Consider what your tying yourself to

Event: Paul in Ephesus

S - Scripture
Acts 19 v. 4-5  And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is Jesus." On hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  
 
O – Observation
Baptism. There is only one name to which to be baptized. Today's verse brings that point home. Ephesians 4 v. 4-5, "There is ONE body and ONE Spirit , just as you are called to the ONE hope that belongs to your call, ONE Lord, ONE Faith, ONE Baptism." Baptism is your commitment. Baptism ties you into Christ. Just as back then, when there were multiple baptisms, so it is today. So many people tie themselves into so many things. They tie themselves to their work, to a sports team, or a hobby. Remember there can be only ONE baptism.
 
A - Application
What am I tying myself to?  
 
P - Prayer
Jesus, Don't let my baptism just be a ceremony or a symbol.  Love Will

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Just do it - Sharing the Good News!!!

Event: Apollos shares the Good News

S - Scripture
Acts 18 v. 25 (A Jew named Apollos) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he only knew the baptism of John.
 
O – Observation
Apollos a great role model for us. Apollos got past our greatest perceived barrier to sharing the gospel. I'm not an expert. I'm not a pastor, or in Apollos case, I'm not one of Jesus main disciples. But did that perceived "requirement" prevent  him from sharing his faith - NO!! We should be like Apollos and remove any  barriers that keeps us from sharing the Great News of Jesus death and resurrection for our sins. That being, said, just like Apollos, we need to be instructed in the way of the Lord. We do this be reading the Bible. Journal it. Go to church, go to classes on the Christian faith. Study what God has to say.
 
A - Application
Am I like Apollos?  
 
P - Prayer
Jesus, Remind me that I don't have to be a Pastor to share the most awesome news ever. Love Will

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Rich

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might be made rich.

O - OBSERVATION: Jesus was one with the Father from the beginning; In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John 1:1 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the One and Only who came from the Father full of Grace and Truth. John 1:8 Jesus was rich, but lowered Himself to be born of a virgin in a lowly manger in Bethlehem in order to fulfill the prophets and more importantly bring salvation to a fallen and corrupt world. 

A - APPLICATION: How are we rich? It’s not at all about money, goods or fame, but rather about everything Jesus endured, ridicule, suffering and even death on a criminal cross that we through His poverty might be made rich in forgiveness, the fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22,23, and finally life eternal with our dear Jesus who one day will take us home to heaven for eternity! There is no greater richness than to spend eternity with Jesus. That is why in His grace He became poor, so that those who believe might enjoy eternity with Him!

P - PRAYER: Gracious Father, thank You for Your wonderful provision for us, on earth, but especially in Eternity with Your Son and our Savior, Jesus. We are made rich in Eternity.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Have an Active Spiritual Strength Training Program

Event: Paul in Galatia and Phrygia
S - Scripture
Acts 18 v. 23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
 
O – Observation
Strengthening. One of the key things that Paul did was strengthening the fellow believers. It’s a key aspect. Think about any Athlete. Sure they have the games that they compete in, and they have practices, but a key part of their regiment is strength training. So it must be for us. God commands us to be strong. Joshua 1 v. 9a, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of Good courage." So how do we go about being strong for the Lord? Read the Bible (daily), meditate on it, do what it says, pray. All these things must be a part of your daily regimen. Think about strength training, if a person only lifted weights once a week would he be all that strong?
 

A - Application
What is my spiritual strength training program?  
 
P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to stay committed to my spiritual strength training program. Love Will
 

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Trust God to Deliver you

Event: Jews bring Paul to trial in Athens

S - Scripture
Acts 18 v. 17 And  they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid not attention to this.
 
O – Observation
Deliverance - when you don't expect it, and how you would not expected it. This is the very last part of the account of Paul and Gallio. (Acts 18 v. 12-17.) What happened was the Jewish people made a united front and brought Paul to Gallio for trial for preaching the Gospel. Here's what happened next, Acts 18 v. 14-15, "But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong doing or vicious crime, I should have reason to bear with you, O Jews; but since this is a matter of question about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves." Not what the Jewish people expected plus Gallio had his court beat them. 

 
A - Application
Am I trusting God will deliver me?  
 
P - Prayer
Jesus, Deliver me from my enemies.   Love Will

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
 

Stand Strong in the Lord

Event: Paul in Corinth

S - Scripture
Acts 18 v. 9-10 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city."
 
O – Observation
Stand strong. I love it when God reassures, informs and commands his leaders in this verse, Jesus says, 1) Don't be afraid, 2) continue to do what your doing - sharing the gospel 3) I am with you 4) you will not be harmed.  This reminds me of when God did this to Joshua before he took the nation of Israel into the promised land. Joshua 1 v. 9, ,"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of a Good Courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord you God is with you were ever you go." Both of these verses are applicable in my life, from raising my family to work.
 

A - Application
Am I standing strong in the Lord?   
 
P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be strong and courageous for you.    Love Will

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Keep sharing the Good news – regardless of the reactions

Event: Paul in Corinth 

S - Scripture
Acts 18 v. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles."

O – Observation
The results of sowing seeds on a pathway. Paul was preaching and teaching to the Jewish people of Corinth. They simply could not, would not accept what he was saying. It’s a lot like trying to plant seeds on a pathway or sidewalk. It's not gonna happen. Jesus provides this insight with the parable of the sower. Matthew 13 v. 3b-4, 10 , "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them... When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path." We need to sow, share our faith, but we can’t get discouraged by the people that reject the faith, instead we need to keep sowing, keep sharing, but as the sower and Paul, move on to other potentially more fertile ground.

A - Application
How am I responding to the seeds on the pathway?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to sow in fertile ground. Love Will

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