DAY 67-COMMON GROUND

“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. (Acts 22:1-3)

Today we see Paul addressing his accusers. The one thing that I noticed was that Paul was trying to establish a connection between himself and the Jewish crowd. I believe this is an important lesson for us as we talk to others about the Good News. We need to let them get to know us and backgrounds. Let them see that we do or have experienced the same types of trials that they face. Paul conveyed this message in verse three. Paul was trying to establish common ground with his audience prior to sharing his story and how Jesus impacted his life. We need to establish a personal relationship with others before we share our story. It is important to gain their trust so they will be open to hear the Good News. But, just as we see later in Acts 22, the message still might not be received well. But, it allowed Paul to plant the seed and provide them some insight into how God changed him and how he can change them as well. Remember, it is important to establish common ground with folks, but be prepared that not everyone will be willing to accept it.

DAY 66-DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

In Acts 21 we see Paul going beyond 100 percent—going the second mile. As we read Acts 21 we see Paul returning to Jerusalem where many of the Jewish people no longer trusted him for they believed Paul’s teachings were trying to convince them to ignore the laws of Moses. Many of the Jews were furious with Paul and the believers in Jerusalem feared for Paul’s life. James developed a plan he thought the Jews would accept and thus accept Paul. The plan included a Jewish purification ceremony required prior to entering the temple. Paul agreed in order to maintain peace within the Jerusalem church. Did Paul sell out? No. Paul knew the Jewish laws and His decision was a compromise on a nonessential point which did not violate his Christian values. Paul knew that the purification requirement was not something that was worth causing a split with the Jewish believers. He went the extra mile to ensure harmony in the church. Have you let something come between you and a fellow Christian Brother? Sometimes we need to let go of the small stuff and focus on the important stuff–honoring Christ and spreading the Good News to all.

DAY 65-ONE HUNDRED PERCENT

Acts 20:22-24 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Paul lived is life 100% dedicated to God. He knew that he would face hardship and prison in his pursuit of following God’s direction, but he was determined to do what the Lord wanted him to do. Have you ever made a commitment to do something only to quit because the going got tough? During our Christian walk we are going to be faced with obstacles that might cause us to consider changing direction or quitting. We need to look beyond the present situation and look to the end. Just like Paul we need to keep our eyes on completing the race. We need to complete the task the Lord has for us—and he has a task for each of us. Like Paul, we need to give 100% and stick with it knowing there will be obstacles and strife. Paul knew prison was in his future but he kept going. He knew that God would get him through it and that God had a purpose in this obstacle. So he continued to give 100%. How about you, are you letting things get in the way of what Jesus wants you to do? Are you giving 100% to God?

DAY 64-ACTS 19

It is interesting the “success” that Paul was involved in. By today’s standards he would be the greatest missionary or pastor in the world. Imagine a modern church leader who traveled the world, healed people, started numerous churches, spoke to large crowds, and wrote books that were widely read and circulated.
He had all the ingredients for some good old-fashioned arrogance or a big ego. In Acts 19 in the first couple verse Paul comes in contact with some people who have been baptized but were misunderstood that they had received the Holy Spirit. These people referred to their baptism as Paul’s’ baptism.
An opportunity to elevate himself comes his way but just as he did all the other times to make it this far, Paul elevates the name of Christ and will only let himself be an instrument God is using and not a focal point.

Paul handles this and many other chances to slip up with such ease, it makes me think it is not a coincidence that God continued to bless his ministry because it was never about Paul.

DAY 63-ACTS 18

I FOUND THIS COOL RECAP OF CHAPTER 18 TODAY. IT IS THE CLIFF NOTES VERSION (WITH LINKS).

Paul, leaving Athens, comes to Corinth, meets with Aquila and Priscilla, and labours with them at tent-making, 1-3. He preaches, and proves that Jesus was the Christ, 4, 5. The Jews oppose and blaspheme; and he purposes to go to the Gentiles, 6. Justus, Crispus, and several of the Corinthians believe, 7, 8. Paul has a vision, by which he is greatly comforted, 9, 10. He continues there a year and six months, 11. Gallio being deputy of Achaia, the Jews make insurrection against Paul, and bring him before the deputy, who dismisses the cause; whereupon the Jews commit a variety of outrages, 12-17. Paul sails to Syria, and from thence to Ephesus, where he preaches, 18-20. He leaves Ephesus-goes to Caesarea, visits Antioch, Galatia, and Phrygia, 21-23. Account of Apollos and his preaching, 24-28.

DAY 62-ACTS 17-WATCHING THE CHURCH GROW

Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens are some of the young churches that we are given glimpses into through the seventeenth chapter of Acts.
After Christ left Earth, The book of Acts gives us a glimpse of how God birthed the church through men to redeem the world.
It is exciting to think that just like churches in Powell, Dublin-Jerome, and Marysville are linked to our body of believers these churches were networked together as they tried to reach their region.

DAY 61-ACTS 16-ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

As I was reading today’s passage I was really stuck on this passage from Acts 17. Check it out….

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. 27The 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. 28But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

That is the God we serve. A God who can sway the very foundations of not only the Earth but men who are our enemies. Paul got this and that was why he and Silas could be bold in their pursuits. If you knew and understood the God we serve, how would it change your actions?

DAY 60-AGREE TO DISAGREE

As we read Acts 15 we witness Paul and Barnabas disagree over taking John Mark with them on their next missionary journey. Paul did not want John Mark to go along because he felt that John Mark deserted him in Pamphylia. As a result of their disagreement, they agree to go separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas and headed off to Syria and Cilicia. As a result of this disagreement there were now two strong teams going out on missionary trips instead of one. God can work through conflict and disagreements and make the outcome better than we can imagine. Even though Paul did not trust John Mark at this point in time, John Mark would later come to assist him in him ministry (Colossians 4:10). There are times we just need to agree to disagree and let God control the outcome.

DAY 59-TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

In Acts 14 we read how the Paul and Barnabas were teaching and the people began to worship them. The people of Lystra put their faith in what they saw and not the message that was being preached to them by Paul and Barnabas. How often do people but their faith in the wrong things? Have you known anyone to put their faith in someone only to be disappointed? Paul and Barnabas became upset and tore their clothing in dismay and said,” we are merely human beings like yourselves…..you should turn form these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.” (Acts 14:15) We need to ensure that our faith is in check. We cannot put our faith and reason for going to church because of a friend, a teacher or the pastor. We need to put our faith in Jesus Christ. Putting our faith in others can disappoint us. Make sure your faith is focused on Jesus.