A Goal for 2009 - February 15

Did I tell you that over 3000 ladies are participating in Beth Moore's Scripture Memory Blog? I believe that is amazing!!! If you have even a slight inkling, visit the blog at:

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

It is such a blessing to be a part of this challenge - more than I can describe in mere words. Even better, I did not expect this experience to be so dynamic.

For February 15, 2009, my fourth verse of the year is Acts 5:38-39 (NLT):

"So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God."

On one hand, I am skeptical of people, and on the other hand, I am quite trusting of people. In my nearly 39 years of life (as of March 22), I have learned a few lessons about how to discern Truth in the lives of others. When Christians face hardship, Truth is often more detectable in their lives. I have known a few people who claimed to be in relationship with Christ, and who accepted positions of leadership in the church, and who betrayed the the privilege given them. I have also known a few people to claimed a relationship with Christ, accepted positions of leadership in the church, and were betrayed. When this happens, I watch closely to see how the leader responds because one's response often reveals one's heart, one's motives, and God's Truth.

The Book of Acts describes a similar scenario. The apostles, who had been in the presence of Jesus while He walked on earth, began preaching and teaching. Religious and government leaders questioned their motives and their knowledge. The apostles were persecuted for their beliefs and actions, yet they continued to do that which Jesus Christ had taught them to do. There was a man named Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law, who addressed the leaders with the advice written above in Acts 5:38-39. As a result, the religious leaders decided not to kill the apostles at that time, but they did flog them and ordered them to stop speaking in Jesus' name.

I am thinking.... What would I have done? I am a respecter of authority, I avoid controversy, I fly under the radar.... The apostles considered their flogging an affirmation of their ministry. Hmmm. I probably would have taken "no" for an answer, gone home, and kept to myself for awhile. In the U.S. of A., Christians have not experienced serious, open persecution, yet. I believe the day is coming, or may already be upon us, when Christian persecution is more commonplace. As Christians in the U.S. of A., we still believe we have "rights." Actually, everyone in the USA believes they have rights - which is part of of the problem, but that is another story.... I do not recall Jesus Christ speaking of the rights of Christians while He walked on earth. Could it be that we have been lulled into this idea because we believe we live in Christian nation? I don't recall Jesus Christ speaking of the need to build a Christian nation apart from His coming again. I have said before that I am not a theologian, and I am also not a historian, but I wonder if I am following Christ when I am focusing on my rights ahead of focusing on His Truth. This is a bit of the draw I have to the Book of Acts at this point in my life and at this point in world history.

It appears that the apostles were teaching and preaching in Christ's name just as He had taught them to do. The reaction of the religious leaders and the political leaders of the day included jealousy, imprisonment, trials, flogging, and death. The reaction of the people included support of the religious and political leaders, as well as support of the apostles, transformed lives, and a dynamic, growing, difference-making church. The apostles did not preach and teach according to the politically correct directives of the day. They did not seek the pleasure of the religious and political leaders of the day. They obeyed God as they had been taught through Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Their behavior went against authority, was controversial, and definitely flew way above the radar - there is no doubt they would have been voted out on the first week of Survivor!

Several Truths are coming soon in Acts. Read them with me, if you would like to - I am beginning the 6th chapter. For me, this pursuit began in me as our nation prepared for the presidential elections. I want to be a Christ-centered, open-minded person who has ears to hear and eyes to see the Lord working in our midst. Then, I want to have the courage and strength to begin living the eternal promise of life in Christ today. Life on earth is confusing. Life in the USA is distracting. Life in the Tracht home is busy! In the midst of all this, Christ is meeting me in Bible reading, in journalling, in prayer, and in Scripture memory. Join me - if you will. Let's share and learn from one another about how God is working in our midst.

Until next time, find that quiet place to meet the Lord and seek His Truth.