Acts 16 - 9.23.24
Scripture:
Acts 16:22-40 NIV
“The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.”
Observation:
Paul and Silas had just been beaten and severely flogged wrongfully, yet they responded in faith, with joy and worship.
Even through a difficult circumstance, they remembered that God was good and never lost faith.
How we respond to difficult circumstances is what will determine our joy. Joy was not based on circumstances for these men. Their joy was found in the Lord.
Application:
Give your difficult situation over to Jesus and experience peace and joy as a result.
A whole household was saved because of Paul and Silas’ surrender and obedience to the Lord and their refusal to allow their circumstances to determine and define their joy. They knew Who their ultimate protector and redeemer was and put their hope in God instead of men. Also, they ended up encouraging more brothers and sisters in the faith after being released from prison.
What difficult situation are you facing today that you need to give over to the Lord in prayer and worship?
If you are in a good place right now, who can you think of to encourage in the Lord through their difficult circumstance? What has the Lord brought you through and comforted you with in the past that can be a comfort and encouragement to another person?
Remember, after Paul and Silas were released from prison, “they went to Lydia’s house to meet with the brothers and sisters and encourage them.” (Verse 40)
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You that no matter what we face, we can be encouraged that You are ultimately in control of the situation and therefore need not fear for our future. I pray that You would restore our joy in You as we respond to difficult situations in prayer and worship. I also pray that as we draw comfort from You, we would be able to comfort others going through hard times, for Your Word says that You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort and we would be able to comfort those with the same comfort we have received from You. (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Amen.
Here’s a link to a worship song by Phil Wickham called “The Jesus Way.” One of the lines says, “If you chain me, I will worship.” It reminded me of this passage. https://youtu.be/ARSGgC9iQb0?si=wPzTLEuxG0L-SjLS
-Michelle Gaddi
Acts 15 - 9.20.24
Scripture: Acts 15:12-17 NIV
”The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: “ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—“
Observation:
The disciples were working together to solve a dispute.
The testimonies of Paul and Silas brought silence to the crowd.
-God’s working captivates those who hear it.
James took into account their testimonies and Simon’s (Peter’s) and then backed up what they had said with prophesy from Scripture, Amos 15:18
Application:
When a disagreement occurs, it is important to work together to find a solution by listening carefully to the testimonies of others and looking to see what God’s Word says.
What stood out to me is that the crowd was silent. How I wouldn’t love silence when I’m teaching my class! Also, in any gathering, chances are someone will be talking as a person speaks. My prayer is God will work through me in such a way that when I share about it, others will be silenced and rejoice in how God works.
God’s Word has the answers we seek. May I always look to Him for wisdom and treasure what His work says. I am grateful that He chose that all people may seek Him.
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank you for your plan from the beginning of time to redeem the world. You chose a group of people to bring about that work, then had a plan so all may know and be saved. Your son Jesus paid the price for us all.
Thank you for your Word and the wisdom it contains. May I look to the Bible first when I have questions. Then, consult others for their testimonies. Your work is so powerful!
As you work through my life, may I not be shy to share what you’ve done. I want to share in a way that draws others to you and they are silent as they listen. After they have heard, may they take the next step to love and serve you as well.
Father, thank you for including me in your plan.
Amen
- Cindy Howard
Acts 14 - 09.19.24
SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:21-22 NIV
“Then Paul and Barnabas returned—to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch—
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”
OBSERVATION
What an important piece of scripture is in this chapter. Paul and Barnabas are missionaries sent to “GO and MAKE Disciples” — not converts.
In order to Strengthen the “disciples” they “return” to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch and encourage these new believers to remain TRUE to The FAITH—
explaining to them that “persecution” is part of the walk with Jesus.
APPLICATION
Strengthening in the Faith
Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch—
where they had been Forcibly expelled from the City (13:50), Iconium—where they were alerted to a Threat of Stoning (14:5), and Lystra—where Paul actually was stoned and left for dead!
Paul and Barnabas went BACK to the very cities where they had encountered GREAT Danger—because they understood the IMPORTANCE of Strengthening
the new disciples in their Faith.
Strengthen-the root word in this scripture was used in a present tense—strengthen-ing--meaning a continual process.
In this context the word was only used 3-times —all in the New Testament AND all in the book of Acts (15:32, 15:41).
God desires for us to Continually—be Strengthening our Faith —
tribulations and hardships—WILL—Come—they are a part of our walk with Jesus.
We will Not be able to Stand Up against these Trials—If we are NOT continually Strengthening our Faith.
How did Paul and Barnabas strengthen the disciples?
They—Prayed and Fasted for them and appointed elders in each of the new churches.
“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord…” (Acts 14:23a AMP)
Prayer and Fasting to seek God’s perfect will and His Strength for all we do is a necessary part of our walk with God.
Submitting to Leadership in the church and having Discipleship in our personal lives is also an important lifestyle. We each need someone who we can be transparent AND accountable with IN Prayer in order to Grow in Spiritual Maturity.
THE POWER OF PRAYER
“Are any of you suffering hardships?
You should pray.
Are any of you happy?
You should sing praises.
Are any of you sick?
You should—call for the elders of the church—to come and pray over you,
anointing you with oil—in the Name of the Lord.
Such a prayer—offered in faith—will heal the sick—and the Lord will make you well.
And if you have committed any sins—you will be forgiven.
Confess your sins—to each other—and pray for each other—
so—that you may—be healed.
The earnest prayer—of a righteous person—has Great Power
and Produces wonderful Results.
Elijah was as human as WE are—
and yet WHEN he PRAYED earnestly—that NO rain would FALL—
none fell—for three and a half years!
Then, when he PRAYED again,
the sky sent down rain—and the earth began—to yield its crops.”
(James 5:13-18 NLT)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU for YOUR Word. I Take YOU at Your Word. YOU are a Faithful GOD-searching for those whose hearts are COMPLETELY yours. FILL me fresh-Today. Remove anything in me that is a hindrance. Give me Your Eyes and Your Heart. Open my understanding. Nothing is Impossible for YOU. YOU Part the SEA and YOU walk over Storms to demonstrate YOUR LOVE. In Your Love there is NO Fear. If God is For us-who can be against us. May we BE strengthened by Your Word, prayer, fasting and by encouraging each other in our faith. May it be our lifestyle. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka