Tag: Acts

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Down but not out

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Acts 14.

In Acts 14, Jews are on a mission of their own from Antioch and Iconium to hinder Paul’s preaching. “having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead” (Acts 14:19).

However the next day, Paul and Barnabas preached in Derbe. I imagine Paul looked like Rocky after either of his fights with Apollo Creed. Maybe worse. He’s bloody, bruised, and an eye is swollen shut. He’s limping, has one arm in a sling, and is missing a couple of teeth. With a concussion like that he should sit out at least one game, right?

How would you like to visit a church where the preacher looked like that on a Sunday morning? I once preached with some stitches on my forehead from skin cancer surgery. Another time I had a bloody nose a few moments before the sermon. I don’t remember getting many questions.

But if I were in Derbe, I’d have a lot of questions. Like, “Why didn’t anyone stop the mob who came after Paul?” And, “Barnabas, why do you look so good while Paul looks so bad?” Or how about, “Don’t you ever take a day off, Paul?”

I suppose this would have been a good chance for Paul to say, “You should see the other guy.” By the other guy, I mean Jesus. After seeing what happened to him on the cross, the apostles knew what they were in for. And yet, they rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (5:41). Prison? Beatings? It was all in the job description.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A roll of the dice?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Acts 1.

“And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26).

So basically, the eleven chose the twelfth apostle by rolling the dice. The only qualifications? Being there from the baptism of John and a witness of the resurrection? Education? Don’t care. Education? Whatever. Speaking ability? Who cares? Good looking? Not an issue. Experience? We’ll train you.

Is that any way to choose an apostle? I don’t know. Jesus chose fishermen, a tax collector, and seven other guys without checking resumes or references.

How does your church choose a pastor? You pick through their resume, watch countless online sermons, interview them (on Zoom), and even pray. We make it a beauty pageant, don’t we? No one wants to admit it, but it’s true.

Is it all random? Or is it all God ordained? It depends. I believe God is behind it all. Not all would agree.

So much of life seems random. No rhyme or reason. Not true. He’s behind it all. Even if I think I’m in control. Or when I’ve done my homework and believe I have it all figured out.

God knows me (and you). He knows how we think and how we choose. He’s not surprised. He works through us anyway.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

I see you

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Edi Libedinsky on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Acts 3.

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” (Acts 3:1-4)

I’ve had conversations with people who would not make eye contact with me. It was one-to-one conversation with people I knew well. Yet, they looked at the ground, to the side, and over my head. Anywhere but my eyes.

One of them knew I noticed. She said, “I never make eye contact. I don’t let anyone see inside of me.”

I avoid eye contact. I’ll bet you do, too. When I’m looking at someone, I look away as soon as they make eye contact with me. They do the same.

It’s a learned behavior. I say that because I’ve watched my youngest grandchildren. The twos and threes will stand there and look at someone with nothing but curiosity. In a few years, they will learn to avert their gaze.

Why?

It’s a powerful moment when Peter and John make contact with a beggar who cannot walk. It’s the last day someone will carry him to the temple gate. It’s the last day he’ll beg. It’s the first day in his life he’ll be able to walk.

What a day!

So I wondered, “What if I intentionally made eye contact with people?” What would happen if I kept looking rather than looking away? What if I smiled at them?

If I keep looking at them, they usually look away. If I look and smile, they usually smile back. Most often, they aren’t looking at me. They are talking to someone else, looking beyond me, or looking beyond me to where they are headed.

When Peter and John make eye contact with a lame man, they change his life. They give what they have: healing from Jesus!

Can I bring life to someone by making eye contact? I don’t know. But I’m going to make eye contact. They might look away. They might smile back. They might look past me to something else.

Or maybe I’ll make their day. They will know that someone sees them.