When I was in middle and high school, I was a part of a competitive cheerleading squad. On competition days, I remember the sinking feeling in my body as our entire team stood, waiting for our turn to go onto the mat. We had one chance to get everything right. My body pulsed with a combination of adrenaline, excitement, and stage fright. They would call our team’s name, and then there was no turning back.
I’ve never really had that feeling ever again. My life as a writer is fairly isolated. I work from home, where there is no one to cheer when I get something right or gasp when I fall on my face. Thank goodness, I’ve never been asked to give a TED talk. I can only imagine the sinking feeling one must experience before walking out on that dark stage, all alone.
Though Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, I imagine he must have been full of nerves as well that day in Athens when a crowd ushered him to the top of Mars Hill to address the entire gathered city, unprepared.
As I read his words, I know I have much to learn from Paul and much to love about Jesus. Paul didn’t come in disparaging Athenian culture—it is clear that as he moved through their town his spirit was troubled because he was paying attention. He read their poetry, paid attention to the engravings on their idols, and used those very things to gently point out the holes in their belief system. In Athens, there were shrines toward various gods, but Paul pointed them to the one true God, the God who made the world and everything in it.
Notice, Paul didn’t go on to say, “Oh, we’re all good! You believe you’re God’s offspring, and I believe I’m God’s offspring, so in general we all believe the same thing.” No. He told them that God commands us to repent because He is going to judge the world, and Jesus will sit as the head justice of that coming trial.
Paul focused on their similarities, and then he boldly proclaimed the truth of God’s judgment as well as the grace-filled resurrection of Christ. His words were kind, but they weren’t weak. His words were direct, but they weren’t harsh. He seemed to win as many people as he offended. We ought to expect the same in our lives.
I’m struck as I read in Acts 17 just how completely Paul, a former persecutor of the Church, became the persecuted. Crowds were chasing him out of city after city. He was ridiculed, called names. And yet, none of this deterred his work. The Holy Spirit filled Paul, not only with the right words to say but also with the fortitude to endure the reaction to those words.
As we speak the gospel in a fallen world, we will be rejected, ridiculed, and called names. But the Lord is with us through it all. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
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94 thoughts on "Paul Preaches at the Areopagus"
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Amen
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I’ve been catching up tonight.
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I’m disappointed I missed the zoom meeting. I was at work. I’m glad to hear that. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. I hope that another is planned soon.
It is amazing that this Paul is the same man that went around persecuting the church. Not that there needs to be confirmation, but oh how it confirms the power of God – No one is out of His reach!!
It also amazes me that the stonings, the beatings, the mocking, and being thrown in prison did not deter him from the mission he set out to do – preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Another thing that stood out to me was Acts 17:11. The Jews in Berea were noble in character and received Paul’s message of the gospel with eagerness, but – they didn’t just take Paul’s word for it. They searched the scriptures for themselves, making sure that what Paul said was true.
We too should be very vigilant to search the scriptures and “fact check” if you will, to see that what we are being taught is indeed true. Many a believer has been carried away by teachings from who they thought was a godly preacher or teacher but was in fact not teaching the truth.
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One thing I’ve gotten in the habit of doing is checking the scripture of biblical shows that have been aired on T.V. or streaming. I know Hollywood takes lots of liberties but still, I like to check and see how far off they are, or not. Even shows like David (which took quite a few liberties) and the Chosen, it’s always the best feeling when I find it follows the Bible pretty much on track. ☺️
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And thank you Claire for the reminder: “As we speak the gospel in a fallen world, we will be rejected, ridiculed, and called names. But the Lord is with us through it all. “In Him we live and move and have our being”.
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Continued prayers for:
@Heather H -situation in MN
@A. Walton – Housing situation & dad
@Teresa Eddy – work situation
@Nancy Davis’s daughter & move to SA
@Crystal Clayton’s SIL
@Lexi B -courage to share & a right response from the one you share with
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Happy Friday sisters! ❤️
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Good points Sharon!
Happy Friday, sisters. I’m back after being quite sick and finally starting to feel like myself again—praise God. Until today, I truly didn’t have the energy or capacity to engage, but I hope you are all doing well by His grace. I’ve missed our daily gatherings and am looking forward to catching up. Thank you, Claire, for sharing your sentiment today. I genuinely think you’d make an incredible TED Talk speaker Claire. Nerves are so normal (our beloved RHONDA always reminded us to be strong and do it), and as my dad always says, it helps to imagine the audience as potatoes… sleepy ones at that (lol). What really stood out to me in today’s reading was this line about Paul and Silas: “These men who have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Upside down. The gospel has that kind of power because it introduces a competing authority—another King, not Caesar. It brings an entirely different value system that calls for full devotion: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” Not partially. Not occasionally. Not only when we need something—but completely. When truth confronts idols and their power structures, culture inevitably reacts. Ted talk, this also made me think about public speaking in general and being challenged in hostile environments. I once watched a clip of Charlie Kirk during a campus talk. A young person asked him a very strong (and frankly disrespectful) question, seemingly meant to trap or embarrass him. I noticed something I’d never seen before: his eye began twitching, and for a moment he looked visibly tense and alone. That day, there was no Silas beside him. My heart sank watching it. I remember thinking, Who is helping you right now? Why are you doing this to yourself? Yet Charlie operates with a level of courage far beyond mine. To my surprise, almost instantly, the tension left his face. His eye stopped twitching, he smiled, and he answered with clarity, and calmness, and speed. What I realized now, he was not alone, he was with the Helper (the Holy Spirit). Jesus promised this very thing: “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19–20). I watch his videos sometimes but it is not easy to watch, I don’t focus so much on the questions, since many reflect pure rebellion. What I watch for is how he responds when being disrespected, and how he carries the “do not be anxious” part, and Charlie delivers. He never mirrors the disrespect he receives. So for the early church apostles to go out as sheep sent into wolves of the world, the character and emotional maturity is important. Jesus paired innocence with wisdom: “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). They knew when to speak, withdraw, or remain silent. They knew when to regulate their speech and their approach without compromising truth. They know how to speak truth without being naïve or being a push over. They love their enemies. They pray for their persecutors (Acts 7:60). Navigating preaching and persecution upheaval is no simple task. Persecution (for my experience which is just at the level of accusations and evil talk to discredit my testimonies and words) used to keep me up all night, and then I wonder how I should have worded it this way or that way, and in all those thought processing, I felt the Lord stared down at me with a stern NO, “you will say what I like you to say, in the tone I like you to sound, so that it pierces and cuts the heart”. I said, Sir yes Sir. That is my experience with Him :) God is a tough and a very particular commander. He is no compromiser of Truth to tickle ears of listeners, or Sharer of Glory. I hope you all have a great weekend. Be blessed dear sisters.
“He is no compromiser of Truth to tickle ears of listeners…”
Great post, Mercy! Glad you are feeling better; I wondered where you were! ❤
Hugs Cee Gee ❤️ good to be back :)
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I am glad you are feeling better Mercy and well enough to comment again. I too, am amazed at how Charlie Kirk navigated the situations he found himself in, especially on the college campuses. Many similarities between him and Paul. Oh that we all would be so bold, yet loving and respectful and full of the Holy Spirit in the situations we find ourselves in.
Agreed! I can’t imagine!! I loved how he answered the attacks! (which were many!)
I simply tell myself…YOU LOVE JESUS..the words will come if that is my heart! I want Jesus to be front and center in all my doings! :)
I’m glad you are feeling better, and I hope you got your word done. Great post!
Welcome back. I always love reading your thoughts. I’m glad you are feeling better.❤️
So many nuggets here….Loved reading this! Thank you for your insight!
Glad you are feeling better, Mercy, and back to share your wisdom! ❤️
As we speak the gospel in a fallen world, we will be rejected, ridiculed, and called names. But the Lord is with us through it all.
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Ain’t that the truth!
I get fearful to speak the gospel! All the above negatives get me anxious..
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BUT GOD..
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Thankful for the accompanying verse..
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“In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
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Lord, may I trust in you as I feel the nudge to speak the gospel and may I feel
a peace to be able to share your grace, your goodness your faithfulness…
Lord in your mercy..Hear my prayer…
Amen..
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Late to the table ,, much love and hugs my loves ❤️
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Agreeing, Tina! I just bought a garden flag that says The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
I love that verse and plan to hang it in sight of my kitchen window- after the snow tomorrow!!!
Good verse for our anxiety about sharing! ❤
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Re: HELP!- I discovered that not checking the little box below comment ‘Save my name, email, etc.) removed the reply issues for me on my Kindle. That has worked for others who tried it,too. The ‘edit’ feature is one they added awhile back. It is hit and miss, but it seems to have disappeared for me after not checking that box. Hope that works for you, sister! ❤
Happy friday dear Tina ❤️
Tina I find it hard to believe that you are fearful to speak the gospel, you always seem so confident! But I get what your saying, it’s not easy especially when it gets rejected. ❤️
❤️ Amen
Planting seeds
What A Good God!
Romans 3:25-26 NLT
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
What a good God! God saw the idol worship that plagued the people in Athens, yet He sent Paul to preach Jesus. Even though they appeared religious, their hearts were far from the God of Heaven and their idol worship was based on religious practices, traditions, and ignorance. But God in his tender mercies, compassion, and out of LOVe had a plan already in place to bring them into true fellowship with Him, giving them space to know his heart intimately through believing in Hos Son Jesus. How the heart of God is seen so clearly here – a heart who longs to have fellowship with sinners, his creation who are made for His glory alone. The Bible says God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14) and he will not share his glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8) – not even our idols. The people of Athens did not know it at that time – but LOVE found them. LOVE came near to them and LOVE eventually with some of them – gave them the religious freedom and fellowship that every human heart longs for – a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. How compassionate and loving our God truly is! His desire toward us are yet and still the same – TRUE FELLOWSHIP.
Oh my goodness so beautiful. Thank you for zooming into this part and elaborate in such eloquent words.
What stood out to me – the Bereans:
From Enduring Word Study Bible:
“In Berea, their audience was more fair-minded. The Bereans earned this compliment two ways: First, they received the word with all readiness. Second, they searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. The Bereans heard the teaching of the most famous apostle and theologian of the early church and the human author-to-be of at least thirteen New Testament books. Yet they “searched the Scriptures” when Paul taught to see if his teaching was truly biblical.”
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The phrase ‘turned the world upside down’ jumped out at me.
From Enduring Word Study Bible:
“To complain that the Christians were these who have turned the world upside down was to say, “These men have radically impacted our world, and nothing seems the same.” With God’s blessing, people will say this about Christians today. Jesus came not only to be our Teacher but also to turn our world around.”
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I was curious about Jason. I’ve probably investigated him before. ☺
From John MacArthur Study Bible:
“The mob assumed Paul, Silas, and Timothy were staying there. Nothing is known of Jason except that he was probably Jewish, since Jason was a name adopted by many of the dispersed Jews.”
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We need to follow Paul’s example in reaching people for Christ. We need to follow the Bereans example in hearing the word. A lot of popular preachers, bloggers, musicians, etc., can draw us in with their words. Are we diligently checking the Scriptures to see if what they say is true? I know I do my best to verify before I share and if I am not sure, I don’t share.
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Love, hugs, and prayers especially for those facing Winter Storm Gianna! Should just be an exciting amount of snow for us in South Carolina. ❤
This–
We need to follow Paul’s example in reaching people for Christ. We need to follow the Bereans example in hearing the word. A lot of popular preachers, bloggers, musicians, etc., can draw us in with their words. Are we diligently checking the Scriptures to see if what they say is true?” is SO true! The popular preachers…be sure to use discernment. Some just give me bad vibes, not sure if that is discernment or ?. Nothing seems to be unbiblical, yet it seems to reach on emotions and the ME- what I receive to help myself, not to rely on Jesus.
I also wanted to know more of this Jason.
Thanks for the notes!
Good point on the ME and so true! ❤
Amen CEE Gee!
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Upside down also jumped out at me. Who knew.
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Thank you for your wisdom!
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Good morning, What I love about this is that we are shown that people are actually being prepared for God by the Holy Spirit. Why do I say that? Acts 17:23 “to the unknown God”. Meaning even when people have not come into contact with a believer that will spread the good news, the Holy Spirit is pulling them towards God. Letting them know hey there is one true God! You do not know him yet. But you will, soon!!! Their hearts were being prepared before Paul spoke.
Also, the enemy is weak! He is so weak he must ALWAYS call on help from others when he attacks. We saw it yesterday when the young slave girl was able to pull the men in to persecute Paul and Silas and now today when Paul was in Thessalonica. The Jews had to go and recruit EVIL men, these weren’t even men that thought or believed like the Jews but they believed them good enough to persecute men of God.
What does this tell me? It says that the devil is WEAK! His demons are WEAKER!
God Bless.
It’s easy to create chaos to distract and do evil. We must be very aware of this.
I love that you pointed that out about the Holy Spirit. I had posted a month or so back about my Doc saying he just couldn’t believe in a God that if you don’t hear about Jesus or except you will go to hell. But this verse is good to share with the one of God is in nature and known to all in that way.
Father let me plant the seeds that lead to You. In Jesus name, Amen
It was nice talking with a few of you last night, even though I was probably the youngest one there.
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I hate it when my iPad dies right before posting. Composing again…
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I posted last night, but if it were missed… It was so nice to “meet” you tonight, LISA H., MARILYN JOHNSON & RITA MITCHELL!! ❤️❤️❤️
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Today’s reading from Acts and the devotion make me sad. So many people believe that all roads lead to Him.
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Ummm… nope!! Let us keep praying and sharing, sweet sisters!
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Matt update… he is still hanging in there. I am hoping and praying for a miraculous recovery! He is able to communicate, and so the next day or two they will be “discussing” with him what to do about amputating one or both legs. Please continue your prayers for Matt, his family and his medical team. Thank you!
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And regarding my sweetie, we had ANOTHER follow up appointment this week. Doc was pleased with Paul’s surgery results and his progress. He has been cleared for life as we know it… praise God for that! One more follow up (pretty sure) next month.
I was wondering if Matt is communicating! Thanks for updating the prayer need!
Yay for Paul!
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How many attended the ZOOM?
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40-some-ish… maybe 50?
Cool! ❤
Wow..that is a miracle, I didn’t know he was Communicating!! Praying for continued progress!!
And yes, it seems most of society today think there are many paths to God and heaven if there is one. I keep preparing my butterflies to KNOW how to be firm in their belief and convey it. For they are the ones that go back to the pod. And us as disciples show know how as well!
Praying that Matt get to keep BOTH legs by God’s mercies and unmatched power.
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Praise God for the answers to prayer, and that Matt is still hanging in there! Continued prayers for him and his family, these are not easy decisions to make.
And for your sweetie’s good news! PTL ❤️
Good Morning She’s!
Where did our big crowd in the beginning go? I know they couldn’t have fallen off from ACTS- it’s too good!
I love that we are reading the book that emphasizes the power and need of sharing the gospel! We don’t see the church planted and people coming to it, we see the church going to the people. Talking and sharing the Messiah that has come, and that he is the only One that brings us to God. I think today we feel like everyone knows, so there is not the need to “go and tell” the world. Yet, although most people have heard the name Jesus, or know of churches, they don’t REALLY know. They don’t know the Jesus that is personal. That can turn our lives around, even when we didn’t know it needed turning around. That saves us from eternal damnation (um, that’s an important one). That gives us new direction and true living.
People are lost. People have false idols. People are drowning. People are ill. People are anxious and depress. Our CHILDREN are sinking in quick sand. WE must be the ones that give them the life preserver. The Hope. The Love. The saving pill. The peace and joy, hope. How can we not. My heart aches for people. Some will listen, some will nay-say, some will think you are crazy, but none will be wasted. For God’s word never returns void. The Lord does the work. And we are commanded to do something with what we know. To make an impact for Him, because he did it for me, and for you. Us believers! We have something that cannot be hidden, a LAMP to the world. The light that must shine and bring growth to others!! What a gift to GET to go and tell!
Before I moved here I prayed to find a church that was active in the community, for I was not quite the lone ranger. I am so thankful God put me right where I am with so, so many opportunities ALL the time! There are so many countless ways to “do” for the Lord!! If nothing else, do what I did when I moved here- Google! “Ways to volunteer in ….”
But honestly we don’t need to volunteer, for we can use our job, our social media, our interactions daily! There are opportunities everywhere! Are you ready and prepared to give your reason for following and loving Jesus! Your before/ the encounter / the new you? Get it together so it is ready! Write it down so it’s in your journals for others to read one day when your gone! How will they know if we don’t tell!!
A follow up thought on Paul going to a different culture that was so different…I was really excited to sign up with our homeless outreach as my first volunteering with my current church 4 years ago. Some of you remember my excitement! But when I went..it wasn’t so amazing as my mind was thinking. They were there for the food. ha. I wanted to be the spreader of the good news, yet no one else was, so shy me certainly wasn’t going to. I just stayed behind the drink cooler and handed out drinks with a curt hello and smile. But one Friday a few times in, I could tell a guy was having a bad day. I said can I pray for you—MEANING I will pray for you in my own prayer time. But he said “oh yes, let me eat Rhonda, and I’ll be back so you can pray for me!! gasp! Well, hmm, wasn’t expecting that, and he DID come back and said I’m ready for you to pray for me! I had never even prayed out loud for people before. (hard to imagine now that I only started praying out loud a short 4 years ago…OH how I missed out on that amazing blessing God gives us all those years! ugh) So I did utter some words for MAURICE! And it changed my trajectory, omgosh did it ever, and I have a prized, precious picture someone snapped of me praying for Maurice! From then on I didn’t stay behind the counter…I started talking and making connections, and fumbling out the words…Can I Pray for you!? Now the words I cherish. You may not be able to give a speech like Paul, but can you say “can I pray for you.” That is showing your faith in Jesus, and your prayer will be so impactful. I never saw Maurice again, but he is a testimony in my faith and what God can do with our “action.” When I go these days and actively go around and ask if I can pray for them I do get lots of rejection and ridicule..but if only one!
Oh. Rhonda- thank you for the strong reminder to step out of our (My!) wimpiness and just simply ask if we can pray! Only the Lord knows the work He intends to do through us if we just stay in tune with Him as we go through our days. Many blessings to you for your faithfulness to our She community, too!
Thank you sweet Kim! I was wimpy too, BUT GOD. He only needs a person to step up and say Yes Lord!
I think we need to put a Prayer Challenge on our FB page?!! To see if we can ask God to put someone in our path…and see what happens??!
Awesome Cheyrl!! That takes guts for sure!! But like you said, most people just say..um..okay.
When I was the property manager it was really outside of my thinking. Life is so different in that kind of world so many times people would be mad or or lie and I would just say are you having a bad day how can I pray for you. In 20 years only one person said no. I praise God I was bold enough to do that and I still do that today.
Oh Rhonda lol, I am sure your prayers for Maurice sounded amazing for someone who probably has NEVER been prayed for. They never even know what prayers should sound like. You don’t worry sister. But I get you, we second guess ourselves every chance we got. We should not. I was once (or twice) asked to pray at church spontaneously, and on a microphone (uh oh), and I was nervous walking up, and I thought to myself, I will just talk to God as I usually talk to Him, so I pray Scriptures from Psalm 23, or Psalm 91 over the church, and it works. Incorporating Scriptures in prayers usually fill the void and do the trick for me when I don’t know what to say :) Thank you for your prayer over me yesterday. Hugs and love.
And that’s another reason to have scripture in our heart…ready to share. If I got called on to do that I would sink in my seat and give my husband a look so deadly he would go quickly..hahahaha! I can’t!
You will like this…Pastor Greg Laurie was talking about Charlie Kirk today in his message. He challenged people (that we all have a chance to witness-) that they should record themselves sharing their 1 or 2 minute testimony of why they follow Christ and POST on their own social media page!! Can you imagine if 100’s of Christ followers told their why on their page!! It would be amazing. Yet the first thing I thought was like yeah…what a challenge. Then immediately …ugh I hate the way I sound when I try to record myself!! But I really want to do that!! I’m going to! I wouldn’t mind at all writing it out…but being bold enough
The new study I’m doing this season is going to continue the push for my ladies to share their testimonies and it this book helps you break it down in the first chapter- What Happens When Women Say YES to God! by Lysa Terkeurst. This study of Acts is so very timely for us all here on SRT to get bold and courageous!
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” I Corin 3:6
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Happy Friday! WOW! This fit right into a conversation my daughter Alyssa had with me just yesterday. AND the best part? In one her Sociology class there was a question about Saul/Paul (I can’t remember the details) but she explained a what happened to him and how he went from being called Saul to Paul. It was suppose to be a 300 word essay (very easy for her) ended up being almost 400 words, BUT most of all she got to explain a little about Paul’s conversion!!
Yay for Alyssa!
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Good morning! I have to run out to have a test (barium swallow – yuk!) and will be back later for the study.
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Zoom meet up last night, and thought it went by too quickly. I especially enjoyed the break out group time!
It was so nice to see so many names – and some faces of our sisters here. I look forward to the next one!
I agree about the Zoom, SJG! ❤️
I was so sorry to have missed the zoom!!! I had another meeting at the same time. I hope they do another soon!
Paul encourages me to keep planting the seeds!
So many people need Jesus and so many of Jesus’s people need that boldness .
I see in Indian culture/ Hindu. Sikhs, Jains, people with a religion but not faith in the one true God and Jesus Christ his Son.
Sometimes if you tell them about Jesus, they will accept him. They will just add him to the mix of gods and goddesses.
I think the the part in verse 16 when Paul was in Athens ” he was deeply distressed when he saw the city was full of idols.”
I wonder if we as Americans just add Jesus to the mix.
Amen! Good stuff to ponder on.
Yes I think so too, giving modern day culture of self, self-rule, self-will, He is absolutely in the mix of many and comes in as secondary, or third, or last. Letting Him to be the ONLY true King, alone and above all else, takes sacrifice. Human heart resists full surrender, always, a piece of work to die. Hinduism has a long list of gods, and an average person has a long list of other gods too (money for one, wealth, status, lifestyle, romance, emotional fulfilment, fitness goals, family tradition, religious tradition, ease, comfort, etc.. over obedience to God, etc. “Their god is their appetite (Philippians 3:19). Yikes. No one is safe from the traps of many gods. These gods will claim all your time, your authority and priorities, leaving one burned out and yet void and wanting more, like a bottomless pit. New Age mixes Jesus with astrology, manifestation, karma, energy. Only Jesus is the way, He alone is Lord or it won’t work. None of the other nonsense can mix in. Great pondering TANYA. You always have these gold nuggets for thoughts.
From HRT People want to know God. We should all be open to seeing and pointing out the ways He has revealed Himself and is already drawing near. It is good news that He is not far off; we do not have to feel our way to Him. Paul started with a pagan altar and shared the gospel.
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Praying for the lost and the prodigals as we (or someone else) is led to share, or they are led to someone to ask about the Lord.
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Paul’s sermon, wow. And he overlooked the insult preceding the sermon – Acts 17:18 …And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?”
The NKJV footnote defines babbler as “seed picker, an idler who makes a living picking up scraps.”
No doubt I would have been distracted by my response, just who do you think you’re talking to? Let me tell you something … yikes in two ways. One would be losing my temper and discrediting my testimony, and second, being insulted by the reference of someone not having provisions. There has always been and currently is food scarcity all around us.
Pray first, speak second – if at all.
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TINA ❤️ I love that testimony! I imagine you and your friend were a blur at the speed you were moving!
KIMBERLY Z ❤️
MIA FAITH ❤️
LEXI B ❤️
GWINETH52 ❤️
SHARON JERSEY GIRL ❤️ hidden listeners!
CEE GEE ❤️ hidden watchers!
And I’ll add, hidden readers.
CRYSTAL CLAYTON ❤️ praying for your SIL and family
MARIA B ❤️ “There is no worse feeling than reading my devotional or scripture and I get interrupted. And I immediately get so annoyed. Then I feel guilty and annoyed at being annoyed because I find myself in a place that is not conducive to pray. But maybe it is that those are the moments when I need to lean on prayer the most. Words to remember for sure.” Thank you – I was doing my Bible study in the early morning hours today and my dh wandered in asking about a news article … took a deep breath and reread your post ❤️
ANNIE HEWITT AND KIRA H – praying the little ones recover quickly!
MOLLIE – praying your husband recovers well
NANCY DAVIS – praying for your daughter in the move and disruptions that may change her plans. Praying for you in the separation.
TAMI praying for Chela, the class and treatment
Good morning, Searching. I know you asked (thank you) if Joann was relocated closer to home but I have no answer. I’ve messaged my friend who visits her, but she has not responded. I believe she is away this month. I’ll update you when I hear.
Thank you for your prayers for the sick kiddos! Sleeping next to a coughing infant and toddler never results in much actual sleep, so I am grateful to all of you ladies who have been lifting them up in prayer.
It’s so hard to have sick kiddos, prayers.
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Praying over requests
Thank you for always summarizing the prayer points and the reflection you shared today, “pray first, speak second” -amen!❤️
So thankful for the help of the Holy Spirit who empowered Paul and empowers us to boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus despite the opposition. ❤️
Oh the Acts passage I’ve been waiting for. I love how Paul approaches the men of Athens. Here is what I understand you believe and I want to expand on it to teach you what is true. This is the section of scripture on my business card as I want to meet people where they are and help them grow and see the truth. How can we “pay attention” see people where they are, and share the truth with them? As Kelly (NEO) speaking the truth in love.
Love this! A senior from our church spoke on this same thing. He went to the local YMCA to workout but kept finding himself playing basketball with a group of 8th graders. He said once his bball season started his coach didn’t want him doing that anymore, he is an intern for our youth pastor half day. The youth pastor was going to a middle school to eat lunch with the kids, he walked in and the boys got so excited to see him. They asked why he was there and he told them how he interns at his church. He said they looked at him and said ohhh so that’s why you never cuss. So good! So sweet! He challenged the church by asking where are you going to meet people where they are? His story has really stuck with me.
lol, that’s cute…but yes, our conduct matters and reveals so much more! Indeed a good lesson! We must go to the world but not blend in. We will mostly stand out. (no cussing, no drinking, no gossip..!) Do you stand out?
Wow Paul’s delivery is so good. He didn’t shame them, instead he showed them respect and honor, telling them how intelligent he saw they were, something that would have really warmed them up to him. Romans 14:13 (ESV): “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother”. I know some still were against him, but imagine if he came in dismissing them and insulting them. He shows such discernment. Sometimes I see Christians who are so intent on sharing the gospel at all costs, they scare the other person away or turn them off. Our approach matters. We all need to read our audience. I think it was CS Lewis that said something like this: Share the gospel as much as you can, and if necessary, use words. With that said, I shy away from sharing because I don’t want to be pushy and I’m afraid of stepping on toes. I want to learn to find the happy medium. Please continue to pray for Chela, that the 7 people would drop so she can get into the class, and that she would be open to treatment for OCD. Thanks!
I was praying for Chela yesterday and was struck by the thought – what if, for some Sovereignly ordained and unknown to us reason – it is for her best that she NOT get into that class?? How many times have I begged for something that in hindsight would have brought some level of destruction? Yikes. So instead I’ll pray for Chela that the will of our good and sovereign God is done in her life and her class schedule. And still, that through either a yes or a no, He will make Himself known to her ❤️
Yes it’s funny you say that. I have had that thought. It would force her to stay at school and not be able to come home as often which may be a good thing:) Thanks for the prayers!
Praying that God opens the doors to be opened, and close all doors that are to be closed!
I love that quote. I find that is a tough challenge, preach the Gospel through attitude, through character, endurance, kindness, humility, ways of living, helping others in their burdens, washing the “stinky feet”, in ways of giving, caring, listening (and if necessary, use words). Hot dang. But with GOD (in us) all things are possible, and to all who believe :)
This reminds me of one of our scripture cards for this study of Acts – Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Thankful for the help of the Holy Spirit who enables us to be a witness in many forms in addition to our words. ❤️
Amen❤️
I pray God gives us the insight, courage, and zeal through the Holy Spirit’s to approach the world with the love of Jesus like Paul!
AMEN❤️
Claire writes, “Paul focused on their similarities, and then he boldly proclaimed the truth of God’s judgment as well as the grace-filled resurrection of Christ. His words were kind, but they weren’t weak. His words were direct, but they weren’t harsh. He seemed to win as many people as he offended. We ought to expect the same in our lives.”
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Paul’s example shows speaking the truth in love. This is so key in being a faithful witness to the Gospel. It is a tension that truly must be humble and Spitit led (1 Pet 3:15-16).
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LEXI B – praying you have peace, wisdom, and grace as you tell your story. Thankful you have found a church home.
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CRYSTAL CLAYTON – praying your sister will bounce back quickly from her chemo treatment and the cancer will be completely eradicated.
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ANNIE HEWITT and KIRA H – praying for quick recoveries for your children.
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TERESA EDDY – praying the Lord shows you how to handle the situation at work with truth and love.
We all need to keep this in mind, thank you. ❤️
“Paul’s example shows speaking the truth in love. This is so key in being a faithful witness to the Gospel. It is a tension that truly must be humble and Spirit led.”
Thank you for your prayers for sick kiddos! And thank you for pointing out that Paul’s example shows what it looks like to speak truth in love. I have always struggled with knowing what that looks like in day-to-day life, so I appreciate that you have called Paul out as an example of that here.
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❤️ Spirit led- amen.
AMEN ❤️