Today, let’s read 1 Thess 5:12-28, 2 Thess 1, 2, 3, and Acts 18:4-23.  Paul sets such a tremendous example for us, but please take every opportunity to be directed back to Jesus – Paul is constantly pointing to Jesus as well.  Over the next weeks, we’ll hear LOTS from Paul, and it is all valuable – but the Source is Jesus always! What’s your highlight today?

I love the Lord’s encouragement to Paul:

“One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: “Keep it up, and don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I’m with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city.” That was all he needed to stick it out. He stayed another year and a half, faithfully teaching the Word of God to the Corinthians.” Acts 18:9-11 MSG

In turn, Paul encourages the believers in Thessalonica in 1 Thess 5:1-11. The whole chapter is so powerful, but here’s one of my circles:

“God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 MSG

We ought take Paul’s example here: when the Lord gives us comfort, we ought to give comfort to other. 

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG

Acts 17:16-34, Acts 18:1-3, and 1 Thessalonians 1, 2, 3, 4, 5:1-11. We are on Paul’s missionary journey!  What stands out to you today? 

“When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.” Acts 17:23 MSG

Acts 17:23-28 – Paul was familiar with Athens, and this sign “to the unknown god” only confirmed what he has already seen. There are signs in your life that point to what you worship…. What do your signs point to?

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.” 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 MSG

Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians is made more powerful because he is describing a future hope to cling to time in times of suffering.  We know what he is suffering from reading Acts. Clearly, Paul was appointed to/ destined for trials (1 Thess 3:3).  Paul’s trials were not signs that he should stop – neither are yours.  Stay faithful.

Please read Acts 15:22-41, Acts 16, and Acts 17:1-15.  I love how Paul continues the ministry of Jesus – it is such an example to us today, as we are also continuing the ministry of Jesus, striving to do those “greater works” (John 14:12) that He said we would do. What’s your highlight today?

I love Acts 15:28-29, but especially this phrase:

“to lay upon you no greater burden than necessary” Acts 15:28 NKJV

It follows then, the way Paul presents this concept, that there ARE necessary burdens to your Christian walk. This life isn’t always easy (God certainly never promises ease).  Sometimes we associate “struggle” with the word “stop”.  If something is too hard, we quit.  If something seems a heavy burden, then we justify with “well, maybe I wasn’t supposed to do this in the first place”.  There will be hardships, there will be struggles, there may even be pain – but those should not be misinterpreted as signals to stop.  Remember that Even Jesus warned us: “In this world, you will have trouble” – and then immediately: “but take heart!  I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33).  Don’t quit, my friend.

A few little highlights: Paul “rejoiced over its encouragement” (15:31), and he went “strengthening the churches” – what a beautiful commentary on his ministry.  What a goal for us: we should be strengthening each other in the faith and rejoicing in everyone’s victories (not only our own). Paul depended on the guidance of the Holy Spirit: “but the Spirit did not permit them” (16:7), we must do the same. 17:11 says they searched the Scriptures daily – we can do that too, and we should.

Today, please read Galatians 3:24-29, Galatians 4, 5, 6 and Acts 15:1-21. It’s moving so fast now – I already have a countdown in my head (but I don’t want the year to end!). What’s your highlight today?  

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14 MSG

You have been given freedom by the Lord, but do not use this freedom to gratify your flesh. The war goes on between the flesh and the spirit because your enemy knows: if the flesh can keep you from finding the “secret place” (Ps 91), you will never be victorious.  How can we do it? Paul has very simple advice:

“My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.” Galatians 5:16 MSG

I love how Paul gets straight to the point: truth may not always be easy but it is accessible. You are not under the law IF you are under the spirit (Gal. 5:16). However, if you are not following the Spirit, get under the law. Spirit is better, Spirit is gentle – but if the law gets you there, then do whatever it takes to get right.

“So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.” Acts 15:3

I love Acts 15 describing the conversions causing great joy.  It should cause great joy any time any one experiences a life-change because of Jesus Christ

It’s really important that we don’t miss the Jerusalem Council, even though we don’t have time to expand on it here – super important piece of our spiritual history!

We’re on Paul’s missionary journey!  Please read Acts 14:21-28, Galatians 2 and Galatians 3:1-23 today.  What’s your highlight today?

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” Acts 14:22

“prayer and fasting” Acts 14:23

Fasting is a tremendously important discipline.  This wasn’t a popular message, or a comfortable one, but the truth prevails. Now follow this train of this train of thought to Paul’s message to the Galatians, noting 1:10:

 ^“Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn’t bother being Christ’s slave.” Galatians 1:10 MSG

Friend, we become a slave to whoever’s approval we are trying to win.

“Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.  But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.” Galatians 3:23-27 MSG

Galatians 3:19-25 – the law is a tutor, guiding us to the truth. The Law brought us to the truth – now faith will keep us there. 

Good day!  Please read Acts 12:6-25, Acts 13, and Acts 14:1-20. What’s your take-a-way today?

“But the word of God grew and multiplied” Acts 12:24

It may be difficult for many of us to imagine being persecuted (truly persecuted) for our faith. Perhaps it seems crazy to us – but Peter’s literal situation: “the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill” (Acts 12:6 MSG).  An angel rescues Peter, leads him right out of danger. I take these histories literally – I believe it happened the way the Bible says it happened. I believe that God is still working these miracles on our behalf today, if we open our eyes and hearts to Him.  In spite of this danger, the Word of God grew and multiplied!

I find this verse worth noting:

“Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod, because he did not give glory to God” Acts 12:23

We had already read in the Old Testament that God does not share His glory (Isaiah 42:8).  His Name is powerful and worthy to be praised.  Herod refused to give glory to God – and he paid for that mistake with his life.  Let’s not make the same mistake in our lives.

Now Saul/Pauli’s commissioned as a missionary. I’m excited to be on this missionary journey – reading this chronologically is both eye-opening and exciting!  

“Fasted, prayed, laid hands on them, they sent them away” Acts 13:3

315 – it’s kind of a milestone day!  We only have 50 days left, can you believe it? Please read Acts 10, 11, and 12:1-5.  What’s your highlight today?

Can you imagine the constant dependency on the Holy Spirit, the continual show of the miraculous? Visions, divine instructions, Angel appearances, trances, voices from heaven? I wonder if we don’t hear His voice as loudly because our lives are so loud….

“When Peter was in prison, constant prayer” Acts 12:5

Our circumstances do not dictate God’s character, God is faithful always.  Our prayers ought to be constant as well, regardless of our circumstances.  Times are good? Pray.  Times are not so good? Pray.  Perhaps a circumstance drove you into the prayer closet – do not allow the relief of that circumstance to drive you back out. Stay.

Little note: I think 11:26 is the first time they used the word that meant “Christians”

Please read Acts 8 and 9  today.  It’s hard to believe how close we are to the end of our year together.  What are you thinking about today?  What truth can you take from these 2 chapters to apply to life right now?  Read and come on back – let’s visit!

“Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” Acts 8:4

Scattered almost sounds random, but that’s how seeds are spread, right? Even a farmer, purposefully planting scatters his seeds in specific applies, in specific rows.  Here, the desired result is that everyone hear the Gospel. Every person and every place needs Jesus.

“There was great joy” Acts 8:8

There was great joy for a specific reason: Christ was being peached, people were receiving the Word, people were being healed, people were being delivered…. Jesus is the sole source and center of joy!  As every good and perfect gift comes from above (sorry, I’m ahead of myself there), no true joy comes without the goodness of God.

The sorcerers conversion, 8:9-13, is so powerful. It was the name of Jesus and it is still the name of Jesus today! And in Acts 9, the beginning of Paul’s ministry, wow!  Y’all are going to love reading Acts and Paul’s missionary journeys in the context of the chronological timeline – I’m excited!

Today, please read Acts 6, 7, and 8:1. This is a pretty exciting day!  The book of Acts is so rich.  What’s your highlight?  Let’s visit:

I love this part:

“So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, ‘It wouldn’t be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we’ll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.’ ” Acts 6:2-5 MSG

I think this is important to notice: the Twelve had an assigned task: prayer and preaching.  They saw other things that were equally as important, but they couldn’t do everything, so they assigned the new task to other trustworthy followers.  What a great example to us today: we don’t have to do everything.  What we have to do is the assignment that God gave to us, and then work together with other believers to make sure that everything is taken care of. I wish I had time to stay here!

“Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them.” Acts 6:8

As Stephen is clearly doing the work assigned to him, some people got jealous.  (we could stay here too, but….) They lie and Stephen is arrested.  At his trial, address, he tells the history Israel! Did you keep thinking: “Hey! I remember that!”  Stephen puts his work in the context of their spiritual legacy, so powerful. 

We hear of a young man that will become important to us later:

“Saul was right there, congratulating the killers.” Acts 8:1 MSG

These events set off a “great persecution”, and the disciples were “scattered throughout the regions”. Scattered like seeds – and now let’s see how the gospel spreads!

Today, we are all in one place: Acts 3, 4 and 5. Come on back and share a highlight-  what are you thinking about today? 

“One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting.” Acts 3:1

Do you remember these guys from Matthew 4? They’ve been with Jesus, seen Him work miracles, experienced His life-changing teaching and His love firsthand. Now they are continuing the work. We should take every opportunity to put these events in the timeline here, a piece of the bigger whole.

“And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders.” Acts 3:17 MSG

Can you appreciate how close Peter and Jesus were?  Can you imagine how difficult it might have been for him to speak to a group of people who had been part of the angry crowd, shouting for the release of a criminal over the Messiah?  I love how  he addresses them as friends – and continues:

“But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans. Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus.” Acts 3:18-19 MSG

Acts 3:19 is a favorite. The presence of God is the source of refreshing. And Acts 4:18-20 – can you imagine telling Peter and John that they could not talk about Jesus? He was their best friend and biggest influence, this would’ve been unthinkable to them. Lord, let silence about Your goodness be unthinkable to me too.