Enduring Testing Times (Mar 6)
Jesus had made it clear before
His ascension that the gospel was
for both the Jew and the Gentile.
But two years after the Commission,
only Jerusalem heard the good news.
In Acts 8, persecution hits,
scattering all but the apostles
into Judea and Samaria. Phillip
extends his witness to Africa thru
the conversion of a visiting dignitary.
And Saul experiences a confrontation
with the risen Lord on the road
to Damascus which transforms
him from Saul the Antagonist
into Paul Missionary to the Gentiles.
Lord, Thank You for Acts which
records the growth of the church,
aided by the power of Holy Spirit.
Almighty God, You can work
thru any challenge or opposition.
Help us to seize opportunities
that opposition brings about.
Help us Seek to Hear You;
Help us Seek Your Will; and
Help us Encourage Others. Amen
Lord, we Seek to Hear You:
An Angel of the Lord said to Philip:
Go south down the desert road…
So he started out and he met
the treasurer of Ethiopia…
The Holy Spirit said to Philip:
Go over and walk along beside
the carriage. Philip ran over and
heard the man reading from the
prophet Isaiah… Beginning with
this same Scripture, Philip told
him the Good News about Jesus.
(Acts 8:26-27, 29-30, 35).
Lord, forgive me for the ways I may
have limited hearing Your voice.
Holy Spirit, I want to hear You
as clearly as Philip did; and to be
able to follow Your instructions.
Help me Lord to broaden my
reception to hear You clearly.
Speak powerfully through me and
give me the faith to respond to
what You’re speaking to me. Amen
Lord, we will Seek Your Will:
The Lord told (Ananias): Go to
the house of Judas on Straight
Street and ask for a man from
Tarsus named Saul for he is praying..
Go for he is a chosen vessel of
Mine to bear My name before
Gentiles & the children of Israel…
Immediately he preached Christ
in the synagogues that He is
the Son of God (Acts 9:11-20).
Lord, You appeared to Saul and
blinded him to get his attention
and do a miraculous turnaround
in his life. In same way, You may
sometimes allowed me to get
to a dark place in my life where
I cannot see without Your help.
At those times, help me to do so
Paul did and pray fervently so that
my spiritual sight can be restored
and Your Will Be Done. Amen.
Lord, we will Encourage Others:
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem,
he tried to meet with the believers
but they were afraid of him…
Then Barnabas brought him
to the apostles and told them
how Saul had seen the Lord on
the way to Damascus. Barnabas
also told them what the Lord
had said to Saul and how he boldly
preached in the name of Jesus
in Damascus (Acts 9:26-27).
Lord, I want to be an encourager
like Barnabas. Help me Lord
to see others with Your eyes.
Give me the vision to see the
potential You’ve deposited in them.
Fill me with courage to stand with
those who are in trouble & need help.
Make me a bridge of encouragement
fr Yr heart to hearts of others. Amen