09/27

Sunday class: Prov. 31: 13. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

16. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

18. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

19. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Scripture: #26

Vespers: Steps to Contentment: How to find the answer to ‘Anxiety’ through ‘Gratitude”

Wednesday: Where is Jesus?

Saturday: Men’s Breakfast – Golden Corral @ 8 a.m.

Sometimes you have to change vehicles to keep going

Acts 19.8. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

10. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12. so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

13. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14. Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15. [One day] the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16. Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

17. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.

19. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

8. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

Let’s look at Paul’s ministry here:

· Did the ministry change when the circumstances changed?

· Were the results diminished because of the change?

As much as I like my 16 year old van, there might come a time when I need to drive something different. One reason I've had the old GMC Safari for so many years has been its reliability. It has 'stood by me' and so I've 'stood by it.'

It long ago ran out from under its paint, and has accumulated quite a few dents and dings. It has a broken grill and windshield and some missing trim. Its carpet is terribly stained...its cargo area has been regularly used as a pickup truck, but it gets me where I want to go - reliably, and I never have anyone wanting to ride with me except my granddaughters. (If you promise not to tell anyone, it might be because they have been known to ride in a lawn chair in the cargo area...Nana is not known for letting them have that kind of fun.)

My vehicular needs do not include aesthetics such as style, or cruise control, or even air conditioning (most days). My view of vehicles very much falls into the philosophy of "different strokes for different folks."

Such is my view of church buildings 'on every corner...,' so to speak. My old van isn't going to meet the needs of everyone, neither is my theological perspective or style of worship.

However, as I learned back in the '80's, sometimes you have to change vehicles/venues in order to accommodate the needs, purpose, and direction God is taking you.

Verse 10 continues with: "This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord."

It is seriously doubtful if "...and Greeks" would have been included in that passage if Paul had continued speaking in the synagogue. By leaving that vehicle and entering a new venue for his discussions ("daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus") an entirely different opportunity was realized.

Just because ‘grandpa’ started out with a Model T Ford doesn’t mean that he must always drive a Model T…nor does it mean that he should always be able to get a new car for $600.

Jean started her career in education thinking that Special Education was to be her…it wasn’t (other than what she has been able to do with me). She has had a terrific and successful career as a model & mentor classroom teacher.

Make certain that your vehicle is suitable for your mission. Don’t insist on tying your mission to an outdated vehicle.

There came a time when Sam Walton decided that his pickup truck wasn’t adequate to the business so he bought what he thought was the ideal airplane for his purposes. It has long since been replaced with multiple jets (and is now parked in the museum down at Drake Field).

Colonel Sanders was past retirement age when he came up with the idea and recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Don’t put yourself in a box; don’t put God in a box. Allow God to be God and to lead you through new doors when He has one to open for you.