February 25th, Wednesday: Acts chap. 16 & 17

Acts 16

Paul wrote, “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience.

See the patience of Paul in waiting for a helper.

Timothy replaced John Mark and became a true son in the faith to Paul.

God has the right person ready at the right time.

So be patient.

We'll see that patience of Paul in seeking God's will.

He was an apostle, yet he did not always know the direction God wanted him to take.

He took steps, God closed doors, so he waited.

And then God showed him the way.

We'll see the patience of Paul in ministering the Word.

'They waited some days,' it says, before seeking a place to witness.

And God had hearts all prepared.

And we'll see his patience in bearing annoyance.

Paul put up with the demoniac promotion as long as he could and then cast out the demon.

Paul knew that his actions will create problems for him and it did.

And we'll see Paul's patience in enduring suffering.

Paul did not use his Roman citizenship to protect himself from pain.

But later he used it to protect the new church.

When you hurt, ask God to give you songs in the night.

And we'll see his patience in winning a lost soul.

Paul had his eyes on the keeper of the prison and in kindness won him to Christ.

How much are we willing to suffer to win someone to the Lord?

Especially someone who has hurt us?

An old Chinese proverb says, 'Patience is power. With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes silk.'

Acts 17

We'll look into rejecting the new.

The Jews in Thessalonica were not interested in the new faith or the new thing that Paul preached.

But the Gentile God-seekers accepted the gospel and were saved.

We'll read about investigating the new.

The next town was just the opposite.

The Jews In Berea took time to examine the evidence and to study the Scriptures.

There are fair minded people in every nation.

And God knows who they are.

And then we'll be looking for the new.

The people in Athens spent their time in nothing else, except to tell or to hear some new thing.

Why, how like our world today!

The quest for novelty overshadows the search for reality.

Paul's sermon was a masterpiece of tact and teaching.

And a few people were converted.

Paul offered them newness of life through the resurrection.

And most of the listeners rejected it.