Are You Running The Race?

 N.T.#863 "Are You Running The Race?"

Sept. 21, 2026

Acts 19

LET IT GLOW 

On Paul's third missionary journey, he visited Ephesus for two years. 

• He confronted disciples of John the Baptist whether they had the Holy Spirit, but they had not heard about it. (verse 2)
• He told them about being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, which identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (verse 4) 
• So Paul baptized those believers in the name of Jesus Christ. (verse 5)
• Baptism if immersion in the water. All the men were about 12 in number. (verse 7)
• For the next 3 months Paul spoke in the synagogue. (verse 8)
• God did special miracles through Paul. 

Apparently God wanted us to read about Paul's experiences and ministry so He put it in our Bible. Hopefully, it will grow our faith.

LET IT GROW

Those who were Sceva, a priest, and his 7 sons, where watching Paul do his miracles and attempted an exorcism of their own without success. However, Paul was able to do so. People burned their art and books that were of voodoo, destroying occult objects. 

So many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. (verse 18)

Friend, are you a believer in Jesus? 

Christians are not to dabble in the horoscopes, tarot cards, palm reading. God doesn't work through superstitious practices. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GO

Put away those things that weigh us down and run the Christian race with Jesus.

A Willing Man

 N.T. #862 "A Willing Man"

Sept. 15, 2026 

Acts 18-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Reading through this chapter, do you get the idea that Paul was quite the traveler and missionary? Paul spent 3 years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31). That was the longest he stayed in any city. It was an exciting and fruitful time for him. 

Then Paul departed from Ephesus to Jerusalem, covering Galatia and Phrygia where he strengthened the disciples. It was Paul's third missionary journey. 

Luke tells us back in Ephesus Aquila and Priscilla remained and spoke with Apollos, a willing man.

Who was Apollos?

• Apollos had learned about Jesus through John the Baptist and the Jewish pilgrims while still in Egypt. Jesus is the Messiah is all he knew. 
• Apollos was an eloquent (learned)man being mighty in Scriptures.
• This couple taught Apollos, expounding the way of God more perfectly. (verse26)
• Eventually, he felt called to Corinth and departed. There he taught the Word of God convincing the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

LET IT GROW

People believed in Jesus through grace. 

God uses people to share the Gospel of Jesus in various ways and places. Are you one of the kingdom workers? How willing are you?

LET IT GO

Help us see the needs of others, share Your Word and salvation wherever You lead.

Glory to God in the Highest!

•  He was fervent in spirit. 

LET IT GROW

Wherever You Go, Be a Witness

 N.T.#861 "Wherever You Go, Be a Witness"

Sept. 14, 2026 

Acts 18

LET IT GLOW

Sorry everyone for the delay, but I have had technical difficulties.

Paul met a wonderful couple who was recently driven from Rome by the anti-Semitic activities of the empire at that time. Aquilia and his wife Pricilla, who was of a distinguished family of high standing in Rome, became friends with Paul. Paul joined their occupation as tentmakers. Paul preached in the synagogue and persuaded Jews and Greeks that Jesus was Christ. Paul remained at Corinth for one and half years. Justus and Crispus supported Paul's ministry. (verses 1-8)

The Lord assured Paul his safety so he continued to preach salvation through Jesus. (verse 9-10) During that time, Paul wrote the I and II Thessalonia letters. 

Silas brought a financial gift for Paul from the Philippian church for his missionary support. Timothy brought Paul a good report concerning the work in Thessalonia.

LET IT GROW

Then it happened. The Jews, who instigated riots, brought Paul to Gallio, a new Roman governor. He was accused of blaspheme. Paul was released by Gallio, but Sosthenes beat him for Christ's sake. He was charged with persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. The evil people didn't want anything to do with the Jewish teachings and ways. 

 Paul remained a while, but then left taking Aquilla and Priscilla to Ephesus. (verses 8-18)

LET IT GO

Stay faithful to Jesus, dear one.

Be a witness wherever you go.

Be a witness wherever you go.

LET IT GROW

Will You Believe in Jesus?

N.T.#860 "Will You Believe in Jesus?"

Sept. 7, 2026 

Acts 17-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW 

Paul was brave. He was at Athens when he criticized their temples, statues, idols and religious mythology. Paul told the people there:

• about the UNKNOWN GOD, who is our Creator, Savior, and Judge of the world. (verse 23)
• God does not dwell in temples. 
• He gives everyone life and breath and all things. (verse 24)
• For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.  (verse 28)
• Don't think the Godhead is like gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (verse 29)
• God commands all men to repent. (verse 30)

LET IT GROW

Paul told the people that Jesus was raised from the dead. However, they could not make a commitment to believe Jesus is Savior. 

Paul moved on to Corinth. 

Have you made a decision to believe in Jesus?

What grace!

LET IT GO

Your name is the highest.

You will always be holy, Lord Jesus.

 believe in Jesus as Savior. They would hear Paul again on this matter.  

LET IT GO 

Continuing Kingdom Work

N.T.#859 "Continuing Kingdom Work"

Sept 4, 2026 

Acts 17

LET IT GLOW 

When they got out of jail free, Paul, Silas, and Timothy spent 3 weeks organizing a church from the Jewish converts Jason. Paul worked as a tentmaker so he wasn't a burden to the believers. Paul presented Jesus Christ suffered and rose from the dead. Many believed.  (verses 3-4)

The missionaries had such an impact of Thessalonica that the Jews gathered people to take them out of Jason's house. Why? They were turning the world upside down for Jesus. (verse 6) They were literally shaking communities for Jesus with the Gospel. They were preaching another king-Jesus, in the Jewish synagogues.

Paul uses the Gentile term "Lord."  Is Jesus king and Lord of your life and mine?

LET IT GROW 

Silas and Timothy stayed while Paul went to Berea and sailed to Athens. Silas and Timothy sent word to Paul that they were joining him, so Paul waited for them to arrive. 

What disturbed Paul there? Idolatry was engulfing the city. Paul met people in the market place-philosophers of the Epicureans and the Stoicks. Their motto was, "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Stoicks believed in brotherhood of all men and held to the high moral principles of a life of self-denial. 

Paul became known as a babbler, which means a loafer, gossiper in the Greek.

That didn't prevent Paul from preaching Jesus crucified and resurrected.  What prevents us from sharing Jesus?

LET IT GO

Help us stay focused on You, Lord Jesus, and share the Truth with others. 

What

Singing in the Prison

 N.T. #858 "Singing in the Prison"

Sept. 2, 2026 

Acts 16-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW

Paul and his team encountered a demon-possessed slave girl. She followed them saying They are the servants of the Most High God, which shows us the way of salvation. After a few days of this, Paul cast out the demon and set her free in Jesus' name.  (verses 16-18)

Her owners took the missionary team to the authorities because they took away their money. Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and put into prison. 

LET IT GROW

How did Paul and Silas react in prison after being beaten? At midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God. (verse 25)

The prisoners heard the guys. An earthquake happened and the doors to the prison were opened. Everyone's bands freed their hands. 

A guard saw his prisoners were free and was about to kill himself but Paul told him not to. 

Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (verse 30) The Guard asked Paul.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (verse 31)

The guard and his entire household believed in Jesus and were baptized that night. The guard took Paul and Silas home and treated their sores and fed them. The team was freed and went to Lydia's house where the brethren were. Then they left. (verse 40)

LET IT GO

Open and Closed Doors

 N.T.#857 "Open and Closed Doors"

Sept. 1, 2026 

Acts 16

LET IT GLOW

Young Timothy enters the scene. 

What do we know about Timothy?

• This outstanding young man would become Paul's traveling companion and later one of the leaders of the early church.
• Paul circumcised him.
• He was set aside by the elders in Lystra for missionary activity. 

Luke joined Timothy, Paul, and Silas at Troas. Luke wrote the book of Acts. He was a physician of a Greek background.(verses 1-8)

Doors closed there for their witness.

LET IT GROW

 Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia asking Paul to come and help them. This four-man mission team sailed to Thyatira. There they met Lydia, a seller of purple, who worshipped God. She was saved and baptized and her household. (Probably servants and attendants.) (verses 14-15)

A local church was established. God opens doors for us to witness for Him and sometimes closes some doors.

LET IT GO

Make our witness strong for You, Jesus.

Open the doors you have for us.