Paul often had to work as a tentmaker to support himself, but when godly men came to help, he was able to devote himself to the ministry of the Word. The calling to support such men as Paul is as important as the calling to preach. Both are needed.
Paul often had to work as a tentmaker to support himself, but when godly men came to help, he was able to devote himself to the ministry of the Word. The calling to support such men as Paul is as important as the calling to preach. Both are needed.
What can I say? Be wise. Talk less. Listen more.
God wanted to save the jailer and his family, so Paul & Silas had to go to jail. As wheat is crushed to make bread, so we become nourishment for others. How has suffering made you more available?
When we are following Jesus for the sake of the gospel, He Himself leads us. Sometimes He hinders, sometimes He opens wide a door. Taking the Word to the whole world as He commanded while staying spiritually sensitive to His leading is key.
In this chapter Elisha raises the dead and feeds a multitude. His name means “God is salvation.” His life along with his precursor, Elijah, point to the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. He prepares Israel to recognize Christ.
The Shunammite woman built a “Prophet’s Chamber” for Elisha. Rural homes often provided a room like this for itinerant preachers in the US. Would there be room at your house for such a one?
Today’s OYB was too awesome. Elijah caught up. Elisha gets a double portion. Paul and Barnabas preach boldly. But Ps.139 is where I landed today. “Search me, O God.”
This speaks of true friendship that continues strong through thick and thin. Do you have a friend like this? Does someone else count you as such a friend? Adversity is the test that reveals true friendship.
Ch.12 began with the execution of James, brother of John, and the imprisonment of Peter. But it ended with the death of Herod and this statement. Persecution did not stop the gospel. It served to spread it further. Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
A lot of angel action in ch.12! First, an angel breaks Peter out of Herod’s jail, then an angel takes Herod out! I wonder if it was the same angel? The chap. begins with the martyrdom of James by Herod’s sword and ends with Herod’s death by an angel’s sword.