Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. At one point while Stan was enjoying what Cook had prepared, he stopped and said, “Do you ever get provoked by how the world rejects God and why He sent Jesus into the world?”
“Provoked? Sure, I get provoked by what the world does in rejecting God. Why do you ask?”
“That’s what I was focusing on in my journaling time earlier this morning,” Stan replied. “How the apostle Paul was provoked by what he saw in Athens and how what he did is an example for us.”
“How so?”
“When Paul was in Athens, he was provoked by all the idols he saw.”
“Idols? We don’t have idols, do we?”
“We sure do,” Stan replied. “An idol is anything that takes the place of God, and the world is full of things that take the place of God.”
“Okay,” I said, “so what’d Paul do about being provoked?”
“He went into the synagogue and the marketplace and reasoned with people about the truth of God and His provision of life through Jesus.”
“So,” I replied, “Paul was provoked and he did something about it.”
“Exactly,” Stan agreed, “and it’s the same for us. If we’re provoked by how the world disregards God and His provision of Jesus, we shouldn’t just sit around being provoked, we should do something about it!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was beholding the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. Acts of the Apostles 17:16-17.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Mathew 28:19-20.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, and even though I get provoked by the world’s disregard of you, I confess that too often I don’t go anywhere to tell anyone anything about you and your provision of abundant life through Jesus. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve provided. Help me follow every step of your lead in being provoked by what the world does, and in actually doing something to bring the truth to the provoking world. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the provoking truth of God’s provision of life with Him through the cross of Christ? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from Him both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, are you provoked by how the world disregards God and His provision through Jesus? If so, are you doing any thing about that? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to not only accept the provoking truth of His provision of life with Him, but what He knows you need to be provoked by the world’s rejection of Him and to do something about your provocation? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?