Day 255- Strategic Alliance

🎥 Video  

Join me on my daily morning walk as I process out loud a practical life application as I am reading the Bible. You don't have to be a believer to learn from this practical book of wisdom that has stood the test of time.  👇🏼

 

📝 Reflection 

Daily Reading -Acts Chapter: 15-18 

 

Acts 15: 39-40 

“And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”

Today’s reading encompasses chapters 15-18 and it is really cool to see how God uses even disagreements as reassignments and realignment for his purposes. Paul and Barnabus were brothers in Christ and yet God saw fit to separate them and reassign them. We will see as we travel with Paul how amazing this is. Although it might not have felt very amazing to Paul and Barnabus in the heat of the moment. They honored God by heeding the need to separate. Have you been able to shift your perspective on relationships in your life that might have taken a turn you didn’t expect or want?  As an enneagram 9 Peacemaker over here, this is not my natural tendency. So I am taking notes📝 over here and learning in to learning more about myself as I am watching Paul operate in divine guidance. 

Without giving you the whole story I will fast forward to Paul and Silas being arrested in Philippi. They were singing and praying despite being in jail and those in prison were listening and being converted. A big earthquake came at about midnight and opened the cell doors and caused the chains of the prisoners to fall open as well. The jailer had fallen asleep and was awoken by the earthquake and found all the cells open and was so disheartened with himself for allowing this to happen on his watch that he pulled his sword out with the intention to kill himself.  Paul yelled out ‘we are here, don’t hurt yourself’ just in time to stop this. The jailer then listened to the message and became a believer as did his whole household. They then received news that they were going to be released. 

Paul objected and said, we were wrongfully arrested and beaten, this is not right, we are Roman citizens. He demanded a proper release and acknowledgement from the authorities of their wrong doing and an apology. When the authorities learned this, they complied and apologized to Paul and Silas and released them and asked them to leave the city.  Barnabus was not a Roman citizen in the same way as Silas. He may have technically been because we are told that he owned property in Cyprus. What ever the case, this could not have happened and unfolded in this way had Barnabus been with Paul. The Philippian jailer and magistrates and other prisoners were likely also more open to hearing the good news from fellow Romans. 

Next we see Paul and Silas move on to many other places including Athens. In Athens he is noticing the prevalence of idols everywhere. He happens upon a marketplace where conversations are taking place with philosophers. He joins in and begins sharing about Jesus. He is questioned and asked what he is ‘babbling’ about. They are intrigued because he is speaking in a way and about things that are new to them.   So he does does what he has done in similar situations he brings in things that are familiar to them and from their own experience, words and understanding to help point them to the truth of what he is saying. He says something like ‘you know that altar you have that says ‘to an unknown god’. This who I am talking about and who you have an understanding of and acknowledge as well. Let me tell you more about him..’

He explains the mystery and wonder of god “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man made temples…”. Brilliant!  He also even goes on to say ‘As some of your own poets have said “We are his offspring”, and since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold, silver or stone”. Brilliant! We are told that many believed that day including Dionysius and Damaris. Dionysius is a councilman, some places he is even referenced as a judge. He knew his audience, he communicated strategically and was able to forge strategic alliances. All while not waivering on his own strategic alliance - God. 

He went on to Corinth for a year and a half. He was facing opposition and was ready to move on when he received a vision of provision from God during his prayer time. “Do not be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me. Here is is provided for by many including a couple named Priscilla and Aquila and the governor of Achaea named Gallio. Paul boldly allied himself with God and in the name of Jesus and he was open to where ever and with whomever God saw fit to assign and align him with. This is the ultimate strategic alliance, he was aligned with God and trusted and had faith in where he was being lead. He used all of his talents, gifts, intellect, skills of keen observation and communication and influence all for the glory of God. He did not have his own independent agenda. He was divinely guided and strategically used for a great plan and purpose.  

Video Reflection: https://youtu.be/Szs3-CHnca8

✍🏼 Daily Journal Prompt: 

How can you see God’s provision in your own life, even when it might not have felt good or been what you wanted? Can you zoom out and see a bigger purpose and plan at work. Can you see how some relationships whether coming together or coming apart have been a strategic alliance in God’s plan? How does this help to change your perspective?

📖 Tomorrows Reading: 

Acts Chapters 19-23

 

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