WATCH OUT! GOD'S GIFTS HAVE A BACKSIDE!

Acts 23 was part of my morning today and doggone if it didn't pop up and say "read me." Paul, who later became known as a saint, started a discource with the Jewish Council in Jerusalem and said, "Friends, I've lived with a clear conscience before God all my life, up to this very moment." They began to listen, but then they pounced on him trying to catch him in some wrong act so they could kill him.

Why were the Jews so anxious to kill Paul? I mean, he had only taken over their religion, insisted on Jesus being the Son of God and the Saviour of the World!! Plus,they were accused of being responsible for his crucifixion!

The Captain of the Roman Army also was determined to find the reason why the Jews wanted to kill Paul and that is why Paul was brought before this council. But Paul was a learned man as well as a determined man and not only did he believe in Jesus, he believed he had been chosen to take Jesus to the world!

I find it interesting that Paul, even knowing that he was notthe leader of the Jewish people, he led them. He led them in so many ways, but primarily in the growth and strength he was given for the witness of Jesus Christ. He didn't back down from this knowledge even although he was originally against Jesus' Way. After he had been shown his error, he now believed in Christ with all of his heart. He knewwhy he was born and for what or who he must die. Yes, his conscious was clear. It was clear because he expected others to find fault with what he was doing because what he was doing had been expressly directed by Jesus himself!And who would believe that?

If you remember more of Paul's story you will know that he was not always seen by others to have earned a clear conscious. He was thought to be stubborn, inflexible as to who was eligible to become a Jesus person, preachy, interfering, proud, insensitive, and determined to do things his way. Yet he was loved by many, even by most, which brought out jealousy sometimes in those around him.

How the Lord must have loved him! And how much the Lord had to forgive him, for his certainties appeared as thoughtlessness on occasion to others. Yet his conscience was clear!

And this is where my rubber met the road. I saw I had situations in my life somewhat like Paul. God gave me talents without restrictions, like Paul. But, restrictions need to be taught by others, like they were in Paul's case. But I didn't get it! I didn't recognize the back side of my gifts! I didn't see how some of the things that I requested of people, some of my efforts,and my determination might lead to resentments. Who did I think I was? Who made me the leader?

If you have the gift of hospitality, let your pastor know you will welcome the opportunity to use it if he or she pleases. If you are blessed in leadership, think the same. Be watchful for any negative thought or pattern. Then most importantly, let it go. The only blame you might accept is you haven't been aware of its backside.

It is too late for me to change those situations, too late. I can only see in retrospsect how different those times might have been. And because I can see, I can take a deep breath of gratitude for God's leadership throughout that time and beyond.

Today, I am blessed by God's energy among so many. I know I am forgiven for being hurt by the attitude of others in the past, not being aware that much of what occurred was a natural part of my learning how to love and forgive others and myself.

Praise you Lord Jesus for all you teach..and for your loving spirit always!!

Thanks for listening! jo

ARE YOU WITH ME?

All my journaling thus far has been from THE MESSAGE. And I will probably continue using it in the months to come. Yesterday I ran across a passage in Acts 4, verses 25 and 26, as follows:

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth's leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers,the Messiah-defiers!

They did meet long ago--Herod and Pontius Pilate met with nations and peoples, even the leaders in Israel itself. And the result? The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Was anyone in prayer about that meeting? The deciples?

Now, generations later, we have big noise again from Messiah-defiers. Now is the time for all good men and women to come to prayer. We must pray like we have never prayed before. Pray that God will have His way among us, and that whatever way He chooses, we will obey with faith. These are times of unsteadiness which means all the more reason for faith. I would prefer peace. No war sounds perfect. But I give my choice, my preference, up to the Lord and whatever way He leads me, I will follow. Maybe my heart will be in my throat, but I will follow.

Is anybody with me? You can find me on facebook .

Until we are all together at least in Spirit,

Jo

BELOVED OF GOD

Psalm 126:1-6 in its entirety: "It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when God returned Zion's exiles...We laughed,
we sang. We couldn't believe our good fortune...We
were the talk of the nations--God was wonderful to us...We are one happy people...And now, God, do it again.
Bring rains to our drought-stricken lives..so those who planted
their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, so those
who went off with heavy hearts...will come home laughing with
armloads of blessing."

This psalm is a Pilgrim song. There is no author indicated. The people of God
who lived all over Judah, once a year traveled to Jerusalem to worship God at
the Temple. As the walk took several days, they found great joy in singing
together songs to the Lord God, Pilgrim Songs. Psalm 126 is just one of many.

Imagine singing our camp songs! 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall just doesn't seem to do it for me! No, those devout Jews sang to the Lord their beloved Pilgrim Songs, just like Psalm 126.

This psalm would have been written around any of the times God's people were re-building their temple, God's home. King Cyrus of Persia was one king who granted their return, giving them funds to build with and their own gold and silver that had been confiscated. Imagine their joy at returning. Imagine the joy seeing loved ones returned! Not unlike how we feel when our fighting men and women return after the scourge of war.

Oh, Lord Jesus! Grant that the world can see the love and joy of Christians singing together and praying for one another! What a thrill it would be to be walking together on our separate roads, ready to meet one another at a crossroad. And from that crossroad we can walk arm and arm to meet our Lord God. Beloved of God, let's sing!

I'm an alto. How about you?

Fondly, jo