answered prayer – Be Still…

Acts 15:36-16:15 – Are You Listening?

Luke, our author, stayed with Paul. We see a parting of ways now for Paul and Barnabas. They had had such a good run on the first missionary journey. But their vision for what was next or who would be included did not align. We’ve probably seen rifts between ministry leaders before, but this was a complete change of direction for these traveling companions. Paul thought highly of Silas, his new partner, and now they begin a new adventure together.

Early on, Paul meets Timothy, who will have an important role in Paul’s ministry of spreading the gospel. I was a little surprised after all the talk about circumcision we read in Galatians that Paul would put Timothy through that. But Timothy was considered a Jew, even if he was only half Jewish. The towns mentioned here, Lystra and Derbe, are both found in southern Galatia. Paul is now meeting the people for whom he writes the book of Galatians. Continue reading “Acts 15:36-16:15 – Are You Listening?”

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”

Acts 4:23-37 – Answered Prayer

Read Acts 4:23-37

The early followers saw one of King David’s prophecies come true. They saw up close exactly how that played out. God gave David that message so many years before. The fact that what happened to Jesus was in God’s plan all along was beginning to sink in with the followers. This persecution didn’t end with Jesus, as Peter and John found out firsthand.

Did you notice the believers didn’t cower back because of the persecution they were now receiving because of their message about Jesus? They knew the Spirit of God had given them power, and they also implicitly trusted the name of Jesus. Continue reading “Acts 4:23-37 – Answered Prayer”

Psalm 4:8 – Peaceful Sleep

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
(Psalm 4:8)

Have you ever had a toss-and-turn kind of night where you felt like sleep evaded you? Perhaps you were lost in troubling thoughts or struggling with an illness or infirmity. Those hours seem to just trudge by, don’t they? This is a memory verse to call on in those moments. We often forget to call on God or claim his promises in our moments of insomnia.

Context: Psalm 4 is a cry to God from the psalmist, David. Apparently, he was going through a very hard time in his life where he felt attacked and misunderstood. He turned to God because he wanted God’s provision. David seemed confident he would be comforted in his hour of despair because he knew God was listening. Verse 8 is the concluding verse of the psalm, and it reveals David’s trust in God. Continue reading “Psalm 4:8 – Peaceful Sleep”

Job 10:1-22 – Why, God?

Read Job 10:1-22

Job’s plea to God continues to seek answers as well as deliverance. So far, God has been silent. In desperation, Job finds himself stuck in darkness. yet he never turns away from God.

Job asks some very direct questions. For instance, Job asks God, “What do you gain by oppressing me?” Despite his lament, Job has the capacity to think the purpose of his pain must benefit someone, maybe even God himself. That’s an interesting query, don’t you think? Continue reading “Job 10:1-22 – Why, God?”