Hebrews 13: What Pleases God?

What Pleases God?

In Hebrews 13:1-5 there are some issues pointed out that we as Christ followers will forever face as we are human and prone to mistakes and bad decisions no matter how much we follow Christ. We are told to continue loving like brothers, be hospitable to strangers, show love to prisoners (imprisoned for the sake of the gospel aka persecuted), honor marriages and be free from the love of money.When we love like brothers that means like someone is family and we treat them with the same love that we would family members. When we are hospitable to strangers (people we don't know including foreigners) we could even be entertaining angels. When we remember those fellow believers in prison by writing them letters and visiting them then we are showing them Christ like love as Jesus loved those imprisoned by their own sin or that of others, so we should do the same especially to those imprisoned for being Christ followers. Honoring marriages is another big one as we make commitments to God and our spouses in relation to what is scriptural. We are to keep our lives free from the love of money. We need to use money, but not love it as we cannot serve 2 masters. And through all of this we also must remember that God will never leave us or forsake us. We must stay true to His commands and direction.

 

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Philemon 1: Paul's Faith

Paul's Faith

While Paul was in prison in the book of Acts, he wrote letters. One of the letters that he wrote was to Philemon. He had been a friend to Paul and Paul respected him a great deal so much so that he entrusts Philemon with caring for Onesimus while Paul was imprisoned (Philemon 1:10). Onesimus was like a son to Paul and Paul trusted Philemon to take care of him. Onesimus used to be a bondservant/slave to Philemon and Paul was faithful that Philemon would take Onesimus back but as a brother. Paul even says if Onesimus does Philemon wrong or owes him anything, charge it to Paul. That is quite the extension of himself for the sake of the gospel as Onesimus. A very giving expression of love. But he also was so close and stayed faithful (Philemon 1:22), he wanted Philemon to prepare a place for him to stay once he was freed from prison. That takes a lot of faith in Onesimus (as he was a follower of Christ) and also in the power of prayer and faith in Christ to be released and not killed in prison. 

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Colossians 2: Canceled Record of Sins

Canceled Record of Sins


When you read Colossians 2:13-14 it may not hit you right away. It may take a couple of reads as it did me. It reads "...God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." The point is for people to understand that through Christ, our sins are forgiven if we accept him through God's grace. You do not have to carry the burden of your sins around with you for the rest of your life. Imagine a judge telling a criminal who is repentant that he doe snot have to pay the penalty or fine or serve a jail term for his criminal activity. That's huge. And even more important than that is our forgiveness through accepting Christ so we do not have to pay the penalty of our sins (separation from God).

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Acts 25: Paul Before King Agrippa

Paul Before King Agrippa

The plot to kill Paul had not ceased. Festus knew that the Jews were still after Paul and told them to come with him and they could accuse Paul of whatever charges they had against him. Paul defended himself once again in verse 8 stating "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense." Still not being defensive nor accusing them of anything, Paul stands his ground again, not giving up.

 

 

Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor and have Paul tried in front of Caesar (since Festus himself was new at his job and didn't free Paul who could not be charged with any wrong doing). Paul had the right to appeal to Caesar, which he did exercise since Festus would not free him. Paul has stayed strong while fighting for his good name in the Holy Spirit. Festus stood before King Agrippa and told why they were there in regard to Paul's charges. Agrippa agreed to hear Paul out himself the next day. If you read through the chapter there is no mention of complaining or whining or verbally attacking others who were in the wrong. This man's soul has been in tune with God. 

Saturday we will continue with Acts 26.

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Acts 21: Paul's Courage and Dedication in the Holy Spirit

Paul's Courage and Dedication in the Holy Spirit

Once again we have an example of Paul being courageous and standing strong in the Holy Spirit. This man has had quite the journey from being one who arrested and killed Christians to now being arrested for being a Christian.

Now Paul is in a position to where he was told by others through the Holy Spirit to not go into Jerusalem. Through the Spirit he was warned but persisted to go on to Jerusalem anyway by saying in Acts 21:13 "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Some might say those words were foolish, but I think it takes a brave man to be ready to die for Jesus. Some may say that Paul felt guilty for having Stephen killed, but we don't know that at this time so it sounds like he is dedicated to doing God's will and being ready to endure whatever comes his way. I like the response that was given by those that were with him when they said in verse 14, "Let the will of the Lord be done." They could have yelled at him and called him names, but they did not. They realized they cannot control or persuade him to do something different than what he was dedicated to do. Paul took several men with him and participated in purification practices. After those seven days were up he was captured in the temple by Jews from Asia. The crowd was so angry and loud an physically vicious, Paul had to be carried into a separate barracks. He asked to speak to the people and in Acts 22, we will see what Paul said.

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Acts 16: Timothy, Imprisoned, Conversion

Timothy, Imprisoned, Conversion

Timothy was already a disciple (we will learn more about him in other books and chapters) and met up with Paul and Silas. Knowing the issues Jews in the area had with uncircumcised men (Law of Moses), Paul, after having taken Timothy under his wing, had Timothy circumcised. The previous discussions in Jerusalem about being saved by faith was delivered to the churches in Derbe and Lystra. Through the delivery of that message, the churches were strengthened in the faith and the numbers were growing (Acts 16:1-5).

While preaching the gospel to various people they felt that the Spirit of Jesus keeping them from Mysia and the Holy Spirit keeping them from Asia. On they traveled and one night Paul had a vision (possibly a dream) of a man from Macedonia saying "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And on they went to Macedonia to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10). From there they were traveling to a place of prayer and were followed for many days by a woman who had the spirit of divinity, which sounds good but is not godly. This woman was a fortune teller and was also a slave girl who was being utilized by her owners to gain wealth and fortune. Paul having been greatly annoyed by being followed by this woman and having her say, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” Paul cast the spirit out of her and that upset the fortune teller/slave girl's owners and they had Paul and Silas beaten and then imprisoned (Acts 16:16-24).

While Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns a great earthquake occurred and the foundations of the prison were open and the prison doors were opened. The jailer saw that the doors had been opened and knowing the custom that the jailer would be executed if his prisoner escaped, the jailer was about to kill himself. Paul let the jailer know not to harm himself as he and Silas were still there. The jailer got lights and saw them still in the jail. He then asked them what he needed to do to be saved. They told him nothing of Mosaic Law, but to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. After telling the word to him and his family, they were all baptized (Acts 16:25-34).

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