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
Acts 13 - 9.18.24
Scripture
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2, KJV).
Observation
Paul has had a dramatic encounter with Jesus, and has turned from a Christ-persecutor to a Christ-follower in the previous chapters. Initially the other Christians were scared of him because of his violent past, and suspected that he was masquerading as a believer just to get into the church, and expose them to the authorities. All this changed because of Barnabas’ involvement. Barnabas brought Paul to the church in Jerusalem, introduced him to the apostles and testified of the great work God was doing through him, and got him accepted into the community of believers.
Here in chapter 13, we see Paul and Barnabas worshipping the Lord and fasting. They were “ministering” to God while worshiping. Other translations (NASB, AMP) say they were serving God and fasting. Worship is our service to God, and we minister to God while worshipping. It is interesting to note that fasting was part of their worship to God. They were not fasting for a specific need or prayer request. They were fasting to seek God.
Then the Holy Spirit revealed His direction for them. “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”. There was a call on Paul’s and Barnabas’ life, and there was a purpose they were called to accomplish together in ministry. But for this call to be appropriated in their life, they need to put themselves in a place where they could hear God. They worshipped, fasted, prayed and waited on God. And then the calling on their life was revealed, and as verse 4 says “they were sent out by the Holy Spirit”.
Paul would later become the great apostle of Christ to the gentiles, even writing half of the new testament. But everything started by seeking God in fasting and prayer.
Application
If we want to accomplish God’s purpose in our lives, there is a cost. There is a price to be paid. Will we make pursuit of God our priority? God’s word commands us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Ana was an 84-year old widow, one of the only two people to whom God revealed his Son, when he was brought to the temple for dedication as a baby. What made Ana special? She “served” God with “fasting and prayer” night and day (Luke 2:37, NKJV). Would we choose to be like Ana, and be faithful in seeking God in fasting and prayer, on a regular basis?
Prayer
Father, I don’t want to miss out on your plan for my life. As you did for Paul and Barnabas, please separate me for the work for which you have called me. Help me to seek you first. Help me to serve you with regular prayer and fasting. Please send me and accomplish the purpose that you created me for. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George