Tag: Paul

Daily Word

Acts 20

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Read Acts 20 – It’s like a divine scavenger hunt.  Did you discover the miracle?  The treasure? The drive?  The blessing? 

First, Paul is saying goodbye to the believers in Troas, and no one wants the preaching to end.  He goes on until midnight.  One believer, Eutychus, was lulled to sleep, causing him to fall to his death from the 3rd story.  Paul took him into his arms and declared, “Don’t worry.  He is alive,” :10.  And sure enough the man was taken home, alive and well, :12.  MIRACLE! 

Paul moves on the next day by land and sea to Ephesus.  There he declares the message, simply and clearly:  “I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike – the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.”  :21.  Beloved, that is the TREASURE! 

And Paul speaks about his hardships, and the fact that he provided for himself, and he is glad for it because he knows he represented Jesus full and well.  “I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know,” :26-27.  DRIVE! 

And Paul leaves them with this assurance:  “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself,” :32.  And that, Beloved, is the BLESSING! 

My prayer for all of us is that we see these things in Acts 20, and that we see these things in our own lives as well.  Beloved, be aware and alive to the miracles, treasure, drive and blessings that are all part of a life lived for Jesus our Savior!

Daily Word

Acts 19

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Read Acts 19 – Paul is on his third missionary journey. 

Let’s recall that Paul was a Pharisee; he would have known the Torah by heart (that is the first 5 books of the Old Testament).  He had a unique and dramatic conversion to Christianity by Jesus; and it is estimated that he spent about 10 years getting solid in his faith before his first missionary journey. 

Early in my walk with Jesus, I felt so inadequate.  I wanted to share like Paul, but I didn’t know God’s Word so well.  My friend reminded me that Paul didn’t just walk out of the house on Straight Street (Acts 9:11) and set sail.  The Holy Spirit took his time preparing him. 

Beloved, that same Holy Spirit is walking this journey within you as well.  You may not be aware of all he is preparing you for, just trust that Jesus has your life in his hand and you are important in your own way for the work he designed you for. 

…And now a little highlight from our passage:  Sometimes obstacles will attack your faith that have nothing to do with you. 

In verses :23-41 there is an encounter stirred up by a silversmith named Demetrius.  He manufactures silver shrines for the Greek goddess, Artemis, and Paul preached that handmade god’s weren’t really gods at all, :26.  Demetrius presented his greed as false concern for Artemis, and gathered a riot against Paul and those with him.  The town was thrown into confusion.  In fact, most of them didn’t know why they were there, :33.  The mayor is able to halt the frenzy with a call to logic.  This is a matter for the courts, not mob justice. 

Beloved, when revival comes, the devil is also at work to kill, steal and destroy. Expect opposition from strange places when you are walking out your faith.💪🤺🙏💖🙏💪

Daily Word

Acts 18

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Read Acts 18 – Jesus meets people on the most ironic avenues. 

Paul leaves Athens and goes to Corinth (later he will write letters to them as recorded in 1st and 2nd Corinthians).  There he meets a couple named Aquila and Priscilla who arrived from Italy because Claudius Caesar deported all the Jews from Rome, :1-3. Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, lived and worked together because they were all three tentmakers.  

Beloved, not all kingdom work takes place in church.  You may find yourself surfing or at a coffee house or at work… any number of places… only to discover it’s right where God wants you… you don’t even have to take up tent-making. 

Paul gets a vision from the Lord, telling him, “Don’t be afraid!  Speak out!  Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”(:9-10)  He remained there teaching for about 18 months until a little reality tv breaks out, :12-17.  The courtroom scene was almost comical, right? 

Beloved, with God on your side there is nothing to fear. 

Some time after that, Paul sets out on another missionary journey with Aquila and Priscilla, :18.  The Jews in Ephesus asked Paul to stay on teaching, he declined, but left the others behind.  An eloquent, well studied, Jew named Apollos begins teaching about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit in Ephesus.  Aquila and Priscilla took him aside and explained things even further, and Apollos went on to be a great benefit to furthering the Gospel. 

Beloved, shine where you are – for Paul and Apollos, it was under the spotlight – for Aquila and Priscilla, it was in using their hospitality and mentorship to come alongside others, guarding the Gospel from the sidelines.  “Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, will shine like the stars forever.”  Daniel 12:3

Daily Word

Acts 17

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Read Acts 17 – Courageous, discerning and wise… these are some of the traits Paul, Silas, Timothy, Jason and the believers in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens illustrated.  May I confess?  I came to Christ as a skeptical non-believer.  I thought Christians were the exact opposite of what we read about here.  I had questions with an underlying sneer of superiority.  Paul reached out to people like me in these places.  He risked and suffered greatly to get the Truth out. 

I love what he discovered in Berea, people who were eager for truth and searched the Scriptures daily to see if things were as Paul said, :11.  Many believed, but the haters from Thessalonica learned this; they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds, :13. 

The believers escorted Paul to Athens.  There he walked about town and saw all kinds of statues commemorating various gods.  He even saw one dedicated to the unknown god, and that was an open door.  Verse :23 shows us how he met the locals where they were at and introduced Jesus.  It’s a beautiful, wise and honoring way to help his audience receive the Good News.  The mission was highly successful, and good seeds were planted. 

Beloved, do you still have questions?  What is in the way of your whole and complete surrender?  Nothing is grounded in truth like Jesus.  The bible can stand up to your questions because it is God’s true Word.  And when you find yourself on solid ground, tell others!

Daily Word

Acts 16

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Read Acts 16 – Meet Timothy, Lydia and the jailer, and see how God meets us where we are at. 

Timothy is a highly respected believer, son of a Jewish mother and Greek father.  Did you find it odd that Paul circumcised him just one chapter after it was determined that circumcision wasn’t necessary?  This was done as an act of love to the Jews.  They knew Timothy’s father was Greek, therefore, Timothy would not have been circumcised, and the Jews wouldn’t have received him.  This was a “know your audience” thing. Later Paul would write, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”  1 Corinthinians 9:22b. 

They journey with Silas, and notice how the Lord directs their path.  He keeps them out of Asia and Bithynia, and directs them to Macedonia.  Check it out on a map if you can; it is quite a journey. 

In Macedonia they are directed to a place by the river for prayer on the Sabbath, :13.  This hints at the fact there would not have been a Temple in town. But despite this, there is a gathering of women with hearts for God.  One woman in particular is Lydia.  The Lord opened her heart to respond to Pauls message, and she and her household were baptized.  She persuaded Paul and company to stay at her house.  Lydia was a woman of strong character, persuasion and means. 

Read on to meet the slave with a spirit of divination, who harrasses Paul and company for days.  That encounter leads to their arrest, and another miracle, and more souls saved – all for God’s glory! 

Beloved, I hope you enjoyed Chapter 16 as much as I did!  To me it says our past doesn’t matter.  It is never too late to become brand new.  It says that things that aren’t fair – like Paul and Silas’s beating and arrest – may happen, but Jesus has purpose that far outweighs the earthly pain.

Daily Word

Acts 15

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Read Acts 15 – Disagreement does not negate the faith. 

Disagreement over circumcision breaks out between some men from Antioch and Paul and Barnabas.  The church decided to send them all to Jerusalem, so they could go before the apostles. This is important and both sides have passionate arguments for their view.  Notice that both were willing to pursue the matter to resolve. 

Together, they did come to resolve, deciding the most basic tenets for the new believers are to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. 

Beloved, be willing to work things out, take them to church leadership if you must, but work towards resolve.  There was great joy for the Gentile believers as they read this encouraging message. (15:1-31) 

Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas stayed on encouraging and strengthening the Antioch believers for some time.  Down the road Paul and Barnabas decided to return to the cities where they had preached to see how the believers were doing, but they came to a personal disagreement as to bringing John Mark along.  Scripture does not indicate favor for either side, but records they decided to split.  Barnabas took John Mark to Cypress, and Paul took Silas to strengthen the churches throughout Syria and Cilicia.

Beloved, this division did not lead to resolve between the men, but it did lead to God’s glory in that they reached more places than they would have together.  Is God calling you to something different?  What’s holding you back?

Daily Word

Acts 14

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Read Acts 14 – Victory and persecution – Oh my heart!  Why do you suppose the Gospel is so clear and precious to some, while others despise it?  And for those who despise it, it’s not a simple, “No thank you.”  They want to destroy the messengers.

Barnabas and Paul preached boldly and the Lord proved their message to be true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders, :3.  A mob incited against them and they fled to Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach.  While Paul was preaching he locked eyes with a crippled man, realized the man had faith, and called him to stand up!  The man did (Yay!) and the crowd went crazy – but too crazy – they began to worship Paul and Barnabas, thinking them to be the Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes (Oops!).  Paul and Barnabas tore their robes in dismay and immediately urged the crowd to stop worshipping them and worship God. 

Beloved, may this serve as a caution to you in either direction.  If you are serving the Lord and people praise you for it, be quick to turn that praise to Jesus Christ. Likewise, if you find yourself thinking more highly of your pastor, or anyone, than Jesus, examine your heart, repent and give all glory to God Almighty. 

The rollercoaster of victory and persecution continues.  Our apostles keep the faith and keep going. 

Beloved, be victory minded.  Persecution will come, deal with it, flee when it’s time to flee, and press on with and for Jesus Christ. To Him be the Glory! ❣☝🙌🙏🙌☝❣

Daily Word

Acts 13

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Read Acts 13 – Living for Christ is a life on the move!   And if one is to live on the move for Jesus, one best know how to connect.   Verse :2 gives us insight, saying,  “while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting…”  Worship can be done in song, in words of gratitude and adoration, in prayer… and fasting fine tunes one’s physical body to the Lord, as hunger rumbles,  dependence on Jesus satisfies. 

These church leaders had a clear and united direction from the Holy Spirit.   They laid hands and prayed for Barnabas and Paul/ Saul, and sent them on mission to Cyprus. 

In :4-13 these two men encounter a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar- Jesus.  In dealing with him, the proconsul saw, was amazed and believed.   Beloved,  God acts in multifaceted ways.   When you face conflict, it may be about much more than the situation at hand. Stay in the game.

Paul and Barnabas continue on the move and are invited to give encouragement in the temple.  Paul gives a Jewish history overview then moves on to Jesus, and Salvation.   It’s excellent and they reached the hearts of Jews and Gentiles… although not every Jew thought the Good News was good, and some conspired against them.

Beloved, enjoy this action packed chapter.  Imagine yourself in their shoes,  Paul,  Barnabas, the listeners… I pray God’s Word goes deep in your heart. 😍❣🙏❣😍

Daily Word

Acts 11

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Read Acts 11 – “And since God gave these Gentiles the same gifts He gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” 11:17.  Beloved, don’t hold back.  Jesus is for everyone.  Don’t let someone’s upbringing or way of life make you refrain from sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.  No one is outside of His reach. 

Next we see more of the good fruit Jesus is bringing from Stephen’s martyrdom, as the Gospel is spread by the scattered believers to the regions of Phoenicia, Cypress and Antioch of Syria.  Beloved, God never wastes a hurt! 

Barnabas… I would very much like to be friends with him based on what Scripture says.  He was quick to joy.  He sought out Paul (This is about a decade after Paul’s conversion), and they began teaching together back in Antioch for a full year.  He is called ‘a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith’(:24).

God’s Word mentions that the believers were first called Christians at Antioch(:26).  It was meant as a derogatory insult, but I am honored to be one, as they were. 

Beloved, do you get a sense as to how alive the church was in Antioch?  It is vibrant with faith, unity and a hunger to know Jesus more and more.  Do you get that in your church?  Why don’t you start with you and see what the Holy Spirit does with it from there? Show up eager, full of faith and joy, like Barnabas and Paul. 😃😍💘🙏💘😍😃

Daily Word

Acts 8

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Read Acts 8 – Stephen has just become the first Christian to be martyred.  He is the kernel of wheat – and now persecution is breaking out, scattering believers from Jerusalem in Judea and Samaria (:1). 

Philip begins to preach in Samaria and great crowds gathered and believed.  One man, a sorcerer named Simon, believed and was baptized.  He followed Philip in amazement.  Such great work was taking place that Peter and John were sent.  They laid hands on the people and they received the Holy Spirit.  Simon wanted this ability and offered to pay for it.  Yikes, bad motives.  He wanted the gift for the show of it.  He wanted to continue to amaze people as he had as a sorcerer, but with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Peter rebuked him and told him to repent. 

Beloved, you may get caught up in jealousy, bitterness, or the like.  It happens (especially in parking lots this time of year).  Be quick to confess and surrender to Christ’s care and control.  The law is there to show you your need for a Savior more than to condemn you. 

Next Philip comes upon an Ethiopian Eunuch who is reading from the book of Isaiah (in the old testament).  It is the portion of prophecy that speaks about Jesus.  Philip explains everything and the Eunuch wants to be baptized on the spot!  As soon as this happens the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away – MIRACLE ALERT!  The Eunuch goes on rejoicing. 

This Eunuch was the queen’s treasurer.  He was a powerful and influential man and he carried the Good News into Ethiopia.  The Coptic Christians today trace their spiritual heritage to him (according to a commentary by David Guzik).  Beloved, be alert and obedient to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  Whether you are addressing a crowd or a single person – be obedient and trust the Holy Spirit with the outcome.