Acts 26-28

We finish up Luke's book of Acts, as we read chapters 26 through 28.  Just when I think Paul has really done it this time, God swoops in and saves the day.  Paul seems to be like a cat with nine lives.  He continues to share Jesus' story and God's work in his own life.  Through trial after trial, prison, stormy seas, and a shipwreck, Paul continues to bring others to Christ. God is with Paul, and He takes care of him every step of the way.

Paul finds himself in the middle of a storm on a boat.  It reminds me so much of the story in the gospels when Jesus calms the storm with the disciples.  It's a very scary situation.  Things don't look good.  And then, God shows up, in all His power and glory, and takes care of everything.  Paul's close relationship with God, encourages and comforts others at one of the scariest points in their journey.

Acts 23-25

Paul is a troublemaker for the Jewish leaders in Acts 23-25.  He is brought to trial, in fact.  His accusers are confident the truth about Paul will prove his guilt.  Paul, in their opinion, is wrongly turning their laws upside down. The truth (even though Paul does jail time) sets him free.  Those who hear Paul's side of the story have a hard time finding any guilt.  And in trying to quiet Paul's voice, even more people are drawn to his story.  He continues to win hearts for our Savior.

How does he do it?  How does Paul stand all the trials he faces?  

Acts 20-22

Acts 20-22 is tense.  Man.  It reminds me so much of the time in Jerusalem right before Jesus is murdered on the cross.  Paul has spread God's Good News of grace to so many Gentiles.  He has never been closer to God.  Paul is in the hot seat, and he knows it's about to get worse even before it happens.  Paul prays, and like Jesus, spends time with his closest friends.  I am amazed at how Paul uses his bad situation, yet again, as an opportunity to share what God has done in his life, shining some light on the power of God's grace.

Paul recalls what God did for him.

¹⁵ You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Acts 22:15-16

God worked Paul's past mistakes for His good purpose.  Paul's baggage shows God's extravagant love and power.  God wants to do the same for all of us.

Acts 17-19

Paul's determination and faithfulness get him into all kinds of trouble in Acts 17-19.  He is trying to reconcile the Old Testament Law with God's saving grace we now have in Christ.  The trouble seems to spread to many who choose to support his ministry.  Paul's strongest resource is God's word, the truth.  The news is good, but not everyone has heard the full story.  And when Paul shares it, not everyone believes it.  That was then, in Bible times, and we still face the same reality today.  

Funny how truth works.  The truth will set you free.  And as Paul and his crew find out, it can also put you in the middle of a mess.

Acts 14-16

God is busy at work in Acts 14-16.  There is opposition and struggle along the way.  Paul, Barnabas, and Silas (and their crew) keep traveling all over the place spreading God's good news about Jesus.  These missionaries meet hostility at times, face abuse, even serve jail time.  Those struggles prove to be powerful faith builders in their own right.  They are the places and times when God does some of His best work.

Acts 11-13

The Good News just keeps spreading in Acts 11-13.  Saul (also known as Paul) and Barnabas baptize more disciples at Antioch, and they call themselves Christians for the first time.  Meanwhile in Jerusalem, tensions are rising for Jesus' followers.  James is killed, and Peter's strong voice lands him in prison.  Miraculously, by the grace of God, Peter escapes prison and wins even more hearts for Christ through it all.  Disciples are traveling all over the place, doing things they could not have imagined.

I am still amazed at the transformation in Saul's faith in those days.  He is such a determined

missionary and witness for Jesus, and it rubs off on people.  Just look at what he is doing.  He follows God's call to preach in far off places in the Jewish synagogues.  I know, as Christians, we are called to be "witnesses" for Christ, but something about that word has always made me a little nervous and shy.  And don't you know, there's nothing more discouraging than a bad "witness!"  

Acts 9-10

Jesus has died and gone to heaven, AND Jesus is still very much here, there, and everywhere in Acts 9-10.  Jesus has made God's grace possible and accessible to all who believe, not just for the Jewish people but for Gentiles too (and you and me).  Saul and Peter are well aware of that, and they spread the Word.  Saul goes from persecuting Christians to saving them.  And Peter, well, he is stronger than ever in his faith.  God is taking him all over the place.  He is faithful to God's voice, and his biggest gift seems to be his ability to talk to people.  That's good news for talkers everywhere...

God's grace is so beautiful, isn't it?

Acts 7-8

Stephen in today's reading, Acts 7-8, makes me want to back up a little bit.  He is a leader from the start.  He enters the picture in Acts 6 as the apostles become a little overwhelmed meeting all the responsibilities that come with spreading Jesus' good news.  They realize their need for help.  The apostles want to focus on praying and teaching God's word, and seven chosen men, who are "full of the Spirit and wisdom," serve in meeting the day to day needs of the people.  The apostles pray over these men and lay hands on them.  This is the start of Stephen ministry.  (Ahh, that's the story behind that ministry.)  And God's ministry keeps growing...

Acts 4-6

The disciples are helping more and more people believe in the Lord.  I think that's what Jesus wants us all to do, really.  The apostles share their stories, their experiences, and they are not afraid to give Jesus the credit.  Peter becomes such a strong leader in his faith.  It's an amazing change.  It's pretty awesome to watch the Holy Spirit at work in believers' lives.

I love how God uses ordinary and unlikely people like you and me for amazing things.

Acts 1-3

Acts 1-3 marks the beginning of Luke's second book in the New Testament.  Forty days is significant again in the Bible, as Jesus appears to the disciples this long preparing them before He goes to Heaven.  A close follower of Jesus named Matthias is chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.  The Holy Spirit fills Jesus' disciples and followers with a violent wind on the day of Pentecost, and the church begins.  The disciples are now apostles, and they go into the world to share Jesus' message.

Look at how the Holy Spirit changes Peter and strengthens His faith.  He's the guy who denied Jesus three times the day He is crucified (John 13:31-38).  He is also the same guy  Jesus puts on the spot three times, calling His faith into question (John 21:15-25).  Now look at him!  God is using Him in amazing ways.  Peter tells us what we need to remember as Christians,

³⁸ Peter replied, “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. ³⁹ 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