priority by giving Him the first of everything in your life. Offer up your life as a living sacrifice to accomplish His plans for the day not yours. Totally rearrange your life to be on His agenda.  Only then will you see the missing pieces fall into place and only then will you start passing the tests that you have been retaking for most of your adult life.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:21-41

21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 

22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 

25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 

26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 

27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 

29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 

30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 

31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 

32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 

34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 

36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 

37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 

38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 

39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 

40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 

41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Imitation power

Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.  Acts 19:19

It is always disturbing to me when I hear about people messing with sorcery wizardry.  I don’t know why I am surprised since God put a void in each one of us that only He can fill, we as humas feel drawn to the spirit world.  Always looking for supernatural power and ability to do things that are beyond this world.  Sadly, even many Christians dabble in fortune telling, divination and horoscopes thinking that it doesn’t hurt anyone.  Instead of turning and trusting God and His timing, many people turn to the worlds way of believing spirits can tell them the future. 

Today’s reading starts out with God working many great signs and miracles through Paul.  He was drawing large crowds of people because of the power of God being released through him for healing the sick and casting out demons.  When some chief priest tried to do what Paul was doing, they were overpowered by an evil spirit and badly beaten.  Why?  Because they didn’t personally know the One with the power, they were just trying to copy what Paul was doing without having the authority as a child and minister of God for the job.  After that, many who were practicing magic brought their books about the subject together and burned them out in the open for everyone to see.  They got rid of the spirit of witchcraft and received salvation.  Only then did the word of the Lord grow and prevail in that area.

In the world we live in today and even in our own towns and neighborhoods, how much of this dark practice is going on?  We don’t see it out in the open, but many have subjected themselves to satanic forces but mostly, we can see the oppression of the evil one as a result.  Depression, anger and souls tormented.  Now more than ever, the world around us need the saving grace of our Lord Jesus.  Begin today to pray for our neighborhoods and towns and for the demonic forces to leave and never return.  Take authority over your cities in the name of Jesus and ask Him to show you supernatural insight of how to help the Word of the Lord grow mightily and prevail over all the darkness in your corner of the world.

Today I want to encourage you that if you or someone you know has messed with enemy spirits, turn away and run to your Father in heaven.  He will empower you to get rid of the evil and never let it back in.  For those who you know are involved in darkness, pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discerning to help your loved one out of the trap they have fallen into.  Don’t settle for an imitation of power by trying to get it from God’s enemy, trust the true source of all goodness and strength by following the Word of God and all His ways.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:11-20

11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 

12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 

14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 

17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 

18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 

19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 

20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

The first thing

He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2

I was saved at a very young age, but it wasn’t until years later that I received the filling of the Holy Spirit.  Sure, I received the indwelling of God’s Spirit at salvation.  However, it wasn’t until much later in life that I became immersed in the power of the Spirit of God.  I have talked about it some in the past, like when Jesus told the disciples to go back to Jerusalem and wait until they were filled with power from on high when He was about to ascend into heaven. (See Luke 24:49) Then, even though Jesus had breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples after His resurrection (See John 20:22), it wasn’t until He sat down with His Father in heaven that He sent the Holy Spirit, the comforter into the world. (See John 14:16) That is when those in the upper room receive the power and filling of God’s Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

In today’s reading, Paul found some believers as he traveled through Turkey and the first thing, he asked them was if they received the Holy Spirit since they believed.  I know that a lot of Christians believe that the holy Spirit is given to us when we receive Jesus and it is true, but to receive the baptism of the Spirit of God you must invite Him in much like you did when you received His salvation.  In todays reading, Paul laid hands on the Christians and they received the Holy Spirit’s filled up to the overflow. Now they had the power to be witnesses just like the first disciples did.

No, you do not need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit in your life to be a Christian.  Nor do you need to be filled up to the overflow to get into God’s kingdom.  This power of the Holy Spirit is for your life here in this world.  To walk out your days and purpose in the power of God here in your day-to-day activities.  You are going to face things in life, and you are going to meet people who need the power of God to show up for them in this world, not just after we leave here. Doesn’t it make sense to receive all that God made available for you in His redemptive plan? That is why Jesus said it was to our advantage that He go away so that the Holy Spirit could come in the fullness of the power of God! (see John 16:7)

Today I want to encourage you to answer the same question that Paul asked the believers in Ephesus.  Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?  If you are unsure, then the chances are you have not.  When you accept and receive the filling of God’s Spirit, there is no questions left about this issue.  You know when you are carrying the power of God around with you.  I want to encourage you today to receive His Spirit by inviting Him into your life and filling you up with His power.  Then when you need that power for wisdom, strength and healing, you will have it with you wherever you go.  Make God’s Spirit your priority in the new year and get filled up today.  If you have never received God’s gift of Salvation, this is the place to start. Then invite His Spirit to fill you up just as He did the first New Testament Christians.  I may not be able to lay my hands on you, but there were some cases in the bible where the Holy Spirit fell on people without the laying on of hands.  (See Acts 2 and Acts 10) They simply believed and received.   Pray this prayer from your heart and Jesus will come into your life and baptize you in His Spirit. Then you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you to be His witnesses.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I also invite your Your Holy Spirit to baptize me in Your power, to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:1-10

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 

2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 

10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Yes and Amen

_{“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”  2 Corinthians 1:20}

Today I want to talk about the seal of God’s promises!  Amen!  The word “Amen” literally means “so be it” or “it is true!”  Most of us usually end our prayer to God by saying “Amen.”  We voice our confidence in the promise of God that we have just prayed when we seal that prayer with our “Amen”!

This verse in 2 Corinthians reinforces the idea that when we put our faith in God’s promises (His Word) we know that God’s answer is “Yes!”  We do not have to wait until we see things actually happen, we know at the moment we say “Amen,” it is accomplished in the heart of God; therefore, it is done in the spirit realm.  The passage says this is the truth about all God’s promises.  Anything we ask of Him, that He has said in His Word, we know according to this scripture that His answer is “Yes and Amen!”  He is in full agreement with us to pass those promises on to us.

This scripture also says that taking hold of God’s promise and applying it to your life brings glory to God.  That glory comes through us to Him.  Taking ahold of God’s promise is a way we can bring glory and honor to God.  In other words, this is something that blesses God.  We believe Him and what He said thousands of years ago, He meant it for all eternity including today.  

For example, God tells us in His Word not to forget about His benefits in Psalms 103.  Therefore, we know that these are His will and His promises to us.  We can pray:  Thank you Father that you promised to forgive all my iniquities, yes!  I receive the promise that You heal all my diseases, Amen!  Thank you for redeeming my life from destruction, yes! And crowning me with Your lovingkindness and tender mercies, Amen!  God made those promises, so when I receive them by faith from Him, He says “Yes! You can have them and Amen; they now belong to you!”

One last thought I want to share with you today is something I experienced recently.  In a worship service, I was singing a song that repeated the word “Amen” several times.  Each time I sang the word, the Holy Spirit brought to my memory different things I had prayed about and sealed it with “Amen!”  Suddenly, it made sense to me that “Amen” was the seal on my prayer to hold and keep the answer to my request until it is released into this world and it can be seen by my natural eyes.

Today I want to encourage you again to apply God’s promises continually to your daily walk.  Practice on every little thing that comes your way.  Meditate His Words day and night.  Instead of worrying or taking on the care and concern of each issue, put the Word of God on the situation.  Then when bigger problems come, it will be easy for you to trust God’s promises because you practiced and developed a habit in your everyday life.  Then seal each of your prayers with “Amen” because everything that God promised, He says yes to today! And every Word that He spoke yesterday has the seal of Amen on it that cannot be broken!

Today’s scripture reading:  2 Corinthians 1:15-24

15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit

16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?

18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.

20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

The gift of prayer

You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.  2 Corinthians 1:11

The gift of prayer!  Have you ever thought of it that way?  That you are actually giving someone a gift when you pray for them?  If you think about it, it makes perfect sense.  You are taking someone’s personal concerns and requests right into the presence of the eternal God of the universe and your Heavenly Father.  What a gift that truly is.

Consider if you went to a king or president here in this world for someone. Wouldn’t that be considered a gift of using your influence with that authority to help someone?  Think of it this way, you have a friend or family member who has a need whether physical or for direction in a decision they are facing.  They talk it over with you for wisdom.  You in turn take it before the King of kings.  You enter into His gate with thanksgiving and into His courts with your praise as you tell Him about your friend’s concern.  You are thankful to Him for receiving you and you praise Him for listening and offering the solution or even bringing the answer.

God in heaven is greater than any king on earth.  There is no one of majesty or royalty that will attend to the situation here in the world.  However, when you take the circumstances to your loving Father, He hears, and He shows up.  I can think of no greater gift than to lift others up in prayer.

What about when praying for someone in person?  This is like bringing your friend or family member right into the presence of God with you.  What a great honor!  Do we even realize?

Paul talked about the gift of prayer in today’s verse.  He told the Corinthians that they helped him and his team by their prayer and he thanked them for this gift of prayer that was offered by all of them.

The bottom line is, prayer is not only an honor and privilege given to us by our Father in Heaven, but it is also a gift we have permission to share with others.  It doesn’t even have to be another believer we bring to God, in fact He wants us to bring all people we know to Him, and even those we don’t know as well.  We can bring them to Him in prayer and help them through whatever they are facing today.

Today I want to encourage you to give the gift of prayer.  Don’t just pray about your own needs, take the needs and issues of those you love with you in prayer.  You can even pray with those who need prayer and don’t know where to turn.  Give the gift of prayer to your Pastor and missionaries.  The gift of protection and provision can be given through your interceding for all who carry the gospel to the lost.  Lastly, keep giving.  Don’t make it a onetime thing, give every day in your prayer for others and be watching how you take others with you as you pray their solutions from the spiritual realm into this natural world.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 1:8-14

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end

14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Where ever you go

After spending some time there, Paul continued on through the region of Galatia and Phyrgia in central Turkey. And wherever he went he encouraged and strengthened the believers. Acts 18:23

How do people feel when they see you walking toward them?  When family, friends or co-workers are around, do they rejoice to visit with you or are they trying to avoid you?    Many people justify their lack of popularity by blaming something they were born with or into.  Others would say it was because of things they have suffered in their past.  Maybe they come from a poverty background or maybe even come from a different country.  The truth is most people enjoy or not enjoy being around you by how they feel when the conversation is finished.  If they leave your presence feeling uplifted and encouraged, then chances are they will not avoid you in the future.  If they can’t wait to get away from you because all your words are criticizing, condemning and complaining, then they probably will walk the other way the next time they see you coming.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul traveled to Jerusalem and on the way he made many stops.  The passage says that wherever he went, he encouraged and strengthened the believers.  God’s people were always glad to see Paul come for a visit because they knew the time he spent with them would strengthen their faith and relationship with the Lord. On the other hand, there were people in almost every city that he went to who despised him and wanted to shut down the message he was spreading throughout the whole earth.  It was not because of where he came from or something from his past.  It was simply because of the words he said every time he was around.

If you find yourself today feeling neglected or left out, consider the words you are speaking when you are around others.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you help in your relationships and for you to be a blessing to all those you come into contact with.  Pay attention to what they are saying and the needs that others may have that you can help with.  Become the type of person that makes people feel encouraged and inspired when you come around and you will have no issues with people avoiding you.

Today I want to encourage you to follow the example of the apostle Paul by encouraging and strengthening people wherever you go.  Be the kind of person that others love to be around because when the leave the conversation they feel energized and inspired to help others.  Don’t spend your time talking about the latest world crisis or political race, instead help people turn their attention to being helpful and productive in the world.  Make the change today to be an inspiration to those around you and soon you will be able to help others do the same wherever you go. 

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 18:18-23

18 After remaining in Corinth several more days, Paul finally bid shalom  to the believers and sailed away for the coast of Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.  Before they left, Paul had his head shaved at Cenchrea,  because he had taken a vow of dedication.

19 When they reached Ephesus,  Paul left Priscilla and Aquila behind, then he went into the synagogue and spoke to the Jews. 

20 They asked him to stay longer, but he refused 

21 and said farewell to them, adding, “I will come back to you, if it is God’s will, after I go to Jerusalem to observe the feast.”  Then he set sail from Ephesus for Caesarea.

22 When he arrived there he traveled on to Jerusalem to visit the church and pray for them,  then he left for Antioch. 

23 After spending some time there, Paul continued on through the region of Galatia and Phyrgia in central Turkey. And wherever he went he encouraged and strengthened the believers. 

Witness while you work

Because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Acts 18:3

I used to think that being in full time ministry meant that you worked at a church or on the mission field somewhere.  My perception was always that mostly only Pastors and missionaries were full time minister.  Now I understand that all God’s people are in full time ministry.  Our mission field is wherever we are each day.  It doesn’t matter if you work in a church or are a student in school.  You are still in ministry if you have a job as a banker or a laborer of some kind, you are there to be God’s light and witness to those around you.

In today’s reading, Paul met a couple who were tent makers, just as he had been.  This is the first time that has come up in the scripture.  I haven’t seen anything so far in the book of Acts that Paul worked a job, only that he preached the gospel everywhere he went.  So here in Corinth, he stepped into a tentmaker position with Aquilla and Priscilla.  He became an employee and submitted to an employer.  On the Sabbath, he went into the synagogue and talked about salvation, but during the week he made tents and talked about salvation.  Everywhere and all the time, Paul was telling others about the good news of salvation in Jesus.  He witnessed to others while he worked, everyday wherever he was. Paul became the light in every dark city that he went to.

This is our job still today.  We are in full time ministry, and it is our job to witness while we work and witness while we play.  Wherever we are, we are the light of the world and the people we come into contact with should all have the opportunity to hear the good news of the love of God and the provision He made for all people everywhere.  If our message is not received, we can, like Paul did, shake it off.  We can walk away knowing we did our part to be God’s witness and pray that the words we spoke in love will grow up in the hearts of all who heard.

In verse 9-10 in today’s reading, Jesus spoke to Paul in a dream.  (We know it was Jesus because it is in red letters.)  I believe the words He spoke to Paul in the dream were recorded so that we can hold to them still today.  He said: “Don’t ever be afraid. Speak the words that I give you and don’t be intimidated, because I am with you.  No one will be able to hurt you, for there are many whom I call my own.”

Even though it may be uncomfortable at first to be a daily minster of God’s love and goodness, we can remember these words that were given to Paul so many years ago and be encouraged by never being afraid to speak what the Holy Spirit puts into our hearts to say.  Don’t be intimidated by those around you because He is always with you.  Nobody is going to hurt you because when you stand up for your faith, you will find that there are many others that believe also.

Today I want to encourage you to witness while you work.  Wherever you are today, listing internally to any nudges you hear from the Spirit of God inside you.  Speak the words in kindness and love.  Let those around you know that there is hope in the dark world around us and that God wants to be close to them all the time.  Let others know that we don’t have to be afraid because when we call on God, He will answer, and He will save.  Be the light everywhere you go today.  Remember you are in full time ministry no matter what you are doing.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 18:1-17

1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 

2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 

3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 

6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 

7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 

8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 

10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, 

13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. 

15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” 

16 And he drove them from the judgment seat. 

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.