David Bahn - Reflections

There are times for the show of great power. And there are times for the witness of faith in the face of suffering. Servants of the Most High God will have occasion to express both. But work of the Most High God is done in the frailty of his Son. Jesus on the cross draws us all to himself. And he is the true servant of the Most High God.

The Holy Spirit brings people to faith, unites us into one body, and keeps them in the faith. We see all three of these things in this passage. Paul and Silas travel to far away places sharing the Gospel and planting churches. Timothy sees what they are doing and joins them in their travels. He eventually becomes a pastor. Lydia is brought to faith and supports these servants in their calling.

The Holy Spirit works from beginning to end in the life of a believer. He calls us to faith, strengthens us in the faith, gathers us with other believers, and sends people into the Lord's harvest to seek and save others. Where is the Holy Spirit working in your life these days?

Lydia was a person of peace - as Jesus described to his disciples in Luke 10:5-6. She welcomed these disciples. She offered them food and shelter. She received their message. Paul, Timothy, and Silas will visit her following their escape from prison. 

I want to be like Lydia. I want to be a person of peace. I consider hospitality a privilege to offer. I want to pay attention to what God's servants say. I am thankful to have been baptized. Where do you see Lydia's example as one you might follow?

Next time you take a trip, and you get stuck in traffic, experience a flight delay, or have car trouble, let those moments remind you of how God brought the message of Jesus to people throughout the ages. Thank God for his faithful love, and for those who have endured challenges of many kinds over the years so that the word of God would be spread also to us.

This is a record of a vitally important mission trip - not just a travelog. 

What if we made more of an effort to make our choices each day based on how it might impact or impede our Christian witness. I'm thinking of the way we drive, the public political stances we take, the entertainment we seek, our choices on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. There are times to hold fast and times to bend, and the decision to do either should be made based on how it adorns our confession of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Perhaps you’re facing closed doors in your life. Desires that cannot be fulfilled. Careers that have hit a dead end. Hopes that will not be fulfilled. Take heart! God does have a path forward for you. It may be challenging. It may require a major reset. But God leads us toward a better tomorrow. When we follow the new paths of his choosing we may be confident that he is also preparing open hearts to await us along the way.

You can call me by whatever name or title you wish. Paul was respected and held in high regard. But we must never lose sight of the One to whom all honor is due. Our Lord Jesus Christ is due all praise, honor, respect, faith, and love. He is the One Paul preached and risked his life for. He is the One who will receive "blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might forever and ever! Amen” (cf. Romans 7:12).

We overestimate what we can do in the short term and way underestimate what God can do in the long term. Ahh...that's where patience comes in. The Christian faith is not a microwave religion. The growth of the church - while occasionally experiencing miraculous multiplication (think Pentecost) - is a long process. And the long view here requires that such questions about the future place of the gentile believers are well handled - with great patience.

We'll never obey God's Law perfectly, but we have been saved by the grace of Jesus Christ - along with all others who believe in him. A life of mercy and justice rather than mere ritualistic external obedience is testimony to the Holy Spirit's work in us. There are many things we cannot do, but God can do great things through those who believe in him.

When we hear of the amazing growth of the church in Ethiopia, Uganda, South America, or down the street the example of the early church is one we should follow. This is good news. Let it bring great joy to your heart. And pray that more people will hear and believe this Good News. It’s not only for those who need to be converted. It’s for you and me.