Daily D – Acts 17:33

by David Bowman | Nov 26, 2022 | Daily D | 0 comments

Acts 17:33 At that, Paul left the Council. (NIV)

—

Two great theologians help us understand these six simple words.

The Gambler, according to Kenny Rogers, said, “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em; know when to walk away, and know when to run.”

Dirty Harry said, “A man’s got to know his limitations.”

Paul knew when to walk away. Paul knew the limitations of the people in the theater.

After doing what I do for forty years or so and observing others who do what I do, I have formed the firm opinion that some of my brethren and I could learn a thing or two from Paul at this point.

Read Acts 17:16-34.

Paul started where his new acquaintances stood (verses 16-18). Those who inclined their ears to him invited him to say more and enlarged the circle of listeners (verses 19-21). Paul found common ground and took his stand there (verses 22 and 23). He then began cutting in from the edges of the canvas as he painted a picture they had not seen until then (verses 24-31). Upon this first hearing about Jesus, some sneered. Others were intrigued. Further discussion was scheduled. Paul walked away.

It is at this point where many of my Baptist Brethren would have shouted all the louder and demanded a decision. Paul walked away. Some followed.

Respect begets respect. Hearing invites listening. Truth spoken in love wins hearts and minds.

—

I will respectfully speak the truth in love.

—

Our Father, your gentleness and kindness win more hearts and minds than my loud commands ever will. Reshape my communication skills so that when I walk away, people want to hear and know more of your goodness and grace. Amen.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Daily D – Deuteronomy 29:29

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

Daily D – Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Deuteronomy 26:16-19 “The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.”

Daily D – Deuteronomy 23:4-5

Deuteronomy 23:4, 5 “For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you. However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.”

Daily D – Deuteronomy 17:16-20

Deuteronomy 17:16-20 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and **he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left.** Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.