The Book of Acts: Turn Your World Upside DownSample

Today’s Devotional:

The Book of Acts ends with the apostle Paul awaiting trial before Caesar in Rome. While awaiting trial, Paul was allowed to rent his own house. Perhaps because he had already been broken out of prison before, Paul was permanently chained to a Roman guard while he was in prison. Or rather, guards were permanently chained to him!

Acts 28:30-31 says:

“For two whole years, Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”

Those last few words are pretty remarkable if you think about it, “with all boldness and without hindrance,”—even though he’s in chains!

While Paul was under house arrest, many people came to visit him. Because they were chained to Paul, his guards overheard all his conversations. Paul describes what happened next in Philippians 1:12-13: “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”

I love this! If you think about it, Paul had a captive audience. Literally, these guards were chained to him for six-hour shifts throughout the day! Most of us would be pretty bummed to be under house arrest. But not Paul. He saw this as a great opportunity to share his faith. Can you imagine being chained to the apostle Paul? Can you imagine the impact that would make on your life? Basically, Paul is saying in Philippians 1:12-13, “Hey! Don’t feel sorry for me. People are coming to Christ!” Not only were people coming to Christ, but Paul also used his time under house arrest to write four letters that would later make it into the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

This is where the Book of Acts ends, and it’s a powerful reminder that God can work in and through us regardless of our circumstances. God, in His sovereignty, knows what He’s doing!

Some of you need to hear this today: no matter what circumstances you’re going through, no matter what difficulties you’re experiencing, no matter what trials you’re facing, God knows what He’s doing! As we wrap up our study of the Book of Acts, I pray that each of us will do what Paul did and proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

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Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Drew Hage.

Questions to Consider:

• How might God want to work in you and through you despite your circumstances?
• Who in your life do you need to tell about Jesus?

Prayer:

God, thank you that you can work through me regardless of my circumstances. I pray that I will share my faith with boldness and without hindrance. In Jesus’ name, amen.