Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this, 8 so they passed through Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After Paul saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

God guided the path that dictated where Paul's journeys would go. In the same way, He does that for us, but some of the time, well most of the time for me that is, we walk down this road blindly. The Spirit opens and blocks parts of road for us to never walk down or maybe at a later time. Like He did with Paul by not allowing them to enter into Asia or Mysia, but directed them to go to Macedonia instead. We don't know where exactly life's taking us but we need faith that our journey will end in Heaven to live eternally with Christ. But I find myself questioning the road that I'm on or detouring by trying to make my own path or entering into the road blockade that He's set up. I know it's really cheesy that I'm using a lot of road analogies, but it really works for today's passage!

The world tells us that we should take control over which direction life takes us, but his passage clearly shows that we are not the masters of our lives. God is. However, that doesn't excuse us from sitting on our butts and waiting for God to work his magic. No, He guides us with the steps that we are taking. So let's take courage and have faith that He'll take us to wherever we need to go!

P.S. I'm feeling much better now and I got my voice back! Hurray! But Fred doesn't share the same sentiment...Oh, well, too bad for him. HA-HA!
*End of cheesy moment* ^-^

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Acts 16:1-5
¹He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. ²The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. ⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

What struck me from these passages was the wisdom of Paul. Although knowing circumcision is not a requirement for sanctification (big issue of the day... more in Titus), he himself circumcises young Timothy!

This reminds me of the issue about weather it was okay to eat the food from the temples... and it was said that the food was not what made us unclean... but, the wisdom was not to eat the food anyway because of how it might test others faith (and our witness to them). So, by circumcising Timothy, he can be more effective in the ministry to the Jews.

And what faith had Timothy in the leadership God had placed over him!

Acts 15: 36-41

I guess conflicts and disagreements are inevitable when two or more minds gather but what really matters would be how these conflicts and disagreements are handled and resolved. For Paul and Barnabas, their resolution was to part ways in continuing their work for God’s kingdom. It’s somewhat surprising that we don’t read about one giving in or yielding to the other but that their disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. It’s also surprising because Barnabas was the one who welcomed Paul into the church. It seems that Barnabas was still in the ministry of giving‘second chances’. Mark who had disappointed Paul in the past was now under Barnabas’ care and protection though it meant for Barnabas that he would no longer serve with Paul.

I guess this is a story of two very strong but very different convictions. I can’t say who was in the right or wrong but that each followed the conviction of his heart and continued to serve the Lord-Paul in strengthening the church at large and Barnabas ministering and encouraging a brother by giving him another chance.

The council's Letter to Gentile believers

As I meditated on these passages, I see the beauty of God's people being united in faith as they put aside their difference and work together for the higher purpose in their Christian walk. When the council understands that it's not God's intention that the Jews imposes the gentiles to obey the Jewish law and outwardly convert them to follow the Jewish custom, the council immediately took an action to correct it and managed the problem with love and care by sending the leaders the council to affirm the gentiles that they were wrong. By its action, the gentiles were encouraged and rejoiced.

The Council at Jerusalem

The Pharisees state in v.5 that in order to be saved by God, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."

Barnabus and Paul responds in v.19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."


People try to look the part or fit the mold in order to feel like they belong in a certain group or status. There are specific criteria that one must follow in order to belong. In the case of this passage, in order to be saved according to the Pharisees you must be circumcised and obey the law of Moses. Because of these criteria, it ruled out the opportunity of the Gentiles being saved since they were not circumcised. I believe in this passage it is an important reminder for us to never determine who should/can be saved or the type of people who should/can be saved. We are not in any position to make God's kingdom exclusive to certain people. May we feel the urgency to further God's kingdom and open our arms to all those that do not know the Gospel.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

What was so moving to me in today's reading is after having been stoned and left for dead, Paul just picks himself back up and keeps on going. THEN they return to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch where they were chased out of, threatened and eventually stoned and left for dead to strengthen and encourage the disciples in those cities. 

God shows us through their journey what it looks like to follow and live for Christ. On one hand I am moved at the beauty of what true faith looks like but on the other hand am ashamed at how small my faith can be when discouraged at the smallest most trivial things. Need to pray for a stronger faith!

in lystra and derbe

"yet He has not let left Himself without testimony"

having seen paul heal the man lame from birth through the power of Christ Jesus, the crowds proclaim paul and barnabas to be gods. i think this is a common occurrence in the church--many "worship" the charisma and the speaking ability of the pastor rather than the Lord Himself. they care nothing for the truth of God, but are only impressed by the success and power that the ministry demonstrates.

the success and power of the gospel often brings about an ill-desired effect--the slavish loyalty to the speaker rather than faithful obedience to the God whom the speaker proclaims. as we have all seen, misplaced loyalty and undiscerning devotion to a particular ministry rather than to God have created untold mischief in the church in the form of divisions, factions, gossip, and slander. 

God's judgment will most certainly fall on those who "worship the servant rather than the King", for paul makes clear that God "has not left Himself without testimony". in other words, God has left abundant and unmistakeable evidence about who He is in bestowing His "kindness", His common grace, which Paul describes as the "giving of rain from heaven and crops in their season", on believers and unbelievers alike.  God is bound and determined that no one should ever mistake the pouring out of these blessings as coming from some mere mortal rather than from Himself.

In Iconium

"There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers."

There are many occurrences of opposition against God's teaching. This passage is a clear indication of how the enemy works. BUT Paul or Barnabas, by the power of the Holy Spirit...

"...spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders."

Yesterday's speaker and other missionaries around the world experience this EVERYDAY. But its so encouraging to see that they still have fervor, passion for the Lord. AMAZING.

And personally, even though I may not feel that kind of opposition (since our lives are so comfortable), the inner-battle I have against my sinful nature and doubt poison my mind and heart. Just like vs. 2 says, i don't think its always other people. Even our own sinful nature has negative influence as well.

And like what yesterday's speaker said about listening to God's voice. Sigh. I need to do that more. This song is one of my favorite worship songs, and its a reminder to listen and trust that God is always with us whenever, wherever.

Still

Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still and know You are Go

In Pisidian Antioch

⁴⁴On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

" 'I have made you^g]">[g] a light for the Gentiles,
that you^h]">[h] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'^i]">[i]"
⁴⁸When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
⁴⁹The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. ⁵²And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (NIV)


Paul and Barnabas were not intimidated by their opposition. Instead, they boldly spoke out, proclaiming the good news to the Jews, but now that they had rejected the gospel it would be preached to gentiles.

When we are doing what God called us to do, even in hard situation we find joy. Because our eyes are focused in Him.

On Cyprus

13:4 So Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 13:5 When they arrived in Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.(Now they also had John as their assistant.) 13:6 When they had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 13:7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 13:8 But the magician Elymas (for that is the way his name is translated)opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 13:9 But Saul (also known as Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at him 13:10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and all wrongdoing, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness – will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 13:11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a time!” Immediately mistiness and darkness came over him, and he went around seeking people to lead him by the hand. 13:12 Then when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was greatly astounded at the teaching about the Lord.


In this passage, Paul was filled with Holy Spirit so he could be strong enough to fight against that false prophet. I pray that we grow our faith and have Holy Spirit filled in us so we can avoid going any wrong ways.

Summer is almost over. Stay healthy!!

being set apart for the work

"set apart for Me barnabas and saul for the work to which I have called them."

in this passage, there was a specific work that barnabas and saul were called to do, and they were faithful to that work.  have we ever thought of our lives in that way--that there is a specific work that we have been called to do by God, that only we can do?  although we may not be aware of it, we have been peculiarly and especially equipped by God to accomplish this work.

the work itself may be quite ordinary.  it may be to do our job well and with integrity; it may be to care for a child and raise a family--the specific task is hardly important in itself.  but God has fashioned us exactly as He would have us and given us everything we need in terms of character and strength to do "the work to which He has called us".  only you can do that particular thing--raise that particular child, do that particular job. others may have more ability and talent, and we may lack many things, but we need never doubt the outcome, if "He has called us and set us apart".  the work cannot fail, even despite our failings.

may we learn from the example of barnabas and saul who continually worshipped the Lord and fasted, putting themselves in the right frame of mind to receive and understand rightly the Holy Spirit's "calling". and may we be faithful, even as they were, to the specific calling every one of us has received in this life.  the Lord is faithful and He will do it.

Herod's Death (Acts 12:19-25)

Herod was being paid homage by a group of people who felt in need of his favor--he had the political power to do them harm. In this culture, this type of expression--"worshiping" political figures was typical... I get the feeling they didn't really mean it... it was more of a "lip service."

Herod was Jewish... he knew better than to receive such homage. He knows what the commandments say about this sort of thing. He did not refuse the praises of the people and his punishment was immediate!

There are times, I open my mouth and am shocked at what comes out of me. Or the times I passively receive credit for something that I do not deserve. And the shame that comes over me when the spirit of the Lord finally convicts me. But I am so thankful that the Mercies of God gives me time to repent...

I deserve to die like Herod many times over, but the Blood of Jesus covers me and God sees the righteousness of His son and not my sins... what Grace!!!

Peter's Miraculous Escape From Prison

11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

I could only imagine the thoughts that were flowing through Peter’s mind as he sat in prison. Would he be put to death as it was for James, some other believers, and even Jesus his Master? It seemed inevitable and I wonder if Peter thought, “ I guess this is the end for me”.
However, God was not finished with Peter and he was miraculously rescued by an angel. Wouldn’t it be great if all of us could be miraculously rescued from all our troubles?
I thought so but I realized that God’s ultimate purpose is not to bless us but to glorify Himself. Peter must have been so uncomfortable, scared and was being unjustly mistreated but God didn’t rescue Peter because prison was such an inconvenience to him. God rescued Peter because He wanted to continue using Peter for His Glory.
I am thankful for all of God’s blessing and goodness onto me. Every day I seek to be in His favor and I seek His help in untangling me from whatever hardships I find myself in. In the process I forget that this life is not all about me, it’s about Glorifying God. Whatever blessings, goodness and love He has shown to me is meant to bring Him Glory somehow. We all seek a peaceful, comfortable, abundant and joyful life but I realized this is not the end all in life. Though it may be a struggle, though it may be inconvenient and uncomfortable, though it may bring us to a dark and lonely place, we are meant to fulfill God’s purpose for His Glory.

The Church in Antioch

In these passages, We see how God's will and purpose was carried out by His faithful servants. The Good News of Jesus Christ was delievered to the Gentils and many of them came to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Jews started to realize that God's love and grace was not limited to them but reached out to all the people whom God chose to elect. With that new understaning and conviction, the Jews especially the leaders worked hard to spreading the Good New and help them by teaching and supporting grow in their faith.
We also read in versus 26, the diciples were called Christians first at Antioch. This verse reminded me if you are a Chritian, you are God's disciple. The vital role of God's disciples is to make disciples. Let hearts to be stirred by today's paasage.

Peter's Explans...

As we can, Peter remained faithful in this passage as he explained to the Jews why he was sharing the Gospel with the gentiles. He received a strong conviction and a vision from the Lord, and faithfully listened and followed. Although the Jews were troubled about what Peter had done, they come to realize as Peter did that God is the creator of ALL things. For us to judge who is clean or unclean offends God, and underminds His authority. As we have all mentioned before, we know we have no right to judge others but it is in our sinful nature to constantly do so. May we continue to examine our hearts and actions rather than "examing" others. May we also be encouraged to look beyond our judgements of others, so that we never miss an opportunity to build relationships with His creation, and ultimately share the Gospel...

Peter at Cornelius' House (Acts 10: 23a-48)

Continuing on from Helen's post... these two men were obedient and faithful to what God had revealed to them and asked them to do. Each doing their part landed Peter at Cornelius' home so that Peter could preach the word to the people and the Holy Spirit poured out among all who heard the message.

God used both men from completely different backgrounds (Gentile and Jew) to fulfill his purpose in both saving those that had heard that message that day and simultaneously breaking down the earthly 'laws' man had established that really only served the purpose of hating and judging one another.

This chapter showed me how God could use anyone and any situation powerfully to serve His purpose if only we listen and obey. I hope and pray that we would have the faith and humility to break the barriers that so often separate (race, religion and so on) and have willing eyes and ears to see and hear God's calling and direction so that we may not miss opportunities to be used powerfully for His purpose.

Cornelius & Peter

Cornelius receives instructions from the Lord in a vision when "one day at about three in the afternoon," (a customary hour for prayer). And Peter was having his quiet time when God made him fall into a tance to communicate something important. i think these men are demonstrating that when we are praying and being on our knees regularly, God uses that channel to communicate to his faithful followers

Peter receives instructions to "kill and eat" the animals (shown while in a trance) that up till then the Jewish law forbid, calling them unclean. the voice spoke to him three times! sometimes it's hard for us the think differently than what the world has taught us... and perhaps it's not really about eating the certain types of meat more than understanding what Jesus tried to teach us... "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'" (Mat 15:11)

i love how God brings these men together... they are from different backgrounds, Jew and gentile. both love the Lord and are faithful to follow instructions believing God has a purpose for their encounter

i pray that for all of us... that when we meet a stranger, we can show the love of God and just want to be used of Him who send people into our lives... for His purpose and Glory!

Our Father's Promise

"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised...It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set..But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you..."

These last couple of days, I've been struggling with uncertainty and unanswered questions. This passage reminded me of His promise for me, for all of us. Even though times are tough, mundane, or filled with doubts, we live in hope and persevere until...

"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

And that, the second coming of Jesus Christ, is definitely worth waiting and living for!

"They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going.."

"..why do you stand here looking into the sky?"

I found these verses kind of amusing. I can picture the disciples just staring up into heaven speechless, amazed, and at a standstill. If the angels didn't say anything, I think they would have stayed there a little bit longer. I think that is the problem with me, there are times when i just want to wait and not do anything.

God gave us responsibilities, a calling for all of us. Whether its being a mother, wife, student, sister, etc. He appointed us with something. And I complain about my responsibilities: studying, being a daughter, and etc. BUT like what we discussed yesterday during bible study: knowing that we don't deserve anything and giving thanks in ALL circumstances (something i'm trying to do.. =D )

Have a good week everyoneee!!

barnabas the son of encouragement

saul "tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was really a disciple.  but barnabas took him [in] and brought him to the apostles."

saul is miraculously converted and begins to preach the gospel with unusual power, but as it is with so many converts, he finds it hard to live down his old reputation. the other disciples see him only as the old murderous, fire-breathing saul. they refuse to believe that he has really changed.

barnabas was the only one who believed in saul and gave him a chance. because of barnabas's love and kindness, the rest of the church extended their hand of fellowship to saul and welcomed him into their midst.  thank God for people like barnabas! barnabas believed in the power of Jesus Christ to change even a murderer and a blasphemer like saul. 

it makes all the difference in the world if someone overlooks the mistakes that we have made, the failures and misbehaviors of our past, and gives us a chance. if we have been accepted into the fellowship of a church, it is probably because no one knows us well enough to question us otherwise. what if everyone knew us the way we really were: our secret sins, our thought lives, the things we keep hidden from everyone else--would we be able to live it down? would the church accept us then?

most of us make up our minds about someone according to what we have seen and heard, but if we were all a little bit more like barnabas, how different the church would be! we should not be so wise in our own minds as to decide what Jesus Christ can or cannot do with a person. saul is the best and greatest example of Jesus's power to save. looking back on his old self, the apostle paul states, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom i am the worst.  but for that very reason i was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life".

if we all were little bit more like barnabas, filled with compassion and love for even "the worst of sinners", the spirit of grace and love that would overflow from our church could literally change the world, just like it did with the early church.

The account of Paul's conversion

Saul, who was once a bad persecutor of Jesus, is now totally converted to Paul, the great man of God. The process of his conversion looks really suffering and painful. He had to lose his sight for three days, which I cannot even imagine how I would bear, and he also didn't eat or drink for the period. Moreover because he had to be a totally different person, he might need to decide to leave all the things he had got in his life behind to follow Jesus. That would have been hard for him as a human.
I think conversion should give us suffer like Paul had. Maybe we're still in the process. I just pray that when Jesus let me know how much I must suffer for his name(9;15), I can realize he wants to use me and I'm his chosen instrument.

(It is sooooo hot in Korea! I hope everyone's are doing great!)

Philip and the Ethiopian

Wow...praise God! The Holy Spirit really does work in mysterious ways. I know this phrase is a really big cliche, but it's very true in today's passage. There are no such things as coincidences in life and this passage is proof of that. The Holy Spirit leads and we follow the direction that He is pointed at. It's scary because we're not sure where it'll lead to, but we should follow it regardless because there is a reason for everything.

Something that struck me about the Ethiopian was that he had gone to worship all his life, read God's Word, and listened to the message and all the teachings the religious leaders gave, but he did not understand one word of it because no one would really explain to him what he was doing or why he was doing it in the first. The crazy thing is that it reflects many people in the church today because they are like the Ethiopian in that they do the routine every Sunday morning. They give their mouth service at worship, say the right things in prayers, and serve the church, but do they know why they are doing these things or for whom it is all for? I don't believe that this is so.

The religious leaders had failed him to begin with because they themselves didn't believe in Christ, but more importantly, they let this Ethiopian fall through the cracks. He would have been another person who thought they had salvation by just merely showing up and doing all the right things but no believing in what the sacrifice that was the cross. There are so many people out there that are misinformed and are deceiving themselves that they are saved when they really aren't. These are the people who will be gnashing their teeth and weeping bitterly outside the gates of heaven.

It is important that we not let this happen in our church and our ministry as well. We can't let those outside on the fringe or hardhearted slip through the cracks. I know some of us don't want to because honestly, it's inconvenient and can be irritating. I include myself in this group. Hey, I'm the laziest person I know. ^-^ But we need to keep our eyes alert, ears open, and hearts willing to listen for the Holy Spirit to point the direction to the lost and confused. We may fall short in a lot of way but I know God can use us mightily for His kingdom but only if we are willing to listen and just do it.

simon the sorceror

"simon himself believed and was baptized. and he followed philip everywhere . . . "

this passage reminds us yet again that what outwardly appears to be genuine saving faith may, in fact, be not. simon blended in with all the other men and women who "believed philip as he preached the good news . . . and were baptized". he was indistinguishable from those who came to faith in Jesus Christ, outwardly at least.

but the true state of his heart is revealed when he offers peter money for the ability to give the Holy Spirit to whomever he chose at will. peter discerns that whatever outward profession of faith simon has made, whatever baptism he may have received, that simon's "heart [was] not right with God".   

how many of us "look" the part on the outside, but our hearts are not right with God! well, we will be "found out" sooner or later, just as simon was. the true christian is known by God. what we really are inside will be revealed by that which we most long for and desire. simon's desire for power even in a "christian context" betrayed the unrepentant, unbelieving state of his heart, just as the thing(s) that we most desire manifests the true state of ours. whatever we are, genuine or not, we will be "found out".

The church- scattered but not broken.

4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ[a]there. 6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.7With shrieks, evil[b] spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city.

It’s encouraging to read that as the church faced persecution, it forced them to split up and spread God’s word wherever they went. These were good people doing good things but hardship fell on them in the form of persecution. Yet through it, God’s word spread across the land and God’s work continued despite these hardships. Phillip was one example and his testimony and ministry filled the city he entered with great joy.

I hope to see our church grow despite whatever hardships we face among us. I think in my life at least, I feel hardships come in the form of temptation, lethargy, callousness and it shows in the lack of spiritual growth. It forces me to re-examine my relationship with God and to cut out that which hampers my growth. I hope and pray to witness God working in and through each of our lives. Let’s not get discouraged by whatever struggles that come our way. We have Christ and the Holy Spirit to work in and through us despite the darkness we see in and around us. “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Our body may be weak but we are not dead and we can grow stronger.