Paul was on trial before the governor Felix, and he was not convicted of any crime, yet he was confined to the prison and was allowed some liberty so that his friends could attend to him. God was using Paul to speak to the Roman governor during this time, which was an amazing opportunity for Paul because the leader of that region was hearing him about Jesus Christ several times. It is unclear whether Felix became a believer in Christ, but he certainly had the seed of the Word of God planted in him. Father God, please use me in the ways that you know are the best. Please help me to listen and learn wisdom from you.
Monday, July 17, 2017
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Acts 19 through 23 - Jason
Paul is hearing from many prophets as he is returning to Jerusalem from his 2nd missionary journey, and they all tell him that the Holy Spirit is warning that he will be bound and imprisoned in Jerusalem by the Jews. The prophets in turn urge Paul not to go, but he knows that it is better for him to go back and be ready for these things that God said would happen. This reminds me of Jesus going to Jerusalem as part of his ministry path even though he knew that he would be mostly rejected there and crucified--he also knew that he would rise again and this would be the most important achievement of his ministry. Paul followed God's plan for his life even when it included suffering and pain and earthly humiliation. Lord God, please help me to follow you no matter what the cost. Please open my ears to hear from you and my eyes to see what you are leading me and my family to do.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Acts 21 - Nathanael
Crisis in Jerusalem
We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:4
Paul was urged and warned not to go but he knew that God had called him to go. So no matter what would happen he was determined to go.
Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "
Acts 21:11
This is exactly what happened to him later.
Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 21:13
Paul knew that this was God's will for him and he was willing even to die for Jesus.
The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Acts 21:30-31
When spiritual forces are at work, we see how the crisis gets escalated in unimaginable ways.
Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people." After receiving the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic :
Acts 21:39-40 NIV
Paul knew how to relate to people in the best ways depending on the audience. To the Roman soldiers he mentions that he is a Roman citizen and speaks in Greek. To a Jewish audience he speaks in Aramaic.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Acts 19 - Nathanael
Another exiting chapter. It is very active spiritually both in God's power and also in demonic activity.
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Acts 19:5-6
Another case of people believing but not having a complete understanding and not having experienced the Holy Spirit.
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Acts 19:11-12
An exiting description of God doing amazing miracles through Paul.
One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?"
Acts 19:15
A serious reminder that demons are not some small thing to play with. Jesus has complete authority over them, but we by ourselves have none.
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
Acts 19:19
This shows the extent of the influence of witchcraft in the lives of the people then. I'd say that we are somewhat similar these days.
But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
Acts 19:34 NIV
This demonstrates the influence of spiritual forces that a whole city can be thrown into turmoil for hours and people don't even know why.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Acts 18 - Nathanael
Strengthening and encouragement.
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Acts 18:23
After Paul had gone through a region the first time, he later wrung back to strengthen and encourage the new believers in Christ.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
Acts 18:25-26 NIV
Apollos started out as a learned man who spoke and taught well but only understood part of the good news of Jesus. After Priscilla and Aquila told him about the baptism of the Holy Spirit he was even more effective.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Acts 16, 17 and 18 - Jason
Acts 16 is the amazing story of Paul and Silas in Philippi and how they helped a few people to believe in Jesus through some amazing miracles! Lord, I pray that you will help me to know what to do in any situation and not look to save myself first, but think about how my circumstances and my response to them can be used by the Holy Spirit to bring people to Jesus Christ.
Acts 17: I loved to see some details about how Paul taught the people in the Areopagus in Athens. They were pagans, but he used things that he knew about their culture to introduce them to Jesus Christ, and some of the men and women believed. I like to see some of the details of what he said, because I can learn from that. Lord God, please help me to listen to what you want me to say as I speak to others and look for opportunities to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Acts 17 - Nathanael
I love Acts 17, especially Paul's preaching in Athens
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Acts 17:26-27
Some of what I find interesting here are some practical implications of these statements, notably that God has determined when and where we should live - he has a plan for our lives. These statements, along with many examples in scripture, tell me that before I move somewhere I need to pray and get direction and confirmation from God since he has places in mind for me. Many just follow jobs, education or just preference but if we are following Jesus we should ask him where he is wanting us to live.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world God's justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."
Acts 17:30-31 NIV
God is calling everyone everywhere to turn from their previous ways and follow him. Jesus's resurrection is a key proof for God's plans and purposes in Christ
Monday, July 10, 2017
Acts 16 - Nathanael
The excitement continues - miracles, persecution and salvation!
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. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
Acts 16:3-5
I think this is both humerous and instructive. First it is somewhat ironically humerous that Paul had Timothy circumcised in order to deliver a message that gentiles didn't need to be circumcised in order to be saved.
What is instructive is that Paul is being practical and 'all things to all people I order to save some '. He knows tuary Timothy's salvation isn't dependant on circumcision but he doesn't want to have a stumbling block in the way when discussing with the Jews in the area.
When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:7,9-10
It is interesting to see different ways that God is directing Paul. The Holy Spirit stops Paul from going to Bithynia but then God gives him a dream. God is good and he directs his children.
When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.
Acts 16:24-26
First it is surprising how Paul and Silas could be singing after having been beaten. Second it is exciting how God miraculously got them out of jail!
He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
Acts 16:30-31 NIV
These situations are exciting when someone asks how to be saved!
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Acts 15 - Nathanael
Disagreements and a way forward.
In this chapter there are disagreements over the nature of salvation and over ministry partners.
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this questions.
Acts 15:1-2
Here the debate was about the nature of salvation: must a believer in Jesus follow all the old testament law, particularly being circumcised, in order to be saved.
There were disagreements back them just as there will be disagreements now. The question is how to handle them. When they affect the whole church, the appeal is made to the spiritual eldership to pray and consider God's will.
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
Acts 15:28-29
Their determination, led by the Holy Spirit, was that salvation is by the grace of God, not the external actions. However there are some acts of holiness that follow after salvation that were recommended as well.
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.
Acts 15:32 NIV
There are quite a few prophets around.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Acts 14 - Nathanael
Persecution and victory
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
Acts 14:3
There seems to be a common pattern: 1) speaking about Jesus 2) signs that confirm the message.
Signs rarely happen in a vacuum. They point to God and confirm the good news about him.
He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
Acts 14:9-10
Signs often also come when the recipient has faith to be healed. If they don't think it is possible, a miracle is much less likely. Not sure why God does this but it probably goes back to the purpose of the miracle which is to point to God.
The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
Acts 14:13-15
1) Barnabas and Paul refused to be worshipped.
2) the good news calls for people to turn from worthless things to the living God
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. Acts 14:19-20
Quite serious persecution: stoned and left for dead. But they didn't die. That must have been extremely painful. And yet they didn't stop preaching the good news!
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
Acts 14:21-22
They went back to the cities where thru were severely persecuted to strengthen the disciples! Wow! I think most people would avoid those cities from that point on!
Acts 14:3, 9-10, 13-15, 19-22 NIV
Acts 15 - Jason
I'm always interested in this chapter how there is a discussion about whether or not the new believers should adopt Jewish customs and follow the law of Moses or not. Paul and Barnabas argued before the church council that the new believers should not be made to convert to Judaism, but rather they should ask the Holy Spirit what are the requirements for the new covenant. In a letter that was written to the new believers they said that they would not require them to follow the Mosaic laws, but they were to abstain from anything polluted by idols and sexual immorality. This means that they still had to come away from much of their former cultural things and pagan events. We would do well to continue to follow these directions from the early church leaders inspired by the Holy Spirit. Lord please help me to see if there is anything in my house and life that is not pleasing to you that I should get rid of. Please help me to follow you in Jesus' name.
Friday, July 7, 2017
Acts 11, 12, 13 and 14 - Jason
It was great to see that the church in Jerusalem accepted the work that God was doing bringing salvation and the Holy Spirit to some non-Jewish people. Peter explained to them the vision that he had seen and the way that God showed him what to do.
When Peter was imprisoned, it says that earnest prayers were made to God by the church. They were meeting together, fasting, and crying out to the Lord. They wanted Peter to be saved, but then when he appeared at the door, they did not believe that he had escaped from prison. I want to cry out to God for the things that I need, and the things that our church needs, and I want to have faith that God will answer our prayers. I want to believe in the signs and wonders that are being performed by the Lord.Acts 12 - Nathanael
Paul and Barnabas begin their work.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
Acts 13:44-45
Nothing stirs up opposition like success. Jealousy is a powerful force. It is one that we must guard against in our own lives and be aware of in others.
But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:50-52 NIV
In many situations there will be such a split - some who accept the message and some who reject it. Though they were expelled from the area, there was still some who believed.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Acts 12 - Nathanael
This is a sad, funny, surprising and interesting chapter all in one.
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
Acts 12:2-3
This is quite sad. James, the brother of Peter, is put to death. It seems to have happened quite suddenly and caught the church by surprise since there is little mention of anything surrounding it.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Acts 12:5
After James was put to death, now the church is alert and aware of the real danger so they are praying hard for God to rescue him.
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
Acts 12:9
It is interesting that Peter could be physically walking out of the prison and not be sure if this was a vision. The visions that Peter had previously must have been extremely clear and realistic. Though perhaps part of it was due to him being quite sleepy, having just suddenly been awakened.
When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.
Acts 12:12
It is somewhat funny that the church had been praying all night for Peter, presumably for his release, and yet thru cannot believe that their prayer was answered even when Peter arrives at the house they are at. See the next section below.
When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."
Acts 12:14-15
They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Acts 12:22-23 NIV
First the murder of James and then a prideful response and God determined that Herod's time was up. I wonder how long his death took - if it was the same day or a little bit later.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Acts 11 - Nathanael
Gentiles and Paul are back on the scene in this chapter.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 11:25-26 NIV
Barnabas was an encourager and a connector. He initially calmed the fears of the apostles in Jerusalem so that Paul could meet with them and now he is bringing Paul back from Tarsus, which is a long ways away. If Barnabas hadn't gotten Paul at this time, Paul likely wouldn't have gone on the three missionary journeys and then not have written all the new testament books that we are so familiar with. God could have still worked it out but clearly Barnabas was a part of God's plan.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Acts 10 - Nathanael
Another powerful chapter!
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Acts 10:3,5
It is interesting that the angel could have told the good news of Jesus to Cornelius but 1) God chooses to use people in his mission and 2) God had a work to do in Peter and the church in general for them to know that Jesus came to save the whole world, not just Jewish believers.
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."
Acts 10:25-26
Peter would not allow a man to worship him because he knew he was not God but a mere man.
He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"
Acts 10:28-29
It was against the Jewish law to associate or visit with a gentile. God wanted to change that and make it clear that he came to save gentiles as well and that he and other Jewish believers should not have a separation between them. Jesus came to make the two people one!
Then Peter began to speak: "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 10:34-35
Amen!
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
Acts 10:43-44 NIV
I like how the Holy Spirit didn't wait for Peter to finish, but came in the middle of Peter's speaking.
Monday, July 3, 2017
Acts 9 and 10 - Jason
Acts 9 is an awesome story about the conversion of Saul. He was on the path to arrest several Christians in Damascus, but Jesus appeared to him and spoke to him saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul did not realize until this event that Jesus is the Christ, and he began to preach and prove to others that Jesus is the Christ using the Scriptures. God said that Saul would suffer much for the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 10 is also an amazing story about how God showed Peter that he should also go to Gentile families to preach the Good News. A man who feared God was named Cornelius and as he prayed he understood that God wanted him to send for Peter and listen to what he would teach them. When they did so and Peter obeyed God, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the news, and many people were baptized who were not people of Israel, but they were God's people.Sunday, July 2, 2017
Acts 9 - Nathanael
In this chapter, Saul/ Paul comes fully onto the scene.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Acts 9:3-4
A very dramatic appearance of Jesus to interrupt Paul's life.
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Acts 9:13, 15-16
Ananias was quite reasonably afraid. But God had plans for Paul. He took the one who was strongly opposed to him and made him strongly in his favor.
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 9:22
Paul was a man of action. He didn't sit still but fought vigorously for whay he believed.
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
Acts 9:26
It was tough for Paul in the early days to have believers trust him.
He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.
Acts 9:29
Drama seems to follow Paul.
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Acts 9:31NIV
Another period of peace. God brings his people through various situations to accomplish his purpose through and in them. We just need to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust him no matter the situation.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Acts 8 - Nathanael
More excitement but with trouble as well.
And Saul approved of their killing him. 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 8:1
There are times of favor and times of persecution and difficulty. Though we often want to avoid the difficulty, God is still ay work accomplishing his propose as we see in the next section.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Acts 8:4
Though persecution isn't pleasant, it forced the church to disperse and spread the good news. Sometimes we need to be pushed out of our comfort zones!
because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16-17
They had seen and heard about the holy spirit but had not yet received.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:39 NIV
exciting times!
Acts 8 - Jason
When Philip went down the road that the Holy Spirit directed him, he met a man who was reading the Scripture, but he had questions. Philip was able to get close and explain what he was reading and introduce him to Jesus, and he wanted to get baptized that day. I pray for the Lord to lead me into special encounters like this so that I can bear fruit and more people can come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
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