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. Acts 14:22 (NIV) Saved! Restored unto God! Ransom paid! Heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven! These are the cries of the converted Christian. The impression is that these... Continue Reading →
God Not Without Testimony
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17 (NIV) Even to the unbeliever God shows His kindness. Even those who spout horrible things about... Continue Reading →
Faith To Be Healed
He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed Acts 14:9 (NIV) Crippled from birth, the man sits there eating up the words that speak to him of Jesus. It must be written all over his face. The man of God can... Continue Reading →
Stirred Up
But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. Acts 14:2 As Christians it is a good thing to be stirred up. But we must be very careful as to how we are stirred. We can be stirred to anger, jealousy, problems and strife. Or... Continue Reading →
Appointed For Life
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 (NIV) A door opens in the hearts and lives of some to come and know the Lord. Others though find reason for negative thoughts and selfishness. They would... Continue Reading →
Look, You Scoffers!
" 'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.' " Acts 13:41 (NIV) The thought of Jesus is difficult for many people to swallow. The powers that be would not let everyone accept Christ readily. Some... Continue Reading →
God Raised Him Up
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, Acts 13:29-30 (NIV) Much has been written of Christ. Many have heralded His coming. But what people do with Jesus has also been... Continue Reading →
Christ Is Coming
As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' Acts 13:25 (NIV) Paul draws his listeners of every generation to consider the past. He points out how men touched... Continue Reading →
Time It Takes
He overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. Acts 13:19-20 (NIV) We are impatient. We want everything now. In our hurry we unconsciously try to apply our haste to God. We think that He should move without irritating us with... Continue Reading →
God Endure Our Conduct
He endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, Acts 13:18 (NIV) Invited to speak Paul stands to address the curious. His mission is to help people see their need for a Savior. He would show that we already have One. To set the scene he has his hearers look back and... Continue Reading →
