When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Acts 16

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. v7

I have previously posted here how God is unstoppable - if He really wants something to happen He would make it happen, regardless of what we do...similarly, if He really does NOT want something to happen He would be able stop something from happening.

God IS in control.

Jonah tried to stop God's plans but was thwarted...see here.

Isaiah noted how God is in control:

For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
    His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27

 

That does not mean we must sit idly back...we may fall prey to Satan.  Jesus told His disciples:

"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away." John 16:1

 

Satan is real and we must be careful to not fall away.  We will fall away if we are not focused on Jesus...near Jesus...and working actively to honor and please Jesus.

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed THE great God...the only God for me.  The Name Above All Names...King of Kings.  You chose me and I am indeed blessing by Your love...by Your sacrifice.  I am not worth such love and sacrifice.  I am lazy and not in action working for You.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from and overcome such sin...help me turn instead towards You.  Help me understand Your message for me today.  Help me apply and be obedient to Your message.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

 

 

 

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Acts 16

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. v3

We are commanded by Jesus to grow God's Kingdom - see Matthew 28:19-20:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Key to the Great Commission is to build up and encourage disciple-makers such as Paul did with Timothy.  Encourage those with gifts and passion to develop those gifts and passions for the glory of God.  As a more mature (relatively speaking) Christian I am to develop younger less mature Christians along their journey.

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and You have blessed me with Your guidance through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and through older Christian men who have helped me, and I know You want me to play that role for others...I know however that I am selfish with my time or I worry about my abilities to play this role.  I know You love me anyway so thank You Jesus but please forgive me for my sin of worry and selfishness.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me, apply this message and be obedient to this message.

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. v39-40

Although Barnabas and Paul had a sharp disagreement, it did not stop them from moving forward with their mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Eventually, Barnabas and Paul reconcile - see 1 Corinthians 9:6.*  Another lesson* to be gleaned here is that believers should submit to those in higher authority in the church.

This is consistent with scripture elsewhere: 

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 1 Peter 2:18

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God and You have provided many people in my life that have led me, coached me, pastored to me, mentored me, etc.  I know You have put these people in my life.  I am deeply grateful for Your guidance through these people Jesus.  Yet sometimes I am not grateful and I reject Your guidance.  I am sorry Lord.  Help me overcome such sin and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today.  Help me be obedient and apply this message.

*MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 48518-48520). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.

Acts 14

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. v20

Faith is a race...a long race...and we are to be persistent and we are to have endurance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2.

Elsewhere in scripture we are admonished for trying to be first...by focusing on our own status but here we are encouraged to focus on glorifying Jesus with a zeal to win FOR CHRIST.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

My Prayer:  Lord, You are indeed an awesome God...creator and capable of all things....all knowing and full of love for me and all humanity.  Even though we sin...You see me and everyone else as perfect and deserving of grace.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love, blessing and kindness...I am selfish, lazy, prideful, quick to anger, slow to listen, full of envy, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus...help me turn from my sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith...help me be obedient to apply Your message for me today.

So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.

Acts 13

So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. v51

It is clear that believers are to set apart from the rest of the world...just as the Israelites were God's chosen people and commanded to live a certain way so to be "set apart".  Jesus wants His followers to be a light...clear to those who see them:  

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14

Paul and Barnabas wanted no part of the Jews' who witnessed the works of Jesus and heard heard his words and teachings yet failed to believe.  Their response according to John McArthur "is clear that they considered the Jews at Antioch no better than heathen. There could have been no stronger condemnation."*  We are to be set apart...and Paul tells us how in Romans 12:2:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your will and Your ways are Truth and "no word of [Yours] will ever fail".  You have never failed me and You never will.  I trust You Jesus and I love You...yet I still struggle with sin and I desperately need You in my life.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, prideful, and harsh with my words and action.  My list of sin is ever longer...I am deeply sorry Lord - Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply and be obedient to Your message for me today. 

*MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Location 48398). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  

Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

Acts 13

Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. v39

As Paul begins his missionary journeys - sent by the Holy Spirit - he proclaims the above key point..."everyone who believes".  This is key because for us to be obedient to Jesus two greatest commandments as stated in Matthew 22:37-40, we must truly believe in who Jesus is, what He has done for all of us, what He continues to do for all of us, and what He WILL do for us.  This is all very important.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - everything about You is great - Your love, Your will, Your design, Your power, etc.  Great cannot even begin to describe You.  I know my worship of You is but filthy rags but I feel compelled to worship You anyway because I truly love You and want to follow You.  Yet I continue to sin - I am impatient, I am quick to anger and slow to listen, I am prideful and arrogant, I worry way too much, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me truly believe in WHO You are!

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

Acts 12

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. v24

Much was happening during the early days of the church as chronicled here in Acts and in particular you will see many efforts by the Romans and the Jews alike to quell growth of the church.  Herod had Peter arrested but this did not stop God...

As indicated in my post here, God is unstoppable.  

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

My Prayer: Lord You are indeed great and Your design is great...I have seen it so many times in my life how You have orchestrated events and circumstances for Your glory and my good.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus as I am selfish, impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my words and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and help me be obedient and apply Your message in my life.

"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 10

"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” v43

In this chapter of Acts, Peter has a vision from the Lord that he speak of and offer salvation through Jesus Christ to all - Jews and Gentiles alike.  Keeping in mind that this message is directed not just at Peter but to any believer, myself included, the implication is that we are not in a position to deny speaking about Jesus to anyone....regardless of any explanation we may come up with about why we don't.  We must love others as Jesus does (Matthew 22:39).

My  Prayer: Lord, what a great God You are that You are able to love anyone and everyone..and of course suffer and die for all who believe in You.  You offer an amazing gift...and ask only in return that we believe and love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  How cool are You!  I am not worth such a God as You.  I selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, lazy, selfish, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply Your message for me today.  Help me spread the news of Jesus Christ as much as I possibly can.

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”....I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

Acts 10

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” v15....I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. v34-35.

If only I could see and love others as Jesus sees them.  I am commanded to in Matthew 22:37-40 yet I know I fall short.  The key is of course is fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and focusing on a renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord You are awesome!  What a beautiful fall day it is and what a beautiful place You created here in Raleigh, NC.  The fall colors are amazing!  I know You created this for me to enjoy but I am not worth such love and blessing...I fall short as all do.  I am selfish, I steal, I am harsh with my words and actions, I am quick to anger and slow to listen...there is of course more!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help grow in my faith.  Help me apply today's message You have for me.  Help me fix my eyes on You and renew my mind.

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Acts 9

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. v31

We must live in reverence (awe) of the Lord AND be encouraged by the fact that Jesus is WITH us all the time through the Holy Spirit.  Reverence of the Lord is commanded by God and the Holy Spirit supports our efforts to love and revere God because God is just and He loves us...he chose us and then died on the cross for us.  He continues to be available to us anywhere and anytime...why would we not revere and love such a God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - indeed You are a great God!  I marvel in how You create the seasons and the beauty of nature.  You do this for me!  How great and kind You are.  I am not worth such love and blessing. I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my words and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be always in awe and in love with You.

"This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel."

Acts 9

"This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." v15

Amazing that Jesus CHOSE us...knowing everything about us, including our sin.  God DOES have a plan for us all...and it is a great plan. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...it is amazing how You can redeem imperfect beings like me and use me for Your perfect will and glory!  You are truly amazing!  I am not worth the sacrifice You made on my behalf, nor for the many blessings You have provided and continue to provide today (and tomorrow, etc.).  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my words and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply Your message for me today...Help me understand how You chose me and You have great plans for me!

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Acts 8

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. v1

After the stoning of Stephen (see post yesterday), it would be understandable if the apostles also scattered but interestingly they did not.   Note that all, except the apostles, were scattered...even the NKJV uses the word except.  

Will I stand my ground in the face of opposition to my faith...whatever form of opposition that might be.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  Your hand, designs, will, might, grace, mercy, etc. are all perfect...everything about You is perfect.  You even see me as perfect....You provide second chances when I don't deserve them...I am not worth such blessing. I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient and harsh with others, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  In the face of opposition, help me stand my ground with my faith.

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. v60.

As Stephen was being stoned to death by the Sanhedrin, he clung to Jesus to the end.  The way Luke writes this verse it is if these WERE his last words.  THIS is love...in the face of anger, hate, AND mortal physical harm, Stephen instead responds with love.

Two of the greatest commands have to do with love:

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

Loving to this extent REQUIRES a renewing of the mind:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord, You are love...everything You do defines love...love of Your children...even though we sin and fall short of Your glory.  You love us and see us as perfect in Your eyes.  Amazing!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I take Your name in vain, I am quick to anger, slow to listen, prideful, arrogant, selfish, etc.  Thank you that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith and help me apply Your teachings in my life.  Help me love. 

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. v15

This story demonstrates the power of Satan, hate, and how a hardened heart leads to sin.  The Jewish leaders KNEW that Stephen was innocent AND that He was set apart in ways that God wanted the Jews to be set apart.  Yet despite this, the Jewish leaders hardened hearts led them to kill Stephen.

We must fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great beyond description.  I have personally seen Your might in my life and in the life of others.  Just recently You brought my mom to belief in You.  This is ONLY something You could have done.  Amazing.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my words, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith and help me avoid a hardening of my heart - help me fix my eyes on You and the renewing of my mind.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 5

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. v41-42

What's amazing is that Peter and John had just been thrown in jail and flogged and then their response was to keep praising Jesus and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The question and challenge for me of course is: to what extent am I thankful for the blessings I have received and as confident as Peter and John?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - Your name is great, Your ways are great, Your acts are great...You are perfect beyond description and while I grumble about my life...I should be thankful that I have YOU!  You are all I need.  Thank You Jesus that You adopted ME into YOUR family.  I am not worth such an act of love.  I am selfish, I grumble constantly...I worry...etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me stand FIRM in my faith as Peter and John do.