Tag: Silas

Morning Reading: Acts 18:1-8 NLT – mission shift

Reading: Acts 18:1-8 NLT

Priscilla and Aquila, Companions of Saint Paul
Priscilla and Aquila, Companions of Saint Paul

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tent makers just as he was.

Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads — I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Sometimes you just want us to move on… and thankfully Paul chose to bring the Good News to the Gentiles… to me. Thank you for Jewish people like Aquila and Priscilla… who became believers and welcomed Paul into their home. Thank you for Gentile people like Titius Justus… who opened his home to Paul as his mission to the Gentile world began to take shape. And thank you for people like Crispus… who became believers along with their entire households… and sealed their belief with baptism. Thank you for touching their hearts and changing their lives… often at great personal cost.

And your Spirit continues to move across the world today… changing hearts, changing lives, gathering in people whom you have prepared to receive your Word of mercy, grace and hope. Protect these your children from the evil one… and make them a light to the nations. May your name be praised. Amen.

Spiritual Song:  “Once and For All / Only Jesus” – Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman (Passion 2013)
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Morning Reading: Acts 16: 16-24 ESV – discernment of spirits

Reading: Acts 16:16-24 ESV

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Philippian Slave Girl

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.

She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days.

Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”

The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Give me the gift of discernment that I might know which spiritual manifestations come from you… and which do not. And give me the courage to speak the truth in Jesus’ name… regardless of the cost.  All to your glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Mission’s Flame” – Matt Redman

Morning Reading: Acts 16:6-10 NLT – help us

Reading: Acts 16:6-10 NLT

Modern mosaic, “Vision Telling Paul to Come over to Macedonia,” in Veroia (ancient Berea), Greece
Modern mosaic, “Vision Telling Paul to Come over to Macedonia,” in Veroia (ancient Berea), Greece

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Quiet my heart… clear my mind… calm my spirit – so that I can hear you when you guide me. Give me the discernment to distinguish your voice from the noise within and about me. And give me the will to obediently follow where you lead me. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Here for You” – Matt Redman

Morning Reading: Acts 15:36-41 NLT – second chances

Reading: Acts 15:36-41 NLT

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After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.”

Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.

Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.

Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – We pray for unity, but sometimes you use disagreement for your greater purpose. Thank you for encouragers like Barnabas… who give people second chances. Thank you for people like John Mark… who make the most of the second chance they receive. Thank you for people like Paul… who is singularly focused on his mission. Thank you for people like Silas… who wait for the opportunity to serve and respond enthusiastically. Strengthen your church, Lord Jesus, and multiply your messengers. To God’s glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Bless the Lord oh my soul” – Matt Redman

Morning Reading: Acts 15:22-35 NLT – encouraging news

Reading: Acts 15:22-33 – 35 NLT

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Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders —Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas.

This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. 

Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Thank you for sending out itinerant encouragers… people who build up believers and strengthen their faith. And when they move on, bring to memory all that came from you… and let anything that came from them be forgotten. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Your Love Never Fails” – Jesus Culture