The Book of Acts: Turn Your World Upside DownSample

Today’s Devotional:

We usually have no problem talking about things we love. One of my favorite things is cheering on my favorite basketball team. I LOVE this team for so many reasons.

I was a basketball player myself and love the game. I’ve cheered for this team since I was young—I am invested in their success. This team also wins often. It's always fun to cheer on a winning team.

I have become quite passionate about this team over time, and I pretty much tell everybody I know about how this team is so great.

What’s it for you? Maybe it's a show you’ve binge-watched, an amazing new restaurant you discovered, or maybe it is your favorite gadget.

Now think about this, how often do you share about Jesus with others?

Today, we enter the scene in Acts 13 where we see the beginning of Paul’s powerful mission to advance the gospel to reach the ends of the earth. As you read through this chapter, you see the BOLDNESS Paul had to share the gospel. He shared with passion and boldness, no matter the situation or the response. Why? Because He had experienced the power, transformation, and love of Christ. He knew God desired that none should perish but that all should repent and have eternal life.

We must understand that God gave us the right, responsibility, opportunity, and privilege to share the good news with others too! So many still needed to hear His message.

Listen to what Paul says later on in Romans 10:14 and 17:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

None of us lack opportunities to share our faith, but often we lack the boldness. What can we do? Pray that God would give you eyes to see the opportunity He has already put in front of you and the boldness to walk through the door when it opens because, as believers, we have a call—like Paul—to share the gospel.

And don’t forget, above Paul’s example and teaching, Jesus himself showed us the way and left the earth by giving us the Great Commission, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

May we have as much passion sharing about how Jesus has changed our lives and is the Savior of the world as we do talking about anything else. No one thing or one person has changed our life more than He has. Let’s declare that with boldness!

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Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Kate Czechowicz.

Questions to Consider:

• Who is the family member, the coworker, the friend, or the neighbor in your life that needs to hear the message of Jesus?
• When is the next opportunity, and how can you boldly share the gospel with them?

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for your love for us, grace, forgiveness, never-ending pursuit of us, and the gift of your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for what you did for us on the cross, for rising again three days later, and for all that it means for us. Thank you for the victory, hope, and eternity we have in you. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today, we ask for more of your Spirit. Give us your eyes and heart for those around us who need the Good News. Quicken our step and speech toward them and give us the boldness to share with them about you. We want them to experience the transforming power of you in their lives. Use us, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.