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Acts 18:1-11 One would never have thought this of the apostle Paul. He had a stellar record when it came to proclaiming the gospel. In town after town, he testified to Jews and to any Gentiles who would listen that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. He had been opposed in many places and even stoned, but he had not been deterred. After all, He had received a special visit from the Lord on the way to Damascus and been given personal instructions about proclaiming the Word. But something happened in Corinth. Corinth, a Roman colony, center of East - West maritime commerce and thus a city of great wealth. Corinth, a cesspool of vice and immorality; home of a great temple to the healing god Asclepias; and center to the cult worship of Aphrodite. Corinth was filled with the evils of the world. When Paul came to Corinth, he took up residence and trade with Aquila and Priscilla who were tent makers. (Read our text.) On the Sabbath, he was about his usual task of reasoning and trying to persuade those who were in the synagogue. But after Silas and Timothy’s arrival, Paul is moved in the Spirit (NKJ) to more solemnly affirm Jesus as the Christ (NAS). The opposition became fierce at this point, and Paul withdrew to the house of Titius Justus. And despite the fact that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, his household, and many others are baptized, Paul receives a night vision from the Lord. “Do not be afraid any longer...do not be silent;” Paul - afraid?! Afraid he would be harmed?! Paul - afraid to speak?! Evidently. Ponder it. Let it sink in. Paul had his limits. Paul was human. Paul needed some serious encouragement, and he got it from the Lord and stayed eighteen months preaching in Corinth. We all have our limits. When you “hit the wall,” don’t quit! Seek the Lord. Get help from a brother or sister. Do not be afraid. If you see someone floundering who has “hit the wall,” pray and provide encouragement. Too many have become silent because they have become afraid. Too many. Do not be afraid. Do not be silent.

Matthew 8:16-17; 12:15-16 Time and again in the gospels we read of Jesus’ healing people. He healed every kind of disease from blindness and deafness to lameness and leprosy. He cast out evil spirits. He even raised the dead! We marvel at God’s power and are thankful for His compassion. But we wish to consider this about our Lord. He was always present “in the moment.” What do we mean by that? We have all done this, and it is a by-product of our very fast-paced world, but also of our own self-centeredness and indifference to others. Some examples. You meet a friend on the street who begins to share with you about her vacation, but you hardly hear what she says because you want to get to the bank and the grocery store. You are not “in the moment.” Your wife is relating to you the problem which one of the kids had in school that day, but you are thinking about settling into your chair to watch the big game. You’re not in the moment. After church, a good sister comes up to you to share a problem she has and to ask for prayers. Your mind is on getting home, lunch, and your Sunday afternoon nap. Not in the moment. Jesus was always in the moment. Whomever He was with had His full attention. Every individual and group of people was important to Him. In our texts we read that Jesus healed “all” who came to Him. None were turned away. We know that at times this involved huge crowds. How easy it would have been to say: “It’s really getting late. Come back tomorrow.” Or: “We need to get to the next village before dark, but I plan to be back, Lord willing.” Or: “That’s enough for today. You can see the great power God has given Me.” Jesus was “present in the moment” because each person mattered to Him. He loved each one. Each ailment, each problem, each teaching opportunity mattered to Him because each person was important. This is none other than the love of God. Live “in the moment.” Otherwise you will miss the opportunities which life presents.

Jeremiah 33:1-3 It was the strangest feeling. Halfway up the I-470 hill, I realized I had forgotten my phone. It was a feeling of emptiness, being alone, even a little scary. Years ago, we thought nothing of traveling around without a mobile phone. We didn’t even know what they were - something out of a Dick Tracy comic. Now we can’t leave home without them! They do serve some good purposes. Anyway, I was on the way to my usual fellowship breakfast, as I’ll call it, and I always text Shirley to let her know I’ve arrived safely. Well, no phone - no text. I prayed she wouldn’t panic and would see my phone still left on charge. She did - eventually - but not after some tense moments and a text to my fellow “breakfaster” to see if I had made it. Neither one of us liked being disconnected from the other. Similarly, the Lord does not want us to be disconnected from Him. He has a “wireless” service which is always accessible. The password is easy to remember - Jesus. He wants us to call anytime. To Jeremiah He promised: “Call to Me and I will answer you...” Prayer is for our benefit, not God’s. He knows the danger for us to be disconnected from Him, and so He makes Himself available morning, noon and night. As our heavenly Father, He knows the problems we face, the trouble we can get into, and the various needs we have. He is always on call. Sadly, many Christians go through their day without being connected to the Lord. They just plow ahead without requesting guidance from the Almighty, struggle with problems by themselves, and fall flat when the Tempter comes around. It’s no wonder they feel frustrated and alone in their daily walk. They have not bothered to connect with their heavenly Father. Every day, get connected with the Lord. Stay connected. Just a short call here and there to keep in touch and hear that reassuring voice on the other end: “I’m so glad you called. What’s up?”

Mark 6:30-32 Do you have a secluded place where you can go to get away from it all? Well? We’re not necessarily talking about a literal place, although it could be. But you might live alone and have the whole place to yourself! We’re not talking about the very popular “me” time in which you grab your box of Cheez-its and cue up your favorite show via the DVR; or curl up in your chair with a cup of tea and your favorite novel; or luxuriate in your scented bath. Nope. We’re talking about making opportunity for you to be alone with the Lord. Just you and Him. In our text, the disciples had just returned from a circuit in which they had taught the gospel, healed, and cast out unclean spirits. Jesus recognized that they needed rest and called them to go away to a “secluded place.” There was just too much traffic where they were. “Traffic” is usually our biggest problem in finding that secluded place. You know: TV, texting/phoning, social media (How many platforms are there now?), video games, zoom, internet shopping, kids, spouse... It’s a wonder any of us can think at all! This isn’t about going to the assembly on Sunday morning no matter how needful that is. It’s about being alone with your Savior and Lord. Just the two of you. A prayer. Some scripture. Then He looks you in the eye and says: “How are you doing?” Of course, He already knows, but He wants to know if you know. Now some confession. Sins. Failures. Fears. Concerns. Some rejoicing and thanksgiving for His blessings. A request for help with your weakness. Some requests for others. He offers some counsel, words of encouragement and assurances. Then, He takes His leave but reminds you He’s never far away. It’s a blessed time. So, do you have a secluded place?

Psalm 27:4 One of the arguments for a Creator rather than random processes of natural selection is the beauty which abounds on the earth. If we’re talking “survival of the fittest,” we’d want strength, endurance, speed, agility, weaponry, et al. Beauty does not fit into such a scenario and would seem to be quite a hindrance in situations in which one creature was trying to hide from another. Beauty is found virtually everywhere in the creation. Magnificent colors treat our eyes: flowers, birds, tropical fish, sunrises, sunsets, etc. Graceful forms add to the display: the shapes of flowers, the symmetry and designs of leaves, the wings of a butterfly. Majestic scenes force us to pause: a meadow filled with wild flowers, snow-capped mountains covered in evergreens below the tree line, the beach edging a blue ocean. In fact, we’ve all seen the pictures of the earth itself which were taken from the moon - it is a beautiful planet. So, what would this tell us about our God who created all of this beauty for us to relish? Would He not appreciate beauty? Would He not make us to appreciate beauty? Would He not think that beauty was necessary for any number of reasons? Would this not speak about God Himself? In his Psalm, one of the things which David asks of the Lord is “to behold the beauty of the Lord.” This is one characteristic of God which is frequently overlooked. Scripture indicates that God is radiant with beauty and resplendent in His glory. In Revelation (4:2-6), we have a vision of God being “like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance” with a rainbow around His throne which looked as an emerald does. Before His throne is “something like a sea of glass, like crystal.” No ugliness here. Glory is beautiful. And consider this. Don’t we see a good deed as something lovely? When the leper asked Jesus if He was willing to cleanse him and Jesus said, “I am willing,” and touched him to make him whole - wasn’t that a beautiful thing? Behold the beauty of the Lord.

Luke 17:3-4 If you have ever done something wrong (Who hasn’t?), and have been convicted in your conscience for your trespass, and have been carrying the guilt and shame around with you, you know how deeply the soul longs to be released from its burden. (This could be sin against another person or against our Lord.) And when you finally receive the forgiveness you so desperately want, you know what a great weight has been lifted from you and that the shackles that bound you to your offense have been broken. You are free, again! Forgiveness has the power to set us free. It can be difficult to accept that you did wrong to another person. We sometimes try to hide behind such things as “I didn’t mean to say that,” or “I forgot,” or “I didn’t think you would mind.” Acknowledging our having offended another person is the beginning of the road to forgiveness. If that step is never taken, forgiveness will never happen. Let us now consider the person against whom I have sinned. My offense has become a barrier between me and them. What might they be thinking? “Does he really believe what he said about me?” “Does she care about me at all?” “How should I now act toward him?” “Has our relationship changed?” If you’ve ever been in this position (I think we all have.), you know the questions and uncertainty which exist between you and that person. So when he or she comes to you and admits, “I did you wrong,” a great weight is lifted from your shoulders as well. The cloud of uncertainty which stood between the two of you was lifted. You are free as well - free to continue in your relationship without doubts standing in the way. Such is the freeing power of forgiveness. To both the offender and the offended, forgiveness gives freedom. No wonder the Lord insists that we confess our faults to one another and seek forgiveness. It’s a blessed thing!

Philippians 2:5-11 What a glorious day that will be! That is the day in which Jesus returns to reward His faithful disciples and “to be glorified in His saints” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). John tells us “every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7), and Paul writes that “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...” Those who love the Lord are looking forward to that day. Everyone else either thinks it’s a fairy tale, or is simply ignoring the words of Jesus, or is defiantly daring Jesus to return. In considering these things, we get a glimpse at one characteristic of the God we serve and have one of His ultimate purposes revealed. There are two ways in which people can bow the knee before Jesus: willingly or unwillingly. We have a choice. On the night He was arrested, Jesus struggled in Gethsemane as He faced the cross. He pleaded with His Father that the cup of the crucifixion might pass from Him without His having to drink it. But His Father refused because the sacrifice of Jesus would prove to all the world the love of God (1 John 3:16; 4:10). Thus people would come willingly, bow the knee, confess, and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is God’s desire and one of His purposes in the cross of Christ. When people begin to comprehend the Love that God has for them, they come humbly, in awe, and willingly accept His gift of salvation and the rule of the Christ. Jesus is glorified. On the other hand, those who turn away from God’s love and pursue their own course in life are rejecting the rule of Jesus. He is still their king even though they do not acknowledge Him. It is God’s desire that individuals come freely and willingly to accept the salvation that is in Christ Jesus along with His lordship. But on that last day, those who have rejected Him during their lives will be forced to bow the knee and confess that “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” What a day that will be!

Job 37:6 Have you ever contemplated snow? It is another of God’s fantastic creations. When you mention “snow” to a lot of people, the response is negative. Nobody likes to drive in it. You have to shovel it. When it melts, it creates a sloppy mess. And it comes with the cold. We tend not to like the cold. Let us consider snow. How does snow form? Your friendly meteorologist will tell you the necessary conditions and give a scientific explanation. But for me, there must be more. For example, if every snowflake is formed from water (and all water has the exact same chemical composition), then why are no two snowflakes the same? Why are their crystalline structures all different? Shouldn’t they all be the same? Is this perhaps God’s way of reinforcing the idea that although all people are of one blood, no two are the same? When snow falls, it covers everything - a white blanket. It hides the dirt on your car, potholes, litter, and that pile of brush you’ve been meaning to get rid of. Everything is white, so white that in the day you often need sunglasses to shield your eyes. A reminder of our sins and the power of God to remove them? “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow;” (Isaiah 1:18). It muffles sounds, and just seems to create a different ambiance as it falls. It brings a feeling of peace to anyone who will pause and watch it fall. Is this one of God’s ways of telling the whole world to stop, slow down and consider what you are doing? Is God telling us in a kind way that He still controls it all? Then there is the beauty of the snow. Aside from its glorious white color, it creates designs and works of beauty which take our breath away and which are constantly photographed and painted by artists. Who doesn’t own a calendar which has a picture of a hillside of snow-covered trees or a chickadee in a snowy pine? Snow is a work of God with many messages.Consider the snow.What is God teaching us?

Psalm 39 Today was a day to reflect and meditate. Do you ever have one of those days? Perhaps they are of God. Surely, sometimes. Yesterday came to mind. It was still quite clear, although some of it was already growing dim, and some forgotten. There was mostly good; some really good. We were blessed. There were some bumps and a couple of stumbles, but God saw us through. God was in the day, as He is always. We are products of yesterdays. Did you ever consider? Our own yesterdays, in which we laughed, cried, worked, played, loved, worshiped, made choices, etc. These and a thousand other things have shaped us. But also, the yesterdays of others have shaped us as well. Things done and choices made, even by millions of other people, have helped mold us into the individuals which we are today. Then, tomorrow entered my thinking. It is rather hazy and clouded. Many of the usual things are anticipated - things we do every day. But some things are written on our calendar which we hope to accomplish. Then there is the unknown, that which we are not able to foresee. It might be a really good thing, or not. This is the nature of tomorrow. Nobody lives tomorrow. It is yet to be realized - a dream, a fantasy, a thought. The only sure thing of tomorrow is that God will be there. It is already in His hand. So, we turn to today. It is this day! It is the day the Lord has made. It is truly the only day we have. Today! In it we will accomplish the plans of yesterday, begin to fulfill dreams and encounter the unknown. In it we will make the choices, think the thoughts, speak the words and do the things which will shape us into who we are. God enabling, I will be a better person tomorrow because of what I’ve let Him do with me today. Remember. Tomorrow, today becomes yesterday; and tomorrow becomes today.

Luke 2:1-5 The prophecy was made by Micah (5:2): “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” Let us observe two things about this prophecy. Firstly, it came true roughly 700 years after it was made. That’s a long time. We often forget things after 7 minutes! But God is faithful to His word, and He did not forget. The Lord God had a plan from the very beginning, and He worked that plan throughout the various ages with different individuals and nations. Note here some of the things which God had in place to bring this all about. Rome was in power, and under Roman rule, people had to return to their “own city” to be registered in the census. Caesar Augustus made a decree that the inhabitants of the empire be registered. Joseph was of the house of David whose city was Bethlehem. Mary was with Child, carrying the Christ in her womb and very near to giving birth. Joseph complied with the decree. This is like herding seven cats in a field full of mice! We seldom pause to consider the marvelous capacity of God to bring together countless elements to accomplish His will. Secondly, it was “little” Bethlehem which was favored with the birth of the “ruler in Israel,” none other than the Christ. Bethlehem which sat about five miles away in the shadow of majestic Jerusalem which housed the kings of Israel and the very temple of God. Time and again, we see God favoring the small and the lowly. David himself was the eighth son of Jesse whom he had not even bothered to bring into the house for Samuel to consider. Among God’s prophets were farmers, shepherds and slaves. Jesus chose fishermen, a tax collector and a rebel as apostles. God will do what God will do. He will often surprise us with how He does it, but He will always get it done.

Matthew 28:18 The concept of authority is often greatly misunderstood, and we can clearly see that in our day. Authority of all types is present everywhere in society, and the concept of authority originated with God. The Lord God has all authority by right of creation; He is the lawful owner of the entire universe. At the present time, the Father has given to Jesus His Son “All authority...in heaven and on earth.” God has set up institutions to function using authority and submission. He has established governing authorities: national governments, states, provinces, counties, towns, etc. (Romans 13:1-7). All people, Christians included, are to be subject to these civil powers. If people are not submissive, what results? Chaos and anarchy. God’s desire and design is for order and peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). In the church, the shepherds (elders) are given authority to oversee the flock and watch for the souls of the members of the congregation (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3). The “sheep” are to submit to the authority of these bishops for their own benefit. This is God’s design and one reason why every Christian is to be a member of a local congregation. In the home, the husband is given authority over the wife to provide leadership for the family (Ephesians 5:22-24). His authority is in the likeness of that of Christ who oversees the church and loved it to the point of sacrificing Himself for her so that she might become spotless and glorious as His own bride. Often those who have authority will abuse their power in some way. They will take advantage of their position and begin to do things for their own selves and forget that their authority has been given for the good of those whom they look over. Paul was quick to stress that his authority (as apostle) was for “building...up” and not for “destroying” (2 Corinthians 10:8). So those in positions of authority are to use their authority for the benefit of those who are to submit to them. This is God’s glorious design for the welfare of all people.

1 John 1:1-4 “Pronouns” by Karle Wilson Baker The Lord said, “Say, ‘We.’” But I shook my head, Hid my hands tight behind my back and said, “I.” The Lord said, “Say, ‘We.’” But I looked upon them, grimy and all awry. Myself in all those twisted shapes? Ah, no! Distastefully I turned my head away, Persisting. “They.” The Lord, “Say, ‘We.’” And I At last, Richer by a hoard Of years, And tears, Looked in their eyes and found the heavy word That bent my neck and bowed my head: Like a shamed schoolboy then I mumbled low, “We, Lord.” Not “My God” but “Our Father.” John is near breathless as he speaks of the fellowship into which Christians have been called. Community, family, brotherhood, church - members of the body of Christ. Members of Him and therefore members of one another! We are all of One. Remember.