Acts 29?

I've often wondered why there isn't a 29th chapter to the Book of Acts.

Recently, I've been reading about Paul's journey to Rome so that he might appeal to Caesar the charges brought against him.  The author of Acts, Luke, tells that Paul spent two years under house arrest while waiting for justice to be done.  Not surprisingly, Paul continues to preach and teach about the risen Jesus to anyone who will listen.

We also know that Paul wrote his epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians and to his friend, Philemon, from prison.  Reading those epistles we know that Paul continued his ministry, strengthening the believers in Christ and revisiting church which he had a hand in helping to plant.  Still, why doesn't Acts have a more proper ending, indicating some kind of resolution to Paul's troubles.

We don't know why the Holy Spirit led Luke to end Acts as he did.  One thing is certain - the book of Acts is continuing to be written even today.

If Acts in the story of the beginning of the New Testament church, then we are part of the story as well.  We continue to preach about the coming kingdom of God.  We continue to teach about the Lord Jesus Christ.  We witness and tell others about our Savior's forgiveness, grace and salvation.  We proclaim repentance and faith in Jesus as a person's only hope for eternal life in heaven.  In this way, the story of Acts continues.  May you, in your daily life in Christ, keep adding more words to the story!

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Finish then Thy new creation
 Pure and spotless let us be
Let us see Thy great salvation
 Perfectly restored in Thee
Changed from glory to glory
Till in heaven we take our place
Till we cast our crowns before Thee
 Lost in wonder, love and praise!

LSB #700, verse four

Any One But Me

Few words can strike more fear into a Christian than the word, "evangelism."  It's easy to think of reason why it can be so uncomfortable to share the Gospel with another person - I might offend my friend...I don't know the Bible that well...What if I'm asked a question I can't answer...I'm an introvert so don't ask me to do something like this.

Ray Comfort's new book, "Any One But Me," is one part encouragement, one  part instruction so that you can share Your Jesus with another person.

Comfort points to Bible verses like 1 Peter 3:15 & 2 Timothy 4:2 to show that God's will is for you and me to be ready when we find an opportunity to speak about Jesus.  This is serious business as Comfort points out.  Souls are on the line.  Think of the non-believer friend who means much to you.  You could stand to know that at their death, they would receive only the judgement of the Lord?

Comfort offers 10 proven ways to overcome your doubts and fears so that you'll be prepared to give an answer to another about the hope that you have.  Get yourself a copy of "Any One But Me" today.

A washing of regeneration

Whoever is baptized in Christ is baptized through His suffering and blood, or, to state it more clearly, through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins.  For this reason St. Paul calls Baptism a "washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5); and according to what Christians say and picture, the Sacraments flow from the wounds of Christ.  And what they say and picture is right.

From "What Luther Says," page 47

A burden the pastor carried

 The pastor arrived for the 7 am Men's Breakfast Bible study a few minutes late.  The guys gathered around the table and carried on their conversation while only briefly acknowledging their pastor.  But one fellow looked over the pastor carefully.  He noticed the bags under the pastor's eyes, the look of exhaustion on his face.  He asked, "Are you all right?" The pastor shook his head and said, "We'll talk later."

After the Bible study broke up, the pastor and the fellow found a corner booth.  The pastor said, "I shouldn't be talking to you but since you asked..."  For the next half-hour, the pastor explained that he hadn't slept for more than a couple of hours each night.  Some concerns for the flock he was shepherding was causing sleepless nights.  Finances were not covering the budget.  Petty disputes threatened to tear the church council apart.  The "grapevine" was filled with gossip and half-truths.  The pastor was doing his best to apply God's Word and instruction to each situation.  But disobedient church members weren't showing much growth in the way of repentance and faith in God their Savior.

I've been reading through 1st Corinthians and it has caused me to wonder if that church had caused the apostle Paul if he suffered through many sleepless nights.  We do know that many in the church were immature in the faith and did many unspiritual things.  Because of Paul's concern for God's flock, chapters seven through twelve contain needed instruction and guidance.  Paul writes pointedly - his desire is to bring about repentance and faith among the disobedient in Corinth.

As you read, note that Paul addresses issues which seem to stand front and center in the church today.  Watch how Paul continually points to God's grace in Jesus as the motivation for setting aside our own wisdom and desires and, instead, to seek each day as God's forgiven people, dearly loved in the Lord.

Free from guilt

Back in 2006, I flew from South Carolina to Phoenix to visit my kids.  My oldest daughter picked me up at the airport and had a big evening planned for me.  But first, as she explained, she had a trial in court to attend and I would be able to accompany her.

I must say that I enjoyed seeing my daughter in action.  She was a Maricopa County Prosecutor at that time.  She looked and sounded so professional.  I was thrilled to be in court.

However, the young man that my daughter was prosecuting was less than thrilled to be there.  "Fear" was written all over his face.  By standing before the judge, I think the young man finally realized just how much trouble he had created for himself.  By the end of the court session, I felt a little sorry for the fellow.  He was so afraid.

In Acts, chapter 25, we see Paul on trial.  Unlike the trial my daughter was involved in, Paul's was much different.  The apostle was an innocent man.  Witness after witness testified against Paul but none of them was able to prove Paul guilty of anything.  Plus Paul stood in court with the knowledge that the Lord was with him.  Even as Paul appealed to Caesar, God's will is being done.  The Lord had assured the apostle that, despite the persecution he was facing, Paul would travel to Rome to proclaim the Gospel.  And that is exactly what Paul did.

We can trust God to keep His promises to us.  Paul wrote to the Romans: He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Yes, but of course, we can trust that God will give us freedom from guilt, answer our prayers, give guidance for daily living, assure us of eternal life in heaven and so much more.  The Lord was with His servant, Paul.  The Lord will be with you this week as well!

Take Courage!

 Paul had every reason to be afraid.  He has spent the day before the Jewish high court.  Paul's bold testimony about the risen Jesus has filled the members of the court with hatred and rage.  It was this group that orchestrated the death of Jesus.  They have the power to do the same to Paul.  His life hangs in the balance.

While chained and under guard in the barracks, the Lord suddenly appeared to Paul.  The apostle hears the words that the Lord utters to those who are afraid - "Take Courage!"  Paul received reassurance that his mission is not going to end in Jerusalem.  The Lord has another place where Paul will proclaim the good news of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus - Rome, the seat of the world's power in that day.

The Lord's comforting words to Paul reminds of another time when the disciples were filled with fear.  Read Mark 6:45-52 when you have a moment.  The disciples were out in the lake, caught in the middle of a violent storm.  It was all they could do to keep the boat afloat.  Exhausted from the struggles, the disciples were filled with fear as they saw what the though was a ghost walking on the water.  Instead, it was the Lord they saw.  Jesus called out to them, "Take Courage! It is I.  Don't be afraid."  As the Lord climbed into the boat, the winds died down.  The disciples relaxed.  The Lord was with them.

The Lord is with you each day.  He is present always until the end of the age.  The next time you are afraid, remember the words God said to Joshua: Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

The ocean of forgetfulness

Still, we're struggling to reach the goal.  We have to forget what lies behind us, all our failures, all the things we shamefully admit in our confession.  We have to throw it off and leave it by the wayside. 
We don't have to drag it with us.  We can forget it because God Himself forgets it and leaves it in the ocean of forgetfulness where anything is swallowed up by His inexhaustible forgiveness.

Bo Giertz, writing on Philippians 3:14, page 617 from "To Live With Christ."

A prayer for these times

Give to us clear vision, God, that we may know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.

The sainted Peter Marshall

The Best Offer of All

Did you hear the one about the groom who came to his pastor with an unusual offer?

"Look, Pastor, I'll give you $100 if you'll change the wedding vows.  When you get to the part where I'm to promise to "love, honor and obey," I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave that part out."  He passed to the pastor the $100 bill and walked away, satisfied.

The big day came and the bride and groom exchanged their vows.  When it came time for the groom's vows, the pastor looked at the young man in the eye and said, "Will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her very command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning and swear eternally before God that you will not even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?"

The groom gulped, looked around, and said in a tiny voice, "Yes."

Then the groom leaned over and hissed at the pastor, "I thought we had a deal."

The pastor put the $100 bill back into the groom's hand and whispered back, "She made me a much better offer."

Now, I don't think that story is true.  But it is probably true that most, if not all of us, enjoy making a deal.  One author who wrote a book on the subject of negotiation said, "I don't pay attention to price tags.  Everything is subject to negotiation.  The best part of any transaction is making the deal!"

However, there is one offer that we will never be able to improve upon.  That is the offer of forgiveness and unconditional love which Jesus makes to those in need of salvation and eternal life.  Could we get Jesus to do anymore for us than to give up His life for our sins? Is there a better deal than eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus? Could we negotiate anything better than God's answers to our prayers.  Is there a better "perk" than the assurance of God's love in every situation?

We might be able to get a better deal when buying a car.  We might be able to find a better bargain if we look hard enough.  But we can really be glad that when it comes to our salvation, we'll never find a better offer than the one Jesus makes to each of us.  "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."  Amen!