19th Week Acts 18-22 (Click here to hear video inroduction)

 

Monday, Acts Chapter 18

Acts 18 

Verses 9-10

Jane Jones

November 25, 2004 

Verses 9-10:  One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.' So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

THOUGHT 

These verses just stopped me dead in my tracks as I read this chapter last night. Can you imagine how Paul must have felt when he experienced a vision from the Lord telling him not to be afraid that the Lord would be with him and that no harm would come to him?  What reinforcement and reassurance to Paul that what he was doing was right and that the Lord did not want him to keep silent. 

How many times have we kept silent when we knew that the Lord did not want us to and that He too would have protected us from harm?  Sometimes we can feel alone or isolated, especially when we see wickedness all around us and when we are persecuted for our faith. Usually, however, there will be others in our lives who also follow Christ. We must ask God to lead us to these people on a daily basis. Surrounding ourselves with other Christians will help us not be silent for the Lord. He will protect us with our friends as He protected Paul in Corinth by all the people that he knew. Praise God for our Christian friends and family. 

PRAYER 

Thanksgiving is coming to a close today, Father, but our thanks and gratitude continue to You for all the bounties and blessings You have given us. We can't thank You enough for family and friends, but above all, thank You for Your Son, Jesus. We feel so close to You during our devotional time. We love You. AMEN 

Tuesday, Acts Chapter 19

Acts 19 

Verses 11-12

Jane Jones

November 26, 2004

Verses 11-12:  God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 

THOUGHT 

Have you ever brushed up against something for just a second or touched something briefly?  God in his infinite power used a touch and/or a brush to heal people from their illnesses.  At that time they probably did not have a clue to the miracle they experienced through the use of Paul and little things like handkerchiefs and aprons. We must never underestimate the power of God. May we always appreciate the wee small touch of the magic of the Lord. 

PRAYER 

May we find peace within today, Lord, during this busy day. May we trust Your highest power and not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May we use these gifts that we receive and pass on the love that has been given to us. May we be content knowing that we are children of God. Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow our soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.  It is there for each and every one of us. Take hold. For this we say, “Thank You, and we love You, Jesus.”  AMEN 

Wednesday, Acts Chapter 20

Acts 20 

Verse 24

Jeanie Boldt

November 29, 2004

Verse 24:  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. 

THOUGHT 

I immediately thought of two things as I chose this verse. ONE being the greatness of Paul. The most important thing in his life was to love God completely and share that love with others. He thought of God and others way before himself. TWO being that Mindy and her sister were running a race in Seattle this past Sunday. Their goal was to finish the race and do the best job possible. 

What race are we running? What goal line are we crossing? Are we running some days and getting nowhere? Will we be able to hand off the baton at the end of the race with a legacy that the Lord will smile at? May I share that my finish line has two huge things at the end. ONE is Tanya and the SECOND is Heather. My goal was to see that they both were directed to knowing Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit and prayerfully have a Christian gentlemen to love them and cherish them as they should be. Well, the prayer is still ongoing for a Christian man to love Heather but the rest of the finish line has been crossed for me. I know we will all be together in the end. 

I consider all the other JOY and people that I help and share Christ with as just beautiful extra happenings along the way, and I pray for more of them. I want to share Jesus with as many as possible. May the finish line not be cluttered with money, fame, fortune, success or recognition but with family, friends and fellow Christians dancing and singing at the end. 

PRAYER 

Father God, give us the endurance that we need to run each and every day with Your love and strength. May our steps be directed to those who need You and the Holy Spirit in their heart. Help us set goals that would reflect Heavenly rewards and not worldly ones. May we keep Paul's strength and personality in our minds and in our vision.  Help us to be great examples of Love, Kindness and Caring. May we finish the race and be able to wear the reward that would reflect OUR PURPOSE of running. AMEN 

Thursday, Acts Chapter 21

Acts 21 

Verse 13

Jeanie Boldt

December 1, 2004

Verse 13:  Paul Answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 

THOUGHT 

That's my PAUL! Gosh, sometimes I am afraid just to speak up for my Lord and Savior. How would I really react if I or any of my family were being threatened because of the love we have for our Savior? What faith and love he had. He wanted only to do the Lord's Will, and that is what he did. 

When we as Christians pray and ask that the Lord's Will be done, we also must be ready to accept all that comes with it even if it is pain or suffering. Are we ready? 

PRAYER 

God, my Father, we pray that Your Will be done in our lives and pray that the faith and strength that we need to love and obey You will be given us through the Holy Spirit. Make us strong witnesses. May we not be afraid to stand up for You and speak of You to our friends and family members that know You not. Put people in our pathway today. Make us a ‘PAUL'.  AMEN

Friday, Acts Chapter 22

Acts 22 

Jeanie Boldt

December 1, 2004

THOUGHT 

We must be ready when someone is being touched by the Holy Spirit. We can offer prayer and be able to share how easy it is to come to faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must be able to present the gospel and leave the rest to God. 

Sharing how you came to faith is such a help to those searching even though their experience may be way different.  Let's witness and love. 

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for that special day in each of our lives when we surrendered it all to You and accepted You into our hearts. May we share how wonderful it feels and what rewards we reap by knowing You. Thank You for talking to Saul and giving him a life-changing experience so that we can 

now learn from Paul. We love You, Lord. AMEN