February 23rd, Monday: Acts chap. 12 & 13

Acts 12

The will of the Lord – the fact that it is always wise and good, but it is not always predictable.

God spared Peter but allowed James be killed.

He did not deliver Peter from prison until the last minute.

He allowed Herod to slay James but He did not permit the king to act like a God.

Is that how you would have done it?

Some Christians are like Job's friends.

They think they always know exactly what God is doing, will do and wants done.

But they may be wrong.

Whenever you're tempted to play God in somebody's life – think again!

It's always right to pray, even when your faith is so weak – you'll be surprised when the answer comes!

Keep knocking – God opens doors.

Acts 13

Opportunities come to people busy serving the Lord.

God calls people who take time to worship and minister to the Lord.

Opportunities usually produce some opposition.

Here's another example of the parable of the tears.

God sowed the good seed, and Satan sowed the counterfeit.

Opportunities reveals character.

Paul and Barnabas kept going.

But John Mark returned home.

We do not know why, nor should we pass judgment.

Barnabas reclaimed John Mark later on, and Paul eventually accepted him.

And opportunities develop leadership.

The trip began with Barnabas and Saul.

But it became Paul and his party.

Barnabas rejoiced in seeing Paul being used so mightily of God.

It was a team effort and the vital thing? - it was for the glory of God.