Author: astherainandsnow

“Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples… And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God…

“From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. He said, ‘You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials..; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Now I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God… For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God… For three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up…’ He knelt down and prayed with them all… ‘I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” Acts 19:1,8; 20:17-24,27,31-32,36; 21:13

Paul was a man on a mission, but he certainly had good reason to give up. Wherever he preached he met opposition, even threatened death. But a child of God with holy fire cannot be quenched, no matter the forces against him. And shrink he did not, he would not. Compared with the value of his life, the surpassing greatness of Jesus, and knowing Him, won, and this he was constrained to proclaim. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Philippians 3:7-9)

Paul did not shrink from argument, because he knew the truth. He could debate and explain since he not only understood the gospel and its grace, applied and appropriated personally, but had the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Paul did not shrink from difficulty, because the gospel message was more vital and valuable than comfort and ease. Persecution, difficulties, and suffering only served to press him to know his Lord better, and to experience and display His strength and power. (2 Corinthians 4:8-11; 11:23-30; 12:9-10)

Paul did not shrink from building up the churches he had planted and loved as his own children. He knew they faced temptation, false teaching, and spiritual attack, and so nutured them with needed ongoing encouragement. The Spirit continually led and constrained him to admonish, teach, pray for, and strive with the churches, with great love and passion. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)

What discomfort or challenges cause us to succomb to fear, sloth, or complacency, and shrink from our heavenly call? Whom has the Lord given us to teach, upbuild, or disciple, no matter the cost?

Father, may I never weary or shrink back from pursuing and doing Your will, for the sake of Your church and Your great name. (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 1:28; Hebrews 12:3)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?..

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-35,37-39

The love of God for His own is beyond measure, in heft and breadth, in depth and grip. It surpasses human imagining and description that we can be so closely, unceasingly, strongly, inextricably held, and yet we are. Truly, our God is ever-present and for us, and that means He is with us, all around us, hemming us in behind and before, upholding us with His everlasting arms, gripping us with His hands, and covering us under His wings. His love takes on everything that would separate us from Him, and wins. We cannot escape His love, and once we grasp what that means, never want to. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 91:4; 103:11; 139:5-6; John 10:28-29)

“O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee.
I give thee back the life I owe, 
that in thine ocean depths its flow 
may richer, fuller be.” ~George Matheson (1882)

What does this love mean for us day to day? It means that when we awaken to a new morning and face fresh challenges, He loves us in them. His love gives purpose to our rising, our communion with Him, our planning, our deciding. He wants what is best and cheers us on. His love infuses the divine into our relationships and conversations, and meaning into our industry and ministry.

What does this love mean for us hour to hour? It means we will never escape His eye or care. As we move from task to task, and vitality spurts and wanes, His love is steady and steadfast, giving insight, strength, stamina, and sweetness in every happenstance and the bitterest of responsibilities. His love orders and blesses our interactions, and inspires what we see and seek. His love soothes our loneliness, and is the balm to grief and pain. His love sings over our consternation and our weeping. (Zephaniah 3:15-17)

Since these things are true, how will we live differently, more securely, in greater solace and passion and courage?

Father, let me this day rest in, rejoice in, marvel in, and vibrantly live in Your love that knows no bounds. May I never let go of You as I extend Your love to others.

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim, king of Judah:  ‘Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord..; then offer them wine to drink.’  So I took Jaazaniah.., and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites…

“I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, ‘Drink wine.’ But they answered, ‘We will drink no wine, for… our father, commanded us, “You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.” We have obeyed [his] voice in all that he commanded us…

“Thus says the Lord… Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? ¹⁴ The command that Jonadab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. ¹⁵ I have sent to you all my servants the prophets,.. saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them..,’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. ¹⁶ The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command [of] their father, but this people has not obeyed me.” Jeremiah 35:1-3,5-8,13-16

God is marvelous in the ways He sovereignly intersects individuals and situations to teach His children. The Rechabites were a simple people committed to obedience, and He appointed them as an illustration for Jeremiah to use to distinguish between obedience and rebellion: The Lord knows and blesses the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1)

What we glean is not so much that we take no wine and live in tents, but that God calls us to follow Him for our good, His glory, and to be an example. As His own, we are to show a weak and waffling world that, though not necessarily easy or popular, obedience is possible, and is always attended by blessing. We mix and mingle with all, but stand out in obedience to show forth His loveliness in grace.

When life revolves around me, I make short-sighted decisions that do not take others into account. But we don’t live as islands. People are watching. If we fix our eyes on Christ, not on others’ approval, our devotion and desire to please Him grow, inform, and motivate our choices. Others will be drawn to the peace and joy we have in our communion with Christ and His word. (Matthew 5:16; Romans 14:7)

When will I stop living for myself and wholeheartedly cast my lot with Christ? He who calls is faithful to enable. In what areas need I take stock and reorder, so I’m following His way and living a clear example for others? (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Lord, sharpen and deepen my allegiance to You, that Your grace and sufficiency in me draws others to You.

“Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul [said]: ‘I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews… I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers…

‘I myself was convinced that I ought to [oppose] the name of Jesus… I not only locked up many of the saints in prison.., but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury I persecuted them…

‘In this connection I journeyed to Damascus… I saw on the way a light from heaven… I said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting… I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and witness… so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, [and] receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

‘Therefore, O King Agrippa, I… declared… that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying… King Agrippa, do you believe? ‘” Acts 26:1-2,6,9-13,15-16,18-22,27

After trauma, imprisonment, and several hearings, Paul was brought before King Agrippa and his wife, the military tribunes, and prominent men of the city. With all the pomp and appearance of importance, they actually had no valid charges against him. Paul was allowed to speak for himself. (Acts 25:18-19,24-27)

Given the opportunity, Paul described who he had been, how Jesus saved him, and what He had called him to do. His testimony made clear the gospel of Christ in taking him from enemy to friend, from reprobate to repentant, blasphemer to anointed preacher. (Romans 5:10)

Every day we have chances to speak for ourselves. Whether we are asked specifically the reason for the hope we have, or are simply mingling in community conversation, God gives us a platform to talk about Him. We can spend time and words on ourselves and detract from Him, or tell how He works in our lives or helps us see differently. Outlining who we were, and how He has made a difference brings honor to His transforming power. People may not know what questions to ask, but we can pray for discernment to know what answers they need. (1 Peter 3:15)

Are we taking every opportunity God gives to speak for him? Do we retreat, or hide in the crowds, letting louder voices and worldviews reign supreme? Or will we make time with individuals, and zero in on biblical truths? Will we step forward, and boldly proclaim Christ the public arena? When we do not speak, others will. God has given us our mouth, and will fill it with good things when we’re willing to be His instrument. This day, how will we speak for ourselves, for Him? (Exodus 4:11-12; Psalm 81:10; Isaiah 50:4;

Father, may my words be few, but potent. Fill me with your love and truth, to be ready and courageous always to tell the glories of your gospel.

“Jesus answered, ‘Have faith in God. Whoever… does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him… Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:22-25

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him… As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’” Acts 7:54-60

Prayer is a privilege for the believer in so many aspects. The Lord’s promises of what we can access through prayer astound even young believers. They flow from His vast well of goodness and grace, with the end that our faith would grow. His parameters for prayer prepare in us the proper mindset for coming to Him in the first place.

We often think of prayer as a time when we lay out our needs and ask for God’s help, favor, or blessing on what we have already planned. Our only prerequisite is a ready list. But Jesus gives the conditions of faith and forgiveness to help us realize the very foundation on which we are able to approach him. We must believe in the rent veil, the access into the Holy of holies Jesus made available to us at His death. This is faith in our Savior and very salvation. Coming in faith is coming humbly, and gratefully, for the reconciliation we have in Christ. (Matthew 27:50-51; John 14:6)

With that as a backdrop, we must come having forgiven others. We cannot approach the cross if we have not applied the cross to our own relationships and situations. A lack of forgiveness renders our communication soiled and ineffective. We come not just to get, but to acknowledge with praise and gratitude that we have been forgiven much. This reality shapes and orders our reason, our motivation, and our requests.

When we come in faith, forgiven and having forgiven, there is no limit to the power and effectiveness of our prayer. We approach the throne of grace with confidence because of Jesus- who we know Him to be and what we know He has done on our behalf. He teaches us how to pray, and we learn to desire what He desires and align with His will. (Luke 11:1-4; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:15-18)

What needs changing about the attitude with which we approach God in prayer? How committed are we to growing in faith and the willingness to extend grace as Jesus has? How will we boldly pray for ourselves and others today? (Ephesians 1:16-19)

Father, purify me that my prayers tap into Your greatness and grace, for the furtherance of Your purposes on earth and in heaven.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare…

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:4-7,10-14

When the Israelites were taken to Babylon, under ruthless rule and away from their promised land, it would have been natural to lose all hope, to resent their captors and give up. But the Lord’s plans were for wholeness and not destruction, and He was using this time to prepare them for His promised future and a hope. They were to make the most of this time- to multiply, seek and work toward the welfare of the city where they were exiled, and pray for it.

When we find ourselves in an exile of sorts- a long loneliness or bereavement, a spiritually arid atmosphere at home, difficult but necessary relationships- the Lord is always always achieving a bigger purpose than what we can see or feel at the moment. He asks that we be ‘all there’ to bring fruitfulness in that very place, and blesses our investment for eternity. He will in His time bring relief, and also supplies and proves Himself sufficient presently in our most difficult place.

Where has God placed us in a certain captivity? One of loss and grief? Weakness and want? A barren relationship void of love? Dark thoughts and spiritual oppression? It is this very place we might feel an outcast from God and His goodness, yet He says, ‘Make the most of it. Devote yourself to making this a good place, a place of knowing the Lord and making Him known. Keep your eyes on the promise that I am with you and will one day deliver you fully, and let that promise fuel your motivation to build and grow.’ God is our present help and future hope. (Psalm 46:1; 71:20-21; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:10)

How can we improve places for those who’ve been abandoned, displaced, or ostracized? What eternal hope are we contributing to the welfare of our communities?

Father, give me the will and strength to work for the good of my city and home, with an eye on Your sure and glorious promises.

“My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.” Psalm 34:2

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’” Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14

Wisdom, strength, wealth, experiences, awards, accomplishments. All are rich fodder for boasting in today’s world, because they point to me, what I have earned or procured or done or won. They highlight my wits and muscles and expertise and advantage. My verbal and photographic selfies focus in on me and boost my image… but before whom? And for what end?

The scriptures allow, and even invite boasting, but that which is other-worldly, and often not even understood or well-received. The crux is in how we find our identity. When we are hidden in Christ, there is a necessary relinquishment of the vain things that charmed us before. We have been crucified with Christ, to the world. Our mindset is altered from me to Him, from this to that, and it permeates the way we order our lives and interact with others. (Galatians 2:20)

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)

Insecurity leads us to whip out trinkets of personal accolades to dangle for notice in conversation, where security in who we are in Christ compels us to interject the significance of His mark on us. Self-centeredness drives us to make our way well and noticeable, but Christ-centeredness consumes us with how we can proclaim His goodness and reflect His glory in work and service. Self-importance inflates me, where dependence on the cross boasts only in weakness, because that is where Christ’s power shines. Which is it for me? (2 Corinthians 11:30)

“I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection
Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom.” ~Stuart Townend (1995)

It takes deliberation to boast in Christ. We may follow Him, trust Him, earnestly try to obey Him, but still be ashamed to speak up and show Him off. What opportunities will I make to boast of Christ Jesus? How might I magnify His perfections, excellencies, love, and grace? Where can I lift high His cross today? (Romans 1:16)

Lord, so captivate and consume me with You that I daily boast of You, in thought, word, and deed, to the praise of Your power and glory.

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5

“Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you.” 1 Kings 8:27

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
‘I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.'” Isaiah 57:15

“He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:1-4

There’s something about riding through the air above the clouds, while sitting still, that warps time and space and plucks at a longing for eternity. How can I be completely at rest, yet flying hundreds of miles per hour? How can I look far down on miniature roads and rivers that open wide to the ocean, bridges and bays crossed by autos and boats with white tails, and feel small myself? How can I be aloft in the midst of clouds of soft cotton, knowing they are heavy with moisture? ‘Tis the touch of heaven that dwarfs, overwhelms, and encircles.

God has indeed set eternity in the heart of man, both concept and soul sense familiar to no other creature. Uniquely fashioned to rule here below while communing with the One who exists uncontained above the heavens, we are most blessed. And accountable.

Am I regularly adoring this infinite God? Do I break away from the banal and worldly to absorb His other-worldly light? Spending time in worship makes an indelible, divine impression on mindset and motivation. It inevitably soaks eternal into my temporal. It lifts, it reorders. How is my interaction with the Lord of lords affecting what I see and seek? Where do I need more supernatural exposure?

And how am I bringing a piece of heaven to my earthly acquaintances and tasks, into conversation and affection and service? Do I hoard the treasures of Christ and blame time restraints or personal needs? Or does gazing at the sky widen my love and compassion for the many who have not had the chance? Would I eagerly offer them a taste of the heavenlies, the hope of eternal life?

Infinite Father, ground my soul in Your heavens, that I might bring Your infinite splendor here below. May Your glory beheld and savored give hope to the languishing, comfort to the sorrowing, and light to those in darkness.

“He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.’ And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And he marveled because of their unbelief.” Mark 6:1-6a

It is hard to imagine that there were great numbers of people who were offended by Jesus. Again and again, instead of rejoicing at invalids made whole, the hungry fed, and the Scriptures explained, people castigated Jesus for the when and hows of His miraculous, benevolent deeds and uncanny wisdom. For the unbeliever, we understand the spiritual component of their confusion, because there was no connection to the divine and deeper purposes for His actions. The holy always rubs the depraved; roaches resist the light. The spirit of this world is always at odds with the Spirit of God. (Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-14; 1 Corinthians 2:12,14; Ephesians 6:12)

But for us who know Christ, what is it that makes us see and hear His marvelous deeds, yet question, covet, or think we should have been consulted? Why would we any take offense at biblical truth and good works? Because they hit a nerve on pet sins and preferred opinions or outcomes? We play devil’s advocate with God’s design, imposing our ‘better,’ to our detriment.

How about toward others? We can envy another’s advancement or favor, or skeptically accuse of ill motives. We brusquely get our dander up when others succeed or make headlines. Do I inwardly wish it had been I, or been to my credit? Our flesh is cracked with jealousy, nay-saying, and even malice that we may not intend or desire, but is invasive nonetheless. Left unchecked, these tendencies to be offended will erode our spirits and weaken the Body.

The more we examine the Scriptures, the more clearly we recognize our untoward attitudes and are sensitive to our condemnable, dishonoring behavior. Our Father wants to uproot offended self-focus by replacing it with a mindset absorbed in Him, not me. Jesus knew every man, but He always invited faith, loving redemptively and without fault-finding. (Mark 10:47-52; John 2:24-25; 8:3-11)

Where do we need His transforming power applied to indignance or uppityness? What snippy attitudes against Him or others have we allowed to breach our mindset, our conversations? Would we be deliberate to turn selfish defaults toward His majesty, and instead honor Him in word and deed? Would we delight in all God does, even through others, because He is good and deserves our awe and gratitude?

Father, purify me in the deepest places. Give me proper sensitivity to all Your works, and joy in praising You for them.

“Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel…

“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.  But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:1-7,19-22

Poison in the culture is nothing new. Opposing opinions, vehement passions, divided loyalties. In every generation and nation there are people with varying and fervid allegiances, whether to gods or philosophies, diets or political views, that unsettle any semblance of peace and unanimity. How are we to handle the twist and pull and vitriol? What do we say to accusations and jaded attaboys?

The early apostles, in the midst of such an atmosphere, zeroed in on a singular aim. Undeterred by nay-saying, they spoke boldly for the Lord, bore witness to the word of His grace, and preached the gospel. They were so assured of their calling, and so confident in their message, that this was the only way to speak into and counteract opposition. They knew the truth of Jesus was the only message that could shed clarifying light, penetrate the misguided reason, and melt the most rebellious heart. And if that message was rejected long enough, they moved on to preach elsewhere. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 9:15-16)

When we encounter acrid conversations, where words get caustic and critical and ugly, how do we respond? Do our emotions churn into a tit-for-tat? When the atmosphere is tense or toxic, do our defenses and temper rise? It’s vital we prepare ahead for how we can turn the talk to inject truth. How might we elevate the conversation? What questions can we ask that stir thoughts of God? What topics inspire significant discussion over catty chatter? How will we introduce the gospel that transforms by grace?

And sometimes, we preach best by walking away. Will we trust Jesus for discernment to know, and boldness to go? (Matthew 10:14)

Lord, make my words an antidote to the poison around me. Keep me faithful to proclaim Your good news, and lift You high as the living, saving God. (Acts 14:15)