Bible Study - Acts 28

Read Acts 28

When storms come, and you feel like God is no where to be seen, just remember that He has a master plan and you are one of the pieces to the puzzle. He has places for you to go, things for you to do and people for you to meet. Things, places, and people that you can never imagine seeing. If you would listen to God in obedience, you would see these things.
Because Paul listened to God, and had faith in Him, many people were healed.
as I look back on Acts I see the love of God, and that even when I am unaware, He is with me. He is working on something so much bigger than I can ever imagine, and I love it!

Bible Study - Acts 27

Read Acts 27

Again we see God working for Paul through the storm, literally.
What situation in your life right now, do you feel like God has left you, and nothing good is going to come? Take that situation and apply Paul's situation in the storm to it.
Paul knew, and stood on what God had promised him. That, is how they made it through the storm. And that, is how you will make it through yours.

Bible Study - Acts 26

Read Acts 26

I love how much I can relate to Paul right now, and how God is using Paul's story to affect my life 2000 years later. Even though Paul has been locked up for the greater part of three years, he never gives up faith in God. 
Paul holds on to the promise that he was given when this all started;

Acts 23:11 

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

As God has promised Paul, God has promised me. Because of His promises, I know that I will prosper, and that I have a hope and a future;

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Paul knows these things, and he knows that it is only through his faith in God that he has come this far. That is his testimony, and mine. I know that I have only come this far because I have faith in God. And because of this, He has already started to use me to affect those around me for good. 

Acts 26:22

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.

As much as it may never look like it, God is always by your side, preparing you for battle, and fighting it with you. He is always up to something good in our lives, even when we can't see it. That is where faith comes in. We have to trust Him enough to know that He has not left us, and that He will keep his sacred promises with us.

Bible Study - Acts 25

Read Acts 25

It is crazy the things that people will dispute. As Christians it is important to hold our ground, and stand up for what we believe.

If someone has a legitimate problem with something we have done. Let them say so, but do not fight back in harshness. Instead speak clam, and in a tone of love. If it is for God that trial comes to you, do not be afraid, for He is with you.

Be bold in what you do and say, but do not try to overwhelm people, or try to force love into them. For they will submit out of utter fear, rather than love. That is no good equation for success.

Bible Study - Acts 24

Read Acts 24

I want you to do some thinking on this one.

Looking at verses 24-27:
Why was Felix afraid of the words he heard from Paul?
Why was Felix partial to the Jews?
Why did Felix not want to make the decision himself?

How does this chapter apply to your life?
Do Something: Now, apply it to your life.

Bible Study - Acts 23

Read Acts 23

God is always watching over us, He will never look away from us. This is shown in chapter 23 when Paul's nephew heard what was being planned, and was able to tell Paul and the commander. Thus saving Paul's life from ambush.

In the midst of the chaos, God tells Paul that he will live to teach in Rome as he has in Jerusalem. When we give our lives to God, He will bless us beyond our imagination.

Bible Study - Acts 22

Read Acts 22

We need to understand and accept that not everyone is going to understand and accept our testimony. Paul was denied many times by many people, especially the Jewish people.

Here we see Paul's strength, and faith, in God. Paul does not fight the crowds, but speaks to them peacefully in their own tongue. He uses the rights God gave him at birth, and stands upon them.

Again, God could have placed us anywhere at any time, but He placed us precisely where we are so that we can be used to full potential.

Bible Study - Acts 21

Read Acts 21

We need to understand that God has placed us on this earth at a certain time and place that is specific to our calling. We are all going to die from this life, it's just a matter of what we accomplish for God while we are here. This life is worth nothing to us if we don't risk it for the glory of God. Paul knew this.

It is important to take counsel in our companions whom God has given us. While the Spirit was warning Paul through his friends, Paul was not afraid of what would happen to him. Even though it was evident that this would mean death, Paul was more than willing to give his life for the glory of God. Am I saying Paul's friends weren't hearing from God? No. I am saying that ultimately Paul knew what had to be done no matter the earthly consequences.

Bible Study - Acts 20

Read Acts 20

I don't know about you, but when I read first person in the Bible it gives me a different sense of connection. I love that Luke had a heart to write down all of Peters words, but I also love that he puts in his own words and stories. It is a valuable thing to be able to hear a testimony first hand (I know that in the Bible we have translations, and it is written, so it is not perfect, but I get a sense that it's coming right from Luke). It gives the feeling that the stories are more real, because you are hearing them from someone who was there. (All the stories in the Bible are very real, I simply want to put emphasis on the way it comes across) This feeling arouses the question "Well can't God do that with me?" The answer is yes! God is willing to work through your life, you simply have to be willing to do what He tells you to. When you accept that God is willing you will begin to seek Him, and ask for Him to help you through things, and you will want to be welcomed into His home!

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; 

he who seeks finds; 

and to him who knocks the door will be opened."

Bible Study - Acts 19

Read Acts 19

Here we see the power in publicly accepting Christ. When someone gives up their life's work to follow God, that shows some strong conviction. We saw this in Saul(now Paul), we see it here in the sorcerers, and I have seen it in my own life. It is acts like these that show the strength, power and love of God. We also see in this chapter the importance of knowing scripture and God Himself.

Bible Study - Acts 18

Read Acts 18

Again we see the importance in knowledge of scripture, and having a relationship with God. It is possible to love God, and His people without these connections, but when push comes to shove, and people are asking you for knowledge, and you don't have it...? It will become more difficult for you to tell people that you believe the Bible, because you will not know what is written in it. Priscilla and Aquilla knew this, and they educated Apollos in the works of Jesus. We need to strive towards the same knowledge.

Bible Study - Acts 17

Read Acts 17

Often we see that the Jews were jealous, and sought to destroy the disciples. As we preach God's word, we need to make everyone aware that God's love is for them too, so long as they accept it. I have heard it said many times that when someone offers you a gift, you must accept it in order for it to become yours. The gift of the Spirit is no different; God has offered it to everyone, but only few choose to accept His perfect and honorable gift.
As Paul saw the destruction and idolatry of the Athenian people, so I see the destruction and idolatry of the people in the world today. Instead of statues and shrines made of precious metals, I see posters and screen savers, and shirts, and pencils, and backpacks, and thousands of other things with the pictures and names of the celebrities who have become the focus of this world. Even in the Christian home! It sickens me how much we have let this world shape our lives! When something goes wrong in your life, and you go to your favorite actor/actress, singer, athlete, or performer, they will do NOTHING for you! But when something goes wrong and you go to God, He will free you of your troubles, and let you rest in His peace! When will we realize the corruption that this world has given us? When will we start doing something about it!? When will we start giving God His rightful praise? Why not now? Why not start with you?

Bible Study - Acts 16

It is one thing to just listen to what others have to say, and going off of that. But it is another to take what they say and apply it to what God has been teaching you. Today I want you to learn how to hear from God, and to know what He is telling you, not what I am telling you. Take some time to pray before you read this, and as you go, write down some things that strike you as interesting, things that you can apply to your life.

Please leave a comment below; I would love to see what you have discovered.

Read Acts 16

Here are some questions that may help you see some of the deeper meanings in this chapter:
What reasons could the Spirit have had to keep them from entering Mysia?
What truly caused the earth to shake, and the jailor to be saved?
Why was it a big deal that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens?
Why did Luke make such a huge point of including the woman that were saved?
Why did he (Luke) use first person for part of this chapter?

Bible Study - Acts 15

Read Acts 15

God's grace is so great that He has given us the opportunity to be His children(His followers). We see this overwhelming love in this chapter.
We also see the devil. It is important to know that when people plot against us(if we are doing the righteous work of God), it is not them, it is the devil inside of them. Here again we also see how much knowledge of scripture helps us to fight the devil in others.

Bible Study - Acts 14

Read Acts 14

Here we see Paul and Barnabas completing their journey that the Holy Spirit sent them on in chapter 13. Many are healed, the lame walk, and more are saved. While in Lystra, Paul and Barnabas were put to a test of their faith when the citizens believed the apostles were gods. But Paul and Barnabas held strong in what they knew was true.

In everything you do, give all the glory to God; remember that without Him, you would have nothing.

Bible Study - Acts 13

God will send you out, as He did with Paul and Barnabas. Be bold in what God has taught you and in your faith, for He will always hold true.

We see thru-out this chapter the significance of scriptural knowledge. Barnabas was an excellent student of scripture before he went out to serve The LORD. Therefore He is able to preach with the knowledge of past profits and all they said.

Without the knowledge of scripture we are a lost cause in this world. We would only be able to teach from a standpoint of what God has done in our lives. Which is an important part of teaching, but it is important to know the word of God. Even though it goes much deeper than that.

Isaiah 29:13-14:

The Lord says:
“These people come near to me with their mouth
 and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. 
Their worship of me
is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
Therefore once more I will astound these people
with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

Bible Study - Acts 12

God delivered Peter from his shackles, how much more can He free you of your troubles? (And yes, I am talking to you, the one who just told yourself that that last rhetorical question has nothing to do with you... It has everything to do with you!)
We need to realize that everything, every talent and ability, every penny, every piece of knowledge that we hold claim to, has come from God. Without God, we would still be in the ground, and would be accomplishing nothing. We would be nothing but dirt. Therefore, everything you do,  do it in worship of Him who created you, and know that nothing can hold Him back.

Bible Study - Acts 11

We can be so single minded that we demand explanation for why someone went to eat with the non Christian people. But in reality, we need to do more of that. Don't get me wrong, it is good to spend good quality time with other Christians. But we are called to share the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ, not sit in our own secluded circle. Jesus spent His time here loving on the sinners, why should we do any different!?

Do Something - I challenge you, next time you see someone sitting by themselves, go over and talk to them, pray for them. If they reject you, go away knowing that you tried! All it takes is a little bit of faith!

Bible Study - Acts 10

As we go through our lives we see people who we, automatically without thought, deem incapable of receiving God the Father. But in Acts 10 God tells Peter not to judge people so. God created everything, therefore everything is clean, it is only the Devil that makes it unclean. 

 Romans 8:31 says "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

We have no reason to fear the Devil in others. So why don't we take a stand for what we believe, and trust that God will catch us when we fall?

Bible Study - Acts 9

Saul is transformed into Paul. Saul was Satan’s greatest advocate at the time. Saul of Tarsus was a schooled Jew, and believed that God had called him to destroy the Christians however, it was quite the opposite. Saul, of all people God had to chose from, not one of us would have said it would be Saul. But his transformation is one of the greatest testaments to the love of our Father. If God was able to turn the prosecutor Saul into the apostle Paul, how much more can He turn the drug addict, or the abuser, next door to a disciple?

It all begins with an act of Love. While Jesus was here, he spent his time with the sinners, and the thieves showing them love and acceptance. The word ‘christian’ means ‘little Christ’ which means that we act as Jesus did. Brothers and Sisters, humble yourself, and love on the unloveable.