Top 3 Favorite Bible Stories: #2 Philip and the Ethiopian

Reading for today: Acts 8:4-8; 26-40

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is my second favorite Bible story. A new favorite of mine, recently added to my list as I prepared for a difficult family move.

Over the course of my life, I have experienced many moves. Six of those moves (including the most recent) were life changing. For each of those difficult moves, things were going well and I wasn’t ready for the inevitable transition. I liked where I was; I loved our neighbors and my friends. Specifically during my more recent married-with-children moves, my kids were happy, we were happy. So why move?

The Book of Acts tells of another dramatic move. Philip, an early Christian, was successfully running a ministry in Samaria. The people of Samaria responded overwhelmingly to his teaching. The Bible says, “there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). Yet in the middle of all that joy, God moved Philip from a place of excitement and growth, to a dry, secluded desert road. Again the question, why the move?

The simple answer is: for God’s good purpose. An Ethiopian court official happened to be returning home down that same desert road. He was reading from scripture and was confused by what he was reading. Philip joined him and explained the ancient scriptures and how they tied into the recent good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Ethiopian was so moved by Philip’s explanation that he asked Philip to baptize him right then and there. After he was baptized, God miraculously moved Philip, yet again, to a new place and the Ethiopian went away rejoicing. No doubt ready to return to his country with a story to tell.

Moving and transition is never easy. You may be facing a great change in your life. You may feel sad and even confused to leave what you have come to know and love. But like Philip, allow God’s Spirit to guide and lead you in this. You will not be disappointed.

And if you are fortunate, you’ll see not only the blessings God has in store for you, but also the blessings he has in store for the people with whom you come into contact. Look to see what new joys God has in store for you as he works out His good purpose in your life.

“Just seems like when you’re obedient, there’s something beautiful waiting.” ~David Crowder

Dear Lord, Sometimes it is so hard to decipher your will in our lives. Please give us ears to hear you and hearts to follow. Amen

Let’s dive in deeper this week:

Day 2: Isaiah 53 (the passage the Ethiopian was reading)

Day 3: Romans 10:9-15

Day 4: Romans 1:16-17 and Jeremiah 29:11-13

Day 5: Ephesians 6:18-20 and 1 Peter 3:15

 

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Top 3 Favorite Bible Stories: #1 Esther

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ~Esther 4:14

Esther: the perfect Cinderella story.

Young, beautiful, orphaned girl left to be raised by her older cousin, ends up marrying the king and bravely risks her life to save her people from annihilation. It’s a perfect princess story that I spent many of my younger years poring over.

Esther became Queen through an ancient-day version of The Bachelor. Because of her beauty and likability, Esther – a Jew – was chosen for the king of Persia’s harem. She continued to win the favor of those in charge of her and everyone who met her, while successfully keeping her nationality a secret.

She had one night to win the favor of the king and the book of Esther says, “the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen” (Esther 2:17). And they lived happily ever after.

Esther’s Gamble by He Qi
       (www.heqiart.com)

Well. That’s partly true. But there’s more to the story. Second-in-command, Haman, had a deep-seeded hatred for the Jewish people, especially Esther’s cousin. “When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone… Haman sought to destroy all the Jews…throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (3:5-6). Haman manipulated the king to create a horrific edict that allowed for the genocide of the Jewish people. Mordecai immediately sent word to Esther and insisted that she “go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people” (4:8).

By approaching the king without being called, Esther would need to gamble a high-risk game where the stakes were “but one law – to be put to death” (4:11). After discussing back and forth with her cousin Mordecai what she should do, the pivotal moment came when Mordecai argued, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14).

The book of Esther states that she resolved, “Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (4:16). And so her story goes that she was successful in thwarting the plans of Haman. She was not executed. She was not banished. She remained Ahasuerus’ queen. Her people were allowed to join forces and protect themselves. Her cousin, Mordecai, was given Haman’s title, position, and house. And the Jews no longer lived in fear, but “had light and gladness and joy and honor” (8:16).

That’s why I love the Esther story. Not just because Esther was beautiful or loved or favored. Not because she beat the bad guy or lived happily ever after. But more than that. Esther had a greater significance. A significance that was realized when she stumbled into a critical dilemma: stay hidden in the significance created for her by her position or reveal her true significance in God. In that desperate moment, she chose to lay everything aside and walk dangerously forward into King Ahasuerus’ inner court, not as his queen but as God’s chosen instrument.

God wants our significance to be found in Him as well. He wants us to trust His will, His way, His ideals, so much so that when the “significance” that we have spent our lives creating for ourselves stands against God’s will, we confidently drop everything and go with God. Holding tightly onto God’s promise that He is working everything out to our good, to the good of His people, and ultimately to His glory.

Dear God, Thank you for making us significant. Guide us as we daily search for our significance in you. Amen

Readings for this week are longer than usual, the complete Book of Esther. But, by the end of the week, you’ll know the full-story! (Click on the passages to read online.)

Day 2: Esther 1-3

Day 3: Esther 4-6

Day 4: Esther 7-8

Day 5: Esther 9-10

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Reckless Generosity: Part 2

Reading for today: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

“You will be enriched every way to be generous in every way.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:11

Last week, I promised you a real-life story of generosity. Just two weekends ago, I had a chance to meet a single mother of two older children who recently had taken in a third child. This child – a good friend of her son’s – was essentially homeless. His mother was having a difficult time, and my new acquaintance and her family decided to invite the friend to live with them until his mother could get her life back in order.

She shared that when their friend came to the house, he had only the clothes on his back and a small box of belongings. Practically nothing. Over the last few weeks, though, she has seen a change come over the boy. As if some of the weight has been lifted off his back.

Because of this one family’s generosity, one destitute student no longer worries about whether or not he will have a place to sleep. He no longer doubts whether he will have dinner. He has clean clothes and heat, warm water and a place to do homework.

What is most amazing about this simple story was the casual way in which my new acquaintance told it. As if to imply that it was no big deal, her taking on another child as a single, working mother of two. She spoke as if it was the most natural and obvious thing to do.

That is reckless generosity. It flows out of this mother and her kids instinctively. It is not only a sign of the deeper faith that drives them, but this generosity will most naturally point those involved back to the generous God whom she and her family serve.

It is in this, that reckless generosity comes full circle. As we recognize and praise God for his rich generosity towards us – because we were poor, we were destitute, we were orphans, and God took us in. It is in this state of gratitude that we take on God’s mission of generosity and happily bring it to the people in our own lives. We learn to be recklessly generous to those God puts in our path. And as we serve those around us, the world takes note. And they want to know more about the generous God who incites his people to live recklessly.

Dear generous Father, You know exactly what we need even before we ask it. Thank you for providing for us. Give us eyes to see those in need and give us hearts to be generous to meet those needs. In everything, to You be the glory. Amen.

This week, let’s dive into the Bible’s definition of generosity. I think you might be surprised at how it differs a bit from the world’s definition.

Day 2: Mark 12:41-44

Day 3: Matthew 5:38-6:4; Matthew 25:35-40

Day 4: James 2:14-18; Proverbs 14:31

Day 5: Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-35

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Reckless Generosity: Part 1

Reading for this week: Luke 10:25-37

“Which proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “Go, and do likewise.” ~ Luke 10:36-37

There is generosity – that of giving above what is expected. And then there is reckless generosity – that of giving in such a way which seems unreasonable, irrational, or even dangerous.

The story of the Good Samaritan is an example of reckless generosity. The Samaritan is generous because he helps a man in need, who may never be able to repay him. But he is recklessly generous because that man is his enemy.

The Samaritan passerby had no moral, legal, or cultural obligations towards this dying Jew in the road. Anything he offered this man would immediately fall under the category of generous. Yet because he offered everything – compassion, time, gentle care, medicinal bandages, food, water, transportation, continued medical care, shelter, and financial support – his generosity became absolutely reckless.

Jesus tells this story to address a lawyer’s question: Who is my neighbor? Yet Jesus’ answer reveals a deeper understanding of his own ministry of compassion. A ministry he has passed on to us.

Reckless generosity is not a requirement of our faith, but an outpouring of it. When we understand what we owe God – total righteousness. And then understand that it is impossible to pay Him that. It is in that moment that we recognize his reckless generosity towards us. Only by his generous mercy are we saved. Only by his outpouring are we even able to come before him.

It is in grateful response that we turn to our neighbors and joyfully offer that same kind of reckless love.

Dear God, I thank you for your saving generosity towards me. Remind me daily of your mercy. And in that mercy, make me compassionate and generous to those around me. Amen.

Throughout this week, use the following passages to meditate on God’s reckless compassion on us.

Day 2: 1 John 4:7-12, 19

Day 3: Luke 15:1-7

Day 4: Romans 5:1-11

Day 5: Romans 8:31-39

Next week: In Reckless Generosity: Part 2, we’ll discuss what it looks like to love our neighbor. I’ve got a great story of reckless generosity from a woman I just met this weekend.

*Additional sources: While writing this devotional, I listened to a Timothy Keller sermon based on the Good Samaritan passage entitled Blueprint for Revival: Social Concern. If you have 40 minutes, it’s thought-provoking.

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New Year’s Goal

Reading for today: Matthew 2:1-12 (Click on the passage to read online.)

“…and they fell down and worshiped him” ~ Matthew 2:11

Retrieved from: roweig.deviantart.com

Just a few days ago my mother sat at her dining room table helping my frustrated son complete a maze. He was about to throw down his pencil when she calmly advised him saying, “Sometimes you need to start at the finish to understand where you need to go.”

In Matthew 2, a group of foreign scholars were trying to solve a puzzle. They had seen an astrological phenomenon appear in their skies and believed it would lead them to a king. They had only prophetic hints of where they could find this king. Some scholars believe they even traveled 900 miles, following this star. The journey was no doubt long and frustrating, especially as they arrived only to find themselves in the wrong city.

But as they fumbled their way through this puzzling journey, two things are very clear. The first is that the finish for them, the end-goal, was to worship the king – Jesus. They started with that goal in mind and worked backwards until the way became clear. The story of these international wise men begins and ends with worship in mind. In verse 2, they explain to King Herod, “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” And then at the end in verse 11, upon finally seeing Jesus, the baby king, “they fell down and worshiped him.”

The second thing that is clear is that God was leading them to worship the king. The supernatural star that guided them had been foretold in Scripture (and possibly in foreign writings) hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ birth. Because of these prophetic writings, the wise men and the chief priests and scribes were able to understand where Jesus could be found. Not only did the foretold star appear, but it moved, leading the wise men. It stopped only as “it came to rest over the place where the child was” (verse 9). The place where they finally could worship the king.

As you begin this new year, make worshiping Jesus your goal. Make worship a daily journey, understanding that you will need God’s help along the way. Remember that God will lead you to worship because it is his goal for you as well.

Dear God, Thank you for calling us to worship you. Help us, guide us, and protect us as we make worship our daily goal. Amen.

This week, ponder what it means to worship God and the importance of making worship a part of your daily life. (Click on the passages to read online.)

Day 2: Psalm 95:1-7a

Day 3: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Day 4: Ephesians 5:14-21

Day 5: Psalm 150

 

*Special thanks to my mother, my father, and my husband, each of whom helped to create this week’s devotional.

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