Paul and Silas had been thrown into prison, and were holding a prayer and hymn fest for their fellow prisoners. When suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the doors open and broke off everyone’s chains. The Jailor came running in, fearing all had escaped, when Paul shouted, ” We’re all here!” There was then an abrupt role reversal as the Jailor then addressed Paul and Silas with respect and urgency as he asked how he might receive this salvation they had spoken of.
Tag: acts of kindness
Acts 11:26 ” The Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
For the early Church, the label “Christian” was anything but a compliment. It was actually a derogatory name given to mock and ridicule Believers by others. Thus the Disciples and other Followers of the Way did not use this term to identify themselves.
Acts 10:15 ” Do not call anything impure God has made clean.”
The Lord showed the Apostle Paul that all men – whether Jew or Gentile – were made in His image. This powerful encounter with God so impacted him, that later in Romans 10:12, Paul declares, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all…”
Acts 9:40 ” Peter sent them all out of the room; then got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘ Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.”
Peter first got rid of all the worldly distractions. He then knelt down, putting his mind, body and spirit in right relationship with God. Finally, he poured out his heart to the Lord. He prayed boldly that God would raise this wonderful old saint from the dead…and it happened! He called her name, and she responded.
Acts 4:29 ” Lord, enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.”
What stops us from witnessing to others? What hinders us from courageously, confidently, fearlessly sharing the Gospel? Most times it’s fear…fear of stepping on people’s toes and offending…fear of ridicule and rejection…fear of being called crazy. But in this verse, the Disciples are specifically asking for boldness in all those situations. So our prayers needs to be the same… for as it says in Psalm 138:3, ” When I called You answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted.”
Acts 9:18 ” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again…”
When the world gets very hectic, I’m seeing but not perceiving. I’m doing things automatically, but not listening for the Holy Spirit. That’s when I need to slow down, take a deep breath, and ask the Lord for fresh vision. The scales of distraction and commotion need to fall from my eyes, so I can then see clearly God’s path and plan.
Acts 20:24 “…so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from The Lord Jesus…”
There is no description for the happiness and satisfaction in fulfilling our purpose…our ministry in life. Each one of us has been given a specific calling…a niche in life that only we can fill within our circle of influence. And God entrusts to each one of us unique gifts, talents, and passions as we all labor for the Lord.
Acts 20: 24 ” … if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.”
This should be the prayer and wish of every Believer – to complete the calling that God has given us. Yes, each one of us has been called into a Ministry of some sort. It may be small or large, private or public, modest or grand. But with the calling, comes the work of accomplishing it to the very best of our ability – with God’s help and guidance.
Acts 20:35 ” In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘ It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
The Apostle Paul was trying to show all of us that giving to the poor and down-trodden is what our Savior desires. But unfortunately, this goes against all our self-absorbed, self-centered emotions… We’d much rather be on the receiving end of gifts than handing them out. Jesus however wanted us to look at giving from a completely different standpoint…not from what we might be losing, but from what we’d be gaining. To be blessed, is to have God present and involved in every area of our life…it’s being a person who lives “Coram Deo” – Before the face of God.
Acts 1:14 ” They all joined together constantly in prayer.”
Corporate prayer…a shared raising of voices together as a group. This joined assembly of Believers not only strengthens those participating individually, but shows us as a group just how powerful we can be when joined together in prayer. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 18:20, ” For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” There is mighty power from on high when we gather together to pray.
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