We are going on a missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas today, ladies, but first we will pray with the faithful for the release of Peter from prison. Read their stories in Acts 12-14.
Acts 12
King Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod Agrippa beheaded James the Apostle (John's brother), and he put Peter in prison. This made the Jews very happy. Herod Agrippa planned to execute Peter too, but he wanted to wait until after the Passover festival (Exodus 12) to put him on trial. He ordered four squads of soldiers to guard Peter. Makes me wonder if he had an inkling that Peter was going to slip away.
v. 5 - The church never stopped praying for Peter. In times of persecution, the church gets stronger and proves faithful. Who are you praying for without ceasing? (I Thess 5:17)
The story of Peter's rescue is wonderful! The angel poked Peter in the side and then had to give him step-by-step directions. Get up! Get dressed! Put on your shoes! Put on your coat! Follow me! As a mom, you've had to wake a sleepy little boy or girl and dressed them while they were still in a fog. That's how I picture Peter. He thought he was dreaming until the angel left, and then Peter came fully awake. The dream ended in a nightmare, though, for all those soldiers who let Peter escape.
Rhoda makes me laugh! She was too excited to think straight, and she left Peter standing outside. No one else believed her, and they were totally shocked that God actually answered their prayers for the release of Peter from prison. You and I are like that. We pray without really expecting God to hear and answer. Let's confess our unbelief.
Acts 13
v. 1-5 - The church at Antioch was training up leaders and sending them out to spread the gospel. I pray that all of our churches will see this as their purpose. Who are you discipling right now?
v. 6-12 - Please, Lord, don't let me be like Elymas, who stood in the way of others coming to faith in Christ. Give me the insight and boldness of Paul, who recognized evil and challenged it publicly.
v. 13-52 - Paul's sermon was a history lesson that left the people begging for more. Does hearing the gospel excite you enough to invite others to hear the message?
Acts 14
The end of Acts 13 begins a pattern that is repeated throughout Paul and Barnabas' ministry. At first the people would be happy and receptive to their message. Then someone would stir up trouble and turn people against the missionary team so they would have to leave that town and go share the message somewhere else. Have you noticed a similar pattern in your life? Just when you start to feel comfortable, God makes your surroundings uncomfortable so you will stay on mission for him. Sometimes we blame this discomfort on the devil, but no matter what, girls, let's always be on alert for where God wants us to share the good news next.
Acts 14 draws the map of this missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas bravely shared the Lord's message, and the Lord gave them power to do miracles. When they healed a man who was crippled, the people wanted to worship them as Zeus and Hermes. Paul and Barnabas squelched that idea as quickly as possible. "We are only human! Do not worship us!" Paul and Barnabas retraced their journey to revisit, strengthen, and train the churches. Then they returned home to give a report of their mission.
Hearing stories of missions makes me want to be on mission everywhere I go. Do you have a story you can share of when God has pushed you out of your comfort zone and taken you on an adventure to share the gospel? Please share it with us!
Acts 12
King Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod Agrippa beheaded James the Apostle (John's brother), and he put Peter in prison. This made the Jews very happy. Herod Agrippa planned to execute Peter too, but he wanted to wait until after the Passover festival (Exodus 12) to put him on trial. He ordered four squads of soldiers to guard Peter. Makes me wonder if he had an inkling that Peter was going to slip away.
v. 5 - The church never stopped praying for Peter. In times of persecution, the church gets stronger and proves faithful. Who are you praying for without ceasing? (I Thess 5:17)
The story of Peter's rescue is wonderful! The angel poked Peter in the side and then had to give him step-by-step directions. Get up! Get dressed! Put on your shoes! Put on your coat! Follow me! As a mom, you've had to wake a sleepy little boy or girl and dressed them while they were still in a fog. That's how I picture Peter. He thought he was dreaming until the angel left, and then Peter came fully awake. The dream ended in a nightmare, though, for all those soldiers who let Peter escape.
Rhoda makes me laugh! She was too excited to think straight, and she left Peter standing outside. No one else believed her, and they were totally shocked that God actually answered their prayers for the release of Peter from prison. You and I are like that. We pray without really expecting God to hear and answer. Let's confess our unbelief.
Acts 13
v. 1-5 - The church at Antioch was training up leaders and sending them out to spread the gospel. I pray that all of our churches will see this as their purpose. Who are you discipling right now?
v. 6-12 - Please, Lord, don't let me be like Elymas, who stood in the way of others coming to faith in Christ. Give me the insight and boldness of Paul, who recognized evil and challenged it publicly.
v. 13-52 - Paul's sermon was a history lesson that left the people begging for more. Does hearing the gospel excite you enough to invite others to hear the message?
Acts 14
The end of Acts 13 begins a pattern that is repeated throughout Paul and Barnabas' ministry. At first the people would be happy and receptive to their message. Then someone would stir up trouble and turn people against the missionary team so they would have to leave that town and go share the message somewhere else. Have you noticed a similar pattern in your life? Just when you start to feel comfortable, God makes your surroundings uncomfortable so you will stay on mission for him. Sometimes we blame this discomfort on the devil, but no matter what, girls, let's always be on alert for where God wants us to share the good news next.
Acts 14 draws the map of this missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas bravely shared the Lord's message, and the Lord gave them power to do miracles. When they healed a man who was crippled, the people wanted to worship them as Zeus and Hermes. Paul and Barnabas squelched that idea as quickly as possible. "We are only human! Do not worship us!" Paul and Barnabas retraced their journey to revisit, strengthen, and train the churches. Then they returned home to give a report of their mission.
Hearing stories of missions makes me want to be on mission everywhere I go. Do you have a story you can share of when God has pushed you out of your comfort zone and taken you on an adventure to share the gospel? Please share it with us!
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