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"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too" (Acts 17:6).
I really enjoy maps and globes. Near Freeport, Maine is the headquarters of the DeLorme Map Company. In the lobby there is a huge globe completely made up of satellite images of the entire earth. They call the globe "Eartha", which sort of sounds like a feminine goddess to me! It is the largest rotating and revolving globe in the world, measuring 42 feet in diameter and comprised of 140 gigabytes of information. When we are up that way in Maine along Rt. 1 we always stop by to see it. I recall once when Ester and I walked around it and quoted from John 3:16, which is the clearest verse in the Bible stating God's love for the world.
I wonder about something and have yet to find the answer. Globes and maps depict the northern hemisphere as up and the southern hemisphere as down. Is this only the case from our conventional perspective or is there an objective reason this is so? Is there an up and down out in space?
This brings to mind the daily Scripture text. It is a powerful expression of the world's perspective on the mighty impact the early church had on the earth. It is specifically referring to the ministry of the Apostle Paul and those who traveled with him as they proclaimed the message of Christ in Thessalonica. Apparently their reputation had preceded them. Their message was so absolutely transforming that it was said to "have turned the world upside down."
Indeed, wherever the true message of Jesus Christ goes, it has a transforming impact. This impact will be on individuals, families, communities and entire cultures. It's important to realize that the transformation is upside down from the world's perspective but right side up according to God's created design! That's why it is so important that we, as followers of Christ, spend time reading, studying, memorizing and obeying God's owner's manual, the Bible.
This morning I recall a special moment in my personal discipleship when a fellow believer shared with me a spiritual concept based on Romans 12:2. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." That was 32 years ago. The process of breaking conformity to the world and transforming into spiritual conformity to Christ continues in my life through the renewing of my mind. There have been some setbacks along the way but God continues the process and I am assured that He will carry it on to completion until the day He appears.
"Lord, open our eyes to just how upside down the world is and transform us in Christ to being right side up according to your created design. Amen."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Note from Brooksyne
- Stephen took me out for a very nice meal at the Shady Maple last
Friday for my birthday treat – the big 50! (I'd recommend it to anyone
in the area.) Thank you to the Daily Encouragement readers who sent
birthday greetings. I did notice several of them in quite large type –
thank you for your consideration of my "aging" eyes.) Ester pulled a
surprise birthday party on me Friday evening. The home where we picked
her up after our time at the Shady Maple looked as usual – no extra
cars or anything, so I didn't grow suspicious. When they opened the
door the light came on with a loud "Surprise!" And was I ever
surprised. They presented me with the party hat and red feathers.
Ester asked them to wear red since that's my favorite color and many of
them did so. It was a very nice evening. How wonderful to have
friends and family that show their love!
Here's info about the large globe referred to in today's message.
Listen to this
message Donate
to this ministry
Monday, October 24, 2005
"Right Side Up!"
"Right Side Up!"
"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too" (Acts 17:6).
I really enjoy maps and globes. Near Freeport, Maine is the headquarters of the DeLorme Map Company. In the lobby there is a huge globe completely made up of satellite images of the entire earth. They call the globe "Eartha", which sort of sounds like a feminine goddess to me! It is the largest rotating and revolving globe in the world, measuring 42 feet in diameter and comprised of 140 gigabytes of information. When we are up that way in Maine along Rt. 1 we always stop by to see it. I recall once when Ester and I walked around it and quoted from John 3:16, which is the clearest verse in the Bible stating God's love for the world.
I wonder about something and have yet to find the answer. Globes and maps depict the northern hemisphere as up and the southern hemisphere as down. Is this only the case from our conventional perspective or is there an objective reason this is so? Is there an up and down out in space?
This brings to mind the daily Scripture text. It is a powerful expression of the world's perspective on the mighty impact the early church had on the earth. It is specifically referring to the ministry of the Apostle Paul and those who traveled with him as they proclaimed the message of Christ in Thessalonica. Apparently their reputation had preceded them. Their message was so absolutely transforming that it was said to "have turned the world upside down."
Indeed, wherever the true message of Jesus Christ goes, it has a transforming impact. This impact will be on individuals, families, communities and entire cultures. It's important to realize that the transformation is upside down from the world's perspective but right side up according to God's created design! That's why it is so important that we, as followers of Christ, spend time reading, studying, memorizing and obeying God's owner's manual, the Bible.
This morning I recall a special moment in my personal discipleship when a fellow believer shared with me a spiritual concept based on Romans 12:2. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." That was 32 years ago. The process of breaking conformity to the world and transforming into spiritual conformity to Christ continues in my life through the renewing of my mind. There have been some setbacks along the way but God continues the process and I am assured that He will carry it on to completion until the day He appears.
"Lord, open our eyes to just how upside down the world is and transform us in Christ to being right side up according to your created design. Amen."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Note from Brooksyne
- Stephen took me out for a very nice meal at the Shady Maple last
Friday for my birthday treat – the big 50! (I'd recommend it to anyone
in the area.) Thank you to the Daily Encouragement readers who sent
birthday greetings. I did notice several of them in quite large type –
thank you for your consideration of my "aging" eyes.) Ester pulled a
surprise birthday party on me Friday evening. The home where we picked
her up after our time at the Shady Maple looked as usual – no extra
cars or anything, so I didn't grow suspicious. When they opened the
door the light came on with a loud "Surprise!" And was I ever
surprised. They presented me with the party hat and red feathers.
Ester asked them to wear red since that's my favorite color and many of
them did so. It was a very nice evening. How wonderful to have
friends and family that show their love!Here's info about the large globe referred to in today's message.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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Statement: "I am
created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I
have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My
mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to
prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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