A Little R and R Anyone?

Acts 19:21-22

New International Version (NIV)

After all this had happened, Paul decided[a] to go to Jerusalem,passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

We have only two verses to address this morning, so there must be a deep meaning here.  Reading the words over a few times, I am struck by two thoughts.  First, we seem to be stepping out of one dynamic and into another. The opening line, "After all this had happened..." indicates lots of activity.  Reviewing the first 20 verses of chapter 19 reveals the 'all'.

First Paul encounters about 12 men and learning they had not been baptized of the Holy Spirit, he baptized them. His next stop had Paul preaching in a meeting place where opposition arose and Paul. Paul then moved to a new location and continued to spread the Good News of Jesus all over Asia; to Jews and Greeks alike. This kept him busy for two years.

Paul finds himself in the midst of controversy and danger as he faced sorcery and exorcists and evil spirits, all in a day's work for this faithful follower. This brings up my second thought. When learning about Jesus' ministry we often read about how he would get away to pray.  Jesus sought solitude so that he could recharge his spirit and reconnect with his Father.

Paul must have done likewise, we just don't read about it. The two verses today cover more than a two year time span. I have to assume Paul had a daily down time.  Do you?  Do you have a time set aside to regroup and begin or end your day in communion with The Father?

The only way Paul could have accomplished all he did is if he was being fed.  We need the same nourishment if we are to continue Paul's work here and now.

Acts 19:21-22

Fruit, house on rock -- Matthew 7:15-29

As parents we caution our children to beware of strangers.  We teach them to never be lured to follow someone we do not know, just because they are offering a piece of candy.  For some reason this is the thought I have this morning as I was reading from Matthew 7:15.  "Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
  
In this world there is much to be wary of; to examine carefully before accepting as truth and goodness.  The children's story about Snow White comes to mind. Can't you visualize the witch offering the poison apple to the innocent Snow White?  There are poison apples all around us, but, if we stay close to the tree, the source of good wholesome untainted fruit, we will be nourished.

For me, God is that source of good, the One who provides me with real fruit to sustain during difficult and challenging seasons.  Today this fruit looks like the Body of Believers and it resembles all my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ; those who are reaching out in prayer.  "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:20)

What does good fruit look like to you; or perhaps I should ask who does good fruit look like to you?

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