AnActsDevotional

  Acts 19:11-12 Along with Paul's teachings he performed miracles and evil spirits left people.  It seems to me that we don't acknowledge the spiritual forces at work amongst so much in the western world.  It seems that satan's strategy is to capture our culture through pride, greed and sexual immorality as opposed to demonic possession. This way we don't acknowledge the spiritual battle that is taking place in this world.  We also tend to dismiss miracles as acts of Doctors or medicine so it's no wonder that God doesn't show His power as He did for Paul. Lord Jesus, we want people to acknowledge You.  Show us what we need to do for this to happen and give us the courage to walk by faith not by sight.  Amen

  Acts 19:9-10 When Paul was picked on in the synagogue/church he took his message to a secular place where all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia (about 2 million people)  heard his teachings over the course of 2 years. Lord Jesus, when Your message is disrespected by some audiences help us to find the audiences that are interested in hearing the truth about You.  You have said the harvest is plentiful and You just need the workers so Lord, show us the harvest and guide us into bringing it in.  Amen 

  Acts 19:8 Paul continued to teach in the synagogue arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. Lord Jesus, please help us to stand firm in our believes unless they are not founded in Your truths. Amen

  Acts 19:1-7 Paul points out there are two baptisms.  One of repentance, when we confess our sins and turn away from them and one of the Holy Spirit where we accept Christ's offer to become Lord of our lives and He empowers us with His Holy Spirit so that we can produce the fruit  of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  In additions He gives us gifts so that we can make a God difference in His very large Kingdom. Lord Jesus we choose to follow You and in doing so we confess we are far from perfect and live in an imperfect world so we ask for You to take control of our lives.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can grow the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and use the gifts that You have given to us for Your honor and glory. Amen.

  Acts 18:24-28 Apollos was an educated man and wanted to know and share the truth about Jesus. Lord Jesus, help us to search for the truth about who You are and be willing to share that with others.

  Acts 18:18-23 Paul moved around strengthening the disciples and reasoning with Jews in the synagogue.  This time they wanted to hear more yet Paul kept moving.   Lord Jesus, help us to be obedient to You and not get trapped by the attention people give us because of You.  Help us to hear that still small voice and give us the faith and courage to obey it.

  Acts 18:9-17 God spoke to Paul in a dream telling him not to be afraid; that He would protect him ...and he did. Lord Jesus, help us to have the courage to stand for You when You ask us to stand for You.  Amen

  Acts 18:6-8 Paul was so opposed by some he left his teaching in the synagogue and said he'd go to the Gentiles but he actually went to the "church" leader and the leader accepted Paul's teaching and became a Christian (follower of Christ) Lord Jesus, when we face opposition help us to also recognize those who support us.  In this world there is always another opinion; please help us to hear Your small voice and only listen to Your opinion. Amen

  Acts 18:5 Paul proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah full time! Lord Jesus, help us to be brave in proclaiming You are the Messiah.  Amen

Acts 18:4   Paul worked during the week but during his time off he taught in the temple; both Jews and Greeks Lord Jesus, help us to use our available time to spread Your good news.  Amen

  Acts 18:1-3 Some may wonder if someone can be a full on Christian and work as well so here we have an example of this.  Paul worked as a tent maker.  He also partnered with folks who were refugees, after being kicked out of Rome. Lord Jesus, help us to see where You want us in Your Kingdom.  Help us to never under estimate what You can do even after our lives have been disrupted. Amen

Acts 17:34   This is great news, even a member o the Areopagus became a believer.  The good news of Jesus is for everyone.  Those in positions of authority, the rich, the poor, the young, the old...everyone.  I wonder why some people are mentioned by name and other are not; no matter, we have a rich heritage of Jewish and Greek believers. Lord Jesus, thank You for making Your good news available to everyone who wants to receive it.  Help us to grow Your Kingdom of peace and love, compassion and forgiveness.  Amen

Acts 17:22-33   The intellectual presentation of Jesus living, dying and rising again.  Unfortunately this sermon didn't stir the crowds like Paul did in other places. We don't see many coming to know the Lord but we hear them wanting to know more (even though some sneered).   When we share our faith we can present to the intellect but results seem to come when we present to the spirit.  We also need to realize we're all on a journey and some our in the discovery phase and some have come to accept and others are growing in their faith.  Our job is to connect with folks where they're at and have a reason for the hope that is within us. Lord Jesus, 2000 or so years ago You walked the face of this earth.  You came as a baby so people didn't fear You and grew to be a man with ultimate wisdom.  Thanks for doing this; sorry You weren't accepted by the religious leaders of Your time.  Lord, help us to be wiser.  Give us the courage to walk by f...

  Acts 17:19-21 The philosophers recognized Paul's teaching as a new idea so they wanted him to share his new idea publi cly s o t hey  brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus (means the rock of Ares), the high court in Athens.  It may have been illegal to preach of foreign gods in Athens, or they may just have wanted to know more of what Paul was teaching we're not sure which.  No matter, Paul had an opportunity to share with an influential group. Lord Jesus, is social media now our new Areopagus where Christian ideas need to be shared and defended?  If so, please help us to make a difference in what we say and do.  Amen

  Acts 17:18 Some say if it feels right do it.  Others say use your wisdom but at Christians we says Jesus is Lord, He lived, He died and He rose again.  This Christian thought was new to the Greek philosophers, it was like they were hearing about a new God. Lord Jesus, please help us to raise our intellect with the knowledge of You so we can challenge the philosophers.  You are a God who believes in the body of Christ so it's not all about us.  Help us to trust You with Your Kingdom building and help us to obey the next little thing You tell us to do. Amen

Acts 17:16-17   Paul was greatly distressed to see a city full of idols so he responded by reasoning with folks in the Jewish temple and in the market place. Lord Jesus, help us to look out into our culture with Your eyes.  What are You pleased with and what distresses You?  How do we respond to our culture so that Your truths are made known?  Lord, we want to add flavour to our world.  Please guide and direct us.  Amen

  Acts 17:13-15 Folks from the last town Paul and Silas were in came and stirred up the crowd.  It seems like Paul and Silas never get a break; yet people are coming to accept Jesus as Lord of their lives and every time the crowd is stirred up Paul moves on to another town to speak their and so the gospel is spread.  It's also interesting to note the team.  Paul moves on but Silas and Timothy stay behind but Paul wants them to join him. Lord Jesus, help us to see how our struggles enhance the Kingdom and help us to not take for granted our friends and family. Give to us Your wisdom as we live our lives day by day. Amen

Acts 17:10-12   In a day where so much is decided based on feelings it's good to read that they tested Paul's teaching based on scriptures .It's interesting to note that Greeks, along with Jews, accepted the fact that Jesus lived, died and rose again...and again there were prominent women accepting this truth. Lord Jesus, thank You for the prominent Greek women that accepted You along with the Jews and the Greek men.  When we present Your truths help us to remember that You love everyone.  Please open the doors of my church so that folks of every cultural background will sense a belonging.  Help us to form "a stickiness" so that people want to stay with us for the long term and Lord, help us get into Your word so we know Your truths. Amen

  Acts 17:5-9 Jealous Jews stir the crowd and someone accepting Paul and Silas is caught in between.  Jason, had to pay a bond. Lord Jesus, it seems like their is a pattern; many come to know Jesus, the crowd is stirred by the jealous, there is an encounter with the law... Lord Jesus, this is how it was when the Salvation Army came to town but now it's quiet.  Maybe I can find a pattern in my own life.  Lord Jesus, we want to see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven yet this seems costly.  Would You give us the courage to do Your will in spite of satan's efforts to shut us down and give us the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be quiet; when to participate and when to withdraw. Amen

  Acts 17:1-4 After being beaten for their story Paul and Silas move on to another town and weren't deterred from sharing the story of Christ living, dying and rising again. Paul's reaction makes the story believable.  Why would someone risk another beating or imprisonment for a lie!  It's interesting who is believing the story; some Jews, Greeks and quite a few prominent women! Lord Jesus, thank You for valuing women and thank You for the role women play in Christianity.  A woman first realized You rose from the dead.  Your Mother first encouraged You to perform a public miracle. We recently read about Lydia (Did she have some influence over the prominent women?). Jesus, in a male dominant world You chose to value women.  Thank You.