AnActsDevotional

  Acts 28:16-29 Paul is allowed to stay alone so he sent for the Jews in Roman to see if he could get any to hear his point of view.  Some did and some did not so he quoted from Isaiah ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding;      you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” 27  For this people’s heart has become calloused;      they hardly hear with their ears,      and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes,      hear with their ears,      understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ [ a ] Lord Jesus; we need You. Open our hearts and minds to the leading of Your Holy Spirit.  Amen 

  Acts 28:11-15 The prisoners stayed in Malta for 3 months, over the winter and eventually got a new boat...one that represented other gods.  There trip was interesting because at one port some Christians invited them to spend a week with them.  (Can you imagine opening your home up to a bunch of prisoners?)  Paul was thankful and encouraged by the fact that they came to met them. Lord Jesus, help us to listen to Your voice.  Give us compassion and courage to be hospitable and help us to be encouraged and thankful because of those You have placed in our midst.  Amen

  Acts 28:6-10 Not only was Paul protected from the snake; he also was able to pray for people's healing and they were healed!  This happened initially because of the hospitality of the folks in Malta and it continued. Lord Jesus, please help us to have two way relationships where we can give and receive.  Thank You for what You did for Paul and the group of prisoners he was travelling with.  Help us not to undermine folks who have had different experience than our own.  Instead help us to stay focused on You and show us how to be useful to others like Paul was, even though he was a prisoner.  Lord Jesus, may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen

  Acts 28:1-5 Here are a bunch of stranded prisoners but the folks in Malta treated them well.  It's interesting the interpretation of the incident where a snake wrapped around Paul's hand.  They thought the god of justice was getting him but he flicked it off into the fire.  The truth is though that Paul was a murder; saved by God's grace.  I wonder how often Paul thought of this. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your grace.  I love restorative justice and this is what Paul participated in. He went from killing Christians to raising them up.  Lord, would You intervene in this world with restorative justice please.  We need this over war.  Give the world leaders wisdom.  Help them to realize they need You.  I pray too for our local leaders; in policing, the church, schools...Lord Jesus, help us to practice restorative justice.  Amen.

  Acts 27:27-44 A ship with a bunch of prisoners, including Paul, got caught up in a storm and ran aground.  They listened to Paul, however, and ate and didn't let the sailors leave before they all could go.  The centurion liked Paul because he intervened when others thought they should kill all of the prisoners. Lord Jesus, sometimes our choices in life led us into storms we're not prepared for and during these storms we forget to do some of the basics like eat!  We also get rid of things we may need later, like grain.  Yet through the storm You are there asking for us to listen to You for wisdom.  Help us to never to forget to thank You even during the storm.  Thank You, for coming to earth, allowing others to kill You and then rising from the dead.  Thank You for Your provisions, Thank You for friends and family Thank You for...

  Acts 27:13-26 Sometimes the storms we encounter in our lives are because we didn't listen and stop when we were suppose to stop.  In this case, however, they were worried about getting away from where it wasn't safe to stay for the winter.  Unfortunately though they still ran into trouble...so much so they had no food left and the storm was still raging.  Yet Paul assured them that God had not left them. Lord Jesus, thank You for never leaving us alone, even during the storms that we choose to run into.  Please calm us, guide us and protect us in this journey we call life.  Amen