"Get Smart"

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalms 90:12)
I just love how God works all things out for good, whether they seem good at the time or not, He is such a good Father! The message yesterday in church was simple, almost too simple, it seemed to not have any substance or meat to it; but it was more about commonsense more than revelation. You could say that it was a lot like God saying, "Come now, and let us reason together." The text was Acts 21, which is focused upon Paul's journey to Jerusalem and his arrest once he got there. His mind was pretty much already made up, if they were going to arrest him, so be it, he was ready and willing to let it be so. As a matter of fact, at one point in his journey, a prophet came up to him and grab his belt from him, bound his own hands, and said, "Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." After this was done, all those who had been traveling with Paul, along with all those of the place they were at, tried to convince Paul that he should not go to Jerusalem. I can only imagine what kind of sight this must have been; a small crowd of people, seemingly filled with love and caring for their friend, their pastor, their brother in the Lord; yet all the while, much like Peter who rebuked Jesus over His statement of dying on the cross, they neglected to come to terms with Paul's servanthood. Yet Paul was well aware of his calling; and as of yet, he had not yet taken the Gospel Message before kings and rulers; so he was ready, indebted, and not ashamed to be used of God. I know it might not seem as much, but it's what this journey is meant to be about; laying down our lives means that we are ready, indebted, and not ashamed; that's what the heart of a servant is all about. Basically, those three things are needed to be already worked out in our hearts and minds. I am ready to serve my Master in whatever and wherever He leads me; and in the process of opposition and difficulty, I am indebted to serve my Master through everything; and in the midst of persecution and ridicule, I am not ashamed of being my Master's servant. I guess if you don't consider yourself to be a debtor, then it wouldn't make so much sense. But just in case you do, then it is music to your ears; more than that, it is something to celebrate with gladness...
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unsettled in everything they do." (James 1:2-8) NLT