Be Still… – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

Acts 15:1-35 – Spread the Word

What did you learn from today’s passage? Was it realizing what the “sticking points” were for accepting Gentiles? Was it seeing how the new believers navigated difficult discussions and decisions? Was it wanting to follow Paul’s example of faith and acceptance?

The whole notion of circumcision, while I understand its significance, still seems a bit odd to be such an important “requirement.” It was this issue that ended the first missionary journey abruptly, sending Paul and Barnabas back to Jerusalem, back to the “headquarters” of the new believers to meet with the elders and apostles. Already we have a good example of problem solving. Continue reading “Acts 15:1-35 – Spread the Word”

Acts 14:1-28 – A Divided Audience

Read Acts 14:1-28

Good things were certainly happening for the kingdom, but certainly not without peril to the lives of our missionaries. From the way our author, Luke, describes it, Paul wasn’t phased by the threat of being stoned; he just kept on with his message elsewhere. People were listening and believing in what Paul and Barnabas were preaching about. How could you want to stop that momentum?

However, we’re seeing a pattern develop here. Division. Not everybody is on board with what’s being preached. Those in opposition are turning to violence. Are they perhaps feeling threatened or think they can shut down this Jesus rhetoric if they harm the source? The truth will never be silenced. Continue reading “Acts 14:1-28 – A Divided Audience”

Acts 13:13-52 – Claim Your Joy

Read Acts 13:13-52

So, there is no confusion: Saul is also known as Paul, and going forward we’ll use his Greek name, Paul. There can be misconceptions about the name change, but it would have been common in those days to have both a Hebrew name (Saul) and a Greek name (Paul). It’s easy to think of Saul as the bad guy and Paul as the good guy, but it’s the same guy, and there was nothing divine about his name change like we’ve seen in the Bible before.

Paul was about to be used by God in mighty ways. In this moment where it all began, he could not even fathom what he was about to encounter: miracles, works of the Holy Spirit like this, and even disaster. But those stories will unfold in due time. For now, we need to get to know Paul as one of the greatest Christian leaders of all time. Continue reading “Acts 13:13-52 – Claim Your Joy”

Acts 13:1-12 – Follow the Holy Spirit

Read Acts 13:1-12

Were you impressed by how quickly the men praying in Antioch heard the Holy Spirit and then immediately acted on the message? It sounds like the message fell upon the group, rather than just one person. Such a great confirmation for Saul and Barnabas to start their missionary journey!

Have you ever experienced anything like that? For these believers, there was absolutely no doubt what should be happening next because of a profound message from God. We can only long for and expect to hear from God in this way. His messages are often a lot more subtle. For Saul and Barnabas, the clear direction was to go, but go where? Continue reading “Acts 13:1-12 – Follow the Holy Spirit”

Acts 12:1-25 – Answered Prayer

Read Acts 12:1-25

It’s hard to read how Jesus’ disciples were treated, and yet they remained true to their mission. What an inspiration for us! It does seem savage that King Herod would pick the Passover as a time to brutally kill James and then take Peter into custody. For Peter, I can’t even imagine being chained to two other individuals while waiting for an unfair trial, seeking to rile the people, and probably take his life.

Then we see how mightily God answered the prayers of the believers and delivered Peter from his captors. We can’t help but rejoice. Don’t rush past this miracle. Answered prayer does happen, sometimes in unfathomable ways. What was most surprising to you about the jail break? Continue reading “Acts 12:1-25 – Answered Prayer”

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)