Collected or prepared by Pastor Wilfred Chung

 November 8 - November 14, 2009

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.

November 9, 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.

Meditation on Acts 24

Paul now stood on trial before the Governor, Felix. The Jewish authority wasted no time to come down to Caesarea to prosecute him for violating their religious laws. But Paul soundly refuted their false arguments. He used the opportunity to talk about his belief in resurrection and judgment.

Governor Felix was quite interesting. He had heard the message of Jesus before and even wanted to hear more from Paul privately. But He did not want to commit himself to anything. He did not want to hear Paul's messages on righteousness, self-control and judgment. He was good in delaying judgment. (see v. 23) Since he himself was a former slave, he honored liberty. He granted Paul the freedom to receive provision from friends and relatives. But he was a promiscuous man. His wife number three, Drusilla was not even twenty years old who was lured by him from her former husband. He loves money and was expecting Paul to give him some. Finally he tried to please the Jews in order to hold on to his position, so he kept Paul in prison even thought he should release him.

Felix's problem is like many people in our culture today. They love democracy and freedom. They always look for ways to get some more money. They are very loose in their personal morality. They will do anything to keep their own position. They are very smart in pushing away responsibility and decision. One author and commentator calls this the Felix Syndrome. May God help us to wake up others not to fall into this disease.

Meditation on Acts 27

The voyage to Rome was full of difficulties for Paul and his shipmates. They ran into a typical storm in the Mediterranean Sea.

Through God's protection and answer to Paul's prayers, they were saved. We might also run into storm in our lives whether it is a physical storm or some type of sudden disaster in life. The world today is going through a financial storm. Many people have lost their jobs, homes or retirement saving. How do we deal with it? Let us meditate the following pointers from God's word:

1. It is better to face the storm with some Christian companions. (v. 2-3; cf. Ecclesiastes. 4:9-12)

2. Listen to the advice of godly people. (v. 9-10; cf. Proverbs 11:14)

3. It is O.K. to get rid of the unnecessary things in life. (v. 18-19; cf. Hebrews 12:1)

4. We need the prayers and encouragements of godly people. (v. 22-23)

5. Never give up but rather take courage. (v. 20, 25)

6. God will give you the answer at the appropriate time. (v. 24-25; cf. Psalm 50:15)

7. We should stay together to help each other. (v. 30-31, cf. Galatians 6:1-2)

8. We should pay attention to our eating. (v. 33-36)

9. Trusting God to deliver you and He will. (v. 43-44; cf. Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 13:5)

November 12, 2009 - The Power Of The Gospel

Meditation on Romans 1

The great book of Romans has its theme in 1:16-17, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith. '" (NKJV)

The latter half of chapter one details the deliberate sin of mankind to the point of God gave them up. But thank God that when by faith anyone hears the Gospel and believes; the power of God would save this person. God will give him the righteousness in Jesus Christ and continue to grant him faith to live in God's righteousness. That is because of the grace and might of God who loves us through the coming of His Son and the death, burial and resurrection of His Son. He justifies us and will sanctify us to live for Him no matter who you are.

Praise the Lord for His Gospel and His power of love.

November 13, 2009 - Written For Our Sake Also

Meditation on Romans 4

When God told Abraham that the one who would come forth from his own body should be his heir and that his descendants shall be as numerous as the stars, Abraham believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:4-6) The word of God in Romans 4:23-25 referred to that statement and said, "Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believes in Him who raised Jesus our Lord form the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification." (NASB)

Therefore, the promise of justification by faith was written for you and I also.

The reason the apostle Paul gave for the above point was that Abraham was credited for righteousness even before he was circumcised, "so that he might be the father of all who believes without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them." (v. 10-11)

Paul inspired by the Spirit gave us another example of our justification by faith and not by circumcision nor by work. He quoted King David from Psalm 32:1-2, "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD will not take into account." (v. 7-8)

Now we should also pay attention to what kind of faith that Abraham had. Stuart Briscoe in his commentary of Romans gives these four factors of faith:

1. Abraham was confident in a person, God. (v. 17)

2. He was conversant with the problems. He did not ignore the practical realities and the facts of life that both he and his wife were too old to bear a child. But he still believed. (v. 19)

3. He was consistent in its progress. Verse twenty says, "yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God."

4. Abraham was convinced of the promises. For the Word says, "and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able to perform." (v. 21)

May we today have that kind of faith in Jesus, the Son of God who was raised form the dead for our justification. (v. 25) For God's promise to Abraham was written for us too.

November 14, 2009 - The Battle Within

Meditation on Romans 7

The objective fact that Christ has died for our sin and destroyed the power of sin must be recognized by the believers. But still Paul found it hard to live without the influence of sin nature. He said, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." (v. 19 NKJV) He saw that within him, there were two laws that were warring with each other; the law of the old nature opposing the law of the new nature in Christ.

So he cried desperately, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (v. 24)

Paul's dreadful experience was the same experience of all the believers in Christ. Many years ago, a new Indian believer who told the missionary that there were two dogs fighting within him. One was grey wanting to do bad things. The other one was white wanting to do the right thing. Paul gave the solution, "I thank God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (v. 25)

In Romans 8, we shall find the expansion of that answer.