AnActsDevotional

Acts 22:30-23:11   The Roman commander wanted to get to the bottom of why folks were so stirred up about Paul so he ordered the chief priest and the Sanhedrin to assemble with Paul.  He soon saw how religious leaders can act in ways that aren't pleasing to the Lord.  We find our position and stick to it!  Like the position of folks being raised from the dead.  But this left Paul in a good position to testify to the guards and those in authority. Lord Jesus, please help us to be better witnesses for You.  Teach us how to get along.  Give us Your wisdom and discernment and ultimately help us to testify to Your death and resurrection.  Amen

  Acts 22:23-29 Our heritage counts.  Who are you and where did you come from?  In Paul's case it was illegal to arrest or flog a Roman citizen without being tried.  So, even though he was safer in jail, those in authority take note.  Those in authority also don't understand why the Jews (including Jewish Christians) are so upset with Paul.  It reminds us that sometimes church issues don't make sense to those outside the church. Lord Jesus, please help us to model Your Kingdom within the church so although others accuse us they find nothing wrong with us.  Also, help us to value our heritage.  Not to ostracize but to use the good it brings for the extension of Your Kingdom.  In Your precious name. Amen

  Acts 22:21-22 Here Paul's mission to the Gentiles is not accepted amongst the Jews (even Christian Jews) Lord Jesus, sometimes the folks in our church don't accept the people we've been called to reach but we can be comforted in knowing we aren't the first to be treated this way.  Help us, when this happens, to stay focused on You and our mission.  In Your mighty name.

  Acts 21:37-22:21 Paul told his story of how he use to kill Christians. Lord Jesus, I pray for the leader of Russia; may he have a Paul experience.  Stop him in his tracks and grab hold of his life.  Protect the people of faith in the Ukraine.  Lord, this world needs you so badly.   I invite Your Holy Spirit to work amongst us today.  In Your mighty name.

Acts 21:30-36   Paul is arrested but this decision actually protected him. Lord Jesus, sometimes folks are better off in prison than on the streets.  I'm reminded of the woman whose boyfriend was abusing her so she called up the prison and asked to come back.  I'm also reminded of the man who told an officer to arrest him or he'd throw a rock through the jewelers store window, as his attempt to get a warm place to sleep and get food.  Help us not to judge, but come along side those who struggle.  In Your mighty name,

  Acts 21:27-29 Paul was appeasing the Jews by keeping a Jewish ritual but that wasn't enough for the Jewish Christians.  They were so willing to keep the Jewish law they wanted to kill Paul.  They didn't see Paul's point of view that the Gentiles needed to be reached for Christ. Lord Jesus, sometimes the church is very dysfunctional.  I don't know why you allow this to happen but I do know our fight is not against flesh and blood " but against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the powers  of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12b)  Help us to recognize this to stay strong in Your Kingdom.  Give us wisdom and courage to do what is right in Jesus name.

  Acts 21:20b-26 The church leaders were in a dilemma because the Jewish Christians thought Paul was telling the Jews to turn away from the heritage and tradition.  Paul had permission to not force the Jewish heritage and tradition on the Gentiles(with a few exceptions) but what about the Jews who accepted Christ?  We're not told if this rumour was correct or not but the church leaders asked Paul to fulfill his Jewish ritual with 4 brothers in the Lord so he modelled keeping the traditions. Lord Jesus, there are times when the people we meet don't met the standards of the church such that the bridge into the church is more like a draw bridge.  We need wisdom so we can meet people where they're at and allow the church to be a place where we spur one another along as we see the end approaching.  Jesus, would you help us to see the world as You see the world.  With eyes of compassion and healing.  In Your name.  Amen

  Acts 21:17-20a Paul has arrived in Jerusalem and he checks in with the church leaders. He also tells them of his successful ministry amongst the Gentiles and they praise God. Lord Jesus, please help us to connect with church leadership.  You have placed them in power for a reason. Show us how to interact with them so that we all may praise God together. Amen

  Acts 21:15-16 On the way to Jerusalem Paul stayed with other believers.  What a wonderful way to connect.  To open our homes to guests. Lord Jesus, please help us not to become so independent we don't open our homes to fellow believers.  Give us the opportunities to share what you have given us with others. Amen

Acts 21:7-14   Hearing from God is interesting.  In this case, those around Paul really thought he shouldn't go to Jerusalem because of the fate waiting for him.  Yet Paul, aware of what they were predicting, was willing to face the consequences for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Lord Jesus, there are times when we choose the easy road over You.  Please help us to stand strong for You.  Guide us and direct us such that we make a Kingdom difference in this world.  Watch over the people of faith in the Ukraine.  Keep their spirits high.  Expose their enemy and give them wisdom to know how to respond.  Protect them I pray.  In Your mighty name.

  Acts 21:1-6 These are interesting times for Paul.  He is heading to Jerusalem against the better judgement of some of his fellow believers.  None the less, they still support him and pray with him. Lord Jesus, help us to listen to Your leading.  You speak through the word of God, Your own still small voice, prayer, our circumstances and other people.  Help us to reject satan's thoughts, our thoughts, and other people's thoughts if they are not of You and then give us the courage and faith to carry out what you have called us to do.

  Acts 20:36-38 Saying goodbye is hard to do but the situation is softened with prayer.  When we remember our time on earth is just a dot in the line of eternal life we can remember that so long just means see you later.  Let us commit each other to prayer; something that transcends distance. Lord Jesus, I'm reminded of my friends in Malaysia and Zambia who I may never met again, but who share the same faith in You as I do.  Please bless them, and protect them from the evil one. In Your name.

  Acts 20:33-35 It's more blessed to give than to receive.  Paul chose not to covet; he chose to work and he chose to share with others...even though he was preaching, it seems, a full time schedule. Lord Jesus, help us to work so we can pay the bills but also help us to be sympathetic towards others in need. In Your name.  Amen

  Acts 20:31-32 This is the hard part for Paul; letting go.  He has worked with the church for 3 years and now he is leaving them on their own.  All he can now is commit them to God. Lord Jesus, sometimes we get wrapped up in believing it's all about us; and because of us others are changed but the truth is it's You working through us and if You can work through us You can work through others.  Help us to commit the church to You.  Grow it, produce fruit in and through it and heal it where healing needs to take place.  In Your name. Amen

  Acts 20:25-30 Paul is leaving his influence on the church of Ephesus but because he's not going to be physically present he predicts there will be trouble within the church; coming from church members, and he's encouraging the church leaders to be ready for this.  We often think of the church as a group of saints but satan works within congregations as well.  As leaders, which we all are, we need to be aware of this. Lord Jesus, please help us to work together and not to be pawns in satan's war against You. Give us wisdom to know how to approach it all.  In Your name.  Amen

  Acts 20:17-24 Paul's message in spite of being concerned that he would be beaten and/or but in prison was consistent "  I have declared to both Jews  and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance  and have faith in our Lord Jesus." Lord Jesus, help us to have a consistent message of Your love and life and give us the wisdom to know how and where to share it.

  Acts 20:13-16 Paul, like all of us, had a fixed number of hours in his days so he had to choose how to spend them.  Interesting enough, he chose to walk instead of taking a boat.  But then he chose to not go to Ephesus but asked the leaders in Ephesus to come to him...all in an attempt to celebrate the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Lord Jesus, help us to slow down and walk when we need to spend more time with You, and help us to ask others to meet us when we don't have time to go to them.  Guide us and direct us so we too can celebrate the wonders of Your Holy Spirit.  Amen

  Acts 20:8-12 A young boy saw a sign in a church which listed the men who had died in service, so he asked which service, 'morning or evening'!  😁 Well in scripture we have a story of someone who literally died in the service.  He fell 3 stories out a window he was sitting on in an over crowded church service!  When he was declared dead Paul went to him and prayed over him and he became alive again!  This gave great comfort to the people. Lord Jesus, help us to not neglect those who are physically, mentally, or spiritually sick in our church.  Give to us wisdom to know how to respond.  Amen

  Acts 20:7 Yesterday I sat with my Sunday lunch group. Together we ate together yet in this passage there is more than eating together; there is teaching too.  In this case Paul was leaving town so they were doing as much teaching as possible before he left. Lord Jesus, be with us as we come together.  Help us to connect authentically and share what God is teaching each of us.

  Acts 20:1-6 Paul was a great encourager.  After the disciples got wrapped up in a riot in Ephesus he met with them and encouraged them.  He also built a team to travel with him.  Team building is interesting because teams go through these stages forming, norming, storming and performing and sometimes they don't get through the storming part; but this is where character is built and faith is strengthened. Lord Jesus, help us to be encourages, all the more as we see the day approaching. Help us also to be team builders.  Give us wisdom, courage, faith and strength to do Your work in Your Kingdom.  Amen

Acts 19:23-41   Paul and his disciples were being so effective the idol sellers were concerned!  So much so they instigated a riot. Lord Jesus, please help us to be so effective we make a change in culture.  Sadly the gods of addictions and sexual sins rule our cultural; at the expense of culture.  Please show us how we can make a positive difference in this world and give us the courage and faith to do something about it.

  Acts 19:21-22 Paul delegates the work so he can continue to move around. Lord Jesus, please help us to recognize each person in the body of Christ as having unique gifts that are made to contribute into the body.  Help us to place You at the center, as opposed to ourselves, so that Your Kingdom can come and Your will can be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

Acts 19:13-20 This is an exciting piece of scripture.  I highly recommend you read it.  The Spirit of God takes on the spirit of evil.  In the Western world we dabble in the occult with horoscopes, ouija, psychic fairs, and visits to the medium but it seems that we really don't believe in the power of the enemy nor the power of God.  This is not true in parts of Africa where the witch doctor is consulted on a regular basis.  No matter, this story reminds  us that there is a power struggle going on between good and evil and we need the power of God on our side.  It's interesting here that the evil spirits identified Jesus and Paul.   Even the evil spirit world knows Jesus!  We need to live such a life that even the evil spirits know of us because of the impact the Kingdom of God is having in this world.  It's also interesting to note that once folks heard of this incident they cleaned up their lives.  It's not enough to just kno...