Acts 17

When I was in junior high, I started regularly attending a youth group.  I had always grown up in the church, but it was when I was in  junior high that I began to have a true desire to follow Jesus. 

I had math class in the 8th grade around 10 or 11 in the morning.  I sat at the same desk every day.  I kept tally marks on the top right corner of the desk and would mark with my pencil (so I could erase later and not get in trouble!) the days that I had remembered to spend time in prayer.

I used to think that was really dumb that I did that.  But now, I am glad I did.  And I almost need that in my life again.  The days get busy and crazy and full of errands, dishes, diapers, discipline, homework, issues, and , just life.  Sometimes I forget to stop and pray.

I had a King James Version Bible, by choice.  Even though it is harder to understand, I loved the words used and remember many verses from this old language.  I also loved the old words in hymns.  I have always found them beautiful.

I remember finding a passage in Acts 17 that I loved in the 8th Grade.  I might be completely wrong, but what I understand of this chapter is this:

Paul is in Athens.  The people of Athens are idol worshippers.  It seems like they wanted to worship every god out there to "have their bases covered."  They had an altar to "An Unknown God," just to be sure.

The men of Athens ask Paul what his new teachings are all about.

Here is his reply:

"Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

 ²³For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

 ²⁴God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

 ²⁵Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

 ²⁶And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

 ²⁷That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

 ²⁸For in him we live, and move, and have our being . . . "

I love this passage.  I underlined the parts that have always stuck out to me.

What are your thoughts on this passage?

Does anyone know any more about it?

Faithfulness

"If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

2 Timothy 2:13

Angela shared this verse with us this week through her website, Those with Young (www.thosewithyoung.com).

I do not remember ever reading that verse before.

It is easy to give up and become "faithless" in our lives.

I have been praying for one specific request for about 7 years.

There are times when I want to give up and forget it.

There are moments when I do not feel like trusting in God, times when I do not feel like He is even listening.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

Being SURE and being CERTAIN.

Do I believe God's promises?  Am I sure and certain of His character?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Hebrews 11:6

Why is it so difficult to earnestly seek Him every day?  God is faithful:  it is His Character.  I am trying to have faith, but it does not come naturally.

Life gets tough and confusing.

And even though I know that when troubles come I should turn to God, I often forget and try to get through the struggle on my own.

But even if I am faithless, He will remain faithful.  Because he cannot deny Himself.

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:20b

That is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible.

And so, I will continue to pray for my request.  My same request that I have been praying for all this time.

I may not see God working.

I may not know His plan.

But I will do my part:  trust in Him.  Have faith in Him.

And He will be faithful, for that is His character.