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Wednesday Devo

Scripture:

Acts 11
21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.

Commentary:

11:21 The hand of the Lord was with them is another reminder that this remarkable expansion of the church came about only by God’s power, not by human wisdom or skill.
11:22 they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When the “mother church” in Jerusalem heard of Antioch’s witness to the Gentiles, they sent Barnabas to validate the new outreach, much as they had sent Peter and John to approve the Samaritan mission (8:14).

Questions:

  • In verse 21 it says that the power of the Lord was with them. What power is Luke referring to? It’s the power of the Holy Spirit. A true christian has the Holy Spirit alive and active in their life, evident to those around them. Because God was with them, their ministry was blessed and multiplied, and the result was that a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Remember, it’s GOD who does that work in someone's heart, to open their eyes to the truth, to shed light in the darkness of their hearts. Then He uses us to plant the seeds of truth in their lives. Who in your life is living in darkness? Who can you be praying for that God would shine the light into their darkness?

  • Every true Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit. But this isn’t just a one-time filling. Yes, every believer receives the Spirit at the moment of conversion, but scripture also teaches that we should be praying for the Spirit to fill us continually so that we might have the boldness and power to be His witnesses. Is the Holy Spirit alive and active in your life? Is it evident to people around you? When was the last time you prayed for the Holy Spirit to fill you anew?

Prayer Topics:

  • That God would stir your heart for individuals in your life that need Jesus. 
  • That the Holy Spirit would fill you daily. 

This Week's City 7:

Try to commit to memory! 

2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)

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