Last Wednesday, August 27, we finished our ten week study of ACTS 29 - a book by Dr. Terry Teykl. In our last session we explored the 28th chapter of Acts where Paul is shipwrecked on the island of Malta along with the crew and other prisoners who were on their way to Rome. Paul is building a fire to help warm the men when suddenly a viper comes out biting Paul on the hand, grabbing his hand. Paul shakes the snake off his hand and into the fire. When the island natives expected Paul to die from the poison of a snake bite, Paul lives. He doesn't swell up or have any negative side effects. How to interpret this is important.
I don't think we should handle snakes as a sign of God's favor upon us. If Jesus refused to jump down from the highest point of the Temple, knowing he would be rescued, but refusing to do so saying, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test," then I think we should not handle snakes as a means of testing our faith in God. All this aside, what does it mean for us? Dr. Teykl suggests a few things.
1. Paul ignored the Viper Snake.
Do not give undue attention to the remarks or attacks that other may make on your character and integrity. While you want to stand up for yourself, don't make more out of it than necessary.
2. Paul shook the Viper Snake off his hand.
Do something to shake off the attack. Is someone persecuting you in unjust ways? Pray for them. Seek justice. Pray again. Turn their attacks over to the power of God who deals with all men and women. Be as proactive in praying for those who persecute you as they are in their persecution of you. The Scripture teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a good helper and counselor in these times.
3. After you shake, let it bake.
The fire can represent the Holy Spirit. Turn the evil intent over to the Holy Spirit and let it bake in the Spirit of God's judgment. As Terry says, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, rise and seek the Spirit's guidance." Vengeance is not the way of the Christian. Vengeance belongs to God, and not to us, but circumstances can leave us feeling lost and without direction. Seek God's guidance.
4. Continue your service in ministry.
Don't let the misfortunes or trials of life keep you from the calling God has for you. Those who ride horses know - if you fall off - and you will - just get back on. Get back in God's will for your life.
I hope you've enjoyed my blog on Dr. Terry Teykl's book, ACTS 29. I hope something I've written has helped you reflect more deeply on your own discipleship. God bless you in your journey.
Dennis
Friday, August 29, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Acts 12 - Prayers for Healing
It is not easy to be the body of Christ. We are not a perfect people, but people striving toward perfection by seeking to live in relationship to the God who is perfect in love. Nevertheless, despite God's continued love toward all human beings, things happen. As Dr. Terry Teykl writes in this chapter ... "A pastor simply burns out, a leader's marriage falls apart, a youth director is slandered, a Sunday school teacher fails to et recognition, an associate does not receive a much-needed raise - the casualty lists are endless. And the results are the same. Feelings are hurt, a wound is inflicted, they come bound, imprisoned by resentment and anger and ultimately they don't minister any longer."
This week, take time to pray for those you know who have been hurt and have allowed this hurt to cause them to drop out of church. Let's pray that the wounds which have been inflicted will find healing in the presence of a God who loves them and loving Christian people who are willing to help them find their way back home to God's house. We must never forget that prayer is not just about anticipating the coming of the kingdom in its fullness, but it's also about not leaving behind those who have felt left behind from the pain put upon them by others. Let us pray for reconciled hearts, always with God, and whenever possible, with the people who have been at odds with each other. This wee, pray that God will heal broken relationships.
For as Dr. Teykl writes, "As part of the body suffers, we all suffer. When they go free, we are free." I think if you read your Bible, you will find this statement by Dr. Teykl to be very biblical. God bless you in your prayers this week as we continue our prayer journey through the Acts of the Apostles.
Dennis
This week, take time to pray for those you know who have been hurt and have allowed this hurt to cause them to drop out of church. Let's pray that the wounds which have been inflicted will find healing in the presence of a God who loves them and loving Christian people who are willing to help them find their way back home to God's house. We must never forget that prayer is not just about anticipating the coming of the kingdom in its fullness, but it's also about not leaving behind those who have felt left behind from the pain put upon them by others. Let us pray for reconciled hearts, always with God, and whenever possible, with the people who have been at odds with each other. This wee, pray that God will heal broken relationships.
For as Dr. Teykl writes, "As part of the body suffers, we all suffer. When they go free, we are free." I think if you read your Bible, you will find this statement by Dr. Teykl to be very biblical. God bless you in your prayers this week as we continue our prayer journey through the Acts of the Apostles.
Dennis
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Acts 10 - A Harvest of Households
As we continue through Dr. Terry Teykl's book, Acts 29, we are learning how to use the book of Acts as a prayer guide and in Acts 10 Dr. Teykl makes an interesting observation when he writes, "Cornelius was devout, he gave generously, and he prayed regularly. Yet, he was lost - religious and lost." What a powerful statement for today's culture, for in our world Cornelius would be considered a spiritual man, one who practiced a faith of human generosity in giving and godly conversation in prayer. What a wonderful man he is and yet he was lost. He was religious, but he was lost.
Why was he lost? He wasn't lost because he did not attend church or synagogue. Let's be clear about that point. Cornelius, though a Gentile, may have been what was called in those days a Godfearer, one who attended synagogue meetings for the prayers and the interpretation of scripture, but was not a Jewish proselyte, meaning he did not convert to the Jewish religion. He was a spiritualist, but lost in terms of knowing a relationship with God. It wasn't until the Holy Spirit sent Peter to his home that Cornelius and his entire household were saved - baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and now recipients of God's Holy Spirit!
As we continue to use Acts of the Apostles as a guide for prayer, the emphasis that Dr. Teykl makes is the importance and significance of praying for entire households. One ministry we can recommit to this fall is to pray for the salvation of entire households. Do you know families that need the saving grace of Jesus Christ? This week, think about the unchurched households on your street this week and pray for them. Also pray for the families that God would send to your church. Pray that they find a place in your church where they can come and worship together as a family, and if not in your church, then to a church God leads them.
As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:18 - we are called into a ministry of reconciliation. Let us pray for the reconciliation that needs to take place within families - both with God and within each of the family members.
Dennis
Why was he lost? He wasn't lost because he did not attend church or synagogue. Let's be clear about that point. Cornelius, though a Gentile, may have been what was called in those days a Godfearer, one who attended synagogue meetings for the prayers and the interpretation of scripture, but was not a Jewish proselyte, meaning he did not convert to the Jewish religion. He was a spiritualist, but lost in terms of knowing a relationship with God. It wasn't until the Holy Spirit sent Peter to his home that Cornelius and his entire household were saved - baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and now recipients of God's Holy Spirit!
As we continue to use Acts of the Apostles as a guide for prayer, the emphasis that Dr. Teykl makes is the importance and significance of praying for entire households. One ministry we can recommit to this fall is to pray for the salvation of entire households. Do you know families that need the saving grace of Jesus Christ? This week, think about the unchurched households on your street this week and pray for them. Also pray for the families that God would send to your church. Pray that they find a place in your church where they can come and worship together as a family, and if not in your church, then to a church God leads them.
As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:18 - we are called into a ministry of reconciliation. Let us pray for the reconciliation that needs to take place within families - both with God and within each of the family members.
Dennis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)