Acts 20

The main part of this chapter focused on Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders.  This was a touching and tearful good-bye, for Paul was taking leave of the leaders of a church he was involved with from its very beginning, had helped build, and had spent most of the last three years with.   Expecting that he would not see them again, his message would've included what he felt was most important to leave them with.

He starts by reviewing the characteristics of he service and ministry among them:

• Being an example
• Humility
• Tears and Trials
• Solid Teaching (repentance and faith)

He gives further characteristics of ministry as he talks about going to Jerusalem next:

• Being led by the Spirit
• Going by faith
• Facing hardships (even imprisonment)
• Goal to finish the race and complete the task
• Being a witness, to testify

He concludes by urging them to be shepherds of the flock (watchful and teaching the truth), committing them to the Word for growth and hope, and reminding them that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’    They PRAYED together and Paul departed.

This passage is a good reminder to evaluate how I am doing in my service and ministry.  Am I an example, humble, enduring thru tears and trials, faithful in teaching, led by the Spirit, walking by faith, keeping my eyes on the finish line, and being a witness?    When it comes time to say farewell, would it be a touching, tearful, and prayerful good-bye?

Menu Choices

Of the "menu" choices offered to my friend when she visited and stayed with me this week, she selected mainly Asian foods.   It was good that most of them turned out quite well:

• Shrimp rice noodles: using fresh rice noodles mixed only with soy sauce and sesame oil; shrimp sauteed in garlic was added.    Served with the cucumber salad and gyoza, it was good for a summer meal.
• Curry vermicelli noodles with soy sauce:   Initially made with ingredients from singapore noodels, but with dark soy added, and spinach, this was a flavorful one-dish meal.
• Turkish chicken with rice and broccolli:   This was made as before, but with more of the spice marinade.   And, as a result, it was a little spicier; but, still with a unique taste.
• Ma Po Tofu, Fish, and stir fry zucchini:    The Ma Po Tofu is like a staple - it consistently turns out well.   The fish was cut into medium-sized fillets, coated with cornstarch, and pan fried with green onion.   Ginger would've helped.  The stir fry zucchini was a nice surprise.   Using some rice wine vinegar and light seasoning, it turned out to be a nice complement to the other dishes.
• Tomato curry chicken:   browning the chicken, then adding onions, garlic, curry, tomatoes, and basil with some green onion, this dish also turned out surprisingly well as a first-time experiment.

Overall, I would make and serve these dishes again.

Spiritual Leaders

"A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of  leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation. Such were Moses and David and the Old Testament prophets. I think there was hardly a great leader from Paul to the present day but was drafted by the Holy Spirit for the task, and commissioned by the Lord of the Church to fill a position he had little heart for. I believe it might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader." -- A.W. Tozer

"Wow" - that was my first thought as I came across this quote in an article by Chuck Swindoll on natural vs spiritual leaders.  What Tozer said is not something one would expect to hear; but, actually affirms my personal experience. So often I have said that I don't want to lead but felt that I just happen to be put into positions of leadership by God.

Equally as often, I have wished that I had charisma and natural leadership ability.   But, interestingly enough, according to Tozer, that might well have disqualified me for spiritual leadership.

Acts 19, Part 2

As Paul settled into ministry in the province of Asia, the Enemy once again stirred things up by creating a commotion.   The silversmith and craftsmen who were losing business due to believers turning to worship the One True God instead of the idol Artemis.   This escalated and grew into a loud mob in the Great Theater in Ephesus whose shouting was finally diffused by the calm speech of a city clerk.   As Paul left for Macedonia, it once again showed that it seemed now was God's timing for him to go, rather than the ~9 months ago when he had originally planned to go.   Now, he also had traveling companions from throughout the region of Asia and Greece, likely representing the churches that were sending financial support to Jerusalem.

Acts 19, Part 1

Paul's return to Ephesus showed that as part of God's will, the timing was now right for him to be there, whereas it wasn't before, when he had to leave even when they asked him to stay (Acts 18:19-21).  This time, he had a long ministry for probably about three years, where he encountered disciples of John the Baptist who didn't yet know the full gospel message, argued persuasively with Jews who "publicly maligned the Way", taught in the hall of Tyrannus, and performed extraordinary miracles. And "the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power."

Ephesus was a place where many practiced sorcery and thus evil spirits and demons seemed to be active there.   But, it was interesting to see that the demons recognized the authority and power of Christ and Paul; but, not of the imitating counterfeits. And, it was neat to see that, in fear, the people were challenged to stronger personal commitment - highly honoring the name of Jesus, openly confessing sins, and burning their sorcery scrolls publicly.    This shows that true commitment to the Lord requires a life that does not compromise.

And, again, with Paul's plans to go to Jerusalem via Macedonia and Achaia, and then Rome; his staying in the province of Asia and sending Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia instead, showed that God Timing and Plan were different.   Also,Paul would later go to Rome; but, as a prisoner, probably not the way he would've expected.

True Beauty

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" - When used, this quote seems to be saying that different people will view beauty differently; and that what one person might find beautiful, another might find something else beautiful.  This may be true when we look at external beauty, which can be subject to opinion and preferences.

But, when we talk about TRUE Beauty, that is an absolute and would not be subject to the relativism of human opinion.  TRUE Beauty is a reflection of our Creator, and should be unquestioned and unchallengeable.  So, when our inner beauty reflects the beauty of our creator, we are TRULY BEAUTIFUL.

John 8 - Where are They? Has No One Condemned You?

There is an epidemic of brokenness because of immorality in our society; but, this particular scandal had all the makings of a set-up to try to trap Jesus.   The setting was the temple, the house of God - a symbol of holiness.  The woman, shaken, forlorn, disheveled, and ashamed is made to stand in the middle of the condemning crowd; where her private sin has been made public.

Jesus handles the situation brilliantly.  Stooping to write on the ground was a subtle claim to deity; for who else but GOD wrote with His fingers in the OT, on Mt Sinai in writing the commandments on the tablets?   It was also making a statement that He is the giver of the Law and had the right to not only judge the woman, but also her accusers.

When Jesus asks the questions Where are They?  Has No One Condemned You?, in application, we can ask ourselves whether we let others dictate our identity by what they say about us?  In the end, will it really matter what they say?   No one has the right of eternal condemnation; but, the only ONE who does has chosen to redeem and rescue instead.  In the shadow of Mt Sinai, all are guilty.  So, just as the woman leaves her darkness and walks into the light; remember that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).

My pastor closed with "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."