There Were Many Lamps

Daily Reading: Acts 20

There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. (Acts 20.8)

Devotional Thought: What's up with that?  "Many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered"?  Who cares?

Luke, the writer of Acts did.  You see, in the hedonistic culture of ancient Greece, there were parties in which all the lights were turned off and people would “find” partners at random in the dark.  Paul wanted to make certain that the late-night gathering in Troas was not mistaken for such a party.  Rumors could be just as deadly then as they are today!  To prevent potential misunderstanding and subsequent damage to the Church's reputation and witness, they lit the place up like a Christmas tree!

The American church faces two challenges in this regard:

·       There is a headlong rush to be seen as socially relevant and politically correct.  The thing we fear the most is being accused of intolerance.  So, we allow moral decay to occur without much resistance. 

·       We insist on the freedom to make personal choices without regard for others: You have your truth.  I have mine. Joe Battaglia, in his book The Politically Incorrect Jesus writes: "We are being drowned in the flood of moral decay, and I’m not talking about sex, drugs, or rock ‘n’ roll.  I’m talking about the decay that comes as a result of deciding there’s no longer “true” truth.  And when that happens, the crumbling begins."

Larry Cornett, a missionary friend of mine wrote: “Muslim people appear to be more morally fit than the American Christians they see on social media. Why should they turn to Jesus?  Let's talk and act like Christians that the world may know.”  Church, let’s keep the lamps burning and live above reproach!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of shining your light in the world.  I do not want to hide that light "under a basket," so help me to live above reproach.  May my life bring honor to your Name and your Church.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.9-16

The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.

They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.

They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.

In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.

In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.

He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.

He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.