18th Week - Acts 13-17 (Click on this for video introduction)

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 Click on title to view a video Introduction for the week ahead.

Monday, Acts Chapter 13
Acts 13
Verses 42-44
Bart Strayer
November 18, 2004 

Verses 42-44: (The Message) When the service was over, Paul and Barnabas were invited back to preach again the next Sabbath.  As the meeting broke up, a good many Jews and converts to Judaism went along with Paul and Barnabas, who urged them in long conversations to stick with what they'd started, this living in and by God's grace. When the next Sabbath came around, practically the whole city showed up to hear the Word of God. 

THOUGHT 
As your Bible notes, the latter half of Acts now focuses on Paul's missionary journeys. It is good to reflect on how far Paul has come in such a short amount of time. It amazes me how quickly Jesus can change the hearts of people. 

At times I can put limitations on the speed at which Jesus works in the lives of people. For some reason, I anticipate that people will come to Jesus and mature in the same manner/pace that I did. Just not so. As we have seen, as soon as the Holy Spirit gets hold of someone, they can be thrust from one side of the fence to the other in an instant.

In Paul's case, he was changed by the hearing of the words of Jesus. Aren't you glad Paul's heart was changed? He lived on to become one of the great apostles. 

PRAYER 
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Apostle Paul. As we continue on with  Acts, help us to grow in our appreciation of the noble men that were called to start the Church of Jesus. Help us to grow in our understanding of the Word. We praise You and thank You for Your Son, our Lord. In Jesus Name. 
AMEN

Tuesday, Acts Chapter 14
Acts 14
Verses 19-20
Bart Strayer
November 19, 2004 

Verses 19-20:  (The Message) But some Jews arrived there from Antioch and Iconium; and having persuaded the people and won them over, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. But the disciples formed a circle about him, and he got up and went back into the town; and on the morrow he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 

THOUGHT 
This is the first we see of Paul's resilient nature, and it won't be our last. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to be stoned. I can't imagine the pain Paul suffered, only to pick himself up and go on spreading the gospel. What a testimony to the strength of God's will in Paul's life. 

I think of how easily we are defeated with some of the minor issues of our lives. In those times of discouragement, we need to re-read the inspiring words of Paul and re-focus ourselves on God's will. Times like these can be a source of strength in the future. 

PRAYER 
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this week’s time of reading and reflecting on Your Word. As we go our separate ways, help us to live out our lives in obeisance to You. Help us to overcome those times of discouragement by pulling us back to You. Use times of despair to strengthen and mold us into the people You want us to be. In Jesus Name.  AMEN 




Wednesday, Acts Chapter 15
Acts 15 
Verses 39-40
Jane Jones
November 22, 2004

Verses 39-40:  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

THOUGHT
Sometimes the thing to do is 'agree to disagree'. And that is OK. For the Bible teaches us that IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS. That not only means giving thanks for the good things, but we must learn to give thanks for the bad as well. There is usually a reason why the Lord puts obstacles in our path. 

I believe that this passage is a prime example of that. Paul and Barnabas disagreed sharply over Mark. Paul didn't want to take him along because he had left them earlier. This disagreement caused the two great preachers to form two teams opening up two missionary endeavors instead of one. God works even through conflict and disagreements. Later, Mark became vital to Paul's ministry. 

Christians do not always agree, but problems can be solved by letting God work His Will. This is a perfect example of that. 

PRAYER 
Dear Jesus, may we learn to be thankful for both the good and the bad. We need to learn to lift up praises of thanksgiving to what God has handed us. We never know the plan he has for us. Lord, we pray that in our daily walk that we will learn that it is okay to agree to disagree. Thank You for teaching us "that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.”  AMEN 

Thursday, Acts Chapter 16
Acts 16
Verse 22b-25
Jane Jones
November 23, 2004

Verses 22b-25: ...the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such 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.

THOUGHT
This story is truly amazing. Come midnight most of us, if not all of us, are tired from a long day. But Paul and Silas not only were praying and singing, but they had to have been suffering from a great deal of pain. They could not move; they could not eat; they could not have a cup of coffee or pop; they could not go to the bathroom; etc., etc. So we see two men who were stripped, beaten, and placed in stocks rejoicing. Despite this dismal situation, they praised God, praying and singing as the other prisoners listened. 

Just imagine how many lives they touched that evening. We know from reading on that they touched the jail keeper and his family. No matter what our circumstances, we should praise God. Others may come to Christ because of our example. 

Informational purposes only..."Stocks were made of two boards joined with iron champs leaving holes just big enough for the ankles. The prisoner's legs were placed across the lower board, and then the upper board was closed over them. Sometimes both wrists and ankles were placed in stocks." I'm beginning to see from reading about Paul why Sis, Jeanie, calls Paul her "Hero".  What courageous men!! 

PRAYER
Lord, our prayer is that we may be courageous Christians for You. Please use us in our walk of life every day to witness to others in both our bad stuff and our good stuff. May we show others that when You are in the midst, You can use our circumstances to glorify God. Thank You for Paul, Silas, Barnabas, and Timothy. But above all thank You for Jesus. We love You. AMEN 

Paul’s Credentials
Commissioned by God
Spoke truthfully with sincerity with Christ’s power
Acted in holiness, sincerity, and dependence on God alone in his dealings with them
Was straightforward and sincere in his letters
Had God’s Holy Spirit
Worked with all people who wanted to believe by changing their lives
Lived as an example to the believers
Did not lose heart
Taught the Bible with integrity
Had Christ as the center of his message
Endured persecution as he taught the Good News
Tired to live an exemplary life so others would not be kept from God
Led a pure life, understood the gospel and displayed patience with the believers
Never corrupted or exploited anyone
Handled the offering for the Jerusalem believers in a responsible, blameless manner
Used God’s weapons and not his own, for God’s work
Was confident that he belonged to Christ
Would boast but not in himself but in the Lord
Endured pain and danger as he fulfilled his calling
Was blessed with an astounding vision
Was constantly humbled by a “thorn” in the flesh that God refused to take away
Did miracles among them
Was always motivated to strengthen others spiritually
Was filled with God’s power
Was always concerned that his spiritual children become mature believers


Friday, Acts Chapter 17
Acts 17 
Verse 28
Jane Jones
November 24, 2004

Verse 28:  “For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.’”

THOUGHT
What a neat feeling to know that we are part of God's family. Once we receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we have become part of His family. By being part of God's family we know that God is sovereign and in control, while at the same time He is close and personal. 

Let the Creator of the universe rule your life.  Do not let the things of the world rule it.  He can take control of our lives if we only let Him. Let it happen today! Let Him make a difference. 

PRAYER
We are truly grateful for what You have blessed us with, and in turn may we show that appreciation by living a life that is pleasing to You. As we continue in the book of Acts, Lord, we thank You for Paul's words and letters to us. We love You, Jesus, today and always.  AMEN 




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