Good Morning Friends,
Today’s lectionary passages are about facing the opposition and staying connected to the Holy Spirit. They are about getting used to being hated because of an association with Jesus. They are about standing up to bullies and being at peace with the experience. But moreover, they are about learning to be an effective Body of Believers working together while recognizing some doors are open and some shut so we might follow God’s plan for victory, So on this Mother’s Day when we pray for a love that lasts, Are You Ready To Face Success?
Scripture: Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily. They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Acts 16:1-10 (NRSV)
“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
John 15:18-21 (NRSV)
Message: At this point in the storyline, Paul’s ministry had undergone some major changes. Paul had been traveling with Barnabas for some time. They had been very successful. But then as they visited the churches that they had established there was a sharp disagreement between the two over whether to allow John Mark to continue with them. Thus, they split up and Paul selected Silas to go with him during the next phase of his journey. These two servants of God went through Syria and Cilicia encouraging the believers. After this they traveled to Derbe and Lystra, there they met Timothy and Paul selected him to join them on this mission. They traveled through the region preaching the Word. Daily there was an increase in the numbers of people believing the Gospel and the number of churches established. Paul had a plan to continue the work, but he quickly found out that God had other plans! Here we see four essential items to make for an effective work in ministry and in a church. By effectiveness, I mean the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result. And the first need is to have a desire. Though Paul’s had intentions were not exactly what God had in mind, we can see Paul’s heart’s aspiration to keep trying. Paul was obedient to his calling. One must have a longing for the outcome. Paul had a desire to share the gospel in certain parts of Asia. But the Holy Ghost would not allow this. Paul had the right intention just the wrong location. So, Paul simply obeyed the direction of the Holy Spirit. Discernment is the second element for success. Paul realized that even though he had good intentions, discerning God’s plan was more important. If we are to be effective, we must follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Our hopes, dreams and desires must take a back seat to what God would have for us to do. And that brings us to the next required item for success. One must have a clear direction. Paul had a vision setting the direction. However, it is not enough to simply know what God wants from us, we must be ready to go and do it, and that brings us to the fourth essential for success in ministry. When God gives us a vision, we must act with determination. Once we begin the journey, we must continue that journey until it is complete. We must persevere in the face of persecution. No matter what difficulties we encounter we must follow God to be victorious.
And So, for success we must have more than good intentions. We must have a desire to serve in the plan God has set forth for us and must discern and then obey the direction of the Holy Spirit related to this. But even this does not necessarily bring success, for we must not only see this direction clearly but continue to act on it even in the face of challenges with determination. Even mothers cannot have success unless they are following God.
Pray we are prepared to do what God has called us to do. Pray that the Lord would give us a desire, discernment, direction, and determination to be effective in work, ministry and in family life. Pray we realize that even though our behavior might have changed, those of the world around us may not be so inclined. Pray we not be surprised that worldly people act in a worldly manner. Pray we are not surprised when we suffer persecution in sharing the Gospel. Pray we realize some people do not want to face the fact they need to be saved from their way of thinking. Pray we understand that God provides the way. Pray we realize that persecution is not the result of doing something wrong but is the result of doing something right. Pray though that we realize that we can do the right thing in the wrong way. Pray that when this happens that we not be surprised by the Lord’s discipline. Pray therefor that we are not surprised when God answers prayers for a success in ministry in ways we might not expect. Pray we be excited and in awe but not surprised when God provides a way for us to succeed. Pray during a time when we culturally honor teachers and nurses and mothers, we open our hearts and minds to the things of beauty that invite Jesus into our homes and hearts. Pray we love to tell the story of Jesus in our stories of learning, healing, and family. Pray we are in touch with the joys and sorrows of life ready to become story makers. Pray we surround ourselves with life. Pray we do things we love. Pray we visualize light and life and love in our relationships. Pray we inhale the healing of the Spirit of Jesus even as we share the words of witness. Pray we let go of the past. Pray we become open to receiving. Pray we embrace our fears. Pray we help others without expectation. Pray we learn to love unconditionally. Pray we keep love in our hearts. Pray we see the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching us how to love. Pray we open our hearts to the home Jesus is making for us. Pray we learn how to serve the Lord in love.
Pray God gives us a job to do. Pray God gives us trusting hearts. Pray the Spirit draws us to salvation. Pray our hearts are opened. Pray we always find time to love. Pray we open our homes and hearts to God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 