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If you noticed that the devotional from the Life Application Bible in Luke is out of order, 1) You might have OCD (Obessesive Compulsive Disorder), or 2) Your'e very observant. Somehow I skipped several days so I'll be catching up.
- dr joe
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Food for Thought...
I believe our nation is headed for very hard, even disastrous times. I do not believe politics will fix our economy - it's too far gone - too much debt to ever pay back. We depend completely on our fragile technological infrastructure for food, water, shelter, transportation, and entertainment. Any number of events could cause a sudden collapse of our system e.g., electric grid collapse from terrorism, natural event like solar flare, simple breakdown from lack of modernization, or Israel attacks Iran and the price of oil skyrockets, or China stops buying our treasury bonds. I am feeling called to prepare for such disaster by working to be less dependent and more self-sufficient. If you have interest in or questions about this line of thinking, please e-mail me by replying to this e-mail. Below are some of my favorite links:
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Luke 8:38-39
38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
Often, Jesus asked those he healed to be quiet about the healing, but he urged this man to return to his family and tell them what God had done for him. Why? (1) Jesus knew the man would be an effective witness to those who knew his previous condition and could attest to the miraculous healing. (2) Jesus wanted to expand his ministry by introducing his message into this Gentile area. (3) Jesus knew that the Gentiles, since they were not expecting a Messiah, would not divert his ministry by trying to crown him king. When God touches your life, don't be afraid to share the wonderful events with your family and friends.
Verse and commentary above and below in this color is copied from the Life Application Study Bible Reading Plan on YouVersion. Check it out at: http://www.youversion.com/ .
Any Dr JOE comments will be in BLUE :0)
Acts 21:1-6
1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
Paul and Luke were apparently loved a great deal by the people they ministered to. In verse 1 they had to tear themselves away and in verse 6 even the women and children came to see them off. I have found that there is something very wonderful about Christian fellowship. There is a bond that goes beyond the natural relationship. There is a Love that comes from and through the Holy Spirit that dwells inside us. Even with believers I don't know very well, I often feel love like they are brothers and sisters. I believe this is because we are part of the Kingdom of God that Jesus talked about. A Kingdom of people faithful to the King of Kings and bound together by the Holy Spirit of the King that lives inside us. Awesome.
(Ok, so I struggle to feel this way about some believers that I think are really annoying or obnoxious. I'm not always good at obeying the Spirit. And... I'm sure some other believers struggle to feel Love for me.)
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Questions?
Please email me with any questions about today's scripture message or anything related to the Bible or Christianity.
I might not know the answer but I'll try real hard to find it.
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