Walking on Water

Lessons for Leaders

Posted on April 24, 2021 by wamplerp

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. – Acts 14:14‭-‬20

The passage today is about Barnabas and Paul and how their healing and acting in Jesus name is creating confusion for some, and problems for Paul. The problem is that when the disciples exercise the power to heal, given them by the Holy Spirit, people are getting confused about who is doing the healing. I think God has some things to teach Paul and Barnabas through this harrowing event.

The confusion over authority is not exactly new, many people wondered by whose authority Jesus healed and accomplished miracles, but there was generally less confusion in the case of Jesus’s because He often explained that He was doing things in the name of His Father, God.

Paul and Barnabas are tearing their clothes in frustration because the people have brought sacrifices and offerings to honor them rather than God. They rightfully rush out to the crowd and try to set them straight about who is the Savior. They explain “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” These people seem to want to return to the days of the golden calf and God high above them. Paul and Barnabas have to remind them how big God really is and how by His hand everything was created.

Paul and Barnabas go on to provide evidence of a caring God “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” I am not sure why they did not bring up the even more amazing sacrifice on the cross, but in some ways their appeal was that God is ever present and looking after all of us every day. The audience may have been unconverted Jews and perhaps appealing to their old way of thinking was a way to relate to them. Certainly Paul did not have the Lessons by the Lake that the disciples had so perhaps this was part of Paul’s learning process. I do not know.

God is certainly the Father of the Rain, but He is also the Father of the Spring of Living Water that came to take away the sins of the world. Paul and Barnabas ultimately “lose” the argument when a group of Jews come and convince the crowd that Paul and Barnabas are speaking blasphemy worthy of a stoning. Paul barely escapes with his life and his seemingly lifeless body is dragged from the city.

Paul is not dead but pretty beat up. I can’t help but wonder if this was in some way a lesson for Paul about his past persecution of Christians. Certainly what happened to him was something that he himself had inflicted on may faithful followers.

I am reminded of a scene from the book The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis. In this story Aravis, a privileged and spoiled young woman, is attacked by a lion and her back is painfully torn. She finds out that Aslan, the Christ figure in the book, was actually the one who had torn her back.

‘It was I who wounded you,’ said Aslan. ‘I am the only lion you met in all your journeyings. Do you know why I tore you?’
‘No, sir.’
‘The scratches on your back, tear for tear, throb for throb, blood for blood, were equal to the stripes laid on the back of your stepmother’s slave because of the drugged sleep you cast upon her. You needed to know what it felt like.’ – C.S. Lewis

So perhaps Paul, in experiencing the stoning, learned an important lesson about the consequences of his actions and perhaps would think carefully and prayerfully about his future decisions. Good advice for us all.

Prayer: God help us to seek Your wisdom and discernment when we embark to do things in Your Name.

Posted in Acts, Christian Leadership, Christianity, Healing, Holy Spirit, Love for the Lost, Obedience | Tagged Daily devotional, water, Christianity | 10 Comments

Rabbit Trail #17 – Baby Turtles

Posted on April 21, 2021 by wamplerp

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img9529292196101974504250546.jpg — one-year old painted turtle

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img9529303882322202890889061.jpg — The unique pattern on the underside of this painted turtle

It has been a while since I felt the need to set off on a rabbit trail. An encounter with a baby turtle, while on a field adventure with my class, is what triggered this particular delightful diversion from my float through the bible.

The class is called Making Waves – Water for a Changing World. Which as I write this is actually a good description of what Jesus did after His baptism by John. He made waves and He most certainly changed the world. So it is fitting that our class experience makes its way into this rabbit trail.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 172754199_10108377504635575_3012823750665318976_n.jpg — Tree swallow with a nesting box

We were exploring a series of ponds adjacent to our campus which were constructed to capture storm water runoff. The water they retain has created new habitats for many critters, including the main subject of today’s rabbit trail, the baby turtle.

Our main reason for the adventure was to observe tree swallows. A very knowledgeable colleague has been maintaining nesting boxes and researching the swallows at the site for over a decade. They show up to the nesting boxes sometime in early April after making the trek from their winter homes in Louisiana and other points south. It was amazing to watch them fly and explore their new home. Many of these birds were probably returning to this location for the first time. I learned many interesting things about swallows that day including that the males “stake out” their nesting sites then try to attract a female with which to have young. As interesting and beautiful as the tree swallows were they are not the main subject of this post so let us return to the baby turtle.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_20210408_110334901.jpg — Students learning about tree swallow along the road where we encountered the baby turtle

Our group of intrepid students, socially distanced and wearing masks, made their way along the gravel road which wound its way between the ponds. We were at the end of our adventure and students were chatting and soaking in the surroundings. I was walking in front of the group and also soaking in the sights and sounds of the birds and the frogs. I glanced down at my feet and there on the ground was what I first thought was a coin or some other round disc-shaped object on the gravel road. When I inspected further I realized that the “disc” was in fact a baby turtle, probably a bit cold and sluggish on this brisk morning. Had I not been paying attention our group might have tromped right through and ended the life of this little one.

As I have been reading the book of Acts, and ruminating on its sometimes incredible stories of faith and following, it seems like it is really about listening and being tuned into the Holy Spirit which God has poured into the followers. This was exemplified in the story of the Philip and the Ethiopian. Philip listened to the Holy Spirit and placed himself where God needed him to be then continued to keep a sharp eye out for what God needed him to do. In the case of the Ethiopian God needed Philip to share the Gospel with him and baptize him with water.

God, and the Holy Spirit, have been speaking to me through this surreptitious shelled critter that I encountered several weeks ago. The baby turtle reminded me of a few things: 1) God loves to share cool things with us and we need only stop and wonder and appreciate what He has done; 2) God loves it when we can stop and appreciate His creation, when we can say in essence “good job on the baby turtle God”; and 3) God is at work in large and small ways all the time. We can tromp on down the road oblivious to what He is doing; or we can be looking, listening, and seeking so that when we encounter the equivalent of a baby turtle in our path we stop and take notice.

The gift of crossing paths with the baby turtle was one I will remember, hopefully forever. It was such a beautiful reminder of how much God cares for all of us, despite the fact that from God’s perspective we are all “baby turtles”.

Posted in baptism, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Following God, Holy Spirit, Nature, Rabbit Trails | Tagged Christianity, Daily devotional, water | Leave a comment

Reflecting and Recounting

Posted on April 18, 2021 by wamplerp

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” – Acts 11:15‭-‬18

This is a retelling or recounting of the events at Cornelius’ house when he and all those present received the Holy Spirit poured out. In this recounting Peter has had time to reflect on the event and perhaps do a better job of remembering what Jesus said about baptism with water and the Holy Spirit.

Since this story is repeated it must be an important moment for Peter and the disciples. It is really the point at which they realize that God is not exclusive. Despite the special relationship with these disciples and the nation of Israel I suspect God was never really exclusive. God and Jesus has alluded to this many times, even in the old testament.

What God wants is, theophilus, God-lovers, the addressee of the book of Acts. I suspect there have been, and probably always will be, God-lovers scattered among those outside Judaism and Christianity. Just like Cornelius and the Ethiopian there are those whose souls are seeking and hearts are burning to know God in a more intimate way. Jesus and the Holy Spirit provide this intimacy for all those who choose to accept it.

The take home for me from this “circling back” passage is that we should be doing what Peter is doing, reflecting on what Jesus said about who God is seeking and who is seeking God. Perhaps sometimes we just need to get out of the way and let people find Him.

Prayer: God help us to be open to all who seek You and those You are in the process of seeking.

Posted in Acts, baptism, Born again, Christianity, Following God, Free Will, God's Love for Us, Holy Spirit, Jesus, reconciliation, Redemption, The Nature of God | Tagged Christianity, Daily devotional, water | 1 Comment

Holy Spirit Poured Out

Posted on April 11, 2021 by wamplerp

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. – Acts 10:39‭-‬48

Simon Peter has travelled with the men sent by Cornelius the Roman Centurion. Before the men arrived to retrieve Peter he had his famous vision:

“He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” – Acts 10:11‭-‬15

God and the Holy Spirit made it clear that God loves and wants to be in relationship with everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation or history. He wants courageous and curious God seekers like the Ethiopian converted by the Holy Spirit with the help of Philip and Cornelius who is welcoming Peter into his house because he wants to learn more about the God whose unseen hand has been reaching out to him.

Prior to the vision about the animals and unclean versus clean foods Peter clearly had a limited view of who God invites into relationship. Despite many experiences and spiritual squalls that made it clear Jesus welcomed all those who were willing to seek Him out. This experience with Cornelius is a key turning point for Peter. He finally understands that God reaches out His arm to everyone, not just the righteous and religious.

After his arrival Peter launches into a monologue about Jesus’ life and resurrection. In Peters defense this is probably what he felt he was supposed to be doing. I do wonder whether the same miraculous moment would have occurred if he had simply prayed or talked with Cornelius about his faith. It does seem to be part of a pattern with Peter of speaking when silence would be just as effective. When Peter reaches the part about forgiveness of sins: “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” the Holy Spirit intercedes and is poured out and into all those who were listening, both Jews and gentiles.

The Jewish followers with Peter are surprised by this indiscriminate outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They also had something to learn about the size and doorways to God’s house. Peter, also somewhat surprised, says “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”.

Peter’s statement about people being baptized with water implies that there were some followers that were preventing people from being baptized with water. These gatekeepers probably had good intentions, and felt they were trying to keep the faith pure and free of pagan poisons, but I think they missed the point. The change in heart and direction is what is being commemorated through baptizing with water. This transformation and beginning of a new relationship with God is open to every human being. Full stop. No one should be able to restrict or limit our love for God or His love for us.

Prayer: God thank you for loving us and pouring out your Holy Spirit freely.

Posted in Acts, baptism, Christian Community, Christianity, Discipleship, Faith, Following God, Forgiveness, God's Love for Us, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love for the Lost, reconciliation, Redemption | Tagged Daily devotional, water, Christianity | 19 Comments

Simon by the Sea

Posted on April 10, 2021 by wamplerp

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. – Acts 10:1‭-‬8

This passage shows that the Holy Spirit is at work even in those who are not fully aware of it. Cornelius, who is apparently a gentile and a Roman Centurion is a “devout and God-fearing” man. He was apparently in tune with the Holy Spirit despite his outward appearance as a person who would probably be feared and reviled by many Christians. You can’t judge a book by its cover or a soul by its body.

This passage is a reminder that we should approach everyone with love and grace. No matter what their outward appearance would suggest about their spiritual state. They may be much closer to God than we realize. We are not able to view where this person is on their journey home the way that God can from His perspective. He is able to see all of the wandering and wondering souls. Our job is to love them all and let God sort them out.

Cornelius gets a surprise visit from an angel of the Lord who tells him that “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”. Cornelius got God’s attention. His outward actions were a clue to his inner readiness to become a faithful follower of Jesus.

The angel tells Cornelius to “send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.” Apparently Cesarea and Joppa are about 35 miles apart. Both are coastal cities on the Mediterranean. Simon Peter is staying with another Simon the tanner who lives by the sea. That is the water reference here.

Interestingly, the sea has often been used up to this point in the bible to metaphorically refer to the unseen spiritual world around us. Jesus was the bridge to this world while He was on earth and now His followers must take on this role. So Peter by sea will go visit Cornelius to represent the risen savior. In the part of the story that follows the men will arrive at Peter’s house just after he has received a vision in which God make is clear that salvation is for everyone and Peter should not call anyone impure or unclean. Cornelius becomes the means for Peter to learn a very important lesson. No one is lost beyond God’s arm to retrieve.

I think the key take away for me from this passage is that we need to be really careful when we are interacting with those who we might consider “lost”. They may be much less lost than we think and they may also have really important things to teach us along the way.

Prayer: God help us to see people the way you do full of grace and potential

Posted in Acts, Born again, Christianity, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Following God, Free Will, God's Love for Us, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love for the Lost, Redemption, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm | Tagged Daily devotional, water, Christianity | 1 Comment

Curiosity, Conversion, and Closers

Posted on April 8, 2021 by wamplerp

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” [Isaiah 53:7,8]. The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. Acts 8:26-40

I am not a baseball fan and I will definitely not wade into the whole MLB debate and debacle about boycotts and voting rights, but there is a baseball concept that comes into today’s passage. My rudimentary baseball understanding is that a “closer” is a pitcher that is brought in toward the end of a game to win the game. This pitcher apparently is not usually the best or most valued pitcher but they have the right skills at the right time to “close the deal”. Philip is the “closer” for the God and the Holy Spirit in this story.

The main character of today’s passage is really the Holy Spirit, with Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch in strong supporting roles. Philip has been sent out by the disciples to share the Good News about Jesus. Crucial to this witnessing are the insights and promptings provided by the Holy Spirit. The passage begins with the Holy Spirit prompting Philip to “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” There is no indication that Philip knew why he was prompted to do this only that he was supposed to go and find out along the way. This is faithful following at its finest, striking out because we feel led to do so even before we know where or why we are going.

The scene then shifts to the Ethiopian Eunuch who was apparently a very important and respected person in charge of treasures and wealth. His is apparently a wondering soul because he was on his way back from worshiping in Jerusalem. I am not sure how common it was for a person who was not Jewish to travel to Jerusalem to worship. It seems like it was probably not a common thing, but I could be wrong. In any case the Ethiopian Eunuch was clearly a curious God seeker who was looking for answers to some big questions. God was reaching through time, and the words of Isaiah, to speak to this Ethiopian man (I am going to drop the eunuch part as it seems somewhat unfair to define the man in this way).

Along comes Philip, the closer, listening intently to the Holy Spirit to figure out why he is supposed to be on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The Spirit tells Philip “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” The account is not specific about the way the Spirit communicated with Philip so we do not know if this was an audible voice, an inner sense, or merely a decision that Philip made which he later understood to be prompted by the Holy Spirit. I am not sure it really matters.

Philip got close enough to the Ethiopian’s chariot to overhear him reading this passage from Isaiah: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” I reflected on this passage in Isaiah back on November 19, 2015 in a post entitled “Pierced for our Transgressions”.

The Ethiopian is wondering who this passage is talking about and Philip helps him to understand that Jesus is the man described in the prophecy. Clearly God had been at work in this man’s heart and soul for some time before Philip showed up to “close the deal”.

The Ethiopian’s is ready to commemorate his conversion right away by being baptized with water. This outward act of an inner change has been common practice since John began doing it by the Jordan River. Philip has the privilege and honor of baptizing this unnamed Ethiopian man then is whisked away by the Holy Spirit.

I have to be honest here the last part about the spirit miraculously whisking him away seems overly dramatic and out of sync with the rest of the story. It is certainly within God’s power to transport Philip away like this, but it seems unnecessary and a bit like showing off. As if the repentance and recovery of a lost sheep is not miracle enough. I could be totally wrong but this just seems like decorating the altar to me. Almost as if the author felt the need to make Philip more supernatural and spiritual.

It would have been just as meaningful to me, perhaps more so, if the author had described Philip hugging the Ethiopian and walking off down the road to other Holy Spirit inspired encounters.

Prayer: God help us to listen and look intently for where the Holy Spirit leads.

Posted in Acts, baptism, Christianity, Faith, Following God, God's Love for Us, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Love for the Lost, philip, Redemption, Sharing the Gospel | Tagged Daily devotional, water, Christianity | 6 Comments

Stephen at the Sanhedrin

Posted on April 7, 2021 by wamplerp

“After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’ “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness. This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. – Acts 7:30‭-‬38

Today’s passage recounts Stephen bearing witness at the Sanhedrin through the Holy Spirit. Apparently the Sanhedrin was sort of the Jewish version of the United States Supreme Court. A group of learned rabbis, priests, and elders would arbitrate and rule on religious matters and questions.

Stephen had been brought before this body of rabbis or elders because he was speaking about Jesus. The Jewish leaders felt threatened by this so they accused him of blasphemy against Moses “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” (Acts 6:11)

Stephen responds to this charge by recounting the history of the Jewish people and making connections from Abraham to Moses, and eventually to Jesus. The water reference comes when Stephen gets to the part about parting the Red Sea, “He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness.”

When I reflected on the account of the Red Sea parting back on August 2, 2014 it struck me that this miraculous event actually took some time and was part of a pattern of God standing between the enemies of Israel and the Israelites. Stephen is building the case that Jesus coming to share about the Kingdom of God was the fulfillment of these early promises to have our back in times of trouble and when we are facing enemies. God did the same thing through sending Jesus. He is protecting His people from an enemy, in the case of Jesus the ultimate enemy, the deceiver, Satan, and death itself.

Well needless to say the elders were not very receptive to being schooled by Stephen an “uneducated” follower of the radical and resurrected Jesus. I can practically see the steam coming out of their ears like in a cartoon. In the passages that follow Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, lays out the case for how these religious leaders have missed the long awaited Messiah. This pushed them over the top and they take Stephen out and stone him to death for his supposed blasphemy.

From a secular perspective it might seem like they won by stoning Stephen, but what appeared to be a victory was in fact part of God’s plan and a big win for God. Looking on as Stephen is stoned to death is a young man named Saul who will later convert to the way of Jesus, take the name Paul, and become one of the most radical and effective witnesses for Jesus that have ever existed. Big things can take time but in the end God wins.

Prayer: God thank you for sending your Spirit to help us be a witness to Your Son and His impact in our lives.

Posted in Acts, Christianity, Conflict, Death and Dying, Discernment, Discipleship, Following God, God's Love for Us, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Messiah, Stephen, The Nature of God, The Spiritual Realm, Trusting God | Tagged Daily devotional, water, Christianity | 1 Comment

Raging Nations

Posted on April 6, 2021 by wamplerp

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. – Acts 4:18-‬26

A lot has happened since Jesus ascended into heaven leaving His disciples wondering what to do next. Peter and John have been released by the religious leaders after getting a serious grilling about this resurrection ruckus they are causing by “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead”. They are also healing people in Jesus’ name. How dare they do something so radical as to heal the sick and lame in Jesus’ name.

The religious leaders have a problem, this Jesus thing is spreading despite the leader’s crucifixion. They try to convince Peter and John to stop doing things in Jesus’s name, they rightly refuse. This is about power and control. They want to be able to be the ones who can take credit for healing and forgiveness from God.

They are released from prison and tell about their experience to the fellow disciples and believers that have gathered. This must have been a bit of a “David and Goliath” moment. Challenging the chief priests and the elders and winning. Their ace in the hole was the Holy Spirit which they had made room for in their hearts. This, and the fact that they were bearing witness to Jesus and healing in His name, is why they were effective and more powerful than the religious leaders. To quote Yoda from Star Wars :

They have the correct posture and perspective, they pray and thank God for His wisdom and provision, “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” This is the water reference here, “the sea” which God made. They are acknowledging that God made everything! They go on to say something a bit strange “You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David”. Certainly at the time of David there was no recognition or realization of the Holy Spirit, yet John and Peter are saying that the Holy Spirit was guiding David. The same Spirit that is guiding them, ultimately God.

The prayer then take a somewhat convicting and confusing turn, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one”. I suppose on one level they are praying about the obstinate chief priest and elders that recently imprisoned them for following God, but I think their prayer bends time a bit and really applies to all nations and forms of government that attempt to control people’s hearts and souls. Their rhetorical question “Why do the nations rage?” is profound, and one that has been playing out pretty much since human history began.

I think the answer is equally profound, confusing, and convicting – because the nations (and individuals) can get away with it, at least for now. God has given us, and to some extent nations, the freedom to choose. We, and the nations, can rage all we want but in the end God wins. We can plot a course wherever we want in this land of oblivion, God just hopes that it is toward Him. He has made some amazing sacrifices to convince us that our journey home begins and ends with Him.

Prayer: God help us trust in You and not rage as individuals or as nations in ways that lead us away from You.

Posted in Acts, Christian Community, Christianity, Discernment, Discipleship, Following God, Holy Spirit, prayer, The Earthly Realm, The Spiritual Realm | Tagged Christianity, Daily devotional, water | 1 Comment

Making Room in our Hearts

Posted on April 5, 2021 by wamplerp

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:6-‬11

Today’s passage is really a continuation of yesterday’s passage about the Easter gift to all those who choose to receive it. This passage describes an encounter between Jesus and His followers after He has risen from the dead. Jesus was eating with His disciples and telling them more about the coming Holy Spirit and what they could expect in the journey ahead.

The disciples are demonstrating once again a profound ability to to ask the wrong questions. They are wondering “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”. Even now, after witnessing His death and resurrection, they miss the message and the purpose of the Messiah. They want Jesus to stick around and lead them to an earthly victory, when the reality is that His very presence in the room is a victory over the death and darkness of this world. They still don’t get it.

Jesus’ response to their question is really interesting, he does not answer the question they asked but rather the questions they should have asked “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” So basically Jesus is saying mind your own business and I will take care of the rest. He goes on to help the disciples to understand what their “business” is to be, “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” No military campaigns to restore Israel. No restoration of the kingdom of Israel. Only empty vessels ready to receive the promised Holy Spirit so that they can be Jesus’ witnesses to the world, near and far.

So the first part, being an empty vessel to receive the Holy Spirit sounds easy, but in practice I think it is hard. We have to flush out all the ego and self-centered parts of our soul to make room. Then we need to use this new guide or co-pilot to be a witness. In my experience a witness is one who has seen or experienced something, in this case the life and teachings of Jesus. The disciples are to be part story teller, part cheer leader, part historian, to spread news of their encounter with the Living Water that flowed on earth for a time and would soon ascend into the heavens.

Interestingly, just after this Jesus is “taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight”. He is taken up into heaven and hidden by a cloud. A cloud is paradoxically the way God used to appear to the Israelites between the walks in the Garden of Eden and the arrival of Jesus. The puzzled disciples are looking skyward when two figures show up and ask “why do you stand here looking up at the sky?” Jesus already told them where to look and it was within themselves to make room for the coming Holy Spirit. These men go on to explain “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” They do not say when.

So we are left with the same choice as the disciples, we can look to the sky and wonder where Jesus went, or we can make room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit and bear witness to the ways we find Jesus there.

Prayer: God help us to make room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit and bear witness to ways we encounter Jesus.

Posted in Acts, Angels, Christianity, Following God, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, The Nature of God | Tagged Christianity, Daily devotional, water | 3 Comments

Easter Gift

Posted on April 4, 2021 by wamplerp

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 1:1‭-‬5

Happy Easter 2021! Well it seems fitting that after a long time off the water this is the day, Easter, that God has prompted and prodded me to get back on the water and continue my journey with water in the bible. I am not sure why the book of Acts presented such a daunting bit of water, but I have been camped on shore for several months. I think as I previewed some of the passages that lie ahead, sort of like scouting rapids on a raft trip, I got the sense that the waters were about to get muddied by a bunch of flawed followers, like myself, trying to make sense of what Jesus came and did. I think in many ways the complex job of faithfully following in the midst of a sometimes confusing world is the same today as it was for these early followers of the way. This is especially true as we begin 2021 and leave 2020, the year without hugs, behind as a troublesome memory.

All evidence points to Luke as the author of the book of Acts, and he basically says this in the first part of this passage. It has been noted by many that Luke addresses this account of the early followers of Jesus to Theophilus, which in Greek means essentially God-lover, beloved of God, or friend of God. This is the ultimate “big tent”. All those who are willing to accept and return God’s love are “in”. Only those who choose to be free of God are truly “out”, and even those who choose to be “out” can turn around and meet the loving arms of the Father at any time.

So Let’s see where this entry into the book of Acts leads. The water reference here is the water baptism of John, “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This is a recognition of something that Jesus spoke of many times – that the change that is required is fundamentally a spiritual one. The change that John was commemorating with water baptism was only an outward celebration of an internal change in our relationship with God.

This relationship will take on new meaning as God’s presence on earth changes from a physical “condensate” in the form of Jesus to a spiritual “vapor” or wind in the form of the Holy Spirit that can permeate and infuse our souls. This is an interesting “circling back” to the form God took as a cloud for much of the early interactions with the Israelites. The crucial difference here is that instead of a cloud high above us the Holy Spirit will in some sense dwell within us. This is both amazing and terrifying.

Our baptism with the Holy Spirit is not a single act of commemoration like water baptism, but rather an immersion in a new way of being and seeing the world. It is a partial cure for the spiritual blindness that seems to afflict us here in the land of oblivion. It is also the fulfillment of a promise that Jesus made to give sight to the blind, in this case the spiritually blind. All those wandering and wondering about God are invited to use this set of night vision goggles to navigate the spiritual darkness that can threaten to envelope us if we let it. We have but to ask.

He is Risen!

Prayer: God thank you for the Holy Spirit and the light in provides in the darkness.