Answers for Today, December 1, 2011, originally written 4-24-09
Killer Sermons, but Fewer Funerals
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. Acts 20:7-12
I’ve preached some pretty bad sermons, but none of them has killed anybody, at least as far as I know. On the other hand, if putting people to sleep counts as homicide—well, in that case, I’m one of those serial dudes.
At least Paul’s preach-a-thon had a happy ending. The reason? His faith. How many of us, having caused somebody to nod off and plop to the ground from a third story window, would have reacted like Paul? Let’s see, what would I do? First, I would be angry at myself for not foreseeing such an incident and preventing it. I might be upset at God for letting it happen. (“I was doing this for you, God, and you let somebody die on me!”) I might be permanently crushed by the experience, and spend the rest of my days in grief over the loss. What did Paul do? He bent over him, took the young man up in his arms and felt God’s resurrection power bring him back from the dead. Then he finished his sermon!
I have a hard time picturing myself coming up with that reaction. Why? Does the same Spirit live in me who lived in the Apostle Paul, or is this a different, 21st Century American Version of the Holy Spirit, not to be confused with the First Century Missionary Version? I’m pretty sure we’re talking the same Holy Spirit. Then why the big difference in reaction to life’s circumstances? I find myself going to pieces over even little stuff; Paul expects a resurrection—and gets one! How many days have I wasted in whining to God about this or that?
I think I have to face it. Same Holy Spirit, but Paul was living closer to God than I am. Paul was more dependent, more on task than I’ve even attempted to be. I’ve brushed against Paul’s kind of faith a time or two; Paul lived there. So did many of the First Century believers. It looks like a good place to live.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Same Holy Spirit. We could choose to depend on Him more.
Answers for Today, December 2, 2011, originally written 4-24-09
Live Like Paul
If I’m filled with the same Holy Spirit as the Apostle Paul, where did we part ways? I said “Yes” to God many years ago, releasing all of myself to Him, not just the sins. It made an immediate and monumental difference in my life, when I switched over from calling my own shots in life to being guided by the Holy Spirit. There’s no denying the difference between “before” and “after.” Prior to my surrender, there was an ongoing struggle between my will and God’s. Afterward, I had never felt such peace and joy. It never felt so good to lose a battle!
That was the last battle I fought against God. It was an unconditional surrender. I have not been a perfect subject since that day, but I’ve no longer been a rebellious subject, resentful of the Spirit’s control. What used to be my life is now God’s. I love Him. I love serving Him. I love being guided by Him.
So, what’s the difference between Paul and me? Paul loved Jesus. So do I. Paul had surrendered His life to the Holy Spirit. I’ve done that, too. Paul completely depended on the Holy Spirit. O.K., that’s where there’s a big difference. I try to depend on the Holy Spirit, but often revert to depending on myself, even as I try to serve God. Put another way, I try to serve God while depending on myself to do it; Paul tried to serve God by depending on God. That’s why I end up whining, and Paul ends up with a resurrection. All “myself” could come up with is whimpering; the God on whom Paul was leaning doesn’t struggle with self-doubt nor is stymied by death. “Hey, the kid who fell out the window and died while I was preaching is alive! Now, back to my sermon. As I was saying, our God can do anything!” It seems to work better to depend on God!
If we want to live Paul’s way, though, there’s a cost to consider. It’s a tough price for Americans; we like to depend on ourselves, including in the Church, where we talk faith in Jesus but rarely allow ourselves to get in a position where we have to exercise it. Here’s what we lose when we live like Paul: Control.
To depend on God is to lose control. But unless we release our grip and are willing to be led by God and depend on God, we probably won’t be seeing many miracles, or even conversions. When I depend on myself, I have control. The problem is, I don’t do miracles and I can’t save anyone. Paul depended on God, who can do anything! Should I depend on myself or on God? God. Fewer funerals.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: If we want the Spirit’s control, we must surrender our control.
Answers for Today, December 5, 2011
Deep Integrity
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
The righteous who walks in his integrity—
blessed are his children after him!
A king who sits on the throne of judgment
winnows all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;
I am clean from my sin”?
Proverbs 20:5-9
There has been an ongoing search for people of deep integrity throughout man’s history. Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
Yeah, particularly in an election year. We “values voters” find it hard to get excited about supporting someone we don’t think we can trust. Integrity matters. It matters to God as well. And, while perceived integrity may win votes and elections on earth, the One who sees from heaven is never fooled, always looking. In fact, my favorite verse is 2 Chronicles 16:9, which reminds me, “For the eyes of the LORD search to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.” Whenever God’s radar picks up a person of integrity, blessing always follows, in one way or another.
In the original Christmas story, what sort of people did God use for His purposes? Faithful people: Joseph. Mary. The shepherds. The wise men. Simeon. Anna. Each could be trusted to do the right thing and pay attention to God’s instructions. That’s what it took to protect Baby Jesus from the ravages of King Herod (a jealous, suspicious politician if there ever was one).
Could God count on us to do the right thing? I hope so.
We get to choose our path. The path of righteousness is always the best option. But how could ordinary people ever be counted righteous? Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
The person who has come to God for forgiveness and cleansing, that’s who.
On Judgment Day, we will stand before our King with hearts He Himself purified.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Integrity matters, and only God can make a person righteous.
Answers for Today, December 6, 2011
Idols in a Hurricane
When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!
The wind will carry them off,
a breath will take them away.
But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land
and shall inherit my holy mountain.
Isaiah 57:13
I haven’t seen this verse on many coffee cups. Actually, I can’t recall ever seeing a verse about idolatry on a coffee cup or plaque, although there are a great many in the Bible from which to choose. Again and again, God sent prophets to warn folks about where idolatry leads, and how good the alternative is. Usually, the people didn’t listen.
Are we listening, now? We’re in the beginning of a month where we celebrate the birth of Christ, but Christmas has taken on a life of its own for many, leaving Christ behind, focusing instead on what is basically the worship of stuff, of money. Idolatry. Anything which takes the place of God is an idol. Could anyone argue that we don’t live in a land awash in idolatry?
Not everyone in America worships at the shrine of materialism, hedonism, education, science or whatever flavor of idol is currently in vogue for their age bracket, but a great many do. To the unbelieving crowd who stubbornly cling to their god-substitutes, God has a message: When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away.
It makes me think of a house I saw in Mississippi, in 2005. Hurricane Katrina had just come through. The magnificent new house had been reduced to a lonely toilet bolted to the concrete slab. Everything else was gone.
Ultimately, it will be the same story for every single person who puts their trust in idols instead of in the one true God. Even if they manage to hang onto their idols through whatever storms life brings, death comes to all, insured and uninsured alike, prying fingers loose. After that, the Judgment. Which idol will deliver us from a Holy God?
There is a better way! Take refuge in God. An inheritance beyond our imagination waits. And along the way, peace, ‘til we see what He has promised.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Put your trust in God. Idols will ultimately just blow away.
Answers for Today, December 7, 2011
We Matter to God
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. Acts 1:1-2
Two of the major books of the New Testament were written to just one guy.
His name was Theophilus. He was a fortunate man! I have two Bibles with my name embossed on the cover; he had two books of the Bible written just for him! To get the Gospel firsthand from someone who writes it all out just so you can know for certain what happened and what God expects... Now, that’s a privilege!
We have that privilege. While our name may not be Theophilus, the Bible is so personal God might as well have had the writers address it directly to us, as He did when Luke penned two long letters to Theophilus. It’s written so we can know the truth about God. The Bible is a personal book, written to us. It’s so we can understand what we need to know about life and eternity. It’s so we can not just know about God, but know God. We matter to God. He sees us as individuals.
In informing Theophilus of the story of the Gospel, the first story Luke relates is of the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah in the Temple. There were no formal introductions, but in the customary seraphic greeting of “Do not be afraid,” Gabriel refers to Zechariah by name, anyway, then mentions his wife Elizabeth, promises the one thing in life they desire more than anything (a son), gives the not-yet-conceived child a name (John) and more promises, then finishes by zipping Zechariah’s lip until everything is fulfilled. It was all very impressive and quite personal.
God knows our name—and uses it. The first message to us is often, “Do not be afraid.” What follows is a message of hope and salvation...the Gospel. And while we may not have books of the Bible written to us, if we trust in Jesus, our name is written in an even better place: The Lamb’s Book of Life.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: We matter to God.
Answers for Today, December 8, 2011
For Nothing is Impossible With God
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called “holy—“ the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:30-37
For nothing will be impossible with God. Those are sweet words to the thousands of us who have been praying for an unborn baby named Anna Joy. She is scheduled to be born today. The available medical resources are first-rate, but due to heart malformations, the best the medical community can offer is a 10% chance of survival in this situation. Good thing we have God—a God for whom nothing is impossible! We need Him!
Always, we need Him. But there are times when we are so out of resources and options that God is all we have left. So many times throughout history, that’s exactly when He shows up. He takes the unlikely approach, often the impossible one. Why? So we know it’s Him, not luck, not chance, not our own determination and skill.
Years ago, I read a book which explained to me that, according to their checklist, the church I pastored couldn’t grow. I relayed this devastating finding to God in a whining prayer: “Lord, according to this book, my church can’t grow! The odds are all against us!” An immediate response from the Lord slammed into my brain: I don’t do odds. Just miracles.
How true! Why bother with odds when you can do anything?! The Bible is a book of impossibilities, all true. God speaks the Universe into existence, makes man from a pile of dirt (after creating the dirt), establishes all of Creation. God looks for an elderly, infertile couple so He can start the nation of Israel with them. God’s path is strewn with the improbable and impossible. He seems to like it that way. When it comes time to send the promised Messiah, once again God begins with a couple of impossible pregnancies, just so people know it’s Him. He can do anything, absolutely anything. He always keeps His promises.
So we can trust Him—with anything! He doesn’t always do what we ask or expect, but He is always there. And what He does is always good, and right. We choose to trust and praise Him.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Do not be afraid. Nothing is impossible with God.
Answers for Today, December 15, 2011
Weights and Measures
Unequal weights and unequal measures
are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
Proverbs 20:10
Sometimes it surprises me what matters to God. For instance, the “hairs of your head are numbered” thing—who but God and a few bald guys would care? I just got my hair cut. When she got done, it looked like a fat gray mouse had exploded on the barber shop floor. I think I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Recalculating.”
Anyway, although I’ve seen this verse and the ones like it before, it still surprises me that “unequal weights and unequal measures” would earn the status of being “an abomination to the LORD”—a term generally reserved in the Bible for “icky” sins like sexual depravity. Just having two sets of weights, one for friends and family, another for people we don’t like or know, earns us this kind of rebuke from God? Yup. He’s serious about a lot of things, apparently including fairness.
This verse hearkens back to earlier times when, instead of a bar code beeping across a scanner, a small business merchant would be in possession of a basket or a scale by which to measure goods. It probably wasn’t that hard to have a “guest” measure available to shortchange people who looked like they could afford it. It wasn’t as if a “weights and measurements” inspector was standing around the open marketplace, making sure everything was kosher. Merchants were pretty much on the honor system, when it came to fairness. It turns out that God doesn’t like people getting ripped off, even if they’re rich people.
So, fairness and honesty matter to God. The double standard in business which gouges customers on purpose; the insider trading which goes on; all kinds of rip-off’s created to bilk people out of their money—He doesn’t appreciate that? No. It’s an abomination to Him. Really. His followers should have no part in cheating people, even if “they’re on the other side.” Fairness and honesty—to everyone. That’s what God expects of His children. He expects it in business. He expects it in relationships. I’m thinking He even expects it in politics, a playground for double standards if there ever was one.
As followers of the Most High and Most Fair God, we’re obligated to be just in our dealings with all people, not just the ones we like or who share our whatever. It’s one more part of the price we pay in trying to live a righteous life.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: God cares about, and expects, honesty and fairness from us.
Answers for Today, December 26, 2011
Unrehearsed Life
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:6-12
We did a Living Nativity in our church for Christmas Eve, this year. It was totally unrehearsed. I had costumes and a background tape; the actors had no lines to say; it was just a simple re-enactment of the Christmas story, set to recorded scripture and music. It went alright, but a practice would have helped! Characters recruited moments before they were “on stage” were trying to act out parts they were hearing for the first time. This was not a high quality drama production, but it was effective in one way: it mimicked the very real, first Christmas.
Nobody knew what they were doing then, either! The whole thing was totally unrehearsed, at least for the earthly participants. Mary and Joseph were caught up in the whirlwind of events, getting over their shock and fear of one unexpected event just in time for the next—such as delivering your firstborn child in a stable a hundred miles from home. Gabriel hadn’t mentioned the manger in his first shocker of an announcement. Mary and Joseph bounced from one surprise to the next, guided by angels and dreams. It was one scary deal. Not only did they not get to practice; they didn’t even know what was coming, next!
No one else got to rehearse, either. The shepherds didn’t have to practice looking scared; they were scared! Nobody told them they were going to be in a Living Nativity, which was probably good. Shepherds aren’t convincing actors.
How about us? If we knew what was coming next in life, we could practice for it, but it’s usually pretty much a surprise. We do best when we imitate the folks in the first Christmas story: listen when God speaks, obey Him, try not to be afraid. Yeah, this is our first time through, and we didn’t get to practice. It keeps it genuine, keeps us depending on God. Life here is the rehearsal—for eternal life.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Life here is the rehearsal for eternal life to come.
Answers for Today, December 27, 2011, originally written 8-11-09
God’s Witness Protection Program
When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” Acts 23:12-15
So, it’s settled. Paul, the apostle and the first missionary, is a goner.
That’s what Paul’s enemies thought, not comprehending the power or ingenuity of God, who is really good at protecting His servants. God can put the whole thing in the hands of a young boy and overcome the hatred of forty men. God’s purposes are sure. Paul is His man, His apostle. No way is he going to die, until he has accomplished God’s mission!
It’s God’s Witness Protection Program. Paul’s spy kid nephew had picked up on the plot, the way kids do when no one thinks they’re paying attention and adults assume they’re too young to understand, anyway. The would-be lynch mob didn’t know this was a dangerous young man, about to foil their whole plan. The boy told Paul, Paul discreetly got him a private audience with the tribune, the tribune sent Paul on an all-night march to safety, protected by 470 armed Roman soldiers. Pretty good bodyguard. When it comes down to it, though, all we need is God.
Paul’s enemies gave it their best shot—and are defeated by a kid God sent! (Not the first time. Nor the last).
We’re safe with God. We need to know that—we’re safe with God. It’s not that we don’t have enemies—we definitely do—but we are absolutely, positively, ridiculously safe, with God. It doesn’t matter how many people are trying to ruin us or even kill us. They can devote their lives to our destruction and still fail! God is a great Protector. We are utterly safe, with Him. He may use devious Roman tribunes or innocent kids with good hearing to do it, He may protect us with 470 Roman soldiers or with chariots of fire, but He will protect us. We are safe with God. Period. And when Jesus says we’re going across the Lake, we’re going, so we need not freak out about the storm! And when God says we’re going to Rome, we’re going to Rome! All the excitement is just God providing us with an armed escort and making sure we’ll get in to witness to Caesar. It’s all good. Part of the plan.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: We’re safe with God. Period.
Answers for Today, December 28, 2011, originally written 8-14-09
Two Governors and a King
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Acts 24:24-27
What’s the theme of Acts? Acts 1:8 sums it up: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
You will be my witnesses. Jesus wasn’t kidding! He had a reliable one in Paul.
Continued imprisonment actually meant protection for the apostle, keeping him out of the clutches of his nearby enemies, while offering him the opportunity to present his testimony before a couple governors, a king, and ultimately Caesar himself. This isn’t a series of bad breaks; it’s God’s witnessing plan! What makes it work is Paul’s refusal to compromise the way he lives out the Gospel, and his unwillingness to shut up about Jesus, even if it might have gained him his freedom.
When God gets a trustworthy witness, He really uses him! Tertullus might have been a hired spokesman for the Jewish leaders, but Paul was a bondslave spokesman for Jesus Christ. There was no contest. The lawyer couldn’t even convince a corrupt governor to act against Paul, yet when Paul spoke, the governor lost his composure and had to go smother his conscience with a pillow. An uncompromising life, accompanied by a bold testimony, is the kind of witness God likes to show off—it’s powerful!
Without a life of integrity, we don’t have much, when it comes to spiritual power. Because Paul refused to cave in to compromise, he had so much spiritual power it was scary. He intimidated governors and kings!
God used a bold witness, disguised as a prisoner, to corner two governors and a king with the truth. God still uses faithful witnesses. He provides them with opportunities to testify about Him, often disguised as hardships.
Witnessing is not complicated, but it does take courage, which God provides. And to His faithful witnesses, God also provides something else: Opportunities.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Faithful witnesses get plenty of witnessing opportunities.
Answers for Today, December 29, 2011, originally written 8-19-09
Chicken Brain
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently....” Acts 25:23-26:3
Paul stands before King Agrippa II, grandson of Herod the Great, who had tried to snuff out the life of the baby Jesus. The room is filled with other prominent people. The stage is set. For what? For Paul to give his testimony. Again.
The audience won’t be disappointed, nor will God. Paul was missing any kind of shyness gene, anyway, but common sense would still have dictated the necessity of keeping his mouth shut while in chains facing a hostile audience. Didn’t stop him. Out came his entire testimony, a whole chapter’s worth. He ended by basically asking a king to confess Christ as Savior in front of the military tribunes, city fathers and the governor. I would imagine it was the first evangelistic invitation given in that Roman audience hall, in the city named after the emperor. Nerve.
That’s what I’m lacking, when it comes to witnessing. My brain has always majored in self-preservation. It would have told me to shut up and live to witness another day, in Paul’s situation. It’s why I’ve witnessed on so few days, and mostly only led people to Christ who were already on their way. My brain’s a coward, a clever rationalizer and a poor evangelist. I love Jesus, but my brain’s chicken. Sometimes I should disengage my chicken brain and be like Paul, for Jesus.
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Faithful witnesses sometimes must disengage chicken brains.
Answers for Today, December 30, 2011, originally written 9-21-09
Angel on Board
Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.”
Acts 27:21-26
Paul’s warning not to leave Crete had gone unheeded, but suddenly everyone is listening to him! He’d heard from God. None would ever forget the message of the prisoner, relating to them hope from God, when they thought all was lost. It all ended up happening just as Paul said the angel had said. They all got to Rome. Along the way, Paul continued to be a blessing, no matter what happened to him.
The final two chapters of Acts are a glimpse of the difference which can be
made simply through one person who chooses to live for God, and not for himself. Paul had decided to be God-centered, not self-centered. Rather than noticing the unfairness of each unfair situation, Paul chose to see and seize the opportunity—to witness about Jesus; to show patience, grace and courage; to be a blessing.
That doesn’t just happen, particularly for a person like Paul, an off-the-chart Type A personality, naturally impatient and ambitious. But the decision makes all the difference. Self-centered sees each unfair episode as yet another reason to be frustrated, angry and bitter. God-centered sees each unfair episode as another opportunity to tap into the grace, patience and forgiveness of God.
Self-centered produces self-centered fruit; God-centered produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The guy who wrote that lived it, too. It all came from the choice to put Christ in the center of his life. It’s a choice we all can make. The same Holy Spirit who powered Paul is willing to fill us with Himself. All we have to do is choose to be God-centered instead of self-centered, and we join the ranks of the disciples of Jesus who continue to write the story of the Acts of the Holy Spirit. What a deal!
Dave Ness
The Bottom Line: Be God-centered instead of self-centered.
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