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Listen Not To Answer But To Understand Other People
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13, NIV Sometimes, it’s easier to speak than to listen. When we are at the peak of our emotions, we can’t help but find a way to express and release them through our words. But this verse in Proverbs simply reminds us to pause and choose to listen even if it’s hard. Sometimes, it takes dying on the inside. You need to hold back the things that deeply disturb you in order for the other person to feel heard and respected. This is not an easy thing to do. Imagine, you need to constantly remind yourself not to speak back…
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We Are Not Only Forgiven, But We Are Also Justified In Him
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Acts 13: 38-39, NIV We are forgiven not because of the good things we did and the price we paid. But it’s all because of Jesus. This forgiveness wasn’t just paid out of convenience, but it was birthed out of suffering. The man who loved us died on the cross to save us. This is a hard pill to swallow, especially when you are the kind of…
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Fulfilling God’s Purpose
Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. Acts 13:36, NIV This verse was part of what Paul preached to the people in Pisidian Antioch. He highlighted how Jesus fulfilled the promise of God to His people, and that He was raised to life. Then, he mentioned about David who was buried and whose body decayed, after he had served God’s purpose in His own generation. There are two things that we can learn from this part of the scripture. First, God planted a purpose in David’s heart. He didn’t just create him for…
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God is a Promise-Keeper
From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Acts 13:23, NIV Paul was preaching about the gospel to the people in Pisidian Antioch. He started by sharing the story of the Israelites and how God gave Him His promise. And it was Jesus, the savior of the world. In Acts 13:23, Paul emphasized that sending Jesus Christ here on earth was a promise fulfilled by God. He gave His only begotten Son to save and set us free. That’s who He is. The Israelites were waiting for the Messiah to come, and it may have taken a long time, but God still fulfilled…
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Serving God in Silence
It’s humbling to know that there are people willing to give their best without expecting anything in return. They are those who serve others in secret. They are those who gladly offer happy sacrifices without any complaints or bitterness, without counting the efforts that they made. Those people are humbly serving God in silence. They are willing to give their life just for others to feel accepted and loved. And no one applauded them in public, but in the Heavenly realms, angels were celebrating, and God Himself was pleased. In the present day, we can’t easily determine who are those who truly serve God with all their hearts. We never…
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God is Patient
For about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. Acts 13: 18-20, NIV God wasn’t in a hurry. He was so patient with His people. The word that Luke used in Acts 13:18 was ‘He endured,’ meaning that God extended His understanding and love for His people despite their complaints and negative behavior. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness not because it was God’s plan but because their hearts were hard and stubborn. God needed to teach them and walk with them along the…
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God Will Bring You To A Safe Place
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. Psalms 18:19-20, NIV David knew that God would rescue Him and would bring him to a safe place despite the overwhelming situation he experienced. He knew that God would save him because he delighted in him. God saw his deeds and his heart. And he rewarded him because of his righteousness. This verse is a perfect reminder for us especially when feel like we are in an unknown battle. When our hearts are…
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God Hears Your Cry
In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalms 18:6, NIV This is David’s cry to God. In His distress, he didn’t dwell on the bad things that happened. Instead, he called to the One who could help Him. He cried for it just like how you cried to God every time you badly needed Him. The good thing about David was that, even though his heart was not okay, he knew deep within that God heard his voice. He knew that God cared for Him. So, if…
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Rely On The Holy Spirit
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. Acts 13:4, NIV Barnabas and Saul were sent by the Holy Spirit for a special mission. This calling wasn’t just something that is made up of human desires, but God Himself anointed them to preach the gospel to other places. It is important to note that they didn’t simply came up with their own plans, but instead, they choose to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and lead them. This is a powerful reminder for us to seek the Holy Spirit. We may have our plans, but…
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They Pursued God’s Presence Above Anything Else
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2, NIV When Barnabas, Saul, and other leaders in Antioch gathered, they worshipped the Lord and fasted. While they were on their knees, and while their hearts were in a posture of worship and surrender before God’s presence, the Holy Spirit instructed them about what to do next. These leaders may have experienced many supernatural things with God, but they didn’t fully rely on what they already received. Instead, they continued to seek God’s instructions and guidance. They still ministered before…
