A Silver Lining

 (Philip spends time with an Ethiopian)

Acts 8:26-31

 

Have you ever heard the saying “Every cloud has a silver lining”? According to Wikipedia, it is a metaphor for optimism. In other words, no matter how bad life gets, you can always find something good in it. You know, make lemonade out of lemons.

 

It’s nice to be positive about life; to be one of those people who sees the glass as half full rather than half empty. But why should you? Why not see life’s struggles as half empty? After all, what silver lining can there be in a broken relationship, a still born baby or a fatal car accident caused by a drunk driver?

 

The stoning death of Stephen, precipitated in a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem. “Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them into prison”.

 

As a result of this persecution, rather than wallowing in self-pity, depression and fear, Philip went to Samaria, which incidentally was not a friendly place for Jews. He preached the Good News and performed signs and wonders. As a result, many Samaritans came to faith and followed Jesus. You could call that a silver lining.

 

From there an angel directed him to go south of Jerusalem. He had no idea why or what was waiting for him. In fact, it was probably somewhat dangerous since he had to go through Jerusalem, the epicenter of persecution, to get there. He went by faith; faith in a God that was in control even in the midst of injustice and chaos.

 

Again following the lead of the Spirit, we read: ³⁰ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. ³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 

The result of this “chance meeting” was that the Ethiopian official was baptized and received the Holy Spirit. I think that qualifies as a silver lining too.

 

However, the good news is that we believe in and serve a god who isn’t a god of silver linings, but the Living God who is sovereign over this world. And although we don’t always understand why things happen, we can be confident in His love, faithfulness and constant presence in our lives no matter what.

 

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208%3A26-31&version=NIV;NLT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Acts.8.26-Acts.8.31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superman

1 Timothy 6:11-21

 

 “Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive!

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!”

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!

It’s Superman!”

 

These are the powerful words that I heard as a little boy every time Superman was on TV in the 50’s. Normally, he was mild mannered Clark Kent, a journalist. But when he put on his cape, he became a hero who went flying around Metropolis defeating the bad guys with super human powers. He was one man who changed the world around him. And I wanted to be like him.

 

In today’s passage Paul addresses Timothy as a man of God. Obviously Paul had great respect for him and believed that Timothy, like Superman, could change the world around him. He could do it, not because he had super human powers, but because God was with him and had called Timothy to Ephesus. Being called a man of God carried with it high expectations.

 

Listen to some of Paul’s challenging words to Timothy:

 

• But you, man of God, flee from this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
• Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
• I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame.
• Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth.
• Guard what has been entrusted to your care.

 

Clearly, being a man of God who is called to change the world is not an easy task. However, like Timothy, God has called us to guard what has been entrusted to us; to keep his commands without spot or blame; to flee sin and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness; to live a life that shares Christ’s love.

 

In so doing, we will be fighting evil in the world. We may not be Superman, but we can be a Man or Woman of God who can change the world around us. Not because we have super human powers, but because we know God will never leave us, is always faithful, has gifted us, loves us and has sent us to do His will.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%206%3A11-21&version=NIV;MSG
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/1Tim.6.11-1Tim.6.21

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NIV)
  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 

This is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible.  When a loved one struggles with illness or a tragic accident takes a life there is such grief, but there is also hope. When my husband's illness was diagnosed as terminal, he and I had numerous conversations around this promise.  We both drew comfort from the fact we may have to say goodbye in this world but we would be reunited again.

You might think these empty words but many Believers who have lost someone will tell you they are mighty big words to them.  One of the reasons to read from our Bible's every day is to grab hold of God's promises and cling to them when times are hurtful and puzzling.  Every day God speaks through His Word.

Just this morning I was reading from Psalm 37 and sensed God's presence.  "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and he will do this."

What words spoke to your heart this day?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

Listen 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11