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Serving God Together
There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Acts 18:2-3, NIV Have you seen the movie “Paul, Apostle of Christ?” There, you will have a glimpse of Aquila and Priscilla’s role in the early Christian community. This couple may not be that famous, but they are a good role model for every married couple out there. They were tentmakers, and Paul used to work and travel with them.…
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When We Envy Other People, We Tend To Think Of Bad Things Towards Them
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Acts 17: 5, NKJV When Paul came to Thessalonica, he went to the synagogue to share about Jesus. A great multitude of devout Greeks, including a few women, were persuaded. But there was a group of Jews who didn’t agree with what Paul was sharing. It was said that they were envious of what Paul and the other believers had experienced. After that, they gathered some…
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How We Respond To Our Struggles Will Become An Important Message To The People Around Us
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16: 29-30, NIV While Paul and Silas were in prison, they didn’t respond violently to the people who persecuted them. Instead, they chose to worship God even while suffering. The prisoners even heard them worshipping in the darkness. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, and the prison doors were opened. Their chains came loose, and it could’ve been the perfect time for them to escape. At that moment, the jailer woke up, and when he saw that the prison doors were…
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A Man Named ‘Manaen’
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. Acts 13:1, NIV In this verse, a man named Manaen was mentioned. He was someone who grew up with Herod the tetrarch. This was the same Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. Imagine, they grew up together, but they lived a totally different life. Herod became selfish and prideful about his position. But here comes Manaen, who became a Christian and followed the ways of Jesus. Sometimes, we believe that people who grew up in the same environment will have…
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What It Means To Be A Christian
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11: 26, NIV The followers of Jesus where once called as disciples, saints, believers, or followers of the way. In Antioch, they were first called as Christians. They were identified as “Jesus’ People.” Christians are those who spread the gospel and truly follow the teachings of Jesus. In the present, Christianity is the most widely practiced religion. But sadly, many of us didn’t really have an intimate relationship with Him. Before, Christians were…
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We Never Really Know How God Will Turn Things Around
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. Acts 11: 19-20, NIV The death of Stephen became one of the reasons why the early Christians were scattered in different places. Even though what happened to him was a tragic event, it seems that it became a way for them to share the gospel outside Jerusalem. The bad things that happened…
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God Gave All Of Us The Chance To Connect With Him Through The Holy Spirit
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. Acts 10:44-45, NIV Peter visited the house of Cornelius, a centurion who lived in Caesarea. He was surrounded by Cornelius’ relatives when he started preaching about Jesus. These group of people were known to be Gentiles and Jews tend to treat them as strangers. But something wonderful happened the moment Peter wholeheartedly welcomed these people and shared Jesus to them. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard…
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There is no such thing as “Self-made” Christian
If you call yourself a Christian, then it means that you are no longer the god of your life. Instead, you treat Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. You abide in His ways and obey His commands. You depend on His love and not on your own strength. You no longer live according to your own understanding. Instead, you choose to rely on what God is saying. That’s what being a Christian is all about. It means that you are no longer on your own. You allow the Holy Spirit to guide and lead you along the journey. So if you think that you are who you are right…
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Day 2 – 1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:16, NIV If you are going through a hard time because of your faith and what you believe, do not be discouraged or ashamed because everything is worth fighting for with Christ. Just remember that His promises. Keep in mind that He will never allow something to happen without a purpose. Abide in His ways, and you will always feel secured and protected. He will give you the strength that you need. The hardships that you are going through can never compare to the great rewards that God prepared…
