If you’ve ever wondered why the most controversial personality in history was rejected, today’s chapter may hold the greatest clue…
READ ACTS 22 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Sitting in the 21st Century, I smile incredulously at how ridiculous today’s chapter can appear to the modern reader. A mob crying out, throwing their cloaks down, and flinging dust in the air. [v22-23] …I’m sorry… I just don’t get it! But if there’s a global conspiracy out there at all, then there’s one vital piece of information that we’re not told about, when it comes to the greatest story ever told.
What could be described as an insane protest, in today’s chapter, that broke out when Paul tried explaining the Creator God’s Good News message, wasn’t about a dead person speaking. [v7-10,18] It wasn’t about Jesus being called The Righteous One – a title only given to the Jewish Messiah/Saviour Himself. [v14] It wasn’t about humans calling on His Name. [v16] And, quiet amazingly, it wasn’t even about calling Him Lord. [v8,19-20] The real issue, and the reason to “rid the earth” of people who are “not fit to live” [v22], is that this Jesus told His followers to spread out far and wide, because the Creator God’s “Good News” is now also for non-Jewish people – Gentiles! [v21] The anger, the protest, or any disagreement about Jesus today, actually pre-dates Jesus Himself. It goes back to Abraham and the God who loves the whole world, and it hinges on an ancient promise: that “…all families on earth will be blessed”, through Him.[a]
Read more? … CLICK “13 September – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to speak directly with the One who cares about the whole world? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
May I love You today, Lord, with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength. [Deuteronomy 6:5]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Victims of the AIDs crisis in Nepal[c]
Your Country: National Helpline Charities
Yourself: Your service in your community
Your concerns for today
Each day I call to You, Father God. Come quickly to me; hear me when I call to You. [Psalm 141:1]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Help me, Lord my God, to be like those in Your story who believed, came, and openly confessed what they’d done. [Acts 19:18]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
May I humble myself before You, God my Maker, when I ask You for a safe journey through this life, for us and our children with all our possessions. [Ezra 8:21]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[d] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing the script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Being a Good “Caretaker”
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” [Hebrews 13:5]
[a] Genesis 18:18; 26:4; John 3:16 and Galatians 3:8
[b] Matthew 6:5-15
[c] http://www.operationworld.org/country/nepa/owtext.html
[d] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31