On September 2, Oklahoma State University successfully performed a corrective procedure on a puppy born with her paws upside-down. The rat terrier was born with her paws facing upward instead of downward. The problem was actually in the elbows, which had come out of joint early in life, causing a rotation of the lower front limbs and an inability to walk. The most she could do was crawl, but this was uncomfortable and poorly-suited for a dog’s life.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us in Acts 17 about the apostle Paul preaching in the Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica. His message was that Jesus had suffered on the cross and rose again, and that He was the Messiah that God had promised to the Jewish people for thousands of years. Some Jews believed Paul’s message, as well as a great multitude of those who were not Jews, including some important women in their city.
Unfortunately, those Jews who did not believe Paul’s message were envious of the response to Paul’s message. They gathered a group of men who were troublemakers, and caused an uproar in the city of Thessalonica. Paul and his companion in the ministry, whose name was Silas, were staying at the home of a man named Jason. A mob of people went to the home of Jason, but Paul and Silas were not there, so they took Jason to the rulers of the city to make a complaint against Paul and Silas. They accusef them of “turning the world upside down” in other places, and they were doing the same thing in Thessalonica. As a result of the actions of the mob, Paul and Silas left the city of Thessalonica and went by night to a city named Berea, where they were well received.
Those who oppose the preaching of the gospel will always find a way to discredit those seeking to preach this message. They will find something that is not usually true or distort the truth to their own advantage, which is what the mob in Thessalonica had done. But the truth of the matter is that Paul and Silas did exactly the opposite of what they were accused. Instead of turning the world upside-down, they were actually turning the world “right side up”. The world in which Paul and Silas lived was controlled by the evil Roman Empire, and believers were falsely accused and persecuted for their beliefs. Paul and Silas were preaching a gospel that was able to transform the lives of people for good, and that is exactly what believers should be doing today. The world needs Jesus, and believers should tell the world about Him.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
