Category: Acts

Read Acts 13:1-12

If you are familiar with the Books of Acts at all, you’ve probably been waiting for Paul’s missionary journeys. There are several, and today we walk with Saul and his companions as they are commissioned by the Holy Spirit for “special work.” Barnabas and Saul are prayed for by the other church leaders in Antioch, and then on their way they go. John Mark goes along as an assistant.

I can understand a little how they were feeling. They were embarking on a new adventure, not sure how it was going to play out. They had the assurance God was leading them. David and I have been called to several different churches over the years, being on a new mission for God. Most recently, we left everything familiar in the United States and have settled in Mexico. We’re waiting on God to show us where he wants us to use our gifts. We are where we have felt led to go. Excitement. Exhilaration. I am totally looking forward to how God is working behind the scenes. Each new day is an adventure. Continue reading “Acts 13:1-12 – Sent Out”

Read Acts 12:20-25

We have just a short passage today, and I’ve been listening to God for his message to me. I’d certainly invite you to share in the comments the message he gave you regarding this text. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a little background to understand the story’s relevance. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a Biblical scholar nor a historian. I do know that when you put things into the context of the time they were written, new insights can be forthcoming.

For instance, today we see the fall of Herod. In yesterday’s passage  Herod was out to get the Christians, particularly Peter.  His plan was foiled by God, so he left Jerusalem. I pictured Herod leaving in a huff to try and calm down, but it could have been more of a slinking away out of embarrassment. What do you think? Continue reading “Acts 12:20-25 – Be Careful”

Read Acts 12:1-19

Things are heating up in Jerusalem. The Christian movement continues, but King Herod has figured out a way to get the Jewish people excited. Persecute and kill Christians. He no longer has his great persecutor, Saul in the trenches. What a great loss that must have been.

At Herod’s request, James was killed and Peter was arrested. What a scary time. We hear the church “prayed very earnestly for him” (him being Peter). Because it was Passover, King Herod realized it wasn’t the proper time to put Peter’s trial and death on public display. He would wait, and Peter would be silenced while in prison. Continue reading “Acts 12:1-19 – God’s Provision is Best”

Read Act 11:19-30

The movement continues. God is working through all of his believers, even those who fled after Stephen’s death. While the main focus had been to preach to Jews (more comfortable), those in Antioch were also preaching to Gentiles (more outside the box). God was moving in everyone who heard, not just the Jews. What’s striking is that although these believers had fled in fear, they were boldly spreading the Good News. We should never let our circumstance be an excuse to hold us back from sharing our faith.

As a bit of background, the city of Antioch was prominent, third only to Alexandria and Rome in the Roman Empire. It was an immoral city. Yet, it is where we were first called “Christians.” The “ian” suffix means “belonging to” or “of the part of”. I love that. We belong to Christ. We are of the part of Christ. Antioch is where Saul began his vital preaching of the new life in Christ. Continue reading “Acts 11:19-30 – Be Strong in the Lord”

Read Acts 11:1-8

I absolutely love what Peter says to his friends who were criticizing him for his actions, “who was I to stand in God’s way?” Peter and those who accompanied him had been part of a new reality. The realization that God was a very big God and gives the privilege of salvation to more than just the Jewish Christians. It’s like opening up a new market in business. More people to talk to. More people to bring into God’s family.

Imagine the thrill Peter had course through him when the same Holy Spirit he knew began blessing these Gentiles. He was seeing his commission come to life. They were being baptized with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had said.  Continue reading “Acts 11:1-18 – Get Out of God’s Way”