Acts 27-28 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 27:1-28:31.

“And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him” (Acts 28:16).

From one capital to another. The gospel started in Jerusalem, the capital of a backwater district of malcontents that were always causing the Romans problems. By the end of Acts it is in Rome. By the time Paul got there, Christ had already arrived. There were brethren there to visit him and uplift him.

I can’t help but think if God could do that with the gospel in the Middle East and Europe, He can do that with the Gospel here in Brownsburg, Indiana. He can do that with the gospel wherever you are. Why did this happen? Sure, Paul was a great preacher and a world traveler. But the real power behind this success was God.

Today, I need to remember that the Gospel can have success, not because I’m the messenger. The Gospel can have success because God is the power behind it. I need to rely on Him today and let Him be the leader that gets the Gospel spread where I live. I’m just His servant, doing what He says, going where He sends.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 21-22 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 21:1-22:30.

“Then Paul answered ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God’” (Acts 21:13).

There’s a challenge for us. Are we ready to die for Jesus? Are we ready to carry the message of the gospel to someone and they kill us for it? I like to think yes. But then I have to ask, am I ready to be hated, disliked, rejected for Jesus? Am I ready to be thought a fool for Jesus? Am I ready to be made fun of for Jesus? Am I ready to be given sidelong glances for Jesus? Am I ready to be given the cold-shoulder for Jesus? Am I ready to be avoided for Jesus?

Am I ready to put forth the time, effort, and money it takes to go to others with the gospel of the grace of God? Am I ready to give up a night with my family? Am I ready to give up my favorite tv show? Am I ready to give up the football game? Am I ready to give up some of my gadgets? Am I ready to give up some of my retirement investments?

Hmmm. Maybe I need to think a little harder before I think I’m ready to be imprisoned or die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Acts 15:1-16:40.

As I read today’s chapter, I simply can’t help but think about the mistaken way I’ve heard people use this chapter over and over again. Too many folks have the idea that Jerusalem was the mother church. That is, that Jerusalem established the rules. They view Acts 15 as a council of delegates from multiple churches striving to determine how all the other churches should teach and act.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Paul and Barnabas and the contingency from Antioch did not travel to Jerusalem to find out what to teach about how Gentiles could be saved. Galatians 1:11-24 makes it abundantly clear that Paul received the gospel he taught by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. He did not go to men to find out what to teach. He wasn’t traveling to Jerusalem to find out what to teach about Gentile circumcision. He already knew. In fact, in Acts 15:12 he argued forth what he knew from the revelation God had given him by attesting to the salvation of the Gentiles with signs and wonders.

Paul went to Jerusalem because that was where the erring teachers had originated. Note Acts 15:24. The Jerusalem church wrote: “Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words…” Paul didn’t go to Jerusalem to find out what was taught. They did not conduct a council to determine what to teach. Rather, Paul went to Jerusalem to get to the bottom of who was behind this error going out and troubling the churches. While there, the Jerusalem church debated and had council regarding what they should do and teach.

Amazingly enough, it seems even those who originally believed Gentiles should be circumcised, came around to the truth. If only we could all so easily submit to the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?