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Acts 12:6-14:20<\/strong><\/span> There is a lot going on in today\u2019s Acts readings as Peter is freed from jail by an angel!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Verses 21 through 23 are a great great reminder to not ever accept anyone calling you a god \u2013 nor for you to every think of yourself as a god \u2013 \u201cWhen the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, \u201cIt is the voice of a god, not of a man!\u201d\u00a0 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people\u2019s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 We should never accept worship from others.\u00a0 The glory should always go to God.\u00a0 As the Psalmist so wisely and worshipfully says in Psalm 115:1, \u201cNot to us, not to us, O LORD, but to your name be the glory.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Acts readings titled \u201cThe Death of James and the Deliverance of Peter\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Wow.\u00a0 It is fun to read about Paul\u2019s first missionary journey!\u00a0 A very cool thing to note about today\u2019s readings is that Paul started his missionary journey not after an extensive planning session \/ retreat \/ etc. (all our modern day stuff of what we have to do before embarking on something\u2026)\u00a0 No!\u00a0 Paul started his missionary journey after a time of worship & fasting and being filled with the Holy Spirit!\u00a0 The Spirit moved and thus Paul moved!\u00a0 It was that simple.\u00a0 Think we can learn something from this in our lives today?\u00a0 Are you listening to the Spirit\u2019s prompting in your life today?\u00a0 What is the Spirit prompting you to do?\u00a0 Will you do it?\u00a0 Check out Acts 13 verses 2 and 3 that show all it took for Paul to begin his missionary journey: \u201cOne day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, \u201cDedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them.\u201d So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n I am a huge fan of Paul\u2019s epistles, and greatly enjoyed verses 9 through 11, which are Paul\u2019s first words that we\u2019ve read in Acts since his conversion on the road to Damascus \u2013 \u201cThen Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked the sorcerer in the eye and said, \u201cYou son of the Devil, full of every sort of trickery and villainy, enemy of all that is good, will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? And now the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be stricken awhile with blindness.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Paul was no joke!\u00a0 Below is a map of Paul\u2019s first missionary journey:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n I love the way today\u2019s Acts readings finish up in verses 14 & 15 \u2013 \u201cBarnabas and Paul traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia.\u00a0 On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue for the services. After the usual readings from the books of Moses and from the Prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: \u201cBrothers, if you have any word of encouragement for us, come and give it!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Uh-oh!\u00a0 Think the folks in charge of the service are ready for a word from Paul and Barnabas?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Stay tuned for the word of encouragement from Paul in tomorrow\u2019s readings!\u00a0 Below is an image of Barnabas:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Acts titled \u201cWhat a Way to Go\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Acts 13 is a great sermon from Paul today!\u00a0 Really\u2026 this is about as good as it gets for a solid Gospel presentation.\u00a0 Go Paul.\u00a0 I love how he starts off in verse 16: \u201cSo Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. \u201cPeople of Israel,\u201d he said, \u201cand you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel, listen to me.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 You\u2019ll note that Paul delivers this message to both Jews and Gentiles \u2013 he is preaching the Gospel for the world!\u00a0 Are you really listening to Paul\u2019s message to you in today\u2019s readings in Acts?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Acts titled \u201cPutting the Past in Perspective\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Great readings today about how Paul and Barnabas\u2019 ministry to the Gentiles was growing!\u00a0 Verse 52 is awesome: \u201cAnd the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Wow\u2026 amazing readings today\u2026 <\/span>Do you see the depth and strength and love of Paul\u2019s faith in verses 19 & 20 \u2013 \u201cNow some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the crowds into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, apparently dead. But as the believers stood around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Paul is stoned and then gets back up and keeps going forward in his minstry for God!\u00a0 Next thing you know he is praying and fasting for elders in churches \u2013 after nearly getting stoned to death!\u00a0 I want a faith like that\u2026\u00a0 Also, it is wonderful to read in today\u2019s readings how Paul and Barnabas tear their garments because they are so distressed that people were worshiping them as if they were gods!\u00a0 Would we react so quickly to stop people from worshiping us today I wonder\u2026 ?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Acts readings titled \u201cMission Accomplished\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in\u00a0Acts about\u00a0Paul\u2019s missionary journey\u00a0reminds me of the Britt Nicole song \u201cThe Lost Get Found:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [
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