Unconditional Love

 N.T.#856 "Unconditional Love"

August 28, 2026 

Acts 15-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Unconditional love. Do you have it to pass on and have you received it?

Now we read of Paul's second missionary journey. (13:36-18:22) Paul invited Barnabas to return with him to the cities where they had established churches. However, Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them and Paul refused. So Paul chose Silas instead due to Mark's previously departing from the pair. They went to Cilicia and Barnabas with Mrk sailed to Cyprus on their missionary journeys. Even with disagreements, both men continued to share salvation through Jesus Christ by faith.

LET IT GROW 

Mark ultimately did succeed in the ministry and Paul came to love and appreciate him. (Col. 4:10) Now there were two missionary teams, not just one. More doors opened to share the Gospel. Silas was Paul's secretary when he wrote 1 Peter.

Conflict is inevitable, so expect it. No conflict is easy, so endure it. Any conflict can benefit the people involved, so let it. (Swindoll)

LET IT GO

As You show us unconditional love, may we show unconditional love to others.

LET IT GO

Solving Problems

 N.T.#855 "Solving Problems"

August 27, 2026 

Acts 15

LET IT GLOW

A problem arrived. So many times that happens.

When the Jewish converts from Judaea arrived in Antioch, they insisted that the men be circumcised in order to be saved. (verse 1 and 5) The rapid progress of Gentile evangelization in Antioch, Cyprus, and Asia Minor posed a serious threat to the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem. So the apostles and elders of the church had a conference. 

LET IT GROW

How did the guys handle this situation?

Peter stood up and spoke to the meeting:

• He reminded the people that God had accepted the Gentiles by faith alone and not on Jewish terms. (verse 7)
• There is no difference between the Jewish believers and Gentile believers. (verse 9) Salvation is not by works nor faith plus works, but by faith alone.
• Don't put a yoke on their necks. (verse 10)
• But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (verse 11)

Then Paul and Barnabas declared what miracles and wonders God had done among the gentiles by them. (verse 12)

James, the pastor of the church at Jerusalem and brother of the Lord, spoke decisively and they accepted his words. He suggested that they no longer trouble the Gentile who had turned to God. (verse 19) Also, they are to abstain from idols, fornication, and things strangled, and from blood. (verse 20)

Messengers were chosen to take a letter to the church at Antioch telling what James had said and their agreeing to it. There was rejoicing and agreement there. 

It is good for brethren to dwell together in peace. 

LET IT GO

Help us to show love to others today.

Missionaries

N.T.#855  "Missionaries"

Aug. 24, 2026 

Acts 13

LET IT GLOW

The first official gentile mission was carried by Paul and Barnabas, sent by the church at Antioch to Cyprus and Galatia. The encountered a sorcerer Barjesus who called for the two men and wanted to hear the Word of God. He was trying to tun away the deputy from the faith. Paul rebuked him and he was struck blind. 

John Mark joined Paul and Barnabas. John departed and returned to Jerusalem. John Mark deserted his friends

 God opened the doors for the missionary wok sharing the Gospel in Antioch, Paphos, and Perga, Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra. (chapters 13-14) 

In Lystra they met a crippled man from birth, who Paul helped get healed. The man's faith resulted in his walking. Paul shared the Gospel there. Jews stoned Paul and left him for dead. Paul mentions this event in 2 Corinthians 11, being caught up in the third heaven. Paul survived and bore the scars of the stoning, mentions it in Galatians6:17. Many believed due to hearing about Jesus. God opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (14:27)

Do you help support missionaries' work?

LET IT GROW

You can read of Paul's first missionary journey in chapter 13, and his second missionary journey in chapter 15. 

If you are suffering for Christ, being a believer, rejoice! The Lord did not promise to keep us from suffering; He promised to sustain us through suffering. (Swindoll)

Fix your hope and heart on Jesus, not on people. 

LET IT GO

Be what God wants us to be.

Who is Worthy?

 N.T.#855 "Who is Worthy?"

August 20, 2026 

Acts 12-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

They looked for Peter everywhere and he was nowhere to be found. That was good for us, except not good for the guards of the prison. Letting a prisoner escape meant death to the guards. 

Herod left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea, where his other capital was. 

There was no explanation of Peter's escape but that Jesus came and set him free. 

LET IT GROW

The people paid Herod Agrippa I a visit. (verses 19-20)

Herod put on his robe made of silver and sat on his throne, speaking to the people. They shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. (verse 23)

The king did not refuse the honor, but relished and reveled in it.

Because the king did not give God the glory, the Lord smote him with worms, eating up the king. The praise due Jehovah resulted in the king receiving it and he died. 

In Isaiah 42:8, God says He will not give His glory to another. 

Instead of Peter being killed by Herod, it was Herod who was killed by Peter's God!

The Word of God grew and multiplied. (verse 24)

Barnabas and Saul took John Mark with them on their missionary journey to Antioch

People are believing in Jesus as Savior during this time. The early church was growing. 

LET IT GO

Lord, only You are worth of worship and praise

Freedom From Prison

N.T.#854 "Freedom From Prison"

August 14, 2026

Acts 12-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Do you feel like you are in a prison-financial, marital, family, job keeping you there? Peter must have felt hopeless, but his situation had hope., So does your, dear friend.

We left Peter in prison, chained, and between two soldiers. The church was praying for Peter, without ceasing. A guard was on the outside, also. He was waiting for trial and execution, but it was Easter, so he was waiting. Peter was definitely securely bound in prison. No escaping for him. He was doomed. 

Except, someone comes to visit Peter-an angel of the Lord (Jesus probably) showed up. /He woke up Peter, caused his chains to fall off, and told him to get dress. (verse 7)Peter followed the angel out of the prison, passed by the guards and got to the street. Peter assumed he was seeing a vision. (verse 9) Then he realized he wasn't dreaming-he was free. (verse 10)  

What a divine rescue mission!

Have you ever been rescued by the Lord? 

After surgery, years ago, I stopped breathing because of too much morphine. My lips were turning blue, my husband tells everyone. He yelled for help, a nurse yelled for help, and my family doctor and surgeon came to my rescue. Thank God my family doctor was there close by and knew what to give me. It wasn't my time to go home. Neither was it Peter's time to die.

LET IT GROW 

Peter went to the home of John Mark's mother where believers gathered to pray for him. Peter knocked at the door of the gate, (courtyard) a servant Rhoda answered. She was so overjoyed to see Peter that she left him out in the cold and ran back inside to tell everyone he was there. She forgot to let Peter in. (verse 14)

Notice the church's response:

• They had been praying for Peter, but when God miraculously answered, they couldn't believe it.
• They told Rhoda she was out of her mind-no way Peter could be standing outside.
• Peter kept knocking.
• When they opened the door, the prayer warriors were astonished. 
• Peter had come to share what had happened to him with James and the brethren, disciples.

God answers our prayers, sometimes immediately and sometimes later. Sometimes it is a no and sometimes it is a yes. 

Peter left and went to Caesarea. (verse 19) 

LET IT GO

Only Jesus paid the price for me.

Only His love could set me free.

Nobody else could open prison doors-just Jesus and nothing more.

Please set us free from our prisons, Lord Jesus.

Be a Faithful Prayer Warrior

 N.T. #853 "Be a Faithful Prayer Warrior"

August 13, 2026 

Acts 12 

LET IT GLOW 

How faithful are you in praying for others? 

Good things were happening. People were getting saved, believing in Jesus as their Savior. But a turn for the worse happened. Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the great, the cruel Roman ruler of the area. He started persecuting the church. He killed James, the brother of John, with a sword. James was the first apostle to fall victim as a martyr for the faith. (Tradition says an officer guarding James confessed Christ as Savior and was beheaded with the apostle. You can see the cruelty of those in charge. 

Since those actions pleased the Jews, Peter was arrested and thrown into prison. Since it was Easter time, they waited for his trial. 

How difficult it was to have lived in those times and be a believer in Jesus.

LET IT GROW 

Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (Peter)

Herod would have brought Peter to trial and execution, but something extraordinary happened while he slept between 2 soldiers, in chains and a guard standing outside the door. 

Prayer was answered, but those who prayed for Peter had a hard time accepting thier prayers were answered. We will continue the story tomorrow. 

LET IT GO

Help us trust You to answer our prayers as You see fit, Lord Jesus.

Thank You for Your everlasting love for us.

Helping Others

 N.T.#852 "Helping Others"

August 12, 2026 

Acts 11-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We are going to help a sister church this Saturday. A small group of us are helping pain and clean up a church and parsonage that had been closed for about a year. My brother in law is taking over as pastor. They have gone from the attendance of 9 to 27 so far. It is a country church in need of help. The people are there in the area, waiting for this to happen. The Lord is blessing the work. Today's lesson is a similar situation.

Barnabus and Saul stayed in Antioch for a full year, teaching the new believers. There was a famine in the region, a drought. The church at Antioch assisted the church in Jerusalem. They gave generously to care for the needs of others. Those two delivered help.

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart-not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7)

Do we give to the needy?

LET IT GROW

Is the Lord preparing you for some kind of ministry?

Here we read of Gentile believers in Antioch providing loving support to Jewish believers in need. Prejudices were overcome. 

How do we react with Christians of another race?

LET IT GO

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, to see the needs of others. 

Help us to help others for Your glory.