Friday slowdown

This has always been a special song, but I found this simple rendition very moving. I hope it blesses all who listen.

The elect lady

We're looking once again today at the "elect lady" of II John. Not only was she chosen by God, and gifted with His salvation (as are we), but she was a wonderful example for her family and others in the faith community.

We've noted that she was hospitable -- this brings us to John's teaching to her regarding false prophets. She was highly privileged to have the elderly apostle as her guide in spiritual matters. He called himself "the elder," or the "aged man," and instructed her in many truths. These verses also warned her against the evil work of false teachers -- those who may have looked just like the other believers, but were disguised in sheep's clothing. You remember the old tale about the wolf who wanted to dine on mutton, right? He couldn't get close to the sheep when they could look over and know, "Oh, that's the wolf -- let's vamoose!"
However, when he put a sheep's wool over himself, and disguised himself as one of them, he could walk right in among them, and select the one he wanted for dinner!
The false teachers would do that, too.
And they do that today.
They disguise themselves so that believers are unaware of their real motives.

John wanted to safeguard this lady and her family against the perils these decievers brought in; dangers to both the heart and to their lives. It seems a little out of place to hear John, the disciple of love, who usually was measured, reasoned, and full of charity, being so strong in these verses. But here is the thing: these wolves in sheep clothing were not only guilty of intellectual errors, which affected themselves, they were also leading other people astray in their conduct.  Their "wrong thinking" was resulting in "wrong living," so they were terrible influences!

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (I John 2:26)

Many Bible scholars say that the error John was pointing to, was related to the fact and the reality of Christ's incarnation. These "wolves" steadfastly denied that Jesus was the Christ -- God in the flesh. That is the heart of our faith, that God came as a wee babe, lived a sinless life in human flesh, and then carried out the work of salvation by dying on the cross and rising again to defeat Satan. It is Satan, of course, who started this false belief, knowing just how destructive it could be to the believers.
So, John urged the lady and her children to beware; he told them to guard themselves in two ways. First, he told them to cling tightly to what they already possessed: their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They were firm in the truth, and in the present, they had the peace that passes all understanding. In the future, they would receive the reward promised to overcomers in John's Revelation.

Secondly, John told them that as sincere Christians, they must not extend the hand of fellowship to these deceivers, and that she should not entertain them in her home. They would be dangerous.

......having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds,who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. (II Timothy 3:5b-8)

Now, John was not forbidding them to be polite, in the meeting and greeting of these people. He would not have wanted them to be uncivil in their dealings with them.
Let's translate that: don't be rude! (Grin)
But he IS saying that they should not extend that close Christian intimacy, the spiritual communion; seeking a deep and personal acquaintance was a no-no. That sort of brotherly love can only work in the same atmosphere of love for Christ. If someone doesn't know our Savior, or doesn't believe that He is truly God, then offering a close friendship will harm our witness, and may injure our faith.

Kind of a thin line to walk, eh? To be polite, but not to have close communion. To be civil, but not to fellowship. How can we know these "wolves," anyway? John tells our lady of the week that the only way to safeguard against the deceivers is to have an ever-widening knowledge of the truth, and a determined obedience to it. We must find the truths that we need in God's Word, and as the Spirit teaches us, we must cling to that wisdom.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

They are in sharp contrast to the believer who wishes to glorify his Savior:

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)

We must ask God for discernment, so that we can be as Jesus said:

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)

Jesus instructs us to be wise, yet innocent. That is how we can deal with the powers of this world. That is how we can tell if a person is a sheep or a wolf!
Our world, as was theirs, is openly hostile to Christianity. We've noted before that the gospel often uses a soft voice instead of a strident one, to accomplish His will. As witnesses to a hostile world, we must be wise enough to avoid the traps set for us, and innocent -- serving the Lord blamelessly. Jesus didn't mean that we should use deception as the serpent in Eden, but that we could model some of his famous shrewdness and knowledge of character in a positive way. And that while we want to serve Him without causing blame to His kingdom, that doesn't mean that we are gullible. If we watch for the fruits of the people around us, we will see if they are true or false believers.

Let us be determined to be like the elect lady -- chosen and redeemed by the Savior, living as an example to others each day, being hospitable to believers, but also being wise to discern deceivers. That's a tall order, but it's one that we can handle if we fully rely on Him!

The elect lady

This week we are studying the "elect lady" mentioned in II John.
Last time, we noted that John used a special word for her, saying she was "kuria," a lady or princess, that set her above many women of the time. Such was the respect that the elderly apostle had for this Christian lady.
The word "elect" was chosen carefully, too.

Paul uses this same word that John chose, when he speaks of a Christian man, Rufus.

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. (Romans 16:13, NIV)

Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. (KJV)

Peter used the same word here:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (I Peter 1:1-2)

We can see that this lady was "elect" in two ways. She was of excellent character, and highly respected. She, and her sister and her children, were also elect or chosen of God, according to His purpose.
Chosen. Just as we are.
And presented with a gift:

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (I Peter 1:3-5)

This lady was chosen and responded to the call of the Spirit, to receive the inheritance of salvation. A gift that can never tarnish, or spoil, or fade. Those of us who have a relationship with Christ have this gift, too.
Probably the elect lady was a convert of John's ministry. He seems to have known her for some time, and has respect for her, her sister, and her children.
Perhaps he knew her so well because he had been entertained in her home, with graciousness and hospitality. Since no husband is mentioned here, she may have been a wealthy widow who had ample money to care for the apostles, saints, and other believers who came her way. John expressed the hope that he would see her again -- that he would visit with her and her family, and share more of the glorious truths that he had discovered.

The very fact that she was so hospitable and gracious made it important for John to warn her about false teachers. He explained that there was danger in allowing those who wished to subvert their faith into the house. Danger to her, and to her children, and to others who might be visiting or staying there. John wanted her to be very careful.

The elect lady also had a wonderful influence on others. We see this because John mentions her children, and the fact that they followed her example in the faith. Not only did they walk in the truth, and in the light of God's presence, but they were praised for their love for others, and for their excellent witness. The elderly apostle knew full well that this was the result of careful teaching and the Godly example of their mother. Early training in truth and love yields a blessed result in later years. Many a mom and dad has wrung their hands and wept because their child strays from the path they have taught them; but many a parent has rejoiced later as that child returns to the faith of their family, and is a wonderful testimony of His grace!

What a testimony through the years . . . the elect lady and her family not only "talked the talk," but they also "walked the walk," and were examples for us to emulate!

We'll conclude our study of the elect lady tomorrow.

What are we listening to?

What are we listening to, today?

Think for a moment.
Just sit back and think.
What sounds have you heard today?

Did the alarm wake you?
Did the sound of a pet or a child rouse you from sleep?
Did the soft ticking of a clock hit your ears as you looked about you in the morning light? (Yes, I know, I'm not only old, I'm old school.)

How about when you walked down the hall? Did you hear your own footsteps? Or the steps of a family member?
Did you hear the sounds of your morning cup?
How about if you heard some sounds from outdoors . . . birds singing cheerfully, the breeze moving the tree leaves and limbs . . . perhaps a car moving past your house?

Have you enjoyed the sounds of praise music or hymns as you move about today?

What a wonderful gift our hearing is!
To hear the words and laughter of a child, or the wise advice of an elder -- what blessings!
And what a sweet blessing to hear the voice of God as we read our Bibles and learn more about Him!

What are we listening to today?

The elect lady

Many believers have a favorite book of the Bible. A favorite verse. A chapter that gives comfort and inspiration each time they re-read it.

For some, it's the three little books near Revelation, in the New Testament. The three books written by John. Consensus among the scholars is that this was John, son of Zebedee, and that he was the author of the gospel of John, and then of the book of Revelation after his exile to the island.

I John is almost like an essay that supports his gospel; it deals with concepts like God's love for sinners, light contending with darkness, and abiding in Christ. The other two deal with some problems that were faced by the community of believers, and give instructions from the elderly apostle in how to handle those problems. In 2 John, we see him warning the Christians to be careful of teachers that want to deceive them -- there were those who said Christ had not come in the flesh, and John said that the believers should not welcome them into their homes. At the same time, he encourages them to be hospitable to fellow Christians.

I think it's interesting many times to look at the surrounding circumstances of a book or letter, to see more of the world the writer and the recipients lived in. In this case, as my grandma used to say, there is more than meets the eye!
There was an ancient belief that we call Gnosticism, and Christians who were influenced by it did not accept that Christ was God in human form. Also, since they believed the physical body was evil, some thought it must be treated harshly. Others thought that since the body was of no consequence (only the spirit was important) they could live as they pleased. So, these few verses are an answer to those challenges from John, and they are also well-loved, as they stress the love of God, and the love of Christians for one another.

"The Elect Lady" is the title of our study this week, and she is first addressed in 2 John. There has been some dispute over the years, of whether this was an actual lady, or a term that John used to refer to the church . . . I suppose it's human nature, but have you ever noted just how many things we humans argue about? And how inconsequential some of them are?
Oy vey.
Anyway, I believe that it was addressed to a lady who was prominent in the church. The Bible was written by plain people, for plain people, and my take on it is that she was a worthy Christian who was known in the vicinity of Ephesus, and that he may have met her on one of his visits to the churches of Asia.
Let's look at our verses:

The elder,To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ,the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. (II John 1-13)

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; (verse 1, KJV)

Here is an extra bit of study for you: the word that occurs here and is translated "lady" is seen four times in our Bibles. Look these up and compare them: Isaiah 47:5, Isaiah 47:7, II John 1, and II John 5.
Also, the plural, "ladies" is seen twice. Here are the references you can turn to: Judges 5:29, and Esther 1:18.
I like digging in!
It appears that when this word is used, we are talking about a lady with more dignity than some around her. God is not partial, and no respecter of persons, but humans are, and this word means that the humans around these women thought they were of a higher grade -- perhaps another word could be "princess." When we see the villainesses of the Bible, the word used many times for them is the feminine of "lord," and means a woman having land rights, and authority, as a ruler. The bad girls! In the United Kingdom, a lady is the wife of someone who has received a title or honor from the Crown, or a woman of social position -- the feminine equal to a gentleman. The word used here by John is "kuria," and it was rarely used even for queens!

Why didn't he just call her by name? Like Paul did, in some of his letters?
It could be that the dangers of the times, and the fact that the Christians and their families faced persecution and death, made it best that both her name, and the name of the writer be left out.

This is the background for our study this week.
Hope you will join us!

Friday slowdown

May all of our lives reflect His light!

Phoebe, conclusion

As we conclude our study of Phoebe this week, let's look at some practical applications for our own lives. Some of us are married; some are single, like Phoebe. All of us can use our special talents and the love that Christ puts in our hearts to help others.

First, we should ask ourselves if we can assist new believers. Phoebe seems to have "mothered" new converts, the "babes" in Christ. Think about what new believers would have been "up against" in their world . . . temples on every corner to this and that idol, temple prostitutes and orgies, superstition, the occult, family that doesn't understand or reviles the new convert. Kinda sounds like today, doesn't it? A new believer needs nurturing, and needs to be grounded in the Word; a Christian who can come alongside and foster that person is vitally important. Show them by word and by example how to pray and how to live . . .

We can also comfort the sorrowing. We don't know if Phoebe was a widow, or if she'd never been married, but she was uniquely qualified to help and encourage others. There are many in our circle of friends and in our churches, who carry heavy burdens and are sorrowful.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:2,10)

We can help the aged and the infirm. What wisdom our elderly friends can provide us! But many of them are over-looked and neglected, and some need financial assistance. Some are lonely and need assistance with daily tasks. Others just need to know that someone loves them.

Single or married, we can also have a ministry of prayer. Do we keep a prayer list handy? Do we use it in our prayer and study times?

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Those who are on the field of combat, so to speak, the missionaries and the pastors, need our prayers. Just as Paul asked for the prayers of the believers, so the modern-day workers need our prayers, as well. And we must not forget to pray for those that we know are not yet saved, or need to come back to a close relationship with our Lord.

Another way that we can "be a Phoebe" in this world, is to open our home to other believers. Our place may be tiny, or it may be large, but it may seem like heaven to someone who is a new believer. They may be lonely, or even rejected by their family because of their new faith. We can be a comfort to them.

I don't know about you, but I sure hope that I can be like Phoebe. Her name and her life reflected the grace and glory of our Lord!

Phoebe, a dedicated single

We're studying a dedicated single lady this week, who was mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans:

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. (Romans 16:1-2)

Phoebe was from the town of Cenchreae, which (even though the name has changed) is still today a port town in the province of Achaia in Greece. Whether for business reasons, personal reasons, or simply a change in her place of residence, she was traveling to Italy. And it is to her that Paul entrusts his letter to the Christians in Rome.

Paul first calls this lady a "sister." When Paul uses this term, it doesn't mean they had the same mom. (Grin) He is referring to spiritual relationships.  In I Corinthians, he calls the Christian husband and wife "the brother and the sister." Paul also refers to Timothy as his "son in the faith." So, Phoebe was a member of the spiritual family, the family of Christ. She was redeemed and the Holy Spirit lived in her.

But when the set time had fully come,God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:4-7)

A woman is our sister if she shares our experience of God's saving grace. That is how we are made members of His redeemed family. I wonder how many conflicts and bad feelings could be avoided if we just remembered that simple truth? Would we want to be short, or terse in our conversations with someone who is our sister in Christ? Would we want to talk about her when she was not around? How many of our sisters will we meet in heaven? I for one look forward to that day, when our longed-for coffee shop study will become a reality! I have some hugs to give to all of y'all!
So, Paul uses the term "sister" to indicate she is a Christian.

He goes on to say that Phoebe is not only a Christian, but an important and loved member of the church. The word he uses has been translated in several ways over the years, from deaconess to ministrant, to servant. In any case, she had met Paul when he arrived in Cenchrea on his third missionary journey, and was devoted to the church and its members. I don't guess we can know for certain (that is, until we can ask Paul or Phoebe in heaven) if she was a true official of the church. Was she set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands? What were her duties? Did she inquire into and seek to relieve members' distresses? To plead the case of a forgotten widow before a neglectful, richer "brother"? Did she bravely battle oppression for those less fortunate than she?

We don't know if such an official name as "deaconess" was in use at the time, but we can see that there is the possiblity that she was a teacher of the women and children of the faith community, and that she could have been responsible for the needs of the poor among the church. Even if her role was not an official one, we can see that it was a gracious, effective one, and she was one of the forebears of the vast numbers of women who have rendered loyal service to both Christ and His church.

It's my personal belief, after studying Paul's letters, that she may have taught the women and children, but not the men. And that her role was that of a noble and reliable helper to the leaders of the church. I think that we have to be cautious today about "tweaking" how the church should look or operate -- just because of how society feels we should look. After all, the world has always been critical of Christians, right? Even though we don't want to unnecessarily offend someone, we must never go against our conscience, or our understanding of the Scriptures. I may very well be wrong in my interpretation on this issue, and I will be open minded as I listen, but if you want to convince me, the explanation must match up with the Word of God! (Grin)

Next, Paul says that Phoebe has been a benefactor -- the Greek word he uses is "prostatis" and has been translated in the KJV as "succourer."  Kind of a hard word for us today; we don't hear it much! In the Greek, it's a really expressive word, and it means "one who stands by in the case of need." It used to describe a trainer in the Olympic games -- the trainer would stand by the athletes to see that they were properly trained and ready for the signal. It's almost akin to the word that we would call "champion," or one who stands up for others. It seems that Phoebe may have had a history of being unselfish and brave. She may have been a devoted champion of believers who found themselves in trouble. Paul says that she was a benefactor to him, as well -- perhaps she contributed to his ministry, or gave of her wealth to make sure his needs were met. Perhaps she tended him during a sickness.

No matter which of these assumptions is true, Paul urged the believers in Rome to receive her in the Lord. Godly Phoebe is a testimony to what Christ can do through a life that is consecrated to him.

Verses that inspire

Are you in some life situations right now that make you think of these verses?

I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.  (Malachi 3:1-2)

Do you feel like you are in the refiner's fire?
It's never easy.
It's not pleasant.
But it can be positive. And it can be hopeful.
Let's look at it together.
We learn as kids that we should not play with fire. But the fire mentioned in these verses is one that is purposeful -- it refines, and purifies. It melts down the metal, and separates out the impurities and "bad stuff" that would ruin the metal's value. It leaves the metal, whether silver or gold, in better shape than when the process began.

I had not noticed very much before, but look at the last four words of verse two . . . or a launderer's soap.
Truly God is very much like that, since He takes our sin filled hearts and lives and cleans them up; He makes us pure, and holy like Himself. It's the only way that it can happen!

These verses are not just words of warning, but they are also words of hope. The fires we go through are not for destruction. They are for refinement. For the betterment of our hearts and souls. To make us more like Him, Who came and died on the cross, a sinless Lamb of God.

Praise God He arose!

And like Rhoda in our studies last week, we should "constantly affirm that it is so."

These verses inspired me . . . won't you share something from your reading of the Word that will help all of us?

Phoebe, a dedicated single

Do we remember who Phoebe was?
Paul thought so much of her that he sent the letter to the Christians in Rome either in her hands, or with her and others as they traveled. He thought so much of her that he wanted the Christians there to make sure they did their utmost to make her welcome.

Let's see where she is mentioned:

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. (Romans 16:1-2 NIV)

Now I introduce and commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess (servant) of the church at Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord [with love and hospitality], as God’s people ought to receive one another. And that you may help her in whatever matter she may require assistance from you, for she has been a helper of many, including myself. (AMP)

We can see that we don't know very much about this lady who delivered Paul's letter to Rome. We just have this brief mention of her, and her service.

This is the "tying up of loose ends" here in the letter to the Romans. Many will be mentioned here, saluted as friends and co-workers, and will live for all time because Paul notes them here in chapter sixteen. What an honor! To be mentioned in this page of personal messages . . .

Phoebe's name means "light of the moon," but she certainly had exchanged that for the "Light of the world," had she not? The Bible commentaries suggest that she must have been a woman of some means; she was planning to travel from Achaia (a province in Greece) to Italy. It may have been a change of residence, or perhaps a business venture that took her on this long journey. She must have proven herself both reliable and brave, for Paul to entrust her with this important task.

So we have a reliable, well to do, pious woman, who is carrying this precious letter. We also see that she is called, in different translations, a servant, or a deaconess. Not only is she a believer, but she is an integral part of the church in Greece; she was not only a Christian, but a servant "of the church." She may have been set apart by the laying on of hands, or she may simply have assumed the role of inquiring and relieving distressed members, and teaching others about the Lord.  Paul mentions that she has helped many, including the apostle himself.

Paul urges the Christians in Rome to do their utmost to receive her and assist her. We'll learn more about her this week.

Final words on Rhoda, and Friday slowdown

When we pray, do we listen?
Where do we really find His answers to our prayers?
OMG, wouldn't it be awesome if God would text us? Or email, or phone, or write it in the sky?
Well, that's not going to happen.

So, how does prayer work? Do we pray and then wait to hear something? How about if we set up artificial situations like, if the light turns green in the next five seconds, I'll know that God says it's a go in this part of my life that has me concerned..... I know that Gideon kind of pushed the edge of the envelope with his fleece, but I don't get the sense that the Spirit wants us to do this.
The truth is, we listen for His voice, His will, and His answers in His Word. This is the only place we can be certain to hear the clear, no-nonsense, know-for-sure voice of our Lord.
Our prayers have no power in and of themselves. (The most eloquent prayer is just as powerful as the timid, faltering prayer of a new believer.) That's because in faith, we access God's power through prayer.

                    The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Powerful because of the person?
Nope.
Powerful because of the words used?
Nope.
Powerful because when we pray, we are tapping into God's power, and His strength. Effective because we pray according to His Word, and His will.
And because the Spirit is working alongside us in our prayers, uttering things that we cannot find words for.

And what should we pray for?
Well, of course we should bring our concerns and life situations to Him. We should also pray for others. Other real people with real challenges, just like ours. With real struggles. And with real blessings. This kind of prayer will draw us closer to Him and closer to others.

Let's always take seriously the privilege of prayer. Let's make sure that there is no doubt in our minds that He will answer!

               Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that
               we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of 
               need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Rhoda, conclusion (almost)

What a whirlwind of a story this week! We've peeked into a jail, and seen Peter, unconcerned since he knew Who was in control; we've seen an earnest prayer-meeting focused on his release; and we've seen a slave girl who may have lost her head in her excitement, but stood up to those who said "you're crazy -- it can't be Peter!"

Let's get back to our passage . . .
Here is Peter, knocking at the door of Mary's home, where the believers are praying. Rhoda has recognized his voice, and turned away from the door to run joyfully to tell the others!

What irony! The answer to their prayers was standing at the door! But they feel they are just too busy to realize that they have their answer.
Or . . .
Is it that they didn't truly believe that their prayers would be answered?
Ouch.
Were they going through the motions?
Peter kept on knocking. I would imagine he knocked faster and louder -- he just knew that the soldiers would turn up this street and find him.
So they opened the door AND WERE ASTONISHED. Their doubts were replaced by belief. Their fear was replaced by excitement and joy, for God does answer our prayers in His own time and in His own way.
Do we do this?
Do we pray so hard about something that we miss the answer? Do we get so wrapped up in the process that when God presents His answer, we respond with, "Not right now, Lord, I'm praying." We are so focused on saying the right things and making sure that He hears us, that we are not. Really. Listening. To. Him.
Oh, we are really great at praying. We talk and talk and tell God all about what is going on and why we are concerned. . . as if He didn't already know. (Grin)
But are we alert for His answers?
Do we truly expect Him to answer?
Are we perhaps so accustomed to not having our prayers answered immediately, or in the way we'd hoped they would be answered, that we are praying just because we know we should? Do we only have a faint hope that He will act on our behalf?

By the way, who has that box of band-aids? My toes are hurting.
This is a problem.
It's called doubt. When we go through the motions of prayer, without really knowing (and I mean KNOWING) in our hearts that we will receive an answer, then we are doubting one of two things: we are doubting either that God can, or that God cares. Yep. Not easy to swallow, is it?
But it's true.
The root of the matter is that we are in the same boat with the man who said to Jesus, "I believe.... help me with my unbelief!" Our faith is just not quite where it should be.
Here's the Cliff notes version of what we are learning here: if we are in this situation, we have an issue with trusting God.
Wow, it really should be the other way around, shouldn't it? I don't know about you, but if God is going to trust me to keep my word, to turn away from that hasty sin, to always say (and do) right, and for the right reasons? He is going to be disappointed, because it just won't happen all the time. Sure, the Spirit is going to be with me and try to keep me straight, but my human side sometimes pushes the Spirit aside and announces, "I know better" even when that's wrong. (Grin)
But here is the difference -- God remains merciful, and trustworthy, and faithful.

Is God able to answer?
Look at the cross. Look at the empty tomb. Look at our lives, transformed by His grace.
Does He care?  Look again at the cross and at the risen Christ. Look again at our lives, and the many times He has proven His love for us. Look at the promises in His word.

We CAN trust Him! God does hear and answer. His answers are not just what is best for us, but also what is right for us.

We'll have a few closing thoughts tomorrow.....hope you will join us!

Rhoda - We're busy! And we think you might be crazy!

A damsel named Rhoda.
Oh, the lessons she could teach us, if she were to join us at our wished-for coffee shop gathering!
Rhoda was a slave; the word in the Bible has been translated "damsel" and "servant-girl" in the different translations. Her name is a Gentile name, so most folks think she was not a Jewess. Her mistress was Mary, John Mark's mother and Barnabas' sister. She seems to have been a fairly wealthy lady in Jerusalem, for she had a home large enough for many in the church to have assembled there.

Slaves were often brought from other countries, many miles away, and separated from their families, too. The relationships of slaves and their masters were often filled with suspicion, distrust, and downright fear -- every master or mistress knew that many of these slaves would like nothing better than to take vengeance on them for being torn from their homes and family.

So now, we see the slave, a young girl, kneeling with her mistress in this prayer-meeting. Rhoda has been touched by the very same love as the others. She and Mary no longer think of the distrustful relationship they had before. Rhoda has received the same redemption as all of the others, whether free or slave.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.  (Ephesians 6:5-9)

The gospel of Christ didn't wage war directly with slavery, but it laid down principles that, once they are in our consciousness, make slavery impossible. Both master and slave were now servants of the Most High.
So, Rhoda has two things to tell us here: first, to remind us that God is not partial, nor does He play favorites. We all are worthy of His time, His love, and His sacrifice. And secondly, that harsh confrontations and conflict are rarely ever as effective as the quiet work of the gospel in changing our world. How many times have people been "turned off" by loud, harsh voices -- their aim is only the best, but their methods overshadow their intentions and make it difficult for people to respond.
Next, we watch Rhoda as she is kneeling there in prayer with the rest.
There's an impassioned knocking at the door.
Knocking?
Someone is banging on it!
Oh, the noise, and here they are trying to focus on praying for their leader and brother in the prison!
Rhoda came out from the prayer-meeting to open the gate . . . it was her duty in the household to "answer the door." So she stopped praying and went to the gate. Do we forget sometimes, that the smallest and most common duties are still important in His sight? All of the others were praying on one side of the door, while he was standing in the street on the other side -- and we can be sure that Herod's men would be searching everywhere for Peter! He needed to get into the house, into shelter. We can see that the group still praying, and the young girl who left to perform her duty, are all working in the same direction. If we perform our small tasks willingly, and happily, they are just as true a worship of our Lord as what we perceive as the big tasks. He doesn't look at things the way we do, and He has said, "I will not forget any of their works." It's not the size of the task; it's the motive and the attitude of our hearts toward our Lord.

Rhoda tells us too, that it's possible to forget our duties under the influence of very real excitement! We see that she didn't open the door, but "lost her head" as my grandma used to say. She was so excited about hearing Peter's voice, that instead of opening the gate, she ran back in to tell everyone! Imagine the rush of joyous emotions that filled Rhoda -- might we have done the same?  Oh, but what if Herod's men had come down the street just as she turned to run and tell the others! Her first duty was to open the door . . . joy and sorrow can both cloud our judgement, and make us forget our duties. We must stay close in our relationship with God, and pray for that fruit of the Spirit -- self-control. Then when sorrow darkens our path, or joy lights it up with dazzling happiness, we can still be Spirit-filled, and remember our duties to our Lord.

Before you think I'm being too hard on little Rhoda, let me say also that I'm inspired by her spunkiness. Spunk? Grandma used to tell me that was a positive thing. A determination to stand up for oneself, to trust one's own experience, even if others thought you were nuts. (Grin) And that is what happened to Rhoda.
What a discussion in the prayer-meeting room! They'd been praying for Peter to be delivered, and now this young girl said he was free. But they don't believe it! Sometimes when we pray are there tiny slivers of disbelief in an immediate answer mingled in with the prayers? (We'll talk more about that tomorrow.) They'd been praying so intensely, and so earnestly, and now their prayers were answered . . . but they told Rhoda "you're mad!" and then said, "It's his angel, it's not him."
Are you shaking your head like me, and wondering why they are standing there arguing?  Why tell Rhoda that she is crazy? Why not go and open the door and peer out into the darkness? (Grin)
But Rhoda is spunky -- the Bible says she "constantly affirmed that it was so."  In the thesaurus, we can see synonyms for constantly: unchanging, and persistent. Awesome! Rhoda didn't change her mind. She wasn't convinced that she was wrong. She KNEW she had heard Peter's voice on the other side of the gate.

Oh, if we were all like Rhoda! If we trust our own experience, no matter what other people say. If we've found that Jesus helps us and loves us, and that our sins have been forgiven because we trusted in Him, then don't let anyone laugh at us. Don't let them talk us out of our firm conviction about our Lord. We don't have to argue, but we can be like Rhoda, and "constantly affirm that it is so." And if we can say to that unbeliever, "Have you been to the door, to see?" and they say "No," then we can tell them to "go and look, as I did." And they may come back with the same belief that we have.

We'll conclude our story of Rhoda tomorrow!