Tag: Book of Acts

Morning Reading: Acts 28:30-31 NLT ~ final days

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles Probably Valentin de Boulogne (c. 1618 - 1620)
Saint Paul Writing His Epistles
Probably Valentin de Boulogne (c. 1618 – 1620)

Reading: Acts 28:30-31 NLT

For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – thank you for faithful servants who keep on doing what you have called them to do… even under threat and danger to their own lives. Thank you especially for the witness and legacy of the Apostle Paul.

And thank you for for preachers and teachers around the world… who are “boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Strengthen them… and encourage them… and exceed all their hopes or expectations according to your power at work within them. To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: “Holy Father Rich in Mercy” –Colin Webster & Phil Moore (Cornerstone Church, Nottingham)

____________________

Note: How did the Apostle Paul die? (biblestudy.org)

Q. How did the apostle Paul die? When was the apostle Paul’s death? Did he die in Rome?

A. The Bible does not tell us the exact time or manner of the apostle Paul’s death, and secular history has yet to provide us with any definitive information. However, evidence highly suggests the apostle Paul’s death occurred after his fifth missionary journey ended in 67 A.D. Paul was likely beheaded by the Romans, under Emperor Nero, sometime around May or June of 68 A.D. Nero himself died by suicide on June 9th of the same year.

The Beheading of Saint Paul Painting by Enrique Simonet in 1887.
The Beheading of Saint Paul
Painting by Enrique Simonet in 1887.

Morning Reading: Acts 28:23-28 NLT ~ deaf ears

Reading: Acts 28:23-28 NLT

So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures.

image

Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.

And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – I confess that sometimes I hear what I want to hear and see what I want to see… and then convince myself that it’s all from you. Please forgive me… my closed mind… my hard heart… my prejudices… and my preconcieved notions. Lord Jesus – give me your mind… your heart… your obedience to submit to the will of the Father – like it or not. Holy Spirit – continue your transforming work in me… make the new creation that I am becoming a closer reality day by day. And may your Kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Hymn: “Be Still My Soul” – Kathrina von Schlegel; Translator: Jane L. Borthwick (1855)

Morning Reading: Acts 28:17-22 NLT ~ the hope of Israel

Reading: Acts 28:17-22 NLT

paul in Rome

Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Messiah: You are the hope of Israel… you are the only hope for this world!

All around us the hosts of evil asssail your people and scorn your name… deliver us from evil and free us from our fears… that we might sing your praise. Cure our warring madness… bend our pride to your will… and shame our wanton selfishness and poverty of soul. Save us from weak resignation to deplorable evils… set our feet on the path to eternal life… and arm us with your grace and power. (paraphrase ~ Harry E. Fosdick (1930)

May your Kingdom come… your will be done… on earth as it is in heaven… and especially in me. Amen.

Instrumental Music: “Hope of Israel” – Michael W Smith

Morning Reading: Acts 28:11-16 NLT ~ Rome at last

Reading: Acts 28:11-16 NLT

Roman Forum, Rome (2008)
Roman Forum, Rome (2008)

It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island — an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead. Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days. From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Thank you for the Apostle Paul… for the companions who travelled with him… for the believers who encouraged him along the way… and for the soldiers who protected him. May we find our stories in their stories… each with a particular part to play… as you unfold your purpose and reveal your saving presence and power to the world. Lord Jesus – May we keep our eyes fixed on you… the Author and Finisher of our faith… and may we never waver from the narrow path you set before us. Holy Spirit – Empower us to serve you, the living God,,, produce your good fruit in us – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… and may we be faithful instruments of your mercy and grace, utilizing the particular gifts that you have given to each of us. And may you be honored in all things. Amen.

Welsh Hymn: “Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean” – William Williams (1717-1791)

Morning Reading: Acts 28:1-10 NLT ~ power healing

Reading: Acts 28:1-10 NLT

Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

image

As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”

But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.

As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Prayer: Lord Jesus- by your stripes we are healed. Give me the courage and boldness to pray for the healing of those who are sick. Teach me how to pray with conviction and confidence in the power of your name. Teach me how to listen to the movement of your Spirit in the cries of those who are sick and lost. And may you always be in the center of  it all… leading, guiding,  speaking, healing… all to your glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “The Power of the Cross” – Stuart Townend

Oh, to see the dawn / Of the darkest day: Christ on the road to Calvary. Tried by sinful men, Torn and beaten, then Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain / Written on Your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin. Ev’ry bitter thought, Ev’ry evil deed / Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Now the daylight flees; Now the ground beneath / Quakes as its Maker bows His head. Curtain torn in two, Dead are raised to life; “Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see my name / Written in the wounds, For through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death; Life is mine to live, Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Son of God-slain for us. What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross.