Acts 15 addresses the rising dispute among the newly converted Jews regarding whether following the old customs and traditions were required, including circumcision. In a meeting of the apostles and elders, Peter said "God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit.. He cleansed their hearts through faith. Why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved ... by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus." James also spoke before the leaders, quoting prophesy from the old testament book of Amos, "... so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles--all those I have called to be mine. " The apostles and elders demonstrated that preserving unity in the body of Christ is important, and that false teaching or divisive issues should be thoroughly addressed without delay. The leadership of churches are called to shepherd the body in a protective manner (from inappropriate burdens of false teaching) and in a loving/caring manner ( v.36 "let us go back again to each city where we previously preached, to see how the new believers are doing").

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas travel first to Iconium, and then to Lystra and Derbe. At each city, they preached "boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders"(v.3) and great numbers of Jews and Gentiles believed. However, there were also some Jews that turned the crowds against them. While in Lystra, the people were so amazed by their preaching and healing, that they thought Paul and Barnabas must be gods and began to offer sacrifices to them. The apostles stopped them right away, shouting "Why are you doing this? We too are only men, like you."(v15). Later, the Jews again caught up to them and turned the people against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, nearly dead. It seems ironic that they earlier tried to present sacrifices to Paul as a god and then turned around and nearly stoned him to death in rebellion to his teaching of the Lord. Amazingly, Paul resumed preaching and encouraging the large number of new disciples in Lystra and Derbe.

I pray for humility and courage like Paul demonstrated in this chapter. I confess that I often allow people to compliment and praise my good works without saying "What are you doing? I too am only a man, like you". I also confess that I often put too much value in trying to win the approval of people. For Paul, even his numerous miraculous signs didn't earn him the approval of much of the crowds. But, Paul gave God the glory and needed only God's approval to remain steadfast in his courageous missionary journeys.

Acts 13 introduces Paul's missionary journeys and describes the events in Antioch, Cyprus, and Perga. As Paul and his companions moved from one area to the next, they preached without regard to Jew or Gentile. They encountered opposition most everywhere they went, Jews who tried to turn people away from the faith in Christ. But, large assemblies of Jews and God-fearing proselytes were amazed at the teaching of the Lord and believed. Acts 13:16-41 outlines the sermon that Paul preached, as to the history of their ancestors and the life and ministry of Jesus, including his death and resurrection. Paul summarizes in conclusion, " Therefore let it be know to you that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law". He follows this by quoting prophesy from Habakkuk, which says that some will never believe these truths though they are clearly demonstrated to them. Next, we see an example of this fulfilled in v.45, when the Jews had heard and saw what was happening, "they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming."

In contrast, then the Gentiles heard these things, "they began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed (v.48)". The end of this chapter in Acts describes how the Jewish leaders instigated persecution of Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their area. But, Paul and his companions "shook off the dust of their feet" and moved on. I think there is a connection here to the prophesy from Habakkuk. Apparently, the shaking of dust from the feet represents removing further responsibility for those who refused to listen. When is it appropriate for us to do this? Do we give up on some people at some point after a time of persistent witnessing? Hmmmm. Maybe "giving up" is not the right words here, but rather we should remember that it is God who changes hearts and draws people to Himself anyway.

I don't know, but He does. What do you think?

Acts 12 tells of King Herod's persecution of Christ followers, namely James and Peter. When Peter was arrested and imprisoned, Herod placed sixteen soldiers to guard him ! Maybe Herod had some concerns about the power of Peter's God. It says that the brethren prayed earnestly without ceasing unto God for Peter. Then it happened. Even 16 soldiers were not enough to hinder God's work to free Peter. Peter finds himself outside of the prison before he realized that it wasn't just a dream (that an angel of the Lord had released his chains and led him past all the guards). It must have been quite a remarkable revelation that God had actually delivered him from Herod. He then went to a house where many of the brethren had been praying for his deliverance. When a servant had opened the door and told the brethren who had arrived, their initial reaction was unbelief. They couldn't believe it was really Peter. They said to the servant, "you're out of your mind"(v.15). She insisted and they then said, "it must be his guardian angel". Peter kept knocking and when they finally let him in and saw that it was truly him, v.16 says they were "astonished".

These people had earnestly and unceasingly prayed for Peter's release, yet when God answered their prayers, they had a really hard time believing it was true. Can you relate to this? I (unfortunately) can too. I think that often when things work out according to our prayers, we fail to acknowledge and give God the glory and thanksgiving He deserves. Once the brethren finally acknowledged that Peter was really standing before them, Peter told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison and he asked them to "tell this to James and the brothers." Peter demonstrates that we should affirm God's activity in our lives by acknowledging answered prayer and sharing our praises to God with the body of Christ.

I think. He knows. What do you think?

In Acts 11, Peter explains to the apostles and the brethren how God revealed to him that all men from all nations are acceptable and welcome. God chooses whom He chooses. It is clear throughout scripture that He does this without regard to a person's merit or performance. It's difficult to comprehend that "He does not show favoritism"(10:34). The choosing of the "elect" , who will be apart of God's kingdom, is a topic that really boggles my mind. This truly is an area that I must say,

" I don't (fully) know, but (I'm sure glad )He does." What do you think?

Acts 10 provides a lesson about how God calls a man named Cornelius to salvation. Though Cornelius was a nice guy ( generous, God-fearing, man of prayer), he needed God to call him to Himself. Peter would be the one that God used to share the good news with Cornelius. In the middle of all this, Peter had a revelation from God that taught him that, "God shows no favoritism (towards Jews), but accepts men from every nation".

In this account, both Cornelius and Peter had visions from God that prepared them for the work He was going to do in their lives.

Is God preparing us for the work he is going to do next in our lives? I can recall times that , looking back, were definitely times when God was shaping me for the next season in my life. In my vocation there are several examples, and I can also see a few instances in the parenting of my children. These times of preparation are sometimes difficult, but we can humbly trust that God will mold and shape us in Christlike ways to further enable us to participate in His purposes.

Even when I don't know, He does. What do you think?

In Acts 9, Paul, even as he was "still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples", was declared by God to be "My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and the people of Israel". WOW! It's a demonstration of how God loves us first and doesn't choose to love individuals based on their merit. I've read this many times before, but never saw the connection to Rom 5:8. Have you ever had an experience where a loved one or friend (used by God) roughed you up a little to knock some sense into you in order to change the direction of your life? I can remember a few of those times when I was a teenager. I can identify with Paul in some of those stinging moments of my life, when I needed something like a "flash of light" to cause me "fall to the ground" and I was "told what you must do". When I read the part of Paul's conversion when "he opened his eyes and could see nothing", I wondered if the reason He was blinded for a time, was so that he would quickly learn to depend on God to "tell him what he must do". After Paul regained his sight, he spent time with the disciples, "at once began to preach in the synagogues", and "grew more and more powerful, proving to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ". Paul was once an enemy of God and was transformed into a very important instrument of God.

For many years, I have prayed for my younger brother. The usual stuff, like health and safety and direction for his life, but mostly that God would change him like he did Paul. Knowing my brother , I prayed that God would bring a believing woman into his life that would be a great influence in opening his mind and heart to God. I prayed this for many years, and God finally did answer the prayer, but not the way that I expected! God brought my own mother to Jesus first, thoroughly changing her life, and she has been a powerful influence on my brother.

I don't understand His ways, nor his plans , but this much I know. God is good!

Even when I don't know, He does ! What do you think?