Category: Acts

Read Acts 17:1-15

Having left Philippi “quietly” the group traveled on to Thessalonica where there was Jewish synagogue. There was already a good size presence of Jews here, and Paul attended three Sabbath services. It doesn’t sound like he sat back quietly but instead was vocal about connecting the dots for the Jews. He wanted them to see how Jesus explained the prophecies.

Imagine attending church and hearing your Messiah had come! That would rock your world if you were a Jew awaiting the Messiah. I’m sure you have had “a-ha” moments when you’ve attended a church service. You know, those moments when the word of God came alive for you, or you felt like the preacher was speaking directly to you. In times like those, your faith can be strengthened, usually at just the right time.

We meet a new character here, Jason, who apparently had opened up his home to Paul and his traveling companions. As we have seen on other occasions, jealousy has taken over some Jews, and they’ve recruited some thugs to teach Paul and the others a lesson. Since they didn’t find them as expected at Jason’s house, Jason took the fall for them. Jason was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Jason and some other believers were dragged away to the officials because these upset Jews were threatened by Paul’s witness and the attention he was getting. I’ve been trying to equate such behavior into something we can relate.  I think of demonstrations and riots for a cause or an injustice. We hear accounts of Christians being persecuted for their faith in different areas of the world, even more so today than ever before. It’s frightening.

Have you ever been assaulted for your faith? This could be physical or verbal. We carry the emotional scars. What’s important is that we don’t turn away. We need to pull closer to the heart of God. We will be stronger for it.

Paul and Silas did leave Thessalonica after this and traveled on to Berea. They were welcomed there, and the church continued to grow. Unfortunately, Paul’s stay was cut short when some troublemakers from Thessalonica followed him to Berea. Paul ended up in Athens while he waited for the others to join him.

Sometimes we have to face our opposition, and other times it’s best to avoid confrontation. Knowing the difference is sometimes the hardest part. As Paul did here, he relied on other believers to act and escort. Ask God for friends, angels, and protectors like that. Be ready to take the fall when it is inevitable.

This passage is a good reminder that we will face adversity in life. Just because we are Christ-followers does not mean our lives will be all sunshine and roses. Through adversity, we grow. C.S. Lewis says it well, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Let’s pray. Lord, I am feeling particularly lost today. Help me not to lose sight of you in the midst of my frustration. You have put me in this place, and I trust you will take away my feelings of inadequacy. Help me to recover and face this new day with confidence. I place my hope in you for that is the only place it should be. I am nothing without you leading me. Restore my passion as I prepare for the extraordinary destiny you have prepared for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Acts 16:16-40

Where to begin when there are so many nuggets here!? Keeping the context in mind is always helpful. They are still in Philippi, a Roman controlled city with few Jews. Paul and his group have been faithful in prayer by the water’s edge. They encountered a slave girl who had a demonic spirit within her predicting future events. Although she spoke the truth regarding Paul’s identity, Paul recognized the demonic source, and finally loses his cool ordering the spirit to leave the girl. It promptly obeys and is gone from the girl.

I wonder if Paul knew his action would bring the house down on him, so to speak. Why? Paul had put a halt to the income stream this girl’s master had, and that did not go over well.  Paul and Silas were publicly beaten and thrown into jail, to include stocks on their feet. City officials were told lies and to quiet the mob these men received no trial. Do you wonder if Paul and Silas tried to defend themselves? The text is silent on this. Whether they fought back or not, their faith remained strong and true.  Unshakable. Continue reading “Acts 16:16-40 – Unshakable Faith”

Read Acts 16:11-15

Have you noticed the point of view shift? Up to now, we’ve seen the pronoun, “they”, and now it’s “we.” The text doesn’t say what happened here, but apparently Luke, the author of Acts, is now accompanying the missionary team. It actually happened at the end of our previous reading. Apparently, Troas is the seaport where they all met up. We now have an eye-witness account to Paul’s second missionary journey.

We meet Lydia. I’ve always liked Lydia because I’m a fan of purple. She was bold in her faith and showed her hospitality, two more traits that really resonate with me. The reference to, “the Lord opened her heart” is a bit curious. We understand she already worshipped God. Her faith needed to blossom to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. With a little help from the Spirit, that is exactly what happened.

I learned in some side research there was no synagogue in Philippi when the team arrived. There is a requirement to have ten Jewish men to organize and start a Jewish synagogue. Accordingly, you know there had to be only a handful of Jews there, and it seems this riverbank prayer gathering was the extent of their “church.” Lydia was the first of many converts to Christianity in this town, also known as “little Rome” because of the Roman influence present.

Let’s listen to the praise song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart” It’s a beautiful song that should be our prayer or “prayer prep” each time we go to the Lord. For as Lydia’s heart was opened, our hearts can be opened, too. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask. This song focuses on the holiness of God and our hunger for him. We should be asking for the right frame of mind as we enter his presence, and an open heart so we can welcome his truth.

Are you giving God enough of you? Or, does he just get the leftovers? I’ve been guilty of the leftover part for much of my life. I have finally taken a stand for what I believe is the top priority – building a strong relationship with God. I feel better, I think better, and I do better when I have spent time with God first.

Take time today to reassess what your quiet time looks like. Don’t let it just be another item on your to-do list, however, do put it at the top! Your time with God should be non-negotiable. If you ask for a changed or open heart, be prepared when God grants your every request.

Let’s pray. Lord thank you for opening my heart and softening some of my rough edges. I look forward to each new transformation you make in my life. May I continue to open my heart to you and your leading so there is no question in what direction I must go. As the apostles sensed your spirit’s leading and encounters took place, provide similar opportunities for me. May I always honor you and may my life be living praise to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Read Acts 16:6-10

The Spirit prevented them from preaching in Asia. That sounds like a door closed to me. Paul had been sure Asia was the direction they were to go on this journey, but the Lord had other plans. Has that ever happened to you? Perhaps you’ve made plans to do a certain task, go a certain direction, and then you get shut down. I know how frustrating that can be until I realize God’s hand is working, and that door closed because God said so. While still disappointed, one should really sit back expectantly waiting for God to open the door he intends.

I read an interesting description of Paul–that he was prayer-saturated. Isn’t that intriguing? What does it look like to be prayer-saturated? Paul was so in tune with the Spirit due to his communication and trust. Paul was not going to chance any action outside of God’s will. How the actual door closed is not clear, but Paul was so connected to God there was no question a new plan was needed. Paul was actually turned away twice from entering Asia (the region now known as Turkey).  Why? God had other plans. Continue reading “Acts 16:6-10 – Closed Doors”

Read Acts 16:1-5

Paul’s second missionary journey begins and we meet a very special man, Timothy. He was well thought of by the new believers, despite being of “mixed” blood, that is Jewish and Greek (Gentile). There were still tensions between Jews and Gentiles, and perhaps not everyone had heard the council’s report or decree for the young, growing church. Paul’s travels were destined to get that word out. He was about to partner with a new friend,  Timothy.

Timothy’s faith was bold. As we’ve said, up to this point, when men converted to Judaism they were expected to be circumcised to follow Jewish law and tradition. Now, with the new understanding handed down by church elders and leaders, that act was no longer necessary. However, Timothy made a statement about his devotion by doing so anyway. How have you gone above and beyond for your faith? Continue reading “Acts 16:1-5 – How Bold is Your Faith?”