Today in my Bible reading time, I started with the book of Revelation. Symbolism and imagery mark the entirety of John's message due to severe persecution of Christians under the Roman government. There were a couple of significant Roman leaders whose torture and punishment were noted by contemporary historians - Nero, Domitian, and Diocletian.
Nero, through tradition, started the official state-sponsored persecution of Christians. The historian, Tacitus, noted that after the fire of Rome in 64 AD, Nero blamed the Christians and started torturing and executing them. Some early Christians even wondered if Nero was the "Antichrist".
The book of Revelation was written during the Domitian empire (89-96 AD). Eusebius, a Biblical historian, noted that Domitian directed severe, excessive, and cruel punishments, banishment, and execution. He did not follow the law, but acted outside the boundaries of even current society.
During the years, 303-11, Diocletian sponsored the largest and bloodiest persecution of Christians throughout the Roman empire. Despite his efforts to squelch Christianity, the church grew in numbers and strength.
When I read the story of Revelation, I enjoy the comfort of knowing God is in control. I take great solace in knowing that right and justice will triumph over evil. I imagine a reunion with family and friends.
What I don't like thinking about was the context - persecution, trouble, and hardship. The Roman emperors did not like what was happening in their kingdom and attempted to stop God's plans.
As I ponder my role as a leader, am I pushing people toward the Savior or toward their sin? Do my actions highlight my kingdom or His reign? Am I making it easier or harder to follow Him?
I hope that as we live our lives today, others will find our example as a light post toward Heaven, forgiveness, and eternity.
Thank you for reading. Share your comments and thoughts.
Boyd
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
What Direction am I Leaning?
Acts 14:15 - "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God."
Last Saturday, my son joined a group of other young boys in our city to play baseball. The spring season always enlivens the dreams of every youngster that one day they might play in the Major Leagues. They practice catching, throwing, and hitting.
At a higher level of competition, players begin to develop more advanced skills. One of those skills is stealing bases. Once a player makes it to a base, they have the option to advance to the next base before a batter hits the ball. The move is risky, but if the runner is fast enough, he might be able to gain an advantage.
One way the runner seeks to gain an advantage is "Leading Off". "Leading Off" is when a player moves off the current base and takes a few steps toward the next base. When the pitcher notices the player off of the base, he makes a decision based on which way the player is leaning. If he thinks he's leaning toward the next base and about to run, he may choose to throw the ball and make an out. If he thinks he's leaning back toward the same base, he may choose to pitch the ball to the batter.
Paul and Barnabas pull back the curtains on the mess of our lives and remind us that the perpetual tension, "Is what direction are we leaning?" After Paul and Barnabas arrived in Lystra and Derbe, they healed a man crippled from birth. Those around them were so amazed that they claimed they were gods. The local religious leaders even brought an animal to sacrifice to them.
Paul wasted no time reacting to their response. He tore his clothes, rushed into the crowd, got their attention, raised his voice, and started speaking. He asked the group why they were treating him any different than the others. He then brought up the age-old dilemma between "worthless things and the living God".
Before we are forgiven and changed by God's grace, the bent, the lean is always toward "worthless things". There are things which detour us from serving others. There are habits, thoughts, and actions which not only destroy others, but destroy our soul.
Sadly, becoming a believer does not eradicate the pull toward "worthless things". But, the great news is that the power of the Gospel provides the ability to serve the living God. The "good news" is that God provided the means to know Him and serve Him by sending His son. Paul added that everything we have is a gracious provision from God's hands.
Points to Ponder:
1) Like a base runner in baseball, which direction are you leaning? Toward "worthless things" or toward "the Living God"?
2) Would you be willing to ask God to show you which way you are leaning and to hear His response?
3) Share your thoughts with a close friend who can encourage you and hold you accountable.
Thank you for sharing the journey. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here.
Boyd
Last Saturday, my son joined a group of other young boys in our city to play baseball. The spring season always enlivens the dreams of every youngster that one day they might play in the Major Leagues. They practice catching, throwing, and hitting.
At a higher level of competition, players begin to develop more advanced skills. One of those skills is stealing bases. Once a player makes it to a base, they have the option to advance to the next base before a batter hits the ball. The move is risky, but if the runner is fast enough, he might be able to gain an advantage.
One way the runner seeks to gain an advantage is "Leading Off". "Leading Off" is when a player moves off the current base and takes a few steps toward the next base. When the pitcher notices the player off of the base, he makes a decision based on which way the player is leaning. If he thinks he's leaning toward the next base and about to run, he may choose to throw the ball and make an out. If he thinks he's leaning back toward the same base, he may choose to pitch the ball to the batter.
Paul and Barnabas pull back the curtains on the mess of our lives and remind us that the perpetual tension, "Is what direction are we leaning?" After Paul and Barnabas arrived in Lystra and Derbe, they healed a man crippled from birth. Those around them were so amazed that they claimed they were gods. The local religious leaders even brought an animal to sacrifice to them.
Paul wasted no time reacting to their response. He tore his clothes, rushed into the crowd, got their attention, raised his voice, and started speaking. He asked the group why they were treating him any different than the others. He then brought up the age-old dilemma between "worthless things and the living God".
Before we are forgiven and changed by God's grace, the bent, the lean is always toward "worthless things". There are things which detour us from serving others. There are habits, thoughts, and actions which not only destroy others, but destroy our soul.
Sadly, becoming a believer does not eradicate the pull toward "worthless things". But, the great news is that the power of the Gospel provides the ability to serve the living God. The "good news" is that God provided the means to know Him and serve Him by sending His son. Paul added that everything we have is a gracious provision from God's hands.
Points to Ponder:
1) Like a base runner in baseball, which direction are you leaning? Toward "worthless things" or toward "the Living God"?
2) Would you be willing to ask God to show you which way you are leaning and to hear His response?
3) Share your thoughts with a close friend who can encourage you and hold you accountable.
Thank you for sharing the journey. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here.
Boyd
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