Category: Acts–BibleTrekToday
Healing in the Name!
Scripture reading for June 5th: Acts 3:1-26
Although they were now believers in Jesus Christ, Peter and John continued to go to the temple to pray. On their way to pray, they came across a man who was crippled from birth who was begging for alms. This man had probably been there for years. But on this day, this man was going to get more than he was looking for. As he called out to Peter and John for some money, their eyes looked upon him and they called for the man to look at them.
“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God.” (Acts 3:6-8) Peter spoke simply to this man. He had no money but he did have something more valuable, the name of Jesus Christ! He gave this man that Name in authority, commanding him to walk. Peter by faith took him by the hand and helped him up. As the man rose up, the miracle took place! Can you imagine the joy and amazement in the man and these disciples!
The healing of this man drew a crowd in the temple around the man and Peter and John. Peter seized the opportunity to preach the Gospel! “You killed the author of Life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith, in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you all can see.” (Acts 3:15-16) Peter spoke directly to the ones who had crucified Jesus and confronted them with their evil deed and the Gospel.
Peter then called on them to repent. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20) All men need healing for sin has crippled us from birth! Call on Him today!
The promise for all!
Scripture reading for June 4th: Acts 2:1-47
The apostles and a total of 120 believers were waiting on the promise of the Father. They were gathered together in one place on the day of Pentecost. This was one of the three times that Jewish men were required by the Law of God to come to the temple and worship. It was at this feast a year earlier that Jesus had stood up and and invited anyone who was thirsty to come to Him and drink, promising the release of ‘rivers of living water’ from within them. (John 7:37-39) Luke recorded this prayer meeting and the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise!
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4) Those gathered for the Feast that day were curious as they heard these 120 praising God, many in their own languages. Some thought that these were drunk and others questioned what this meant.
Peter stood up, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and explained prophetically what was happening. He quoted from the prophet Joel, stating that this was a fulfillment of Joel’s word from God about the last days outpouring of the Spirit of God. (Acts 2:14-21) Peter then spoke to them about Jesus of Nazareth and who He was. He explained God’s plan to put Him to death and then raise Him from the dead. “Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)
When these people, many who participated in the crucifixion, heard the message they cried out for help, asking Peter and the other what they should do. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39) Peter’s instructions opened the door for 3000 to become believers and is still doing that today!
Final instructions–our instructions!
Scripture reading for June 3rd: Acts 1:1-26
Today our journey through the New Testament takes us to the book of Acts. Acts was an additional historical book written by the doctor, Luke, documenting the progress of the early church. The first 12 chapters focus on events in and around Jerusalem and the Apostle Peter while the last chapters focus on the missionary efforts of the Apostle Paul. There are over 50 references to the Holy Spirit so we might call this book the ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’.
Acts begins by Luke recounting briefly his Gospel account of all Jesus began to do and to teach before He was taken up to heaven. Jesus appeared to the apostles for a period of forty days and taught them about the kingdom of God. Jesus gave them a specific command, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)
His disciples, now called ‘apostles’ (sent ones), asked Jesus if this is when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus told them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) These final instructions would shape the work of these apostles and the growth of the early church.
Jesus did not want them focusing on dates or times, but wanted them filled with this special gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit. Their purpose was to be ‘witnesses’ of Jesus Christ. Jesus had a simple message and a world-wide vision. The Holy Spirit would empower these men and the other followers of Jesus to be the witnesses they needed to be.
These simple instructions are still in effect for us today. We are to be focused on the mission of taking the Gospel of Jesus to our own ‘Jerusalem” and then to the surrounding country and even to the ends of the earth. The power to do that comes from being baptized in the Holy Spirit! Ask the Lord to fill you with His power today!
Stay With the Ship!
Scripture reading for November 17th: Acts 27-28
When God has His hand on your life and you are in His will, He will care for you. This doesn’t mean that your life will be trouble free and that you will have clear sailing from start to finish! The health, wealth, and prosperity message may seem encouraging, but reality is sometimes different. God does take care of all our needs if we follow Him and listen along the way. He is working out His purposes, not ours!
Paul, in the custody of a Roman centurion named Julius, was taken by ship on the two thousand mile journey to appear in Rome before Caesar. This journey began in late fall, at the end of the shipping season and because of this faced some dangers from incoming early storms of the winter season. The journey was in several stages and the progress was slower than expected because of contrary winds that kept the ship from making progress. Paul warned the centurion and soldiers of the approaching dangers of sailing late in the season. Loss of life and cargo as well as the ship were probable. (Acts 27:9-11) The centurion ignored Paul and found another ship willing to sail on to a better harbor to winter in.
Things looked good when they set out, but soon a violent wind swept in and tossed the ship and its occupants. The ship was unable to be directed because of the wind and waves. The storm continued many days and they threw cargo overboard and lashed the ship with ropes to try to hold it together. They gave up all hope of being saved and refused to eat. At this point, Paul addressed the group and encouraged them with a word from the Lord. They would all be saved but the ship would run aground and be lost. God had spoken! (Acts 27:21-26)
On the fourteenth night of the storm, the sailors sensed they were approaching land. Some sailors attempted to escape by lifeboat, but Paul warned them they must stay with the ship. “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 27:31) It turned out that all were saved and made it to land. Obedience to God is important. We must stay with the ship of Jesus Christ to be saved! There are no other lifeboats to take us safely to heaven’s shores!
Felix:The Love of Money!
Scripture reading for November 16th: Acts 24-26
Politicians today have similar problems to those found in today’s reading from Acts. Some in Paul’s day and time found that political office was a good place to make some easy money by extortion and bribes. Felix, governor of Caesarea, was Rome’s chief official and responsible to deal with cases involving Roman citizens. Felix was aware of the politics of the religion of the Jews and played that in hopes of receiving some financial rewards!
Paul was being held in Caesarea in jail until his case could be decided. Jews from Jerusalem and a lawyer named Tertullus came to accuse Paul of sedition and stirring up riots all over the world, as well as in Jerusalem. They made their charges, and Paul was invited by Felix to make his defense. Paul’s final statement was that these Jews had no charges but rather disagreed with Paul’s belief and statement concerning the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 24:20-21) This statement ended the hearing abruptly and Paul was taken away but given some freedom to have his friends minister to him. Felix was acquainted with the “Way” that Paul believed!
Some days later, Felix and his wife sent for Paul and asked him to share his beliefs with them again. Paul shared with them about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. (Acts 24:25) Felix fell under conviction and cut Paul off, promising to hear him again at another time. “At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.” This went on for two years!
It is interesting to note that Felix was under conviction at first and was drawn to hear Paul. When the word got strong, he would cut it off, hardening his heart. This man listened to the truth preached to him for over two years! He had preaching on demand, but this powerful preacher with the Gospel message could not break through his hardened heart. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who will humbly receive it. (Romans 1:16-17)
It appears that the love of money was a stronghold that Felix allowed into his life. Remember that Jesus said that you cannot serve God and money! (Matthew 6:24) Many try; none will succeed! Check your heart today for this stronghold! Check your checkbook too–are you giving God His share?
Ready to Be Bound and Die!
Scripture reading for November 15th: Acts 21-23
As Paul headed back to Jerusalem, he was aware that the Spirit was telling him of dangers that awaited him. He visited brothers at Tyre while his ship was unloading cargo. These brothers urged him by the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:4) He continued on his journey by ship to Caesarea, staying at the house of Philip the evangelist. Philip was one of the original seven deacons. While visiting there for a few days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea and gave Paul a prophetic word. He took Paul’s belt and tied his own hands and feet before speaking. “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” (Acts 21:11) We must ask ourselves why Paul did not heed these warnings or words of knowledge. Did God give these words to keep Paul from the coming trouble? Did God give these words to confirm to Paul what was going to happen that he would need to endure to fulfill plans God had given him?
Many people pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Paul answered them, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (Acts 21:13-14) Paul evidently had heard from the Lord about his assignment and would not give in to man’s pressure to save himself. The people recognized it to be the Lord’s will and yielded to that.
Paul’s journey to Jerusalem reminds us of Jesus Christ and His final journey to Jerusalem before the crucifixion. Jesus knew that He was going to be arrested and crucified. He wrestled with this mission, but prayed that God’s will would be done, not His! (Luke 22:42-44) Jesus submitted His will to the Father’s will, being even willing to die for those who would mistreat Him! When we submit ourselves to God for His purposes, our lives are not ours to spend, but belong to God. He will use us for His kingdom purposes and reward us eternally for our obedience! What a wonderful example we have in both Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul!
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Missionaries
Dear Friends,
Greetings on this Sabbath day of rest! We can rest today because “It is finished!” was the victory cry of Jesus Christ from the cross as He gave up His Spirit and breathed His last! (John 19:30) We can rest today because on the first day of the week, Jesus rose from the dead, as the first-fruit from death! (Mark 16:6) We can rest today because He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us! (Romans 8:34) We can rest today, because we are seated with Him! (Ephesians 2:6) We can rest today because He promised to come back for His followers and take them to be with Him! (John 14:3)
Out of this place of rest, we are commanded to go and preach the Good News to all nations and make disciples of all peoples. Missionaries are those who are called and willingly go. Missionaries are some of my favorite people! They have caught the Spirit of Christ and have a passion that inspires. Reading about the early missionaries and their exciting adventures makes me want to experience that for myself. There are three observations about missionaries I want to share with you today.
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52)
First, missionaries must have the power of the Holy Spirit! We see them preaching, praying for the sick and casting out demons. We observe them following the directions of the Holy Spirit about where to go and when. We see them knowing how to address different cultures and effectively reach souls. We have read about some who suffered persecution and beatings and others who gave their lives sharing the Gospel.
Second, there is no joy like being in the will of God. Missionaries find great joy in preaching the Gospel. Even when run out of town or beaten for preaching, they counted it a privilege to suffer for Christ! When souls were saved, great joy filled the people. Paul and Silas rejoiced to see the Philippian jailer and his whole household come to Christ and rejoice! (Acts 16:31-34)
The third observation: “This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Missionaries are hastening the coming of Christ! Let’s either go ourselves or send them!
In His Love, Pastor John
Watch Out for Wolves!
Scripture reading for November 13th: Acts 19-20
“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:25-27) Paul was about to leave the church he had spent nearly two years building up. He loved those there and knew he would not see them again. He was headed for Jerusalem and had been warned that prison and hardships would be in his future. The one thing that comforted him was that he had presented the whole will of God to these people. He had not held back anything that God had laid on his heart. As far as it concerned the preacher, he was innocent of their blood! They were accountable for what they had been told!
There was one other warning that God laid on this pastor’s heart for the leaders. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. For I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Be on your guard!” (Acts 20:28-31a)
It is God’s church and the Holy Spirit installs leadership! Shepherds are to remember that the flock was bought with the Master’s own blood and is precious to Him! The shepherds and overseers must be watchful because Satan is always after God’s sheep. Satan’s helpers may look like sheep, but are really savage wolves. Paul warned that these wolves would come from within the body, drawing disciples away from the true shepherds. They would distort the truth and deceive some of the sheep if the shepherd was not watchful!
As a watchful pastor, I know that this warning is especially true for these last days that we live in. Distorted doctrines abound which some deceptive people within the body of Christ use to draw people away from truth. Many are after followers and financial support and use ear-tickling teaching to pad their accounts. Discernment and watchful shepherds are sorely needed!
The Unknown God!
Scripture reading for November 12th: Acts 16-18
At Berea, Paul had found a group of believers who eagerly received the message of Jesus Christ and searched the Scriptures to check out what he was preaching. Both Jews and Greeks, men and women believed. (Acts 17:10-15) Jealous Jews came from Thessalonica and stirred up the crowds against the missionaries, and the brothers in the church there sent Paul to Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed behind to minister.
Any good missionary begins to evaluate new territory, and Paul was no different in Athens, Greece. It was a city full of idols and Paul found a synagogue of Jews and God-fearing Greeks and began to preach Christ and the resurrection. He also preached in the marketplace to all who would listen. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers heard him and invited him to the Areopagus for a meeting. The Areopagus was a gathering place for intellectuals who loved to discuss new ideas and philosophy. They asked this missionary to share his new ideas with the crowd gathered there–a preacher’s dream!
“Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:22b-23) Paul observed that this people were very religious. As they were trying to cover all bases so as to be somehow right, the Holy Spirit gave Paul a clever way to help them. He proclaimed that this “unknown God” was really the creator of the heavens and earth. He told them that this God had created all of mankind from one man and determined where they should live and how long they would be there. This God wanted men to seek and find Him and He, in fact, was near to them. They were His “offspring”! (Acts 17:24-28)
God was not an idol made of gold, silver or stone. He commanded all men to repent of such ignorance or stand judgment. This God had set a day when He would judge all men by the one He raised from the dead, Jesus! The mention of “resurrection” caused some to sneer, others to ponder, but some believed! The Gospel had the power to save these intellectuals! Praise the Living God!
Missionaries in Action!
Scripture reading for November 11th: Acts 13-15
Missionaries are people that God has set apart for a special assignment to go to people who have never heard the Gospel message. They must be full of the Holy Spirit and called by God. They have to be willing to leave the comfort of their own homes, culture, and family and friends. They know ahead of time, that not all people will welcome them and that they may be called upon to give their lives for the One who called them.
In Acts 13, we have the record of the early church sending out the first missionaries. At a prayer meeting where they were worshiping, the Holy Spirit spoke through one of those present, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2b) They fasted and prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them off. It is important to note that this word of knowledge came as a confirmation to Barnabas and Saul. It wasn’t the first time that they had heard this because they had already been called by the Lord. It has been said that God doesn’t give “second hand mail”. His people can hear His voice personally as well as having it confirmed through others.
They went on their way, directed by the Holy Spirit. They preached the Word in Jewish synagogues in Cyprus and decided to travel the whole island. At Paphos, they encountered a false prophet and sorcerer who tried to hinder their work. Sergius Paulus, the proconsul (governor), sent for the missionaries and wanted to hear the Word of God. Elymas the sorcerer tried to keep him from the faith. The Holy Spirit filled Paul and he looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind.” (Acts 13:10-11) He was immediately blinded and the proconsul saw and believed in the Lord!
God always works with those He sends to confirm the Word. Those who hinder are taken out of the way. Truth is offered to all who will set them free! Pray for our many missionaries!