Unstoppable Faith
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Acts 28:30-31
In today’s dose, we are finishing up the book of Acts. I hope you have enjoyed reading through this book. It is one of my favorites because of the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit that inspired the first Christians to walk out their lives and calling with unstoppable faith. This book always motivates and energizes me to follow the examples of these believers. Acts shares many details of the establishment and growth of how the Christian faith began. It also shows us how Christianity was able to spread to the nations of the world. It is much more than a history book of Christian faith. It is the foundation for living a life of faith in God successfully. Below are four points for us to look at today and decide if our relationship with our Savior is based on these foundations.
- Walking out God’s mission in the middle of adversity –Jesus told the disciples at the beginning of Acts to go tell the good news to all the nation. There was little if any warning about the objections and trouble they would face while on the mission. Having ministered with Jesus for the three years before, the disciples had already experienced trouble being part of the journey. They held on to Jesus’ command and persevered through the opposition and kept focused on the goal of reaching the lost.
Our objective and assignment is the same today. As God’s people, we are to grow up in our faith so that we can help and lead others to Him. We may not have three years of walking closely with the Holy Spirit and growing up in the things of God like the disciples did, but we can always encourage others along the way. In the growing process, troubles and tests will come, but keeping our eyes on the One Who sent us will empower us to overcome every obstacle that tries to trip us up.
2. Be confidence in God’s Promises – All through the book of Acts, the people of God continually encouraged and reminded each other of the promises of God in the scriptures and that Jesus gave them. Holding on to these promises resulted in the joy and rewards of carrying out the mission they were given. God’s promises were what they turned to when fear tried to break into their peace and stop them.
The promises of God are with us still today in His word. That is why it is essential to spend time with Him and His word each day. The more of God’s promises you hide in your heart, the more you will be reminded of them when you feel the pressure to give up or move on from the work you are currently doing. When the onslaught of fear and anxiety threaten you, turn immediately to the peace of God’s promises. Stop the spirit of fear in its tracks before it comes out of your mouth. Instead, speak out what God says and your faith will be put into action instead of the fear.
3. Continue in prayer – The Christians of the first church met often together to pray and encourage one another. Many times, they came together daily. In taking time to connect and pray together, their commitment to the mission was strengthened and as they prayed for boldness to share, the Holy Spirit’s power was released to allow them to be persistent and never back down in their message of the truth of God’s love for all people.
In the same way that it is essential for us to spend time with God and His promises (scripture) each day, it is equally important for us to get together with other believers in person to connect and pray for one another. We need each other and it is so powerful to share with other believers what you are struggling with and also what you have been able to overcome. Your stories will inspire others to boldness and theirs will motivate you to keep up the good fight of faith. Then take time to pray together and continue to pray for each other when you are apart. Coming together for weekend services and regularly getting together in a small group setting is not negotiable. It is vital to the life of your mission to take the time to reconnect with others that also need your presence to keep them focused when life happens.
4. Always be watching for divine appointments – As the Christians in Acts shared the message of salvation and came together to minister to one another, God continually orchestrated divine appointments. The Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of people that would be in place at just the right moments to hear the word of God’s love. These early Christians welcomed all who came to them, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without being hindered by the circumstances surrounding them.
God is still arranging these appointments for us today. By positioning ourselves to meet with Him each morning in prayer and worship, we can be more aware of these divine meetings when they happen. Always be on the look out to encourage and bless others as opportunity provides. Whether an inspirational word, an invitation to a group or weekend service or even quietly slipping a $20 bill to someone in need. These acts of love coupled with the hand of God’s Spirit can be the very seed that pulls someone’s heart closer to their decision to receive God’s great salvation.
Today I want to encourage you to consider and learn from the book of Acts when challenges come. Embrace God’s calling and assignment with unwavering faith and courage. Don’t pray for opportunities to go away or to be hidden and protected away from the world. Instead, pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to persevere in prayer and in boldly proclaiming the goodness of God’s love while remaining open to divine appointments. Despite the obstacles you may face, trust God’s promises and press forward with unstoppable faith, knowing that He is with you every step of the way. Allow the inspiring examples of the first Christians to ignite a fire of faith in your heart to propel you forward on your journey of courage and conviction. Embrace God’s calling with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit knowing that nothing can stand in the way of His purposes being fulfilled in your life when you do.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 28:17-31
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
The Daily Dose 