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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Thursday, October 31, 2024
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Paul’s First Journey [6]: Paul’s Second Sabbath in Antioch in Pisidia Bible Verse:Acts 13:44-52 (ESV) "The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. " Message:
Paul and Barnabas, on their first great mission to central Anatolia (Turkey), have rolled into a town called Antioch, in the District of Pisidia. (See Daily Prayer Map.) This is not the great city of Antioch, from which they started, but a moderate-sized town of the same name.
Many towns in the region were named “Antioch,” for this reason: After Alexander the Great died, his empire was consolidated and ruled by a king named Antiochus. Towns all over the empire were named for him (at least 16 in Turkey and Syria), just as there are towns named Jackson or Jacksonville all over the United States.
Sharing the Burdens
Paul’s second sermon in the town synagogue did not go as smoothly as the first, even though the entire town turned out to hear him. The Jewish leaders were outraged and convinced the Gentile authorities to join them in condemning Paul; but the Gentile outrage was not caused so much by Paul’s message as by simple jealousy at the size of the crowd they draw.
Unfortunately, this phenomenon has never disappeared. Religious leaders are only human, and pride in their position is a constant temptation. It applies as much to Christians as anyone else, today and throughout history. Increasing the size of one’s congregation, or getting a higher-ranking office, sometimes seems to be motivated as much by personal pride as by joy at spreading the word of Christ. Priests and ministers want to become bishops and there is considerable politicking involved; pastors want to see their church congregation grow; televangelists want higher rankings and increased donations.
Human nature has not changed. The Greeks and Jews of first century Anatolia were no more and no less susceptible to pride (not to mention lust, anger, etc.) than we are.
Note that Paul and Barnabas have fully absorbed the lesson taught by Peter in Jerusalem, about his experience with Cornelius (Acts 11). They readily shift their mission to the Gentiles, but this will not diminish the opposition to Christianity in the long term. As we will see, it will simply inflame Gentile religious leaders without pacifying Jewish opposition. In addition, it will give the Jewish opposition even more ammunition to drive a wedge between Judaism and Christianity, because many Jews will be shocked that Paul and Barnabas would even consort with unclean Gentile populations.
Meditation : Prayer : Now, oh heavenly Father, I ask to be called as a witness to your love by the love I extend to others; a precursor of your justice by my unfailing commitment to what is right and good; a lamp set on a hill, reflecting the light of Christ in my forgiveness, mercy and compassion; and a harvester of souls through my humble and dedicated servanthood. In Jesus’ name, I pray,..........Amen |
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