Troublemaker

Daily Reading: Acts 24

Scripture Focus: We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.  (Acts 24.5, NIV)

Devotional Thought: Have you heard the question, “If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  As Paul stood on trial before Felix, the Roman governor, there was more than enough evidence to convict him of being a troublemaker.  As a matter of fact, Paul entered a guilty plea!

Are you a troublemaker?  Are people troubled because you serve Jesus?  Does your faith make an impression on those around you?  Does your faith challenge them in ways that make them uncomfortable?  Perhaps some of us need to ask ourselves, “Do my friends even know I am a Christian?”

What kind of disruption should we cause when we are followers of the Way?  Most of the time, people in our culture will accept the presence of Christians without much agitation – as long as we don’t make any noise.  Are we being disruptive enough in our culture?  Are we being counter-cultural?  Consider the facts as they present themselves: Drug use and addiction is on the rise. Same-sex marriage is now a foregone conclusion.  Abuse of power is being reported in agencies all across government – federal, state, and local.  Racism and race-baiting are taking a firm hold on public discourse.  Wall Street is rewarding the very wealthy while the poor are sinking lower into poverty and helplessness.  Babies are being aborted by the thousands every day.

The level of despair and darkness is on the rise in our culture.  Can we afford to keep silent?  Let’s make some trouble.  So, answer the question for me: What kind of trouble should we cause as followers of the Nazarene?

Prayer: Lord, I don't want to be obnoxious, but I do want my testimony to be troublesome.  Help me to shine the light of truth and hope in a world of darkness and despair.  Help me to be a troublemaker.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 74.9-17

9 We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long.

10 How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?

11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!

12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.

14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.

15 You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams.

16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.

17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.