Acts 16:12 "The Jews received Paul's message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said." The Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonicans! Oh to be known for nobility.
The beauty of this place is incredible. Yet the true beauty of Paul's life was not honored here. Standing in Herod's House where Paul was persecuted and thrown into jail. The palace and surroundings is beyond compare. Only Paul's life is beyond comparison and he was persecuted for real beauty.
Acts 16:23 - The idolatry in Athens so angered Paul. He told them: "You take your religion seriously. I found one idol inscribed: 'To the God Nobody Knows.' Well, I'm here to introduce you to this God!! The God Who made the world and everything in it! He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! He is calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right."
As I sit on the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee, hearing the words "Blessed are the Meek..." I ponder that moment and all the Followers both living and dead who have clung to those timeless words. Larry opened his mouth and God filled it on this Mount...Psalm 81:10. There is one Truth from Larry that will stay with me for a long time. One thought persists. If I had to sum up in about 10 words what God has been doing in my life to grow me so much over the past four years, well here’s the powerfully short sentence. “You must now trust Truth, not your experience or your blessings.” 66 LL.
Those last ten words are trully powerful...I am going to put them in my Bible.What manna from God. They are resonating in my heart and I have not gone thru nearly what you have the last four years. Clinging to the Truth this morning and not my blessings...wow, how profound and what a gift from our Lord. Praying for your day.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I have no words to describe the impact I experienced from the LORD as I read those last ten words. PROFOUND...Yes, clinging to TRUTH and not neccesarily what I have experienced, NO MATTER WHAT.
ReplyDeleteBev, thank you for being on this journey in Israel and sharing these amazing insights. Though I am not physically on this trip with you and Larry Crabb, God has moved in my Spirit in a special way because of what you experience and are able to write on the daily entrees to introduce the scripture.
Yes Mary Lou, all I can say is Amen and Amen.
This is a Song I Must Sing. Sylvia
I agree with Mary Lou--such powerful life altering words. Until we've been emptied, we cannot be filled. I watched as Oprah did her "Favorite Things" show and was frankly disgusted with the tears, hugs, "you just won the lottery" type reactions from the audience members. They still don't know. Being rich is trusting in Truth, and is the only thing that produces the peace that passes understanding. Chasing after things, experiences, blessings is a futile attempt to fill the God-sized hole.
ReplyDeleteThe idolatry of Athens is not unlike the idolatry of this country. "To the God Nobody Knows" haunts me as true today as it was in Paul's day.
I'm loving your nuggets you share each day, Bev. Thanks for taking the time to bring a good Word to us.
Sylvia, your message popped in at the same time mine did--I agree with both you and Mary Lou (grin)
ReplyDeleteAngelic Annette,
ReplyDeleteI saw that too when I clicked publish and thought oh did I post twice then I went back and read your entry. (grin) Yes, today for sure we are on the same page. Love you. This is another verse to the Song I Must Sing. Sylvia