Daily Encouragement

March 29, 2009 - Sharing The Gospel With The Western World

Meditation on Acts 17

Once I had to take an advance examination for English language in order to qualify for a doctoral program. I was amazed at the great amount of questions relating to the Greek culture and Greek gods. One may draw the conclusion that if you don't know much about the Greek gods you would not be qualified to get a post graduate degree in literature, religion or humanity. The influence of Greek concept of gods and philosophies on Western civilization is tremendous.

The Apostle Paul was able to win a lot of Greeks to the Lord in all the cities in chapter 17 of Acts. Let us see how he preached to the Greeks in Athens at the famous court of Areopagus. First, he complimented them for their religiosity. Then he taught them about God. He emphasized to them that God was not what man thought and made what He should be. Rather, God was the creator of everything including man. God was all sufficient. He did not need man. But man's existence depended on Him. He gave man his breath and He determined the boundaries of all the nations. He was near to man and we could come to Him through repentance. God has ordained the resurrected Jesus to judge all men.

Let us be aware of the implication and application of Paul's message in our lives and share it with our relatives and friends.

March 30, 2009 - Divine Providence For Ministry

Meditation on Acts 18

In this chapter, we find that God provided for His servant, Paul, everything he needed for the ministry at Corinth.

In the first place, he met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla who gave him support. It happened that they were tent makers just like Paul. Naturally they became business partners as well as co-workers in the ministry. Together they started the Corinthian church.

As the ministry became harder and encountered persecution, God comforted Paul in a night vision by saying to him, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you , and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." (v. 9 NKJV) How wonderful it was for Paul to know that. For everywhere he had been, he was attacked physically by the unbelieving Jews and others. This time he had the assurance that he would not be hurt.

Then a law suit against him was dismissed by the proconsul.

Even after he left Corinth, God provided a successor, Apollos to further build up the church there. For Paul later wrote to them in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."

God does take good care of His own business. He will take care of you too if you are in His business.

March 31, 2009 - Church Growth Depends On The Word Growth

Meditation on Acts 19

Luke commented that at Ephesus "the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." (v. 20 NKJV) As Paul and company prayed and preached the God's word, people were won over for Christ, the sick were being healed, and demons were cast out in the name of the Lord Jesus. Those who practiced magic showed their faith and repentance by burning their books of occult. Luke estimated that the value was worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. God's word had overcome human hearts and prevailed over Satanic power.

Nothing can stop the growth of the word of God no matter what the obstacle may be. The idol makers in Ephesus stirred up a city wide riot at their theater against the preaching of the word of God. But God used the city clerk, an unbeliever, to dismiss it. (v. 21-41)

Ephesus became the center to reach all Asia Minor. Luke had said that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Later Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a letter to this church in order to strengthen them with the word of God. That was the book of Ephesians in the New Testament.

May we preach and share the word of God rather than human wisdom to enable church growth.

April 1, 2009 - Commitment To God's Word

Meditation on Acts 20

We can learn so much from Paul's farewell address to the elders of Ephesians Church. I like to just concentrate on verse 32, "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (NIV)

Not only Paul committed the elders to God but also to the word of God. For the Word of God could benefit them in several aspects as the following which would benefit us also:

Number one, we can take note that God's word is the word of his grace. God is gracious and generous to instruct us, comfort us and meet our needs in whatever circumstances.

Then we are told that the word of God can build us up. Believers want to grow and churches need to grow. The word of God is the key. Some experts may come along to give us a lot of insight about current cultural thoughts or trends with a verse or two to prove their points. But their books or seminars can never substitute the solid teaching and spiritual understanding from God's word to facilitate church growth. If they think they can, they are surely growing just an organization but not a church!

The third benefit of studying God's word mentioned by Paul here is for Christian to receive a spiritual inheritance. We should study this subject a lot more. One thing is for sure; our receiving of this spiritual inheritance has to do with the word of God.

April 2, 2009 - Following God's Will

Meditation on Acts 21

Back in Acts 20:22-23, The New American Standard Bible translates, "And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there." I believe that Paul surely knew that it was the will of God for him to go to Jerusalem.

But in Acts 21:4, we were told that the disciples through the Spirit knowing what Paul would face, urge him not to go to Jerusalem. Then in verses 10-12, once again Paul was forewarned his impending bondage, therefore his companions urged him not to go.

But they all agreed that God's will must be done. (v. 14) Indeed Jesus later affirmed Paul rather than rebuked him for his testimony in Jerusalem. (Acts 23:11) So all these time, Paul was following God's will in spite of the disagreement of his fellow Christians out of their concern for his safety.

What have we learned about following God's will? One, some Christians' suggestion may be too hasty. Two, we should not determine God's will simply because of the danger we may face. Third, some well meaning suggestion may hinder another Christian from following God's will. Fourth, God may test our faith sometimes by allowing us to know the trial and difficulties ahead. When we pass the trial, our faith will be further strengthened as Paul's was.

April 3, 2009 - Grabbing Every Chance To Witness

Meditation on Acts 22

Paul was arrested by the commander of the Roman troops in Jerusalem because of the accusation against Paul and the riot of the Jews. Without fear Paul seized the opportunity to share his salvation experience with the crowd. He asked the commander for permission to address to the people. By God's grace, it was granted. Let us pay attention to how he witness in that kind of situation.

Luke specifically mentioned that Paul spoke Aramaic to the crowd, the common language with them. Paul also mentioned the fact that he was a Jew born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in Jerusalem. He tried to identify with audience. Then he told them the fact that he was taught and trained by the most respected teacher of the Jews, Gamaliel at that time. He was like the Jews there who was zealous for God and the law. They had the common experience and interest.

Paul admitted his wrong deed in persecuting Christians even to their death. He shared how Jesus spoke to him on the way to Damascus, how he saw the light, and how he was blinded and how he was healed and baptized by Ananias after his calling on Jesus' name and receiving the forgiveness of sins. In summary, Paul shared the experience of his conversion.

We should learn from him how he took every opportunity to tell others about Jesus and the wise way he did it.

April 4, 2009 - God's Timely Help For His Own

Meditation on Acts 23

In this chapter, we find Paul in a very dangerous situation. Though he was recognized as a Roman citizen and spared the questioning by torture of the soldiers, he had to face the trial and prosecution of the highest authority of the Jews. The opinion of Sanhedrin concerning his guilt was divided. But there were more than forty Jews who had conspired and made vow to kill Paul by assassination. The highest rank of the religious leaders had agreed to the plot.

But thank God that He had already assured Paul by revealing to him this, "Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, as you must also bear witness at Rome." (v. 11 NKJV) God would protect His servant to fulfill His mission.

As soon as Paul's relative found out the plot and revealed to the commander of the Roman soldiers, the commander took very serous step to protect Paul and sent him out of Jerusalem to the custody of the governor Felix who lived out at the sea coast. He sent two hundred elite soldiers, seventy horsemen, and another two hundred spearmen to accompany Paul to depart in the middle of the night. Almost half of the troop under his command was dispatched for this mission. Paul was given a horse for traveling too. The commander also addressed a letter to the governor for the case of Paul without any formal charge against him. God's help for His own is extraordinary and timely.

All believers today are God's servants. As we submit to Him and serve Him with our lives, He will watch over us and send us help on time.