S) "30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him."
Acts 19:30 (NASB)
O) So, we'll never really know what would have happened, had Paul been allowed to go in and defend Gaius and Aristarchus, but I fell like I have a pretty good idea. Seems like the crowd would have turned even more violent, to the point of bloodshed. I think Paul himself would have been fine, actually. As you read through Acts and some of his other accounts of his ministry, it's clear that God kept Paul alive on several occasions; however, somehow I think maybe Gaius and Aristarchus would have died. Obviously, you could argue that God could have resurrected them, but also, God could have prevented it from escalating that far, if He keeps Paul out of that particular skirmish.
A) I describe it as a skirmish, because that's really what it was. Spreading the Gospel is spiritual warfare (see Ephesians 6:10-20 for a clear illustration). I know the expression, "Choose your battles." but I seldom think of it, as it can apply to ministry opportunities. Don't get me wrong, the lazy side of me needs no excuses not to minister sometimes. But, other times, I feel like I want to do it all. I feel like I'm living that Relient K song, I Just Want You To Know. It's not that I want to have my way and impose my beliefs, but if I have information that will enrich marriages, improve parenting, and reconcile people to a freedom and peace they didn't know they were missing, then of course I want to share that. Or I want to give all of my money to some one who needs money; or I want to go on every mission trip ever; or sponsor every child World Vision has; etc, etc, etc. But I can't do it all. I'm not supposed to do it all. Who knows, even trying to exert myself in ministries where God doesn't actually want me, could hinder other happenings... Again, as a Christian, I should always be doing something. I just need to remember that I can't do everything.
P) Father, first of all, never let me become spiritually or practically lazy. Holy Spirit, burn within me and push me to action in some ministry or another. But in those moments when my heart breaks for some one, and I want so much to do something, remind me that it's not always my place. Draw me into Your counsel in those moments and lead me, Holy Spirit. In the more long-term, planned ministries, help me take wise counsel and carefully consider the cost, as Jesus said in Luke 14. Help me be wise, patient, and prayerful about ministry, Lord. Most of all, help me be active, as You lead me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) I describe it as a skirmish, because that's really what it was. Spreading the Gospel is spiritual warfare (see Ephesians 6:10-20 for a clear illustration). I know the expression, "Choose your battles." but I seldom think of it, as it can apply to ministry opportunities. Don't get me wrong, the lazy side of me needs no excuses not to minister sometimes. But, other times, I feel like I want to do it all. I feel like I'm living that Relient K song, I Just Want You To Know. It's not that I want to have my way and impose my beliefs, but if I have information that will enrich marriages, improve parenting, and reconcile people to a freedom and peace they didn't know they were missing, then of course I want to share that. Or I want to give all of my money to some one who needs money; or I want to go on every mission trip ever; or sponsor every child World Vision has; etc, etc, etc. But I can't do it all. I'm not supposed to do it all. Who knows, even trying to exert myself in ministries where God doesn't actually want me, could hinder other happenings... Again, as a Christian, I should always be doing something. I just need to remember that I can't do everything.
P) Father, first of all, never let me become spiritually or practically lazy. Holy Spirit, burn within me and push me to action in some ministry or another. But in those moments when my heart breaks for some one, and I want so much to do something, remind me that it's not always my place. Draw me into Your counsel in those moments and lead me, Holy Spirit. In the more long-term, planned ministries, help me take wise counsel and carefully consider the cost, as Jesus said in Luke 14. Help me be wise, patient, and prayerful about ministry, Lord. Most of all, help me be active, as You lead me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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