Jesus is willing and wanting to heal us.

August 31, 2013 - Mark 1:40-45

    ⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

   ⁴¹ Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

   ⁴³ Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴ “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. (NIV)

 ⁴⁰ A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”

   ^41-45 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.” But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over. (Message)

Our Master Jesus is the Lord of the earth. He rules His church and sends His servants to the right places and at the right times. He governs the physical and spiritual realms as He has resurrected and been exalted to the highest, exercising His will according to His plan. He also leads the life of all his disciples, shaping and transforming their lives to fulfill their destinies in God's plan. Jesus was deeply moved by an earnest request of a leper who suffered severe skin disease that might exist for a long period of time. Skin disease had cause this leper to suffer a lot of pain physically and emotionally. And also at the same time, this disease had isolated him to participate in God's assembly to have fellowship with God and with God's people. Nevertheless, this great suffering never defeated his faith to come to Jesus for seeking the healing. His faith and also his pain moved Jesus's heart to reach out His hand to heal and to restore the leper's health such that his skin became smooth and healthy again. Jesus is willing to exercise His healing miracles for the sake of God's glory and also for the joy and benefit of His people. The leper restored his health and also his fellowship with God and God's people. 

My Master Jesus, grant me the faith like that of the leper, knowing that I can always gain access to You to seek for help and healing, because You are a God of compassion and understanding. I desire to deepen my fellowship both with You and with God's people through my skin diseases as You can turn all kinds of cursing to becoming a blessings for Your glory and our joy. 

Never lose our faith to shout to Jesus for mercy.

August 30, 2013 - Matthew 20:29-34

 ²⁹ As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

   ³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

   ³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

   ³³ “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

   ³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

The faith of two blind men caused them to shout to Jesus for healing. People rebuked; their blindness stopped them from seeing Jesus directly; no blind man had been healed before by any means. But the faith and desire for healing caused them to shout louder and louder until they heard from Jesus' response. Jesus stopped His way because of their earnest shout for help. Jesus also stopped because of His compassion for these two blind men. He stopped and also touched their eyes with His healing hands. They recovered their sight and followed Jesus. 

My Master Jesus, always preserve my faith in Your grace in all kinds of circumstances. Our outside circumstances may become so dark that we can't see any light before us that we are merely like the two blind men. But we are the flock of Jesus. Though we can't see Jesus with our physical eyes, we can still hear His gentle voice with our inner souls. Never lose our hope to shout to Jesus for help. Never lose our faith to come to Jesus. Jesus is still here with us. He speaks and we can still listen to His voice. His compassion never departs from his disciples. His compassion will soon move His healing hands to touch us, healing us from all our sins and diseases. 

Where is our faith?

August 29, 2013 - Matthew 17:14-20

    ¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

   ¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

   ¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

   ²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 

We know that nothing is impossible for God. But now Jesus said to his disciples that nothing will be impossible for you if they have faith even as small as a mustard seed. A father suffered quite a lot because his son was possessed by a demon that his son had seizures and he even harmed his body with fire or water. The disciples could not drive the demon out because of so little faith. The father finally came to a hopeless condition and only came to Jesus as his last resort to help his son. His request moved Jesus to heal his son. 

I also came to the most desperate condition because of my skin problem. Infections suddenly occurred around my mouth to the point that I couldn't sleep for the whole night. But I had prayed for the recovery of my skin disease and even shared my prayer request with my b/s in the prayer meeting. Nevertheless, the skin problem still worsened suddenly far beyond my expectation. I prayed to Jesus to have mercy on me and deliver me from this desperate condition. Nevertheless, a kind of inner peace still exists in my heart. Having taken strong antibiotics and a rest of the whole afternoon, infections are seemed to be under control though a lot of uncomfortable feeling of extreme dryness occurs around the mouth. I can sense a little bit of Job's painful feeling while his body was covered with sores. No miraculous healing occurred in my body; and my faith came to a severe trial as this skin problem came suddenly and became worsened without my control. Do I still have faith in God? I cannot boast of my strength and faith in God. I admit that I am only a normal Christian but I still choose to believe in Him who is still here with me, using His own way to heal and to stretch my faith though I prefer to hide in my comfort zone and use my own way to experience God. 

Stretching our faith is risky but this is the only way to come closer to Jesus.

August 28, 2013 - Matthew 14:22-36

    ²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

   ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

   ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

   ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

   ²⁹ “Come,” he said.

   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

   ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

   ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

   ³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Disciples of Jesus were in desperate condition as their boat was opposed by the strong waves and winds on the lake. Jesus' appearance as He walked on the water further added their fear as well. Nevertheless, once Peter had identified Jesus, his strong desire to be with Jesus caused him to have an immediate request to ask for walking on the water, like Jesus was doing. Jesus was quite willing to grant his request and Peter then jumped out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. Peter, unlike the other disciples, desired to have a great leap of his faith. His faith was stretched to the point that he wanted to be like Jesus. He started to walk on the water and came closer and closer to Jesus. But stretching our faith is also risky at the same time. Waves and winds became stronger and stronger, and even surrounding around Peter. Peter suddenly lost his confidence and faith in Jesus and began to sink. He cried for help to Jesus as a matter of instinct. Jesus at the same time never ignored his immediate help and reached out His hand to bring him out of the water. Peter was tested to be a man of little faith and of doubt of Jesus as danger arose. It seemed that Peter had apparently failed the test but in fact he had stepped out of his comfort zone, stretching his faith one big step further and encountering the delivery of Jesus while he was in danger. 

Dear Master Jesus, I am like Peter as well. I desire to stretch my faith as to follow Your way but at the same time, I am a man of little faith. I question about Your protection and guidance while waves and storms keep on pounding upon me. I lose my joy and patience as You allow the trials to persist without seeing the ending. But I know that You are still my ultimate help as I cry out for Your delivery. Stretching my faith and stepping out of my comfort zone is indeed risky and I may fail very often, but this is also the way to experience further Your reality and power in transforming my life. 

Come to Jesus and find Rest in Him.

August 27, 2013 - Matthew 11:25-30

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

   ²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

   ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus preached God's kingdom with miracles, but people of those cities like Korazin and Bethsaida still did not repent. But Jesus was not frustrated but rather started praising the Lord as this was the Will of the Father that He was pleased to reveal the Kingdom's mystery to little children only. Only those the Father and the Son choose to reveal can come to know God. Jesus also calls those who are weary and burdened to come to take His yoke and learn from Him for His yoke is easy, burden is light, and He is gentle and humble in heart. 

My Master Jesus, I desire to live a discipleship life totally like You. You live in a heavenly rest that is unlike the rest of this world; You are in such a gentleness and humility that reflects in the real peace of your heart; You live in such an intimate relationship with heavenly Father that the outside ups and downs of the circumstances cannot interrupt Your inner tranquility; You bear the heavy responsibility of accomplishing the salvation of this world but Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light as You walk in a life united with the Father. Now, You promise to call me into Your rest, taking Your easy yoke and light burden, learning from Your humility and gentleness, and becoming like a little child again who can receive Father's revelation. Let me be transformed to be like You, my Master Jesus, living the rest of my life as I lay down my own yoke and burden, and follow and being with You like a little child of Heavenly Father, take up Your yoke and burden, enter into Your rest and peace till to the end of this world and forever. 

Jesus is with us in the storm of our life.

August 26, 2013 - Matthew 8:23-27

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

   ²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

   ²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Disciples of Jesus faithfully followed Jesus wherever He went. They followed Jesus to cross the lake to minister to people as usual. But suddenly, a furious storm happened without any warning. The storm was so fierce that the disciples had never seen before though they were experienced fishermen. They tried their best to keep their boat in stability in the midst of the fierce storm but their efforts seemed to fail ultimately. Their boat would soon sink in the fierce waves and their lives would lose. They were scared to the point of death but thanks to God. Jesus was with them in the boat. Their last resort was to ask Jesus for saving their lives though they had somehow query or even complain that why Jesus was so late in caring for their concerns. Jesus was here with His beloved disciples. He postponed His rescue but not because He was  uncaring or unable to deliver. He had His own time to deliver. He woke up but first pointed to the disciples of their little faith and questioned their fear in the storm. He questioned the disciples that why fear had displaced their trust in the Lord? Jesus then rebuked the winds and waves and the storm ceased and the lake became calm again. 

Dear Master Jesus, thanks for accepting me as being a man of little faith. Furious storms always occurred in our lives suddenly without any prior warning. We sometimes are scared to death like the disciples in the storm. Fear displaces our peace and trust in our Lord. Jesus also questions us as well, "Why are you so fearful while I am still with you in the storm?" Jesus wanted us to answer this question sincerely. How is our trust in the Lord to be revealed when storms come to our lives without expectation? Dear Master Jesus, open my eyes to see that You are always with me in the "boat of my life". Your Presence is already the best protection and guarantee that I can conquer all kinds of furious storms that I presently face in my life. Let my heart be filled with Your Peace and Trust as I continue to follow You. 

Jesus is here!

August 24, 2013 - Acts 19:11-20 

 ^11-12 God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary. The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing—handkerchiefs and scarves and the like—that had touched Paul’s skin and then touching the sick with them. The touch did it—they were healed and whole.

   ^13-16 Some itinerant Jewish exorcists who happened to be in town at the time tried their hand at what they assumed to be Paul’s “game.” They pronounced the name of the Master Jesus over victims of evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus preached by Paul!” The seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were trying to do this on a man when the evil spirit talked back: “I know Jesus and I’ve heard of Paul, but who are you?” Then the possessed man went berserk—jumped the exorcists, beat them up, and tore off their clothes. Naked and bloody, they got away as best they could.

   ^17-20 It was soon news all over Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks. The realization spread that God was in and behind this. Curiosity about Paul developed into reverence for the Master Jesus. Many of those who thus believed came out of the closet and made a clean break with their secret sorceries. All kinds of witches and warlocks came out of the woodwork with their books of spells and incantations and made a huge bonfire of them. Someone estimated their worth at fifty thousand silver coins. In such ways it became evident that the Word of the Master was now sovereign and prevailed in Ephesus.

God did powerful things through Paul, and even his handkerchiefs and scarves could become a means of healing the sick. And the Name of Master Jesus was also exalted as people saw that the evil spirits knew the name of Jesus and God was behind all these events. People grew into reverence for Jesus and some witches even openly burned their books of magic. 

Dear Master Jesus, You demonstrate Your powerful presence when Your work is done through us. We see how people are converted; ministries are proceeded; and Your Name is exalted. But at the same time, I trust that You still demonstrate Your Presence and Love when the works are not being done in our way. Illnesses are not healed though we repeated pray for; men's hearts are still hardened though faithful witnesses and sharing of God's words have been made; the churches are still in a stagnant condition while earnest prayers for revival have continuously been asked. By faith, we know that Jesus is here. He speaks to us in a gentle voice; He affirms His Presence; He promises His being with us though the road is unclear and full of hurdles; He is our Friend and Savior in walking together on the road to heavenly eternity. 

A Life of Downward Mobility - Experience the Fullness of Jesus' Presence and Love.

August 23, 2013 - Acts 19:1-10

 ^1 1-2 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?”

   “We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?”

   ³ “How were you baptized, then?” asked Paul.

   “In John’s baptism.”

   ⁴ “That explains it,” said Paul. “John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.”

   ^5-7 And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s actions. Altogether there were about twelve people there that day.

   ^8-10 Paul then went straight to the meeting place. He had the run of the place for three months, doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them. But then resistance began to form as some of them began spreading evil rumors through the congregation about the Christian way of life. So Paul left, taking the disciples with him, and set up shop in the school of Tyrannus, holding class there daily. He did this for two years, giving everyone in the province of Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, ample opportunity to hear the Message of the Master.

The Holy Spirit led Paul to convert the 12 people in Ephesus to believe and be baptized in the Name of Jesus again. They spoke in tongues as a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit in the new covenant age. Paul continued to faithfully preach the Message of Jesus to Jews and Greeks in Ephesus for two years, leading the people to come to Jesus through the words of God. 

Me dear Master Jesus, I desire my life to be like Your apostle, to follow Jesus' way of life in preaching God's Kingdom. Jesus lived a life of downward mobility, unlike the worldly standard of pursuing upwards; Paul gave up his life of nobility of being a Pharisee, living his life like a servant of God, serving people with humility and patience. Jesus lives a life of pleasing the Father God, listening to His voice, adjusting his life and obeying to Father's Will; Paul lives a life of dying to his old self and living a resurrected life with Jesus, faithfully surrendering His life to Jesus and His mission. Jesus lived out a life of entire union with His Father and His love in all kinds of circumstances; Paul pursued a life of gaining Christ and be united with Him forever. 

My Master Jesus, as I commit myself to follow You and Your mission without reservation, I desire to follow You to live a life of downward mobility, serving people with humility and patience, but trusting that this is also the way to fully experience Your Presence and Love as I walk step by step daily with You. 

Pray to God, listen to Him, adjust our path, obey His Will, and God's plan be fulfilled in us.

August 22, 2013 - Acts 18:18-28

 ¹⁸ Paul stayed a while longer in Corinth, but then it was time to take leave of his friends. Saying his good-byes, he sailed for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila with him. Before boarding the ship in the harbor town of Cenchrea, he had his head shaved as part of a vow he had taken.

   ^19-21 They landed in Ephesus, where Priscilla and Aquila got off and stayed. Paul left the ship briefly to go to the meeting place and preach to the Jews. They wPranted him to stay longer, but he said he couldn’t. But after saying good-bye, he promised, “I’ll be back, God willing.”

   ^21-22 From Ephesus he sailed to Caesarea. He greeted the church there, and then went on to Antioch, completing the journey.

   ²³ After spending a considerable time with the Antioch Christians, Paul set off again for Galatia and Phrygia, retracing his old tracks, one town after another, putting fresh heart into the disciples.

   ^24-26 A man named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a Jew, born in Alexandria, Egypt, and a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures. He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm. Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John. He preached with power in the meeting place. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and told him the rest of the story.

   ^27-28 When Apollos decided to go on to Achaia province, his Ephesian friends gave their blessing and wrote a letter of recommendation for him, urging the disciples there to welcome him with open arms. The welcome paid off: Apollos turned out to be a great help to those who had become believers through God’s immense generosity. He was particularly effective in public debate with the Jews as he brought out proof after convincing proof from the Scriptures that Jesus was in fact God’s Messiah.

Paul left Corinth but with the joining of Priscilla and Aquila in his mission team. They continued their works until to Ephesus and then back to Antioch. Paul made vow with God through shaving his head. He recommitted himself to respond to Jesus' calling in his life. The Holy Spirit continues His works, apart from adding Priscilla and Aquila in Paul's team, also chose Apollo as another powerful speaker in witnessing the Name of Jesus with the help of Priscilla and Aquila. 

Dear Master Jesus and Holy Spirit, You are the One who lead Your mission. You choose your own servants; You form Your own mission team; You direct Your servants to carry out your works; You encourage Your servants through dreams and visions; You empower Your servants works and inspire their words for preaching Your Name; and You also give your people trusting hearts to believe in Your Name. All glory belongs to You. Help us to pray to You, seek Your face, know Your will, adjust and obey to Your way that Your good will is fulfilled in us. 

Jesus reveals His Presence and reaffirms His calling.

August 21, 2013 - Acts 18:1-17

 ^1 1-4 After Athens, Paul went to Corinth. That is where he discovered Aquila, a Jew born in Pontus, and his wife, Priscilla. They had just arrived from Italy, part of the general expulsion of Jews from Rome ordered by Claudius. Paul moved in with them, and they worked together at their common trade of tentmaking. But every Sabbath he was at the meeting place, doing his best to convince both Jews and Greeks about Jesus.

   ^5-6 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was able to give all his time to preaching and teaching, doing everything he could to persuade the Jews that Jesus was in fact God’s Messiah. But no such luck. All they did was argue contentiously and contradict him at every turn. Totally exasperated, Paul had finally had it with them and gave it up as a bad job. “Have it your way, then,” he said. “You’ve made your bed; now lie in it. From now on I’m spending my time with the other nations.”

   ^7-8 He walked out and went to the home of Titius Justus, a God-fearing man who lived right next to the Jews’ meeting place. But Paul’s efforts with the Jews weren’t a total loss, for Crispus, the meeting-place president, put his trust in the Master. His entire family believed with him.

   ^8-11 In the course of listening to Paul, a great many Corinthians believed and were baptized. One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: “Keep it up, and don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I’m with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city.” That was all he needed to stick it out. He stayed another year and a half, faithfully teaching the Word of God to the Corinthians.

   ^12-13 But when Gallio was governor of Achaia province, the Jews got up a campaign against Paul, hauled him into court, and filed charges: “This man is seducing people into acts of worship that are illegal.”

   ^14-16 Just as Paul was about to defend himself, Gallio interrupted and said to the Jews, “If this was a matter of criminal conduct, I would gladly hear you out. But it sounds to me like one more Jewish squabble, another of your endless hairsplitting quarrels over religion. Take care of it on your own time. I can’t be bothered with this nonsense,” and he cleared them out of the courtroom.

   ¹⁷ Now the street rabble turned on Sosthenes, the new meeting-place president, and beat him up in plain sight of the court. Gallio didn’t raise a finger. He could not have cared less.

Paul ministered in the city of Corinth, preaching the Name of Jesus in the midst of Jews who continued to argue and oppose against Paul's message of the Gospel. Paul devoted his life to convert the Jews with powerful preaching and works and deeds. But nevertheless, men's hearts were still hardened to the point that Paul proclaimed that he would go to the Gentiles instead. Master Jesus had a better plan for Paul. Jesus revealed himself again, at least for the second time (the first time on the road to Damascus), to Paul in his dream, affirming that He was to be with Paul that he must not be intimidated or silenced because of people's negative responses, and that Jesus had kept His people in the city of Corinth. Jesus reaffirmed His calling to Paul that he was to be an apostle to the Gentiles. 

Dear Master Jesus, show me Your way as we continue to walk after You. It's true that sometimes though we faithfully preach the Gospel and even that God has acted with signs and wonders, people's hearts are still hardened. Our faith may waver and our passion may diminish, but Master Jesus, just as You strengthened Paul's faith in the time of difficulties, please also show us Your presence and reaffirm Your calling that are the most precious comfort and encouragement we need. 

Passionate for God's glory and compassionate for the lost.

August 20, 2013 - Acts 17:16-34

 ¹⁶ The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got—all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.

   ^17-18 He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: “What an airhead!” But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: “That’s a new slant on the gods. Tell us more.”

   ^19-21 These people got together and asked him to make a public presentation over at the Areopagus, where things were a little quieter. They said, “This is a new one on us. We’ve never heard anything quite like it. Where did you come up with this anyway? Explain it so we can understand.” Downtown Athens was a great place for gossip. There were always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest tidbit on most anything.

   ^22-23 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, TO THE GOD NOBODY KNOWS. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.

   ^24-29 “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

   ^30-31 “God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”

   ^32-34 At the phrase “raising him from the dead,” the listeners split: Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said, “Let’s do this again. We want to hear more.” But that was it for the day, and Paul left. There were still others, it turned out, who were convinced then and there, and stuck with Paul—among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.

Athens at that time was a city that was filled with most of the intellectuals but the intellect of people couldn't help them discover God. People invented their own idols, worshiping them as their creators. Paul was passionate for God's glory, preaching God as their Creator among the Athenians. People laughed at Paul and made jokes for that message. Dear Master Jesus, people's heart are distorted by sin, and can only be regenerated by Your love and power of the Gospel through the Holy Spirit. Give us a heart like that of apostle Paul, seeing the deception of idols in people's heart, feeling the Holy anger but also the compassion of God, acting with boldness for witnessing Jesus and His message without shame. Dear Spirit, we need your empowering of our works and also the inspiring of our words as we share the Gospel message with people we pray for. 

Follow God's Sovereign Will in our lives.

August 19, 2013 - Acts 17:10-15

    ^10-12 That night, under cover of darkness, their friends got Paul and Silas out of town as fast as they could. They sent them to Berea, where they again met with the Jewish community. They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul’s message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. A lot of them became believers, including many Greeks who were prominent in the community, women and men of influence.

   ^13-15 But it wasn’t long before reports got back to the Thessalonian hard-line Jews that Paul was at it again, preaching the Word of God, this time in Berea. They lost no time responding, and created a mob scene there, too. With the help of his friends, Paul gave them the slip—caught a boat and put out to sea. Silas and Timothy stayed behind. The men who helped Paul escape got him as far as Athens and left him there. Paul sent word back with them to Silas and Timothy: “Come as quickly as you can!”

The ministry of the apostle Paul and his teammates was totally in the hands of the Holy Spirit. They were expelled from Thessalonica to Berea, but the Holy Spirit prepared a group of Jews and Greeks who were enthusiastic to examine the Scriptures. Seeds of Gospel were sown in Berea, leading people to believe in Christ. Later, Paul was forced again to leave Berea to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind to care for the new believers, which was a greater city that was full of idols and needing the Gospel of Jesus. 

The paths of the servants of God are always not determined simply by men's planning but by the sovereign guidance of the Holy Spirit. God's leading through His words or other circumstances are to be experienced daily no matter the road seems smooth or rough. Dear Holy Spirit, lead me walk a path of faith, trusting you and following you closely to wherever You lead, preaching the Name of Jesus and fulfilling my destiny You have planned in God's good will. 

Jesus' Grace and Power are sufficient and fulfilled in our ministry and weaknesses.

August 18, 2013 - Acts 16:1-9

^1 1-3 They took the road south through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica, where there was a community of Jews. Paul went to their meeting place, as he usually did when he came to a town, and for three Sabbaths running he preached to them from the Scriptures. He opened up the texts so they understood what they’d been reading all their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death and raised from the dead—there were no other options—and that “this Jesus I’m introducing you to is that Messiah.”

   ^4-5 Some of them were won over and joined ranks with Paul and Silas, among them a great many God-fearing Greeks and a considerable number of women from the aristocracy. But the hard-line Jews became furious over the conversions. Mad with jealousy, they rounded up a bunch of brawlers off the streets and soon had an ugly mob terrorizing the city as they hunted down Paul and Silas.

   ^5-7 They broke into Jason’s house, thinking that Paul and Silas were there. When they couldn’t find them, they collared Jason and his friends instead and dragged them before the city fathers, yelling hysterically, “These people are out to destroy the world, and now they’ve shown up on our doorstep, attacking everything we hold dear! And Jason is hiding them, these traitors and turncoats who say Jesus is king and Caesar is nothing!”

   ^8-9 The city fathers and the crowd of people were totally alarmed by what they heard. They made Jason and his friends post heavy bail and let them go while they investigated the charges.

Paul and his team only had one thing in their minds, i.e., preaching Jesus as the Messiah wherever they went and minister. No matter what circumstances they were facing, they preached Jesus and explicated to people with boldness that He is Messiah. People envied and were furious of what they did, but the Master Jesus continued to work and give people's trusting hearts in Him. Paul faced persecution always and his body suffered, his soul burdened, but his spirit was still full of joy as God's work prospered through him.

My Master Jesus, You are the One who leads; You are the Savior who gives people's trusting hearts; and You are also the God who strengthens me in all kinds of circumstances - Your grace is sufficient for me and Your Grace and Power is sufficient and fulfilled in my weaknesses. 

The Spirit's miraculous works and our sufferings for the Gospel's sake.

August 17, 2013 - Acts 16:16-40

    ^16-18 One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that.

   ^19-22 When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, “These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order.” By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

   ^22-24 The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas’s clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

   ^25-26 Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

   ^27-28 Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!”

   ^29-31 The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!”

   ^32-34 They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part. They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn’t wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family. There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration.

   ^35-36 At daybreak, the court judges sent officers with the instructions, “Release these men.” The jailer gave Paul the message, “The judges sent word that you’re free to go on your way. Congratulations! Go in peace!”

   ³⁷ But Paul wouldn’t budge. He told the officers, “They beat us up in public and threw us in jail, Roman citizens in good standing! And now they want to get us out of the way on the sly without anyone knowing? Nothing doing! If they want us out of here, let them come themselves and lead us out in broad daylight.”

   ^38-40 When the officers reported this, the judges panicked. They had no idea that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. They hurried over and apologized, personally escorted them from the jail, and then asked them if they wouldn’t please leave the city. Walking out of the jail, Paul and Silas went straight to Lydia’s house, saw their friends again, encouraged them in the faith, and only then went on their way.

The Spirit were with Paul and Barnabas, empowering them to cast out the demons from a slave girl. At the same time, the enemy stirred up the whole city to arrest them, beat them, and put them into jail. Suffering and persecution became a sign for the apostles though the works of the Spirit accompanied them. Nevertheless, the Spirit was still with His servants. Paul and Barnabas, were still filled with the joy of the Spirit. They prayed; they sang hymns; they worshiped the Lord in the jail at the mid-night. Even other jail-mates were attentive to their singing. The Spirit's miraculous work was with Paul and Barnabas, just like that of apostle Peter. Jail was broken and the jailer and his households were brought to faith and baptized. The little church at Philippi, including Lydia, the jailer and his households, and possibly the slave girl who had been possessed by demons, was formed by the Gospel through the apostle's sufferings, and works of miracles.

Dear Holy Spirit, lead me to follow Your way to exalt the name of Jesus in my ministry. Your church is to be established by the Gospel of Jesus through Your miraculous works but also our sufferings for your kingdom. But God assures us that all our sufferings for Your sake will be turned to greater blessings for people in need of salvation. Ministry road is full of oppositions but the presence of Jesus and the empowering of the Spirit are more than sufficient for me and my family. 

The Spirit of Jesus is the Master of our ministry.

August 16, 2013 - Acts 16:1-15

 ^1 1-3 Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn’t offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.

   ^4-5 As they traveled from town to town, they presented the simple guidelines the Jerusalem apostles and leaders had come up with. That turned out to be most helpful. Day after day the congregations became stronger in faith and larger in size.

   ^6-8 They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.

   ^9-10 That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.

   ^11-12 Putting out from the harbor at Troas, we made a straight run for Samothrace. The next day we tied up at New City and walked from there to Philippi, the main city in that part of Macedonia and, even more importantly, a Roman colony. We lingered there several days.

   ^13-14 On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down along the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!

   ¹⁵ After she was baptized, along with everyone in her household, she said in a surge of hospitality, “If you’re confident that I’m in this with you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests.” We hesitated, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The Holy Spirit formed His own ministry team for mission - Timothy from Lystra was added, and later it seems that Luke was added (starting from v.9-10, the narrative uses "we" instead of "they"). The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, led His servants to minister to the world. The Spirit stopped Paul and his team to go to the North and the West, but only allowed them to go to Troas. The Spirit spoke to Paul in a dream through a Macedonian's request. The Spirit continued to lead them to Philippi to bring Lydia, the first lady in Europe to believe in Christ, as the Master gave her a trusting heart.

Dear Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Master Jesus, please continue to work and speak in us through your words, through our dreams, through whatever circumstances. Your way is the best way for us. You form your own team of people for the ministry; You close the door that is not your plan but You also open new doors for advancing your ministry; You affirm our little faith through your means - dreams, people's affirmation, signs, etc.; You lead us to evangelize and most importantly You give people trusting hearts in Jesus. All belong to our God's glory and the works of Jesus' Spirit. I desire to grow and minister in this way as I submit again myself under Your sovereignty. 

With Passion for God's Name and Patience in people's lives for carrying out God's ministry.

August 15, 2013 - Acts 15:30-41

^30-33 And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter. The people were greatly relieved and pleased. Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them.

   ³⁵ Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God. But they weren’t alone. There were a number of teachers and preachers at that time in Antioch.

   ³⁶ After a few days of this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit all our friends in each of the towns where we preached the Word of God. Let’s see how they’re doing.”

   ^37-41 Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. But Paul wouldn’t have him; he wasn’t about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways: Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus; Paul chose Silas and, offered up by their friends to the grace of the Master, went to Syria and Cilicia to build up muscle and sinew in those congregations.

Paul and Barnabas were both filled with the Holy Spirit, but still had a division about the acceptance of Mark in their mission ministry team. They couldn't reach the consensus and come to the point that they had to separate from each other and form their own ministry teams. Barnabas brought Mark while Paul had Silas in his team. It seems that though God's people have the same Holy Spirit but discerning the issues and reaching a consensus may not be an easy decision. Nevertheless, we see that in the long-run God still blessed both Paul's and Barnabas' ministry. Paul missions went as far as to Rome and other Gentiles cities, while Barnabas missions ministry might not be extended as far as that of Paul, but the evangelist Mark was certainly built up through Barnabas' mentorship. God's name is always to be praised. 

Dear Holy Spirit, grant us a heart of wideness. Always have a spirit of giving blessings to others through our lives no matter we have differences with others. Be compassionate like Jesus and have eyes of hope and trust in people about who they are becoming rather than simply who now they are. With passions like Paul and patience like Barnabas for carrying out the ministries of Jesus that His Name is to be exalted through me. 

Discern the works of God by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

August 14, 2013 - Acts 15:1-29

^1 1-2 It wasn’t long before some Jews showed up from Judea insisting that everyone be circumcised: “If you’re not circumcised in the Mosaic fashion, you can’t be saved.” Paul and Barnabas were up on their feet at once in fierce protest. The church decided to resolve the matter by sending Paul, Barnabas, and a few others to put it before the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem.

   ³ After they were sent off and on their way, they told everyone they met as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria about the breakthrough to the non-Jewish outsiders. Everyone who heard the news cheered—it was terrific news!

   ^4-5 When they got to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were graciously received by the whole church, including the apostles and leaders. They reported on their recent journey and how God had used them to open things up to the outsiders. Some Pharisees stood up to say their piece. They had become believers, but continued to hold to the hard party line of the Pharisees. “You have to circumcise the pagan converts,” they said. “You must make them keep the Law of Moses.”

   ^6-9 The apostles and leaders called a special meeting to consider the matter. The arguments went on and on, back and forth, getting more and more heated. Then Peter took the floor: “Friends, you well know that from early on God made it quite plain that he wanted the pagans to hear the Message of this good news and embrace it—and not in any secondhand or roundabout way, but firsthand, straight from my mouth. And God, who can’t be fooled by any pretense on our part but always knows a person’s thoughts, gave them the Holy Spirit exactly as he gave him to us. He treated the outsiders exactly as he treated us, beginning at the very center of who they were and working from that center outward, cleaning up their lives as they trusted and believed him.

   ^10-11 “So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don’t we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?”

   ^12-13 There was dead silence. No one said a word. With the room quiet, Barnabas and Paul reported matter-of-factly on the miracles and wonders God had done among the other nations through their ministry. The silence deepened; you could hear a pin drop.

   ^13-18 James broke the silence. “Friends, listen. Simeon has told us the story of how God at the very outset made sure that racial outsiders were included. This is in perfect agreement with the words of the prophets:

   After this, I’m coming back;
   I’ll rebuild David’s ruined house;
I’ll put all the pieces together again;
   I’ll make it look like new
So outsiders who seek will find,
   so they’ll have a place to come to,
All the pagan peoples
   included in what I’m doing.

   “God said it and now he’s doing it. It’s no afterthought; he’s always known he would do this.

   ^19-21 “So here is my decision: We’re not going to unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master. We’ll write them a letter and tell them, ‘Be careful to not get involved in activities connected with idols, to guard the morality of sex and marriage, to not serve food offensive to Jewish Christians—blood, for instance.’ This is basic wisdom from Moses, preached and honored for centuries now in city after city as we have met and kept the Sabbath.”

   ^22-23 Everyone agreed: apostles, leaders, all the people. They picked Judas (nicknamed Barsabbas) and Silas—they both carried considerable weight in the church—and sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas with this letter:

   From the apostles and leaders, your friends, to our friends in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

   Hello!

   ^24-27 We heard that some men from our church went to you and said things that confused and upset you. Mind you, they had no authority from us; we didn’t send them. We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas—they’ve looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ. We’ve sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we’ve written.

   ^28-29 It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities: Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage.

   These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you!

The Holy Spirit worked actively in guiding the church while discrepancies occurred in the teaching of their church life. The Gentiles church sent Paul and Barnabas as their representatives to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles. Peter stood up to confirm that the gentiles received the same Holy Spirit as they did; Paul and Barnabas witnessed how signs and wonders were performed by the Holy Spirit as they preached the name of Jesus; and James concluded their observations about how the prophecies were fulfilled as Gentiles were included as people of God. The church, being led by the Holy Spirit, reached a consensus in understanding the work of God in Gentiles and set up guidelines for the Gentiles church. 

The Spirit is the Lord of the church. The apostles and church's leaders followed and discerned the works of the Holy Spirit in their church's ministries. My dear Holy Spirit, I keen on seeking for your works in Christ's churches. Leaders of your church deeply require your transformation of their lives and illumination of their eyes to see how churches can advance God's missions, and your wisdom and the unity of spirits that they can resolve conflicts as they arise. Continue to show me your way and open your doors that I can follow. But most importantly, renew my hearts and rekindle the gifts that You have endowed on me that I can carry out your transformative works in people's lives. 

God's love is sufficient for us to conquer our hard times by the power of the Spirit.

August 13, 2013 - Acts 14:21-28

    ^21-22 After proclaiming the Message in Derbe and establishing a strong core of disciples, they retraced their steps to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch, putting muscle and sinew in the lives of the disciples, urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn’t be easy: “Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.”

   ^23-26 Paul and Barnabas handpicked leaders in each church. After praying—their prayers intensified by fasting—they presented these new leaders to the Master to whom they had entrusted their lives. Working their way back through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia and preached in Perga. Finally, they made it to Attalia and caught a ship back to Antioch, where it had all started—launched by God’s grace and now safely home by God’s grace. A good piece of work.

   ^27-28 On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in. Then they settled down for a long, leisurely visit with the disciples.

The apostles went through hard times to build up church - the disciples - even to the point of death. They handpicked leaders, developing them, praying for them with fasting, entrusting them to the Lord, and then deploying them to serve in the church. They returned their trip through Lystra, Iconium, Pisidia, and then back to Antioch. The new disciples were exhorted to keep their faith, knowing that they need to go through plenty of hard times as they seek for the kingdom of God. 

Dear Holy Spirit, thanks for converting our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh that we can experience love of Jesus and also see the reality of God's kingdom. We at the same time continue to rely on your power and working in our hearts that we know that Jesus and His apostles are our examples of walking the path to the eternal destiny. Always prepare ourselves to go through plenty of hard times by the love of God through the power of the Spirit as we walk on our heavenly journey for witnessing the name of Jesus in the midst of persecutions, restlessness, illness,  spiritual warfare. But experience that your grace and power are always sufficient for us to conquer our weaknesses.

To unite with Jesus in his death but also with his resurrected life in our ministry.

August 12, 2013 - Acts 14:8-20

  ^8-10 There was a man in Lystra who couldn’t walk. He sat there, crippled since the day of his birth. He heard Paul talking, and Paul, looking him in the eye, saw that he was ripe for God’s work, ready to believe. So he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Up on your feet!” The man was up in a flash—jumped up and walked around as if he’d been walking all his life.

   ^11-13 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they went wild, calling out in their Lyconian dialect, “The gods have come down! These men are gods!” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes” (since Paul did most of the speaking). The priest of the local Zeus shrine got up a parade—bulls and banners and people lined right up to the gates, ready for the ritual of sacrifice.

   ^14-15 When Barnabas and Paul finally realized what was going on, they stopped them. Waving their arms, they interrupted the parade, calling out, “What do you think you’re doing! We’re not gods! We are men just like you, and we’re here to bring you the Message, to persuade you to abandon these silly god-superstitions and embrace God himself, the living God. We don’t make God; he makes us, and all of this—sky, earth, sea, and everything in them.

   ^16-18 “In the generations before us, God let all the different nations go their own way. But even then he didn’t leave them without a clue, for he made a good creation, poured down rain and gave bumper crops. When your bellies were full and your hearts happy, there was evidence of good beyond your doing.” Talking fast and hard like this, they prevented them from carrying out the sacrifice that would have honored them as gods—but just barely.

   ^19-20 Then some Jews from Antioch and Iconium caught up with them and turned the fickle crowd against them. They beat Paul unconscious, dragged him outside the town and left him for dead. But as the disciples gathered around him, he came to and got up. He went back into town and the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Jesus healed a paralytic; Peter healed a man who was crippled since his birth; and now Paul performed the first miracle and healed a man who was crippled since his birth, just like the miraculous work of Jesus and Peter. By the same Spirit, Jesus, Peter, and Paul performed miracles of healing in confirming their preaching works. Nevertheless, the enemy at the same time carried out the deception work. The audience, though seeing the miracles but without an inspired understanding of the truth by the Holy Spirit, thought that Paul and Barnabas were Hermes and Zeus, their divinities and tried to worship them as gods. Persecution were also aroused to oppose the apostles and even beating Paul nearly to death in Lystra. This mission experience was what Paul described as handing himself over to Jesus in his death but also at the same time living the life of Jesus in this severe persecution. 

Dear Holy Spirit, continue to speak to me through meditating your words, and cultivate in me a life like the apostles - unite my life with Jesus in his death, but also unite with Jesus in his resurrected life in my future ministry. The reward of a Christian life is not so much the gain of the worldly rewards, like honor, material prosperity, power, fame, etc., as the gain of the resurrected life of Jesus that is manifested in our holiness, the power of life transformation, and the future glory with our Lord. 

Preaching Jesus with the works corroborated by the Spirit.

August 11, 2013 - Acts 14:1-7

 ^1 1-3 When they got to Iconium they went, as they always did, to the meeting place of the Jews and gave their message. The Message convinced both Jews and non-Jews—and not just a few, either. But the unbelieving Jews worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street. The two apostles were there a long time, speaking freely, openly, and confidently as they presented the clear evidence of God’s gifts, God corroborating their work with miracles and wonders.

   ^4-7 But then there was a split in public opinion, some siding with the Jews, some with the apostles. One day, learning that both the Jews and non-Jews had been organized by their leaders to beat them up, they escaped as best they could to the next towns—Lyconia, Lystra, Derbe, and that neighborhood—but then were right back at it again, getting out the Message.

Paul and Barnabas were filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed message of Gospel inspired by the Spirit, and their works were also corroborated by the Spirit with miracles and wonders. At the same time, the enemy sowed seeds of mistrust and suspicion among the people. Paul and Barnabas were forced to escape from Iconium but continued to preach in other towns. 

The ministry of Paul and Barnabas demonstrated also the ministry life for people of God today. All our whole being and our works shall be moved by the Spirit. Our words of witness shall be inspired by the Spirit particularly through the words of God; our works of witness shall be corroborated by the works of the Spirit (signs, wonders); and our footsteps shall be led by the Spirit no matter the circumstances are free and open, or desperate and unclear in the future. The Holy Spirit blesses the work of His servants who completely surrender to the sovereignty and good will of the Spirit in their lives and ministries. 

Dear Holy Spirit, please continue to speak and work in your church and your people, particularly in your servants and those who are mourning in their pains. May your healing come upon them that they can receive joy again and shout praise to you. 

Preaching Jesus as inspired by the Holy Spirit

August 10, 2013 - Acts 13:13-52

^13-14 From Paphos, Paul and company put out to sea, sailing on to Perga in Pamphylia. That’s where John called it quits and went back to Jerusalem. From Perga the rest of them traveled on to Antioch in Pisidia.

   ^14-15 On the Sabbath they went to the meeting place and took their places. After the reading of the Scriptures—God’s Law and the Prophets—the president of the meeting asked them, “Friends, do you have anything you want to say? A word of encouragement, perhaps?”

   ^16-20 Paul stood up, paused and took a deep breath, then said, “Fellow Israelites and friends of God, listen. God took a special interest in our ancestors, pulled our people who were beaten down in Egyptian exile to their feet, and led them out of there in grand style. He took good care of them for nearly forty years in that godforsaken wilderness and then, having wiped out seven enemies who stood in the way, gave them the land of Canaan for their very own—a span in all of about 450 years.

   ^20-22 “Up to the time of Samuel the prophet, God provided judges to lead them. But then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, out of the tribe of Benjamin. After Saul had ruled forty years, God removed him from office and put King David in his place, with this commendation: ‘I’ve searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He’s a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.’

   ^23-25 “From out of David’s descendants God produced a Savior for Israel, Jesus, exactly as he promised—but only after John had thoroughly alerted the people to his arrival by preparing them for a total life-change. As John was finishing up his work, he said, ‘Did you think I was the One? No, I’m not the One. But the One you’ve been waiting for all these years is just around the corner, about to appear. And I’m about to disappear.’

   ^26-29 “Dear brothers and sisters, children of Abraham, and friends of God, this message of salvation has been precisely targeted to you. The citizens and rulers in Jerusalem didn’t recognize who he was and condemned him to death. They couldn’t find a good reason, but demanded that Pilate execute him anyway. They did just what the prophets said they would do, but had no idea they were following to the letter the script of the prophets, even though those same prophets are read every Sabbath in their meeting places.

   ^29-31 “After they had done everything the prophets said they would do, they took him down from the cross and buried him. And then God raised him from death. There is no disputing that—he appeared over and over again many times and places to those who had known him well in the Galilean years, and these same people continue to give witness that he is alive.

   ^32-35 “And we’re here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children—for us! He raised Jesus, exactly as described in the second Psalm:

   My Son! My very own Son!
Today I celebrate you!

   “When he raised him from the dead, he did it for good—no going back to that rot and decay for him. That’s why Isaiah said, ‘I’ll give to all of you David’s guaranteed blessings.’ So also the psalmist’s prayer: ‘You’ll never let your Holy One see death’s rot and decay.’

   ^36-39 “David, of course, having completed the work God set out for him, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now. But the One God raised up—no dust and ashes for him! I want you to know, my very dear friends, that it is on account of this resurrected Jesus that the forgiveness of your sins can be promised. He accomplishes, in those who believe, everything that the Law of Moses could never make good on. But everyone who believes in this raised-up Jesus is declared good and right and whole before God.

   ^40-41 “Don’t take this lightly. You don’t want the prophet’s sermon to describe you:

   Watch out, cynics;
Look hard—watch your world fall to pieces.
I’m doing something right before your eyes
That you won’t believe, though it’s staring you in the face.”

   ^42-43 When the service was over, Paul and Barnabas were invited back to preach again the next Sabbath. As the meeting broke up, a good many Jews and converts to Judaism went along with Paul and Barnabas, who urged them in long conversations to stick with what they’d started, this living in and by God’s grace.

   ^44-45 When the next Sabbath came around, practically the whole city showed up to hear the Word of God. Some of the Jews, seeing the crowds, went wild with jealousy and tore into Paul, contradicting everything he was saying, making an ugly scene.

   ^46-47 But Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down. Standing their ground they said, “It was required that God’s Word be spoken first of all to you, the Jews. But seeing that you want no part of it—you’ve made it quite clear that you have no taste or inclination for eternal life—the door is open to all the outsiders. And we’re on our way through it, following orders, doing what God commanded when he said,

   I’ve set you up
   as light to all nations.
You’ll proclaim salvation
   to the four winds and seven seas!”

   ^48-49 When the non-Jewish outsiders heard this, they could hardly believe their good fortune. All who were marked out for real life put their trust in God—they honored God’s Word by receiving that life. And this Message of salvation spread like wildfire all through the region.

   ^50-52 Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forcealld them to leave. Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples.

Paul and Barnabas were filled with the Holy Spirit and inspired by the words of the Holy Spirit, powerfully interpreting the salvation of Israelites in the Old Testament, and verifying that Jesus was the Messiah. The Holy Spirit again worked in people's heart and many people believed in Jesus in Pisidia at Antioch. The Jew were jealous of the apostles`works and caused disturbance, subsequently forcing them to leave the town. Nevertheless, the apostles were filled with joy and continued their works to Iconium. 

All ministry works and preaching require the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit that the words of God can pierce in people`s hearts and reveal hidden sins and secrets. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully in Peter, Stephen, Philip, and now in Barnabas and Paul. Through their inspired preaching and interpretation of Scriptures, people are converted and hearts are softened though the enemy will not hesitate to oppose and persecute. Dear Holy Spirit, continue to speak to me as a new day begins. Help me meditate on the words of God with Your help that I love Jesus more and more as a Person rather than simply doctrines or rules, and also can be more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, always ready to be prompted by the Holy Spirit in my response.