Acts 20

Paul was such an honorable servant of God. He supported himself as he continued to preach and teach about Jesus. He stated, “I haven’t coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothes … I have provided for myself and my companions using my own hands.”

This does not mean that pastors should be bi-vocational. It just means that Paul was so committed to the integrity of his ministry that he did not want ANY doubt on his motive for preaching.

When a minister has his eyes on material possessions, he is missing the mark. His eyes are probably not on Jesus alone.

Acts 18,19

When Paul came to Ephesus, he asked the believers, “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” He prayed for a group of twelve after baptizing them in the name of Jesus. He laid his hands on them. They received and began speaking in tongues.

This is the scriptural pattern for receiving the Holy Spirit infilling/baptism. This happened to me when I was 16 years old. I have prayed in tongues ever since.

When our daughter Ashley was born, she suffered a laryngospasm … her little vocal cords sealed off the airway and she started turning blue. When the nurse saw it, she hit the button on the wall and immediately medical people arrived and began working on her. Poor Patty, she was watching it all from her bed, having just given birth. I felt led to begin praying in the Spirit in tongues, under my breath. Praise the Lord, Ashley was OK.

” The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  [Rom. 8:26]

Acts 17

When Paul preached at Berea, the Bible says the Jews there were more noble than others because they examined the scriptures daily. They were devoted students of God’s laws. It can be inferred that they had teachers and leaders who encouraged and modeled this healthy study habit.

For many years I relied upon my accrued understanding of God’s Word, not having cultivated the daily discipline of following a consistent pattern of daily scripture reading (I listen to it) and study. I was even in full-time ministry. Yes, I read the Bible, but it’s “more noble” to study the scriptures EVERYDAY!

Acts 16

When Paul encountered a demon-possessed woman on the way to the river to pray, he was so annoyed by her disruption that he turned and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I COMMAND YOU to come out of her.”  The spirit immediately left her.

When dealing with demon spirits, it’s wise to use scriptural wording. If it works for Paul, (and it’s recorded in scripture) don’t try to improve with your own methodology.

Acts 14,15

Because there was dispute over whether Gentiles needed to observe the law of Moses including circumcision etc., Paul and Barnabas were sent back to Jerusalem to appear before the Apostles and church leaders to get a ruling.

Peter, because of his revelation at the house of Cornelius, spoke of his conviction that Gentile hearts could be purified of sin by their faith in Christ in the same way that a Jew could receive salvation … a work of God’s grace.

The whole question of whether following the law merited salvation was settled. Faith and trust in Christ was the criteria, not observing dos and don’ts.

Acts 13

Paul took his opportunity to address the Jews in the synagogue at Antioch while on an evangelistic journey. In his discourse, he identified the fact that Christ, through His self-sacrifice, legally made those who believed in Him free from the penalty of EVERY SIN. There is no sin or offense His blood cannot cover.

We can walk through life with the power He gives us to be FREE FROM SIN.

Acts 11,12

God sent His angel to rescue Peter from being imprisoned. The saints prayed him out of jail. His invitation for Peter to follow him was rather emphatic! Peter was literally jerked out of jail and led to freedom.

God moves quickly on occasion. We pray and pray and pray. Then, in the blink of an eye, He sends His angels to do His bidding.

It’s kind of like waiting at the fair or Disneyland in a long line. When it’s your turn to take the ride, it goes so fast.

Put on your seatbelt.

Acts 9,10

Peter received a visit from God … a sheet filled with ceremonially unclean animals was dropped from heaven. The Lord told him to kill one and eat. This, for a Jew, was strictly forbidden in the law of Moses. God said, “I have cleansed it. What I call clean is CLEAN.” Peter had an instant adjustment to his theology.

With his new view, he was able to minister to Cornelius, a gentile. Peter’s doctrinal enlightenment was a pivotal occurrence in God’s strategy to get the Gospel to all who were not Jews.

Just because a tenet of faith has been handed down to you doesn’t necessarily make it right. Get involved in the Gospel and God will clean up your message.

Begin the journey.

Acts 8

An angel from the Lord told Philip to begin walking the desert road to Gaza from Jerusalem. As he was walking, God’s Spirit instructed him to befriend a specific man in a chariot. As he came upon him, the man was reading Isaiah. Philip was used of God to explain the book and begin preaching Jesus. It resulted in the man becoming a Christian and being baptized.

God gives us instructions by His Spirit. If faith is present in our soul, we act upon these promptings and discover that God wants to use us in a mighty way. How thrilling and rewarding it would be if every Christian would obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Now is a good time to begin.

Acts 6,7

Stephen preached that “God was with (Joseph) and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom,” during his captivity in Egypt at the time of a great, regional famine. This was no doubt a challenge similar to the Coronavirus pandemic we are presently experiencing. 

Through his trust in Yahweh, Joseph was miraculously exalted to a position of authority that enabled him to be of great service to the entire nation of Egypt. There was suffering involved in his process, but the result made him a deliverer for his people.

There may be suffering and trials for a season, but allow God to position you to serve His purposes in the earth.