Another Route

Another Route

Acts 19: ⁸ Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. ⁹ But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

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“There is no way to get there” were the sad words. “I’ll take you was my response. The roads were icy so many of them were closed. I tried the normal routes, only to be met with barriers. A thought popped in my head. “Try a route that is slightly unorthodox.” The back roads were open and even more treacherous. After much prayer and passing over 100 overturned trucks and cars, we made it. Now I had to make it home.

• There were times when it seemed impossible to get to the destination.
• There were times when it seemed like barriers kept popping up and I would never reach the goal.
• There were times when I felt like giving up, but was too deep into the journey to stop.

Paul spoke in the synagogue because it seemed like the right place to discuss the Messiah. He tried to reason with the church goers for months, but the crowd became obstinate. Paul and the disciples moved their gathering to a lecture hall where they could speak freely about JESUS being the Messiah. This was a better route.

• GOD wants me to know there will be barriers to speaking about HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand that obstacles will be placed in front of me.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to provide another route to bring people to HIM.

Sometimes it feels hopeless, especially when the obstacles pile up all at once. BUT GOD shows HIS great plan and somehow clears the right path for me to follow. Time after time HE has provided when I could see no provision. I am amazed at HIS love.

• Are you facing an overwhelming number of obstacles?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you allow GOD to show you another route so you can see HIS power today?

VIP

VIP

Acts 19: While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

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Being a “handler” was an important role. I had to put a schedule together that included picking up the very important person (VIP) from the airport, feeding him his favorite meal, getting him checked into the hotel and walking him through his itinerary for the remainder of the day. It was going to be a long day.

• There were times when I dedicated a lot of time for a VIP.
• There were times when I spent hours preparing for a VIP.
• There were times when I went over every detail with a group to make sure I was prepared for the VIP.

Paul went to Ephesus and met some disciples. He asked them if they received the HOLY SPIRIT when they believed. “Who?” they implied. Paul explained that by believing in JESUS, they would receive the HOLY SPIRIT. Up until then, they were simply doing good for people as John the Baptist’ message was adhered to strictly.

• GOD wants me to confess that I need JESUS.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS so I can receive the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to make disciples of JESUS by telling people about HIS power.

Being nice as an example is wonderful, but not enough. According to JESUS, even evil people do nice things. GOD wants the name of JESUS to be spoken without shame. HE then send a VIP to live inside me, namely the HOLY SPIRIT.

This powerful being guides me when I am lost, comforts me when I down and begs for my forgiveness in groans I cannot understand when I am sinful.“ The HOLY SPIRIT deserves to be thanked and prepared for every day. I am grateful JESUS sent me the HOLY SPIRIT to be with me forever.

• Do you treat people special because of their title or status?
• Do you follow, admire and prepare for certain VIP’s?
• Will you take a moment to treat the HOLY SPIRIT with reverence today, knowing JESUS has all authority and sent HIM to live inside you as your guide and comforter?

I Don’t Know That But I Know This

I Don’t Know That But I Know This

Acts 18: ²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

²⁷ When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

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When a question was asked that I did not know, I got nervous and tried to think of an answer. I was presenting in front of a few hundred people and felt I needed to have all the answers. The audience quickly lost interest as I gave an opinion versus fact.

• There was a time when I thought I could have all the answers.
• There was a time when I thought I could handle any problem thrown at me.
• There was a time when I presented information that I was not fully aware of.

Apollos knew the Scriptures very well, but was only taught a little about JESUS. He spoke as accurately as he could about JESUS with “fervor.” Priscilla and Aquila heard him. They had spent a lot of time with Paul and learned a lot about JESUS. They volunteered to help Apollos learn more about the Messiah.

• GOD wants me to speak what I know about HIM with fervor.
• GOD wants me to be brave enough to say “I don’t know, but this is what I believe.”
• GOD wants me to say “I believe JESUS died for my sins and HE was raised from the dead, giving me eternal life.”

Some people are gifted at arguing about JESUS, others simply say “I just believe.” GOD wants me to open my mouth and tell people about my belief in HIM. The HOLY SPIRIT will give me the right words at the right time. I may not be able to answer questions thrown at me about life, but I know JESUS is the answer to everything.

• Are you trying to be the “answer person?”
• Do you judge people based on their knowledge?
• Will you open your mouth to your belief in JESUS, even though you may not know the Scriptures to support your belief?

Limited Time

Limited Time

Acts 18: ²³ After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

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After saying the procrastinator’s credo, “I’ll get around to it” I missed another important deadline. “I have got to do better.” I said to myself. I procrastinated visiting people, registering for events and doing things that would help me grow up. When a relative was on her death bed, I vowed to see her. I made it just in time to say “I love you.” I had not talked to her in years.

• I used to think I had plenty of time.
• I used to think I could fit everything into my schedule.
• I used to think I of all the wonderful things I wanted to do, but got overwhelmed or “busy” or “too broke” to do anything.

Paul spent some time in many places speaking about the great news of JESUS. He stayed in some places longer than others when people were receptive to the HOLY SPIRIT. When he was led, he moved on so he could encourage others who professed CHRIST as their LORD and Savior.

• GOD wants me to know my time on earth is finite.
• GOD wants me to understand that I have a short time to bear fruit while I am alive.
• GOD wants me to act like this day is my last, every day.

“What would you do if you knew you had two weeks to live?” someone asked. Would you continue that argument or say I love you? How about GOD? Would you remain silent or tell about the importance of JESUS’ salvation?

Every action I do is worth something to GOD. I mean, when I lie, cheat and steal, those actions are paid for by JESUS needing to die. When I love those HE sends to me or sends me to or even my enemies, GOD values the love action and saves up a reward for me. I am grateful GOD gives me time to celebrate people by giving them the gift of HIS SON.

• What do you spend your time doing?
• Are you so busy that you have no time for GOD or for loving those HE needs you to love?
• Will you take time out of your busy schedule and use words to express the love of JESUS to someone, then go back to being an example for HIM with your actions today?

Getting Wiser

Getting Wiser

Acts 18: ¹⁸ Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. ¹⁹ They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. ²¹ But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. ²² When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

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“How dare they!” I felt with anger. Ready to fight, I went and found people who would back me up. Throwing aside consequence, I wanted to right this wrong and was willing to punch someone in their face. Fortunately, the fight did not break out.

• There was a time when I was quick with anger.
• There was a time when I felt rage when someone said the “wrong” thing the “right” way.
• There was a time when I reacted before I considered if I should even react.

Paul had faced a lot of hardship. From fall of being a Pharisee to rise of being a true follower of JESUS, Paul faced beating and near death spreading the gospel. He wanted to stand out, so he vowed to remain bald. He then did something uncharacteristic by declining a request to stay with a group. “I will come back if it is GOD’s will” he said.

• GOD wants me to mature in my trust in HIM.
• GOD wants me to grow in the examples HE gave through JESUS.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom and let HIM do the fighting.

After getting beat up enough, I say to myself “There has to be a better way.” GOD knew Paul had to suffer. Paul, at one time, pursued murder in the name of GOD. He was growing with wisdom and sought a better way to convince people and allow GOD to do the fighting. GOD wants me to do the same.

HE wants me to plant the seeds of HIS love and allow HIM to bring someone else to water the seeds and HE grow the seeds. HE also wants me to see how slow HE is to anger and how graceful HE is with me daily. I appreciate HIS patience with me.

• Are you filled with rage?
• Are you quick to anger and react often?
• Will you allow GOD to slow your anger so HE can speak through you today?

Significance

Significance

Acts 18: ¹² While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ¹³ “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

¹⁴ Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. ¹⁵ But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” ¹⁶ So he drove them off. ¹⁷ Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

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“He’s not playing right!” I protested. I mean, everyone knows you are supposed to put the blocks in the dump truck, then dump them on the floor and start over. This person wanted to kick the blocks. What sense did that make? The teacher came over and listened to both of us.

• There have been people in my life who listened to me.
• There have been people in my life who did not trivialize what I was saying.
• There have been people in my life who treated my concerns as significant.

Gallio was proconsul, so the Jews brought Paul to him in an accusatory way. Gallio scoffed at their anger over Paul’s confession that JESUS was and is GOD. He felt their argument was insignificant so he said “Settle the matter yourselves.”

• GOD wants me to stand firm on my faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to know HE is the Most High.
• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS being the most significant choice of life.

Significance in GOD has been watered down by the world. The enemy’s tactic is to fool humans to seek significance within themselves. BUT GOD wants something different. GOD wants me to have unstoppable purpose that teaches people about JESUS.

People may scoff at the name of JESUS, but I know that by believing in HIM, even speaking HIS name brings power beyond measure. HIS word does not go out void, rather it will prosper and accomplish what it was intended to do. My significance is through JESUS, who is the Most High.

• Are you seeking to make a name of yourself?
• Do you shy away from speaking the name of JESUS?
• Will you open your mouth and profess JESUS as LORD so people can believe in HIS Word today?

Prepared for You

Prepared for You

Acts 18: ⁹ One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰ For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” ¹¹ So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

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“But I’m not a pastor” I said to the group. They were asking me to speak to a group of people in the country we were in at the time. One person said to me “I walked twenty miles to hear you speak.” I was thoroughly intimidated by those words. I spoke and many gave their life to CHRIST.

• There have been times when I was afraid to speak.
• There have been times when I felt overwhelmed by the crowd.
• There have been times when I saw a large crowd that I had to speak to and got nervous.

Paul had faced turmoil in many cities. One night the LORD spoke to him saying “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” This was a relief to Paul, so he stayed longer.

• GOD wants me to hear HIM say “Do not be afraid.”
• GOD wants me to hear HIM say “Keep on speaking.”
• GOD wants me to hear HIM say “Do not be silent.”

Sometimes GOD’s plan can seem quite intimidating, especially when I have tried and seemed to fail over and over. BUT GOD says different. HE sends me to places where there are plenty of hungry people willing to listen to HIS word. I will keep on speaking, thanks to the LORD’s encouragement.

• Are you stuck?
• Are you too scared or intimidated to speak about JESUS?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to open your heart and your mouth so you can speak about HIM today?