Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets” – Acts 24:14

Early Christians called themselves “The Way” because Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” As Paul stood on trial, he didn’t hide his allegiance to Jesus and neither should we. Even as Jewish leaders accused him of various religious crimes, He correctly understood and taught Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of everything the Mosaic Law pointed to and the prophets of Israel had written about.

Jesus isn’t a radical departure from what’s told in the Old Testament. He is the perfect fulfillment of it all! The Old Testament taught and prepared people for the coming of Jesus Messiah, Who is the one and only way to God. There may be a cost to understanding, believing, and teaching this, but whatever that may be, we must be prepared to pay it.

Paul made this speech at the beginning of years spent under arrest and enduring various trials. His journey through the Roman legal system would include great danger, shipwreck, and lengthy travel to Rome. It would also provide opportunity to preach and teach Christ to leaders at many different levels and in many different places. There’s no shame in wherever our journey of faith in Christ takes you, as long as you’re worshiping God according to the Way!

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'” – Matthew 17:5

What a moment of crystal clarity! The eternal glory of Jesus had just been revealed as He was transfigured before the eyes of His closest disciples. They’d caught a glimpse of His divine majesty and seen Him talking with Moses and Elijah. Then God the Father made His presence seen and heard!

“This is my beloved Son…listen to him.” Such a simple concept! Jesus is the beloved Son of God. So we should listen to Him. Seriously listen.

How well do you do at actually listening to Jesus? Do you read or listen to part of His Word daily? Weekly? Occasionally? Ever?

Do you take seriously what He said to do and try to do it? So often Christians waste time trying to explain away what Jesus said rather than simply listening. I don’t really have to deny myself… I don’t actually have to forgive in this situation… Nobody would really turn the other cheek… Jesus didn’t really mean for me to discipline my thoughts and words… I’m not really hurting anyone…

We must stop talking and start listening to Jesus.! We must stop letting others listen for us and start listening to Jesus! We must stop listening to others more than we listen to Jesus! We must listen and do what He says. God couldn’t have been clearer!

“For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” – Exodus 40:38

Can you even imagine this wondrous sight? For the ancient Israelites in the wilderness, whenever they stopped and set up camp, the cloud presence of God would descend upon the holy tent that sat at the heart of their camp! The thick cloud made clear that the Living God of the Universe Who created all things was right there with them all day long. Then, night would fall and the cloud would be lit by fire within, glowing all throughout the otherwise pitch dark night.

What would go through your mind if you were there so long ago? How awe-inspiring! How beautiful! How frightening! How overwhelming! God was visibly present in a way unlike anything ever seen before. Day and night. Night and day. God was with His people.

Flash forward to the present day. Know this – if you’re a believer in Jesus, then God is present within you. You have been united with Christ. You are the holy tabernacle now! You are filled with God’s presence! As Christians, Scripture tells us we are temples of God’s Holy Spirit. The same God Who appeared in cloud and fire in the Israelite camp lives within you, empowers you, and wants to change you!

This is why every Christian is called to live a holy life. We’re called to grow in our holiness and devotion to God because now we are the tabernacle. We now live with God’s presence in us, visible in the sight of all those around us. The spectacle of the tabernacle has been replaced by an even more glorious truth about us. Are you living and enjoying that truth?

“And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.’” – Acts 22:19

Paul stands as a vivid reminder of God’s power to redeem, restore, and powerfully use anyone! God took a vicious persecutor of Christians and turned him into the most zealous and impactful preacher, teacher, and church planter for Christ ever. God literally used Paul to change the world for Jesus despite (or perhaps because of) his previous hatred for Jesus. God accomplished this despite the widespread fear of Paul within the church.

Everyone knew how Paul used to be. Paul himself never forgot his sinful brutality. But Jesus changed him and used him for His greater glory and Kingdom. What an encouragement that is to us!

If you feel like something in your past or present keeps you from being useful to God, Paul’s story makes clear that isn’t true. If you feel like the sins of your past are too great to serve the Lord, clearly not! If you feel like your apathy, inactivity, or fear in the past or present have gone on too long to serve the Lord, clearly not! If you feel like your reputation in the eyes of other Christians is too stained to serve the Lord, clearly not!

God has prepared good works for you personally to do (Ephesians 2:10). Don’t tell yourself that you aren’t worthy to do them. Don’t tell yourself that you’re disqualified from doing them. If there’s some sin you need to confess to God, go ahead and confess it. Then do whatever God’s called you to do. If Paul can, you can!

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.”
– Psalm 36:5

What a beautiful way to express a critical truth: God’s unshakable, unbreakable love and faithfulness have no limit!!! There’s nothing in your past or present that can keep you from experiencing God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ, the holy and eternal Son of God, lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, and rose from the dead so that through faith in Him, all who believe will receive God’s limitless grace and mercy. Sins forgiven. Relationship restored. Adopted and loved by God.

Because God’s love and faithfulness toward His people are rooted in Christ’s perfect, once-for-all sacrifice you can be certain you’ll never exhaust God’s faithful, steadfast love for you. Ever.

If you think there’s something about yourself that God can’t forgive, you’re wrong. Confess that to God and ask His forgiveness. As soon as you have, He’s already completely forgiven you. Completely.

If you think there’s something about you that makes it impossible for God to truly love you, you’re wrong. God’s already shown His love for you by sending His Son to the cross for you. He already loves you infinitely more than you can imagine and He always will.

If you worry that there’s something you’ll do that will one day send God fleeing from you, you’re wrong. His faithfulness extends to the clouds. He will never leave you or forsake you. Ever.