Chapter 28, Boldness without hinderance
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Boldness without hinderance
Following the shipwreck on Malta, Paul enjoyed quite the welcome after many days out at sea. The local inhabitants of the island soon learned that there was something different about the Apostle Paul. The power at work in his life and in his ministry opened doors for the Gospel to be purveyed throughout the island.
After three months there, Paul was finally on his way to the destination of Rome. This would be Paul's final stop. None of his original accusers had sent word to Rome or reported any of the wrongdoings that they had asserted of Paul in Jerusalem. The punishment for all of his crimes came down to this sentence: “Paul was able to rent his own house and stayed there for two years.” He was on house arrest, but this would be the location where anyone could come to be discipled. His home became a preaching point in Rome and the location from which Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon would be penned. You and I still benefit today from the work that was done during that house arrest sentence.
Paul had spent years on the mission field being shuttled away from mobs, spending nights in prison, and relentlessly ministering to the needs of the early church. God had now brought him into a season in which he had no option but to abide. Paul had spent years developing the platform that he was about to minister from. God is faithful to not waste a thing. When you encounter the words of the prison epistles, you can sense the experience and weight behind those words. That wisdom was hard-earned, and God still uses it to impact lives today. The challenges in your life today are laying the foundation for your ministry tomorrow. God is writing your story, and you can be sure that every difficult chapter will give way to victory and opportunity. The victory you experience in God's faithfulness will create opportunities to tell the story and encourage those around you.
The statement that Luke made in the last two verses in the book of Acts was this:
"He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."
As we conclude our journey through Acts, the desired outcome is this: that you could proclaim the kingdom of God with all boldness and without hindrance. My prayer is that every hindrance, distraction, and procrastination in your life would be called into submission to the boldness and empowering of the Spirit in your life. With all that God has done in your life thus far, there is no doubt that even greater things are ahead.
Reflect on the journey:
Regardless of what difficulties you've experienced, Romans 8:28 reminds us that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Take time to thank God for the testimony that will come from the challenges in your life.
Through your prayer time today:
As you think back through the Journey Through Acts, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the key takeaways that you've received through your time. Has the Holy Spirit revealed truth to you? Take time to thank God for speaking and ask for an unhindered boldness to accomplish that purpose.
Chapter 27, Murphy’s Law
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Murphy's Law
You've probably heard of Murphy's Law. You may have also lived out days where that epigram came to life. It's the saying that: If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. Unfortunately, believers are not exempt from the difficulties of life. Few people were more aware of this fact than the apostle Paul. Throughout his ministry, he experienced hardship after hardship. He even built his value system around that fact. The context of the often-quoted Philippians 4:13 is actually Paul stating how he has learned to endure good times as well as incredibly difficult times. He had learned how to be content in all circumstances.
Paul had one more difficult journey to contend with. God was bringing him to Rome as promised. It seems that it would have been quite easy for God to deliver him quietly and efficiently to his destination. However, at every turn and through every leg of the journey, they experienced one setback after another.
There was not a single part of this trip that went according to plan. Yet, through these challenges, we learn a few things about Paul.
He was still on route to his destination. Even in the moments where they had to relinquish control and allow the wind to do with the boat as it wished, Paul was still tracking toward his destination. There would be detours, but there was never a cancellation of the plan. God was moving him forward.
He was still hearing from the Lord. Through all of the chaos that unfolds in chapter twenty-seven, Paul emerges one morning with fresh confidence that he had heard from the Lord. Verses 23-25 read: "For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."
He was still under God's divine protection. The chapter ends with a shipwreck that left the ship completely destroyed by the reefs and waves. There is no doubt that Paul was under the divine protection of God. Luke closes chapter twenty-seven with the following summation: "The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land."
There's certainly a lot happening in this chapter. They went from ship to ship, they withstood seasonal and weather changes, hunger, and loss. They faced the fact that they would probably die at sea. However, through all of this, Paul was still on track, on mission, and riding out the storm in the middle of the will of God. You're probably not detained, starving, nor in a hurricane at sea, yet you may know what it's like to be in the center of God's will and experience challenges.
Though not every situation will parallel with this story, there is truth to be gleaned. First, take a page from Paul's book and remove yourself from the chaos of the storm to spend some time with the Spirit. You may find the peace and assurance that comes from a fresh word from the Lord. Secondly, don't jump overboard. Paul's directive to everyone involved until they reached land was: Stay in the ship. I want to encourage you today to stick to the plan that God has put before you. Don't quit or walk away in the midst of the unknown. When you have more questions than answers, this is not the time to take your chances with the sea. You're still on route to the destination. You're still hearing from the Lord. You're still under His divine protection.
Reflect on the journey: Are you tired from the journey? You may be in the center of God's perfect will and still be experiencing challenges right now. When is the last time you had a fresh word from the Holy Spirit? Maybe this is a good time to take some time away with the Lord.
Through your prayer time today: Read Psalm 139:1–12 and be reminded that God has not forgotten you. Take some time to pray your way through that Psalm with gratitude that God knows the most intimate detail of every challenge in your life and has not forsaken you.
Chapter 26, Shortcuts
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Shortcuts
Once again, Paul was given the opportunity to testify about the events leading up to his arrest, this time in front of King Agrippa. Paul's testimony was consistent. He retells his conversion story to King Agrippa, knowing that Agrippa had insight into the culture and practices of the Jews. He laid out the foundation before the King, built upon it with personal experience, and arrived at this final conclusion in verses twenty-two and twenty-three:
"So I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
That is the summation of the Gospel: Christ came, He suffered, and He rose from the dead. The good news is that this light has been proclaimed into our lives. Due to the sacrifice of Christ and the subsequent work of the disciples and apostles, we have been given an opportunity to experience the goodness of Jesus. Their resolve perpetuated a story that continues to change lives even today. As this chapter draws to a close, King Agrippa makes a statement that seems to be a summation of that resolve:
"This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
In short, Paul could have taken an easier way out, but chose to remain committed to God's plan. There were no shortcuts taken in establishing the church. As you and I take our part in the plan of Jesus, we should be encouraged to remain faithful to the Word and the leading of the Spirit. When you are presented with shortcuts around the plan that God has for you, allow the Spirit to confirm in you a resolve to remain steadfast. Both you and those who come after you will benefit from your commitment.
In our home, we often talk about "The Law of Showing Up." Put simply, it has been our experience that when you remain faithful and keep "showing up" to a situation, sooner or later, breakthroughs happen.
Reflect on the journey:
Has God placed you in a particular situation where you're struggling to see anything significant come to fruition? Take some time today to consider how you can remain steadfast in those matters. Whether it be in prayer or practical life, resist the urge to take a shortcut. You will see God's faithfulness.
Through your prayer time today:
In Isaiah 50:7, the prophet spoke about the coming Messiah:
"But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame."
Take time to pray today that the Holy Spirit would give you the same resolve to stick to the plan He has laid before you and see it through to the end.
Chapter 25, Can’t Stop Now
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Can’t Stop Now
As we saw in chapter twenty-three, nothing materialized of the plot to murder Paul during the prisoner transport. Just as the Lord had promised him, Paul was still on his way to his final destination: Rome. One of the assurances that we have as believers is that ultimately God establishes and keeps His plan. Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 14:27:
"For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?"
When Paul arrived in Caesarea, details started to unfold about the reasons that Paul was there. As this appeal moved farther up the chain of command, it became obvious that there was no real supporting evidence of an actual crime. Since his conversion, those who were once his peers were indignant over the authority and power with which Paul spoke. The actual problem that plagued Paul was his inability to sit and remain silent about the goodness of Jesus.
The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah shared this sentiment. After a period of discouraging ministry, Jeremiah decided that he was finished with his calling. After a short time, here's what happened in Jeremiah 20:9:
"If I say, 'I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,' there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot."
One thing seems consistent: those who lead powerful lives that impact the world are the ones who are not satisfied to allow opportunities to pass by untaken. This is true in every area of life, whether it be personal relationships, our church ministries, or even in our homes. If we are going to see the fullness of God evident in our lives, then we need the Holy Spirit to fill us with a holy dissatisfaction of idleness in the pursuit of our callings. Paul was not willing for an opportunity to pass him by. May our burden for those around us grow strong enough that we are also not willing for our opportunities to pass. If you have a sense that God has called you to take a step of obedience, don't procrastinate that step of faith. It's no coincidence that the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians five is promised to those who are actively walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 tells us:
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Keep walking; it will be worth the effort.
Reflect on the journey: Have you taken for granted the urgency of the calling of Jesus? Are there areas of your life that you have become lackadaisical in? Submit those to God today.
Through your prayer time today: Ask God to empower you to be a bold witness according to Acts 1:8. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you sensitive to opportunities to make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable to the people around you.
February 24, Favor
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
In a particularly pivotal moment in the history of our church, we joined together to pray for three things: favor, provision, and wisdom. We had exhausted our efforts and were in a moment where we needed the Holy Spirit to work out the details for the next step of faith. We saw God move mightily in that season, and there was no doubt that we were given divine favor as we searched for a new facility for our growing church. It seems that challenging moments are often paired with a new experience of God's faithfulness. On a much more significant scale, Paul was no stranger to significant challenges as the early church grew. In one of the most difficult and uncertain times of his ministry, he found favor with the governor Felix. This relationship could not have been more timely.
There is not much here in chapter twenty-four concerning the relationship that developed between Paul and Felix. Obviously, there were mixed motivations on the side of Felix, but for over two years, he and his wife met with Paul. I cannot help but think that Paul became a spiritual influence in their family and in Felix's leadership. While we're not given information that Felix ever made a profession of faith, we can see that Paul had a voice and an impact in their lives.
As a disciple of Jesus, I believe that we've been given divine favor and influence in the places we go and with the people we see. You probably have no idea how much influence you carry in the sphere of people you encounter daily. God has strategically placed you in places and opened doors for you to speak into lives. Like Paul, you've got opportunities to continually - sometimes little by little -speak truth into the lives of the people around you. Sometimes we expect to have just the right thing to say to melt the hard hearts of the people around us as they break down, weeping their way through salvation. It may not happen that way. God may give you influence in someone's life and allow you to speak truth over the course of the friendship. It may be that you have the opportunity to plant a seed that will one day come to fruition when you're no longer in contact. The point is this: The small opportunities to make the goodness of Jesus unavoidable to the people around you are not insignificant. Keep building that relationship. Keep speaking truth. If you never see the fruit of your influence, don't make the mistake of assuming that it is not there. God is faithful to cause His Word to bring about change even when we don't immediately see the results.
Reflect on the journey:
In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul stated: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."
Consider and thank God for the relationships in your life that you have the opportunity to speak life into. If you are feeling discouraged by not seeing fruit in that relationship, be encouraged that God is responsible for the results as you faithfully walk with Him.
Through your prayer time today:
Take time to pray for someone in your circle of influence who seems to be indifferent to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life. You may be the only person to call their name out to God today. After you pray, be sensitive to opportunities to share the joy, love, and peace in your heart with them.
February 22, Tell Your Story
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Tell Your Story
At the height of tensions in Jerusalem, Paul was taken into custody by the Romans in an effort to control the riot that was breaking out over his presence at the Temple. We concluded chapter twenty-one with Paul asking for an opportunity to address the crowd. Certainly, after touring for the last several years around the region, Paul was about to pull out his most dynamic sermon. Without a doubt, he had built up quite a repertoire of messages that would move a crowd to surrender their hearts to the Lord. Proceeding with permission, Paul then addressed the crowd in their own Hebrew language.
The words that followed were not a masterfully crafted lesson in sermon preparation. Instead, he recounted his life leading up to and including his conversion story in Acts chapter nine. This passage is a perfect parallel to the original story found in that chapter. We will find that Paul used this same strategy later on in his testimony to King Agrippa.
One of the most powerful sermons that can be delivered is a life that has been changed. 2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us:
"And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
With one opportunity to deliver a message of Christ to the crowd, Paul chose to recount the story of his life that had been changed. Most believers don't realize that they have something in common with the greatest missionary the world has ever seen: we have a story. If your life has been changed by the power of the Gospel, you too have access to the greatest sermon that can be preached. The enemy of your soul would love nothing more than for you to live and die and never tell the story of Christ's power in your life. Next time you have an opportunity to share the goodness of Jesus, don't fret over needing fancy theological words or a deep dive in hermeneutics—just tell your story. Your story is packed with power. Revelation tells us that we are made overcomers by the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony. There is life-giving power in your story. Don't be afraid to tell it!
Reflect on the journey:
Take a moment and reflect on your story. Do you remember the moments that your life has been changed by Christ. Recall the story and take time to express your gratitude over the work of God in your own life.
Through your prayer time today:
Read Lamentations 3:21-24. As you recall God's faithfulness in times past, be reminded that your story isn't finished. Ask God for opportunities to share your story as He continually brings new mercies day by day.
Lamentations 3:21–24 (ESV)
21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”