The Slow Lane Account (Acts 15)

 

When we read the book of Acts 'in the slow lane' rather than breeze through the interesting account, one can appreciate Luke's writing style more, for sure, but other details and connections can be observed as well.  The flow of how one thing leads to another, the respect shown for leading brothers who stop what they are doing and truly listen.  They take the query seriously.  They allow time to hear and to think and to get God's view, together.  All this before giving answer and sending trusted brothers to go and bring their answer, not just in written form but by word of mouth.

You can read Acts 15 to see this 'in action'.  It's beautiful.

It's a bit amusing but also encouraging to see Peter's maturity of character.  He'd learned a thing or two since his earlier days of following Jesus.

Note in v. 7 that only

 "after there had been much debate ...," 

... did Peter open his mouth to speak.  What's more, when he spoke he did not put his foot in his mouth as he was wont to do before this, but gave very sensible and well thought out answer.

This answer could be verified too.  All knew that he had been 'chosen' by God to initiate the bringing the message to the Gentiles to

 "hear the Word of the gospel and believe" (v. 7). 

 You can double check this as well from Acts 10 & 11.

As you read through chapter 15, you can see that besides Peter, the floor was given to Barnabas and Paul.  After them, came James who seemed to be the leading apostle in Jerusalem, and given the deciding decision based on the logical, thought out information and answers given by the others. 

He and the leading brothers did not have a preconceived action in their minds, an already made up decision. They weren't just going through the motions to make it look like they were legitimately listening, NO, they were sincerely invested in a good outcome for this pivotal discussion.

The peace and harmony and the keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace can be greatly noted (see Ephesians 4:3).  They seemed very eager to do this, grounded on the facts explained.

By God's grace and Holy Spirit guidance, those early believers and leaders handled the delicate situation without putting a binding "yoke" upon the neck of the disciples (see Acts 15:10 ESV).  A major division was averted!

In humility they had governed and led.  The unsettled minds became settled and resulted in the believers

 "[rejoicing] because of [the] encouragement" (v 31)

 of the reply sent.

Once this matter had been settled, Luke tucks in and introduces the next character on stage.  We meet Judas Barsabas and Silas, who were

 "chief men among the brethren" (v 22 KJV).

And this stage set the next stage where Paul chooses Silas to go on a missionary journey.  Note again, it was not an arbitrary decison but Silas came

 "commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord" (v. 40).

Would that we would also experience this in the chuches in which we meet.  By God's grace and our willing, humble hearts, and with much prayer, the unity of the Spirit can be kept in the bond of peace.

So be it, Father God.

                                                 ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 15 ESV.

Sing, Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Inequality and Fairness

 

What do you think?  Are there issues of inequality and fairness in God's Kingdom?

Take the parable of the talents as an example.  The master gave three different servants three differing amounts of talents.  Servant #1 got 5, Servant #2 got 2, and Servant #3 got 1 talent.

Each talent would be equivalent, we're told, of roughly 600,000 to over one million dollars by today's standards.  Back then, it would have been worth 15-20 years' worth of a laborer's wages (AI Overview).

So was this division among the master's servants fair?  Why the seeming discrimination?  What would you say?  Was it favoritism?

The master went far away for an undisclosed length of time.  The servants had no idea when he would return.  Even the servant with the one talent was extremely wealthy.  They could have taken off and disappeared into the world and lived quite comfortably.  They could have become their own master.

But Servant #1 and 2, 

"went at once" 

to the traders.  They didn't waste time and used what they were given to the best of their abilities -

 "according to their abilities" (vs 15).

This is key to note.

Supposed inequality and unfairness needs to be judged in light of this statement ... 

"according to their abilities".

Servant #1 and #2, as it turned out, had no quarrel with the amount of talents they received.  They knew what their master wanted and they went at once, to their responsibilities.  They traded despite any risk there may have been.  They earned and not just earned, but each doubled their talents respectively.

They each got commendation when Master returned.

  "Well done, good and faithful servant" 

he said to them.  They were then rewarded. with greater responsibility.

Servant #3 showed his total lack of regard and that he truly did not know his master's heart.  He didn't even bother to put his amount in the bank to gain interest.

In his fear of the master he neglected his duty.  There were no legitimate excuses.  He failed to earn, failed to gain profit, failed to be fruitful and to multiply.

The harsh judgement from the master's lips in consequence, 

"lazy and wicked" 

servant being cast into that 

"place [of] weeping and gnashing of teeth" (vs 30) 

seems unjustified.

Too harsh for us?

"Lazy," we can understand, but was he really "wicked"?  What was so wicked about hiding the talent in the ground?

Some have reflected that he'd schemed.  If the master never returned, then he would keep the talent for himself.  He'd be rich.  If he'd had put the sum in the bank and the master never returned, he'd not be able to claim the talent and interest for himself.  They'd know it did not belong to him.

This dereliction of his responsibiltiy, seen in this light could then truly be labeled "wicked," I believe.

Spiritual lessons in regards to learning the Kingdom of God's values and standards are faithfulness, multiplying, using our talents for God's purposes.  It's not the amount given but that what we are given, we put to use.

Building a relationship with our Master Jesus, to truly know His heart, to develop an attitude of humility, to imitate Him in all things will help us to know when, where and how to use our talents whether it's our time, energy, resources spiritual gifts, education and more.

Serving the Lord to build up those in the Kingdom and to bring others in, are what will earn our own

 "well done, good and faithful servant," 

I believe. 

When we realize the seeming inequalities and unfairness are actually more to do with our capabilities, level of competence, responsibilities, attitude being more Christlike and our relationship with the Lord, I'll say it again, the supposed unfairness will recede in our minds and hearts and we'll be more able to use our talents for the Lord's glory and not for our own.

We are all equal in value as a person in God's sight but have different roles, abilities and capabilities.  How faithfully we engage them is our choice.  However, of most importance is the focus on using our talents, NOT on how many we have.

Using them to serve the Lord, building up the believers in their most holy faith and furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ and to live in the readyness of His imminent return will help keep us faithful.  May all glory be to God as we live by His grace.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 25:14-30; Philippians 2:3-8 ESV.  Also Bible Study, Parables - The Greatest Stories Ever Told by John White, Lesson 9 - Parable of the Talents.

Sing, Let the Beauty of Jesus, along with divine love and Wasted Years, along with Rex Allen, and Must I Go Empty Handed, along with Risen Lord.

Strengthened and Encouraged

 

At first, the townsfolk thought they were gods come down from wherever their gods came down from, and wanted to worship and make offerings to Barnabas and Paul.  Then they completely flipped and targeted Paul for stoning.  They dragged him out of the city and left him for dead.

That had to have taken a toll on Paul's body but he got up, and went back into the city, perhaps to recuperate and have a night's rest.  But the next day he was off to Derbe, preaching.

I try to imagine the pain he must have been in unless there had been divine healing.  But he did not dwell on it.  He and Barnabas are seen to be ...

 " ... strengthening and encouaraging the disciples in that city."

There does seem to be a hint of his discomfort though as they remark to these believers, 

"that through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God" (v 22).

Barnabas and Paul were able to stay on point through it all.  It reminds me of Jesus who set His face - always with the purpose of His mission in view.  No matter what He encountered from the crowds or the religious leaders, His compass was set and He continued towards His mark; that is, the cross and the plan of salvation.

Many churches have their set visions and missions and purpose statements.  It's good to take note, not only of our own individual work the Lord sets before us but to also be a part of what's happening in the body of Christ in our local church.

May we too be,

"[strengthened] in our souls, [encouraged] to continue in the faith ..." (v.  22) and by these, endure persecution and tribulations."

Then with 

"prayer and fasting, commit ourselves to the Lord in whom [we] have believed" (v. 23).

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 14:22-23 ESV.

Sing, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (On Christ the Solid Rock), along with Reawaken.

Book Review - Collateral Damage - Sam Cogley - Publication Date: 24 March 2026

 Despite the brute force intensity of the narrative not being my cup of tea, I'd say the story is well written and the curated suspense did carry me through to the story's end.  The small town setting and townspeople take the brunt of all the drama.  There was some relief when some good people were identified among all the bad guys.

Whichever potential reader likes to read about lots of violence, high-speed chases, murder, gunslinging and mystery, I believe this book will very likely appeal to them.  In spite of this there was a spot or two of humor that had me laughing right out loud.  This helped to temper some of the evil and more graphic descriptions.

This is the second book in the Dane Winter series.  It could be read as a stand alone but curiosity may nudge a reader to seek out the first.

                                               ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                              March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary reveiw copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Filled With Joy

 I think a person will never know how they'll stand up under persecution until it happens to them.  We hope and pray we'll have the courage to endure and persevere, we don't necessarily think we will be filled with joy even despite it.

That's why the verse in Acts 13 gets to me. After Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and driven out of the district they had been preaching in, 

" ... the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit" (vs 52 ESV).

That doesn't mean they were happy Paul and Barnabas had had to leave the area, rather that they had the joy of the Lord through the Holy Spirit and perhaps lived well enough in that knowledge and understanding to have gotten folks riled up enough to be persecuted.  They had been sincere.

Earlier, before the persecution started, these new Gentile believers had ...

 " ... began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, ..." (vs 48).

They'd heard the Word of the Lord and it brought them joy.  After the persecution began, they were still "filled with joy."

The joy of the Lord must have been their strength (see Nehemiah 8:10).  I feel that that second part of vs 53 is also a key to their joy and strength despite the tribulation that almost immediately descended upon them when they believed the Lord's word.

That key being the Holy Spirit.  They were filled with Him.  This brought joy and courage.  We believers today are too and can have similiar joy and strength.

It's good to hold these thoughts in our hearts and minds.  Pray that we too, will be able to endure and persevere despite any persecution that may descend upon us.  May the Lord and His Word and His presence with us be our strength.

So be it, Father God.  Amen.

                                                ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 13 ESV.

Sing, Wonderful Words of Life, along with Joslin Grove Choral.

Meeting Barnabas Again

 

We first meet Barnabas when he gets his name changed from Joseph to Barnabas.  As is likely recalled, this name means, 'son of encouragement.'  As we trace some of his further ministries among early Christians, we can see he is true to his name, plus other facets of his character and godly Christian living.

The apostles could trust Barnabas.  When they heard a great number of people had come to Christ in Antioch, they sent him to Antioch.  Here he taught the new believers to

 "remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose" (vs 23).

He could exhort them like this because he practiced it himself.  He is described as being

 "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (vs24).

In the back of his mind, was Saul of Tarsus.  True to his character, he went in search of him, bringing him back to Antioch.  They stayed a

 "whole year" and "met with the church and taught a great many people" (vs 26).

In many ways Barnabas was Saul's mentor.  Together they taught.  Together they built up trust among the people of God and in the minds of the elders.  When "relief," which I take to mean "monetary funds," was needed to be sent, these two brothers were entrusted to bring the sum to the Judean believers who were in need.

I really like to see these qualities in a brother.  He didn't flaunt himself either. He went quietly, obediently and humbly where he was sent and most needed.  He left many good things in his wake.  As he walked humbly in the fear of the Lord, he accomplished much for Christ.  He did not waste his years.

May we each have the same effect on our own sphere of people we meet; on the saved as well as the yet to be saved.

So be it, Father God.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 11:18-30 ESV.

Sing, Worthy of the Calling, along with Pete Carlson and Pete Akers.

Link:  God's Sons and Daughter of Encouragement.

Moved With Compassion

 "Jesus was indignant" NIV.  "And Jesus, moved with compassion (KJV), stretched out His hand (ESV) and touched him, and said to him, "I will' be clean"  (ESV).  Mark 1:41 NIV, KJV, ESV.

The main motivating force here appears to be Jesus' indignation and His compassion.  He had lookd at the desperate leper, imploring and kneeling, asking for himself to be made clean.  Secondly, Jesus' willingness to do just that.  Thirdly, His capability and abilty to heal and make another clean.  This is what Jesus does.

Not everyone with ability and capability is willing to be motivated towards certain action. Jesus' pity and compassion, and no doubt love for all, gave that willingness 'to do something'.  In this case, to cleanse the leper.

Incidently, no one was supposed to touch a leper.  What's more, lepers were supposed to keep their distance from others and even broadcast that they were lepers and unclean if someone tried to approach them.  We can 'get this' because most of us went through the Covid-19 years having to do very similarly (see Leviticus 13 and 14).

They were likely miserable with their condition and because of the distance from others they had to maintain, would be lonely.  They wouldn't have felt another's touch in years.  Not to mention the additional fact that even if someone did touch them, they wouldn't be able to feel the touch anyway.

In light of this, it is so significant that Jesus reached out AND TOUCHED the man in order to heal him and make him clean.  I believe that the faith the leper man had in Jesus' being able to heal him was another huge motivating and contributing force in Jesus' willingness to heal.

This man's faith, combined with Jesus' compassion, brought healing.  If the man had never asked, he may not have received either.  So there are some combining factors, all in all.  Yet the verse,

"Ask, and it will be given you ..." (Matthew 7:7 & 8 ESV)

gives a word of caution to not treat Jesus as a genie or charm. The asking is not for getting materially or even necessarily physically.  Of greater import is to learn dependance on Jesus and to see and know His compassion.

When we ask, seek and knock, in faith, the Lord knows we mean business.  There may not always be the miracle cure we expect, but there will be something to receive, find, and that will be opened.  Jesus is our compassionate friend and Savior.  We can trust Him to ...

" ... stretch out His hand ..."

and give us what's needed in His perfect timing and according to His perfect purposes for our lives.

This is the emphasis I actually want to pinpoint here.  It is the fact of Jesus' compassion, which moved Him to "stretch out His hand."  It touches my heart and I feel gratitude towards Jesus.  It reminds me, that each of us can in faith, implore Him, even on our knees,  for what we so desparately need.  Then wait and see what He'll do.

Jesus, Friend unfailing, how dear you are to us.  What can we even say?  Your love never fails and neither does Your compassion.  Your mercies are new every morning.  We cannot say thank You enough.  But in gratitude from the inner sanctum core of our hearts we give You as heartfelt thanks as possible that You do reach out and touch us with Your everlasting hand.  Thank You, Jesus.  Your name is above all names.

                                                   ~  ERC  march 2026  ~

Basedon on Mark 1:41 KJV/ESV/NIV.

Sing, Compassion, along with Stuart Townend and Keith and Kristyn Getty.