Acts 20: Will You Finish Your Course?
Verse of the Day: (V24) “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

1. Comforted (V1-20)
V9 “And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.”

Before the Bible was completed, God gave the apostles sign gifts, such as healing and raising the dead, to affirm them before the people that they were God’s apostle. Hence when the young man, Eutychus, fell off and died, while hearing Paul’s long preaching, Paul immediately raised him from the dead. When the people saw God’s miracle, they were greatly comforted that Eutychus was alive, and Paul was indeed God’s apostle.

V12 “And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”
 
2. Course (V21-27)
V24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Before Paul left Ephesus, he met the leaders of the church at Ephesus, and encouraged them not to be distracted by crises and even death, but to boldly keep on, keeping on preaching the gospel of the grace of God, and finish their course and ministry with joy.

V25 “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”

3. Church (V28-38)
V28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

God’s church is precious to Him, as He bought her with His only Son’s blood. This was why Paul’s last words to the church leaders were not only to feed the church with God’s word, but to ensure that there would be no grievous wolves or false leaders who would deceitfully enter into the church to ultimately divide and destroy God’s precious church.

V29 “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to finish my course and ministry with joy.

Acts 21: Are You Ready To Be Bound?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

1. Bound (V1-14)
V12 “And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.”

Though Prophet Agabus had prophesied that Apostle Paul would be bound and arrested in Jerusalem, and his disciples discouraged him from going there, yet Paul chose to go to Jerusalem, and even to die there, because he desired to do God’s will and for Jesus’ sake.

V13 “Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
 
2. Believe (V15-26)
V19 “And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.”

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he gladly shared with the church that many Gentiles from Asia had believed in Christ. The church learned that God loved the Jews and the Gentiles, and desired that all be saved from fiery hell and be promoted to pearly heaven.

V20 “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:”

3. Beating (V27-40)
V28 “Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.”

However, there was a group of unbelieving Jews from Asia, who hated Paul and God’s truth of reaching out to the Gentiles, and began to stir up trouble, and accused Paul of going against Moses’ law and polluting the holy temple by allowing the Greeks to enter it. The people believed these Jews, and began to chase Paul out of the temple, and almost beat him to death, before the chief captain and his soldiers intercepted and arrested him.

V32 “Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating Paul.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be ready to be bound and also to die for You.

Acts 19: Are You Sharing God’s Word?
Verse of the Day: (V20) “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

1. Word (V1-20)
V19 “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”

In Ephesus, many came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, as they heard not only the preaching of Apostle Paul, but witnessed how Paul cast out the evil spirits. Many new believers began to burn all their expensive books of magic arts, fortune telling, etc., as they knew that these were of the devil. Therefore God’s word grew mightily in Ephesus.

V20 “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
 
2. Worship (V21-34)
V24 “For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;”

As a result of Paul’s preaching, many believed in Christ, and hence there was a sharp decline of demand of the idols of Diana which they had been worshipping for years. Demetrius and the craftsmen, whose income was mainly from idols making, resorted to violence and murder in order to stop Paul and his disciples from preaching God’s word.

V27 “So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.”

3. Worshipper (V35-41)
V35 “And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?”

God led the town clerk to restore order in Ephesus when he told Demetrius and the craftsmen to seek their grievances in a lawful manner. The town clerk explained to them that though they were worshippers of Diana, yet Paul and his disciples did not blasphemed Diana, but they only shared God’s word to the people of Ephesus. The choice was still for them to decide which God they would choose to believe and worship.

V39 “But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to share Your Word that many shall come to know You.

Acts 18: Are You Afraid?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:”

1. Aquila (V1-6)
V2 “And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome :) and came unto them.”

Though Apostle Paul was God’s preacher yet he was also a tentmaker as he did not want to financially burden the church. When Paul was at Corinth, God led him to meet Aquila and Priscilla, a godly Christian couple. Aquila was also a tentmaker, and Paul decided to stay with him and his wife. Let us follow the Lord and He shall lead and provide for us.

V3 “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”
 
2. Afraid (V7-17)
V9 “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:”

Though Paul kept preaching the gospel of Christ, yet sometimes he was afraid as there were people who persecuted him, and even plotted to kill him. However, the Lord encouraged Paul that He was with him, and He shall protect and preserve his life as he preached the gospel of Christ that many shall come to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus.

V10 “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”

3. Apollos (V18-28)
V24 “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.”

Though Apollos was a great preacher, yet his understanding of God’s Word was limited to John’s baptism. Hence Aquila and Priscilla taught him more of God’s Word and the gospel of Christ. Apollos humbled himself and learned from Aquila and Priscilla who were more knowledgeable of God’s Word. Let us humble ourselves and keep learning God’s Word, until the day the Lord calls us home, or He returns to bring us to His glory.

V26 “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am not afraid because You are always with me.

Acts 17: Are You Worshipping The Known God?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”

1. World (V1-9)
V5 “But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.”

The unbelieving Jews conspired with wicked men and arrested Jason and the new converts, and accused them before the rulers that they had turned the world upside down. Though the Christians did not turn the world upside down, but they turned the world right side up, as lives were transformed when they repented their sins and believed in God.

V6 “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
 
2. Word (V10-21)
V11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The new converts did not blindly follow Paul and Silas, but they diligently searched their teaching, and affirmed that it was God’s Word. However Paul and Silas and the new converts still faced persistent persecution from the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica.

V13 “But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.”

3. Worship (V22-34)
V23 “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”

Paul discovered that the people of Athens were ignorantly worshipping the unknown God. He then preached to them that there was a known God, who was not only the Creator, but also the Saviour of the world. Anyone who believes in God shall live with Him forever.

V24 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I only worship You, the known God, my Saviour.

Acts 16: Will You Sing Praises To God?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

1. Servants (V1-18)
V16 “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:”

Even a young slave girl, who had a spirit of divination from the devil (that brought much wealth to her masters through her fortune telling), could proclaim that Paul and Silas were servants of the most high God. Indeed, the devil and his evil spirits cannot deny God and His salvation even though they shall one day be condemned to the fiery hell.

V17 “The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.”
 
2. Sang (V19-26)
V25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

When God through Paul cast out the spirit of divination from the girl, her masters were furious because they would lose their source of income from her fortune telling. The masters brought Paul and Silas to the unbelieving Roman rulers who imprisoned them for inciting trouble in the city by preaching the gospel. Though Paul and Silas were imprisoned and in trouble, yet they prayed and sang praises to God because they knew that they were suffering for Christ’s sake. God then sent a great earthquake to free them.

V26 “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

3. Saved (V27-40)
V27 “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.”

Even when Paul and Silas were freed, they were concerned about the soul of the prison keeper who was about to kill himself because he knew that he had failed in his duty. Paul and Silas shared the gospel to him, and then his family, and they were saved and baptized.

V31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to sing praises to You even when I am in trouble.

Acts 15: Are You Saved?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

1. Christ (V1-11)
V1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

During the days of the apostles, there was a group of Jewish leaders from Judaea who taught the people that salvation was not only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but one must be circumcised as in Moses’ Law in order to be saved. Apostle Peter and the rest of the apostles and leaders rebuked these leaders on their false teaching. Indeed, we are saved by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not the fulfilment of circumcision or Moses’ Law, because we can never keep all of God’s Law.

V11 “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
 
2. Church (V12-35)
V22 “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:”

The church sent out Paul, Barnabas, Barsabas and Silas to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia to reaffirm them that salvation was only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and never the fulfilment of circumcision or keeping the Law.

V24 “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”

3. Contention (V36-41)
V38 “But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”

Paul and Barnabas had a sharp contention over Mark who deserted them during their first missionary journey. Barnabas was forgiving and willing to give Mark another chance while Paul refused to let Mark travel with them. Finally Barnabas brought Mark with him to Cyprus, while Paul brought Silas, another man of God, with him to Syria and Cilicia.

V39 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am saved by Your grace through faith in Jesus.

Acts 14: Who Do You Worship?
Verse of the Day: (V15) “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”

1. God (V1-18)
V11 “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”

Apostle Paul, by God’s sign gifts, healed a cripple, and the people thought that he was the god from heaven, and began to worship him. Paul then rebuked them that they should only worship the living God, the Creator, and not the creatures like him. Indeed, before the Bible, God’s Word, was completed, God gave the apostles the sign gifts to prove to the world that they were God’s preachers. Today, the preachers have no sign gifts because we have now the completed Bible to prove that God is the true and living God.

V15 “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”
 
2. Grace (V19-26)
V23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”

Paul and Barnabas knew that without God’s grace, they could never survive the persecution, preach the Gospel, ordain pastors in every church, and fulfil God’s work.

V26 “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which thy fulfilled.”

3. Gentiles (V27-28)
V27 “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”’

Paul and Barnabas immediately shared to the church and their fellow disciples the moment they arrived that God had greatly used them to win the Gentiles to the Lord.

V28 “And there they abode long time with the disciples.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I only worship You, the true and living God.

Acts 13: Are You A Man After God’s Heart?
Verse of the Day: (V22) “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

1. Hands (V1-13)
V2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

During the time of the early church there was already great teamwork in action. Though the church ordained and sent out Barnabas and Saul as missionaries to preach the Gospel of Christ to the regions beyond, yet God expected the church to support them in prayers and finance. The laying of hands was God’s way of identification that the church and their missionaries were of one heart and one mission of winning the lost to Jesus Christ.

V3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
 
2. Heart (V14-43)
V22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

God removed Saul and promoted David as the next king of Israel. Of all the kings of Israel and Judah, God only commended David as a man after His own heart, because he was truly a man who loved God, knew how to repent his sins, and turned to God. Hence God blessed David to be the ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

V23 “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:”

3. Hear (V44-52)
V44 “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”

The Jewish leaders persecuted Paul and Barnabas and chased them out of the city because they were preaching to the Gentiles who desired to hear the Gospel. However they were not discouraged as they went to another city to continue preaching the Gospel with joy.

V50 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a man after Your heart.

Acts 12: Will You Glorify God?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

1. God (V1-5)
V1 “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.”

Apostle Peter was arrested and waiting to be sentenced to death, during the time of Herod, the evil and wicked king, who had commanded his army to persecute the church and the Christians. When the church heard of Peter’s arrest, they immediately prayed to God for Peter’s deliverance. Prayer is our lifeline to God. Whatever crises and challenges we are facing, let us pray to God who hears and answers our prayers according to His will.

V5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
 
2. Gate (V6-19)
V7 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

God heard the prayers of the church, and sent His angel to break Peter’s chains, and opened the iron gate for him to escape from the prison. Indeed God can do the impossible. God can miraculously break the chains, open the iron gate, and best of all, He can rescue us from fiery hell to pearly heaven, if we repent our sins, and trust and believe in Him.

V10 “When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”

3. Glory (V20-25)
V22 “And the people gave a shout, saying, Is it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”

King Herod acknowledged the shout of his people that his voice was that of a god. He not only rejected God, and gave not God the glory, but he desired the people to worship him as god. Therefore, God immediately judged him, and sent worms to eat him to death. 

V23 “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”’

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to glorify You as You are the true and living God.