- When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. Acts 28:3 – Should it be so surprising that as a follower of Christ was trying to warm himself up that a snake tried to interfere? Know as we grow warmer in our walk with God and as we pursue Jesus more faithfully, our enemy will begin to try and stop us. Just remember all the enemy can do is try. With Paul, he could have freaked out yet rather he just shook the snake off and kept going. We too can do the same as we lean on and use the power of God within our story. The attacks are just attacks, they are not and never will be for a Christian a finishing blow. Keep moving forward in the direction God is sending you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 657
- And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. Acts 28:24 – While I wouldn’t say this verse would be the theme verse of the book of Acts, it certainly does sum up so many of the stories within Acts. We have someone, here it was Paul, sharing the good news of the Gospel to a group of people who need to hear it. The result? Some were convinced, others weren’t. Some turned to follow Jesus, others turned to persecute the followers of Jesus. Some gave their life for the Gospel after hearing it, and some, after hearing the message of the Gospel, took the lives of those who believed in the Gospel. This outcome of some believing and some not is everywhere within Acts, and even with Jesus Himself. Do not be discouraged then when some don’t believe when you share the good news. There will be many times that you courageously take hold of the opportunities God has put in front of you to speak about Jesus and the response is less that what you hoped for. Know I’ve given countless altar calls after a message and it still isn’t easy seeing no one respond. In those spots know you are doing exactly what Jesus has called you to, to go and make disciples, being a witness to the ends of the earth of what you have seen and heard of Jesus. When no response is seen, trust God is still working, and you may have just been a piece to the grander story of them coming to the faith. Know as well, as sad of a truth as it is, some just won’t believe in Jesus either. Our role though is to share to good news regardless of the response. We pray for their acceptance of the message, and we’ll pray for them when they don’t. Keep sharing the gospel. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2554
Daily DEVO 