Romans 1

In the beginning of his letter to the Romans, Paul starts off by glorifying Christ. He then mentions how thankful he is for the believers in Rome and how he often prays for them and longs for the time he can come in person to share the gospel with them. He underlines the need to stand up for the truth of God so that we won't fall for the lies of the devil.

It is important to recognize the value of other Christians in our lives. We can draw strength and inspiration from them and at the same time we have a duty to pray for them and support their walk with the Lord through actions and prayer. In order to do this, we must stand up for truth - immerse ourselves in it - or be vulnerable to attack by the lies of the enemy. Paul said that God's truth has been revealed through nature to every man so that each of us is "without excuse." Today, we also have God's word preserved in the Bible so that we can have a deeper understanding of His truth. Go deeper in your understanding of God; read your Bible, pray to Him, be in fellowship with other believers. Get to know the Author of truth.

Acts 28:16-31

After Paul arrived in Rome, he met with some of the Jewish leaders to discuss his situation. Paul told them about the charges brought against him and maintained that he had been falsely accused. The Jewish leaders had not had any word from Jerusalem regarding Paul, but were curious to hear His views on the Christian beliefs. Paul preached to a large crowd about Jesus using Hebrew scripture to make his case. Some of the people listening believed, but some did not. Paul then spent two years preaching from his home to anyone who would come and listen.

When someone comes to you wanting to know about Jesus, just tell them what you know and let the Holy Spirit take it from there. There is no perfect formula or surefire string of words to put together to make a person believe. Each person needs to weigh the information they receive and decide what they're going to believe. Pray for guidance when you are speaking; pray for God to open up the heart of the person listening and then let God do the rest.

Acts 28:1-15

On the island of Malta where Paul was shipwrecked, he was bitten by a poisonous snake, but suffered no ill effects. Initially, when the snake bit him, the natives of the island assumed he was guilty of something horrible and the snake bite was his punishment. When they saw that he was all right, they considered him a god. While on the island, Paul healed many of the natives of various illnesses. When Paul's ship set sail, the natives provided them with everything they needed.

It is amazing how fast people's opinions can change. When things are going well, they assume you're doing something right and when things aren't going well, they assume you're doing something wrong. Assumptions like this don't work. We've all seen the godly person who is suffering with some terminal disease and the morally bankrupt person who is living in a mansion with eight cars in the garage. Using status or circumstances to determine the righteousness of a person fails because God does not promise temporal rewards or punishment. Those made righteous through the blood of Christ will receive their reward in eternity just as those who don't accept Him will receive their punishment in eternity.

Acts 27:27-44

Around the fourteenth day of being adrift at sea, some of the sailors became worried that they were going to crash into rocks and tried to anchor the ship. Some of the sailors tried to escape in a smaller boat, but Paul told the centurion that if the few sailors left they'd all be doomed. In order to stop the sailors from leaving, the centurion had the ropes to the boat cut. Paul then had to convince the men to eat, which they did, and when day came, they spotted land and ran themselves aground.

Listening to instructions from the Lord and following them when they go against our natural instinct are two entirely different things. Ultimately, you have to trust that God will see you through. If you take matters into your own hands, there is no guarantee what the outcome will be. Each time you depend on Him and follow His instructions, your trust in Him grows. Eventually, following His will becomes second nature.

Acts 27:1-26

Paul was put on a series of ships to be delivered to Caesar. One of the ships became caught in a storm for many days, causing the crew to lose hope that they would survive it. Paul assured them all that an angel of the Lord had spoken to him and that they would all live, but they would be shipwrecked on an island.

Even when things look their worst, we need to look to God for assurance and instruction. If we listen, He will lead us through whatever troubles we're facing. God knows the best course of action for you at any given time and He wants to help. All you have to do is ask for His guidance and then listen and obey.

Acts 26

Paul made his case to King Agrippa, boldly making a case for Christ at the same time. He appealed to Agrippa's knowledge of Jewish customs as the basis to judge what he was saying. Agrippa was convinced that Paul had done nothing wrong and would have set him free except that Paul had appealed the matter to Caesar.

When witnessing for Jesus, it is important to know the background of the person you're talking to. Start by finding common ground and showing where there is already agreement. Then, build on those things and show how Jesus fits right in with those truths. By doing this, most people become much more willing to listen because they don't feel that they have to defend their position.

Acts 25

Paul was in prison for two years when Festus succeeded Felix as governor. While Festus was in Jerusalem, some high ranking Jews brought up the charges they had against Paul. Festus told them to come to Caesarea to prosecute their case. When confronted with the charges, Paul maintained that he had not broken any laws - Jewish or Roman. Festus asked Paul if he was willing to go back to Jerusalem to stand trial on the charges. Paul replied that he had done no wrong to the Jews and that he had a right to be tried in a Roman court. He then appealed his case to Caesar.

Paul knew what awaited him if he went back to Jerusalem since he'd seen it before. His accusers would stop at nothing to see him dead. Maintaining his innocence, he asked to have his case taken to the highest level. Just like Paul, we shouldn't be afraid to defend ourselves from false accusations against ourselves. Even when the easiest thing might be to just give up, we should use every possible recourse that is legally and morally allowable to stand up for ourselves.

Acts 24

Paul got to face his accusers in the court of Felix, the governor, and defend himself. He gave a full account of his actions, restating his adherence to both Jewish law and the teachings of Jesus. He also pointed out that the ones accusing him had not actually witnessed him doing anything wrong and those who claimed to have been witnesses to his "crimes" were not present.

Paul defended himself without needing to resort to tricks or lies. He put together a well thought out argument and presented it eloquently before the court. Whether constructing an argument for legal purposes or to make a point to someone else, we should always rely on facts and sound logic rather than making things up or sowing confusion. If you can't make your point with the truth, rethink your position.

Acts 23:12-35

Paul's nephew overheard a plot to send for Paul under the pretense of furthering the investigation against him and then kill him on his way to the council. He brought this news to the Roman commander who had Paul taken away secretly to the governor to await his accusers there.

Paul's nephew happened to be in the right place at the right time to overhear the plot against Paul. He then had the courage to go and tell the right person what was planned. When we know about a plan to hurt someone, we should do whatever we can to step in to protect the person in danger. It doesn't have to be physical danger - maybe the threat is an emotional one. Whatever it is, we honor God when we protect our neighbors. This is just another way we show the Creator's love for His creation.

Acts 23:1-11

Paul was brought before an assembly of the Jewish Council so that the charges against him could be discovered. Paul tried to explain his position, but when he found he was getting nowhere, he changed his tactics and got the Pharisees and Sadducees to argue amongst themselves. When things got out of hand, the Roman commander took Paul away again.

Paul started out trying to explain his position to the council, but they didn't want to hear it. Unfortunately, some people close themselves off from the truth and don't want to listen for fear that their world will fall apart around them. If someone proves themselves to be unwilling to listen and meets every word you have about Christ with argument, it may be best to change the subject. There is no point in keeping up a conversation that isn't going anywhere and is only likely to exasperate both parties.

Acts 22

Before Paul was taken away by the Roman commander, he was allowed to speak to the crowd. He gave his testimony about how he used to persecute Christians and how all of that changed when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. When he said that God appeared to him in a vision telling him to get out of Jerusalem and that he would find safety among the Gentiles, the crowd erupted in anger again and began shouting for blood. The commander once again took Paul away so he could sort out what this was all about. Paul was ordered to be scourged so they could get the information they wanted, but he called on his rights as a Roman citizen. When the commander realized he was about to beat a Roman citizen who had not been tried, he backed down.

Suffering for Christ is indeed an honorable thing in God's eyes, but there is no need to undergo persecution needlessly. If you are blessed enough to live in a country that affords you certain rights, use them. Insomuch as it does not interfere with Biblical morals, we need to live under the laws of whatever country/city/state we find ourselves in. To be good citizens of heaven, we also need tobe good citizens of Earth - whether it's obeying laws or claiming the protection of the law.

Acts 21:15-40

Paul went to Jerusalem and was told by the church elders that many Jewish believers were angry with him because they heard he was teaching Jews to abandon the laws of Moses. He was urged to take part in a purification ceremony to show that he himself was keeping the law. While at the temple, he was recognized by some men who stirred up a mob against him. When word reached a Roman commander, he arrested Paul and took him away.

You can't please all of the people all of time. Even when you try to do the right thing, it's not always enough for some. Just remember, you only need to please God. Every attempt should be made to get along with others, but there's no guarantee that doing God's will is going to be pleasing to everyone.

Acts 21:1-14

Many Christian believers warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. A prophet named Agabus told him that if he went there, he would be bound and handed over to the Gentiles. Paul was not swayed, but remained determined to go. He was resolute in his commitment to follow the will of the Lord even if it meant his death.

Paul was ready to sacrifice his life in order to follow the will of the Lord for his life. Even being captured and killed was not enough to deter him. Each of us has a time in our lives where doing the will of the Lord means sacrificing physically, financially, or socially. What would stop you from serving the Lord? Think about that and pray for God to lift any barriers in your life that stand in the way of serving Him.

Acts 20:17-38

Paul spoke to the elders of the church of Ephesus reminding them of the example he had given while he was among them. He told them he was leaving and that they would face conflicts after he had gone, so they should commit themselves to God, remembering His word, and working hard to help the less fortunate.

More mature Christians can provide good advice for the issues that come up in each of our lives. Whatever challenge you are facing in your life, chances are they've gone through it already. By learning from those that have gone before us, we can avoid some unnecessary hardships. We only have to ask!

Acts 20:1-16

While Paul was speaking to a group of believers in 3rd floor room, a young man sitting in a window fell asleep and then fell out the window. He died as a result, but Paul miraculously brought him back to life.

At least when you fall asleep in church nowadays, you don't have to worry about falling out a window!

Acts 19:21-41

A silversmith named Demetrius saw his business drying up as Paul continued to spread the word of Jesus. Once people understood there is only one true God, they no longer needed the idols he and other craftsmen produced. He whipped up a mob to try to put a stop to Paul's activities, but in the end the town clerk dispersed the crowd saying that this was not the way to settle the problem.

Some people's very livelihoods are based on things that are completely contradictory to God's order. When that livelihood is threatened by the truth, the natural reaction is to do whatever is deemed necessary to protect it. We need to understand that for some people, learning the truth about God may be scary at first as the whole world they thought they knew is ripped apart around them. Even though the transition may be painful, what lies on the other side is well worth it.

Acts 19:1-20

In Ephesus, Paul ran into some disciples. He asked them if they had been baptized by the Holy Spirit, but they didn't know what he was talking about. When Paul shared with them about Jesus, they were baptized in His name.

To have a relationship with Jesus, we must understand what that means. Remember, anyone can say they are a Christian, but unless they know what it means to follow Christ and have given their lives to him, it's all just words.


Paul performed many miracles in Jesus' name while in Ephesus. He became so well known for these miracles that even some of the Jewish exorcists began trying to cast out demons using the names of Jesus and Paul. A certain group of these exorcists were wounded by a demon possessed person because although they used the name of Jesus, the demon didn't recognize them as true emissaries of Jesus.

Jesus is not with someone just because they say His name. Anyone can say a name, but unless Jesus is actually in them, giving power to His name, it doesn't do any good. It's not a magical word to be used by whoever can say it, but is reserved for those who are true followers of His.

Acts 18

Paul went to Corinth and preached to the Jews there. They resisted his teaching so he decided to ignore them and take his message to the Gentiles. The Lord appeared to Paul in a vision to tell him to keep on speaking out. Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half before he was brought before the proconsul Gallio on charges of persuading others to break Jewish law. Gallio refused to get involved because it was a matter of faith and not a matter of Roman law.

We never know where challenges will come from. Sometimes they come from the people that supposedly should be the happiest to help us. Knowing that God is with us can help to keep us going when we don't seem to be getting any help from those around us. Also, help can sometimes come from unexpected places. Your friends are the people who help you, even when they may not agree with you.

Acts 17:16-34

Paul came to Athens where he saw widespread idol worship. He set about talking to everyone he could to bring them the message of Christ. Many of them became interested and asked him to speak in a public forum and explain things in detail. Paul told them about the true God and how He does not live in man-made temples and bears no resemblance to the idols made of silver and gold that they were worshiping.

God put into our hearts the desire to worship Him. When we don't worship Him, we wind up worshiping something else - a false God, nature, science, ourselves, or any number of other things. Only God is worthy of our praise and only God can save us. Giving our worship to anyone or anything else is pointless.

Acts 17:1-15

Paul and Silas came to Thessalonica where Paul preached in the synagogue and many people believed in Jesus because of his witness. Some of the people in the city didn't like what Paul was doing, so they formed a mob and went looking for Paul and Silas. When they couldn't be found, the mob decided to make an example of Jason because he had hosted Paul and Silas.

God blesses those who help people spreading His word, but those who want to stop the message from spreading will attack anyone who is remotely involved with "Christian proselytizing." There really is no middle ground. Everyone needs to choose to please the world or please God, but it is impossible to do both.


Paul and Silas went on to Berea where they continued teaching. Many people there believed as well, but not before verifying what they heard against scripture.

Everything we learn about God should be verified through scripture. God's word is the final authority on what is true. Always go back to the source when you hear something new. People make mistakes or deliberately mislead, but God can always be trusted to give us the truth.

Acts 16:16-40

Paul drove a spirit out of a girl that gave her the ability to tell fortunes. Her masters were angry at Paul and Silas because of the lost source of income and brought them before the authorities. Paul and Silas were beaten and put into prison where they were chained by the feet. Around midnight, while they were praying and singing hymns, there was an earthquake that opened the doors of the prison and unfastened the prisoners' chains. When the jailer woke up and saw the open doors, he assumed that the prisoners had escaped. As he prepared to kill himself, Paul called out to assure him they were still there. The jailer was so moved that he asked Paul and Silas how he could be saved. They witnessed to him and his family and they all became believers.

Paul and Silas acted differently than what was expected. Their actions set them apart from the rest of the world. Because of this, the jailer took notice and his heart was opened for God's word. When our lives reflect the love of God, others notice and begin to wonder what makes us different from the rest of the world. The way you behave can open doors for you to share your faith when you are keep God at the center of your life.

Acts 16:1-15

As Paul continued his missionary journey, the Holy Spirit instructed him concerning where he should go and not go. He was led to Philippi where he preached to a group of women. One who believed, Lydia, invited Paul and his companions to stay at her home.

It is important to listen to the Holy Spirit for instructions. When we rely on His guidance we will always be in the right place. When we rely on our own opinion of the right direction to take we wind up causing ourselves undo hardships or missing out on opportunities.

Acts 15:22-41

The church at Jerusalem sent a letter to the churches where some were saying the new Gentile believers needed to be circumcised. In the letter they stated that the new believers were not bound by the whole of Jewish law. Certain laws were still to be observed, but the Holy Spirit had convicted them that only the essentials needed to be followed.

Christ came to set us free from the law. The law was a burden that was no longer necessary now that He had given Himself as a sacrifice for all sin. This does not mean we are completely free from all law. We are still to lead lives that are moral and pleasing to God, but we don't have to follow the same rituals and ceremonies laid down in the Mosaic Law. We are no longer bound by a set of rules, but rather by love.

Acts 15:1-21

Some Jewish believers were telling the new Gentile believers that in order to be saved they must be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas were among the first to speak out against this kind of legalistic thinking.

Jesus came to set us free from legalistic thinking. He constantly spoke about the importance of what is in the heart and argued against blindly following laws without being motivated by love. Our salvation is not earned by keeping any law, but is a free gift from God. We cannot add to or take away from that gift no matter how hard we try.

Acts 14

Paul and Barnabas continued their journey and came to Iconium where they continued to teach the message of Jesus. A large number of people there believed, but once again, there were some who were opposed to them and were planning to kill them so they left. They went to Lystra where Paul healed a man who had been lame since birth. The people there thought Paul and Barnabas must have been Gods and brought an offering to them. Paul and Barnabas refused the offerings and went about convincing the people that they were just men.

Some of the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and dragged Paul off to stone him, but he survived and went back into the city. The next day they went to Derbe where they preached and many became believers. They then went back through the cities they had been to previously to encourage them in their faith and help them to set up the church leadership.

When we share the gospel with others, we should be ready to help and support them in their new faith. New Christians often have many questions. If we don't know the answer, we should help them to find the answers they are seeking. We should help them find a good church (even if it doesn't happen to be yours) and encourage them to join a small group study.

Acts 13:13-52

Paul traveled with Barnabas to Pisidian Antioch where he shared the message of Christ starting with the history of God bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land, and the rule of the judges and the kings. He told how Jesus had descended from David and how He had fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah. When he was done, the people asked him to come back the next week and speak again. The next week, the whole city came to hear God's word. When the Jews saw what was happening, they became jealous and convinced the town elders to drive Paul and Barnabas out of town.

There are places where missionaries go today where they are not allowed to share the word of God with the people. They go anyway and the people are hungry to hear the message of Jesus. If God is with you, nothing can stop the spread of the word of God. As long as people are willing to be used by God, He will continue sending them anywhere that there are people to listen.

Acts 13:1-12

Paul and Barnabas were called by the Lord to set out on a missionary journey. They met a man named Sergius who wanted to hear the word of God. A false prophet, Elymas, was trying to lead him astray. Paul called him out as a fraud and through the power of the Holy Spirit, caused him to become blind. After seeing this power, Sergius believed all that Paul and Barnabas had told him about God.

Just as God does not take lightly when people try to take the glory that belongs to Him, He also does not like when people try to mislead others and turn them away from Him. False prophets will be dealt with by God in time, but in the meantime, they can cause a lot of destruction to those who believe what they say. Be careful who you listen to and be sure you don't fall for the lies of someone who only wants to lead you away from God. If someone you know is caught up in the lies of a false prophet, lovingly show them the truth and help them to avoid going down the wrong path.

Acts 12

Herod began arresting Christians. He found that the Jews were in favor of this, so he arrested Peter as well. The night before Herod was going to bring Peter before the people, an angel helped him to escape from prison. Peter went to a house where many believers were praying for him. When they saw him, they were amazed.

God answers prayers. Sometimes it seems that He's not listening, but God is faithful and truly does hear every one of our prayers. When we see a prayer answered, we should praise God and thank Him for responding. Remember all the times when God has answered your prayers and let those times strengthen your faith that He will continue.


Herod became puffed up with himself and was being called a god by the people. God caused his death because he was taking the glory that belongs to God and only God.

God does not share the stage with anyone - He shouldn't have to. He alone deserves to be praised and honored and anyone who tries to take what rightfully belongs to Him will be punished accordingly.

Acts 11

Some of the Jewish believers in Christ took Peter to task for associating with Gentiles, eating with them and sharing the word of God with them. When he told them of the vision he had received from the Lord and how the Holy Spirit had come down on the Gentiles in the same way as the Jewish believers, they were satisfied. Some of them even went out themselves and preached to the Gentiles.

For things to change, someone always has to be first. If you see something in your church or your family that needs to be changed in order to come in line with the word of God, don't be afraid to take the first step. Depending on the change, there may be challenges, so make sure you have an answer from the word of God. If someone else is changing things, feel free to challenge them if necessary, but also listen. If the change is in line with scripture, don't be an impediment, help out.

Acts 10:24-48

When Peter arrived at Cornelius' house, Cornelius fell at Peter's feet to worship him. Peter did not accept the worship stating that he was just a man. He then began to tell all the people in the house about what Jesus had done. The people listened and the Holy Spirit came down on them.

All glory goes to God for the things He does. We should not worship other humans and we should not allow anyone to worship us. Always remember to point the way to God and direct worship to Him. When you speak about Christ, let the Spirit guide you so that your words may be true.

Acts 10:1-23

A centurion named Cornelius, after seeing a vision from God sent men to get Peter. As the men were on their way, Peter had a vision from God showing him all manner of animals and telling him to kill and eat. Peter responded that he couldn't because they were unclean, but God responded that He had cleansed them and they were no longer unholy. After this, Peter was told by the Holy Spirit that the men who had come for him were downstairs. He went to greet them and invited them in.

God may sometimes give us instructions that don't make sense to us. In cases where this happens, understand that God sees far more than we could ever comprehend and He always has a reason for the things He tells us to do. It is not our place to question God. We just need to listen and obey.