Happy Friday! We made it to the end of the work week. God has shown us his faithfulness and he continues to keep us. Today we will finish Acts chapter eighteen. Enjoy today’s devotion and prayer. May your day and weekend be filled with God’s presence, love, and grace.

Bible Verse

²⁴ Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. ²⁵ He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit^[h] and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. ²⁶ When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

²⁷ Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. ²⁸ He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.

Reflection

While opposition was present, the work of the Holy Spirit was greater. The church continued to grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ and it grew in numbers.

While Apollos learned the way of the Lord more accurately, he didn’t allow his initial lack of knowledge discourage him from sharing the truth of the Good News. It appears the more Apollo learned, he became more ignited with passion for sharing the Good News. Apollos did not use his knowledge to promote himself – he promoted the Good News, encouraged believers, and taught them about Jesus the Messiah.

Sisters and brothers, we are all learning and growing in our knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. By the grace of God this truth has been revealed to us so that we may believe and receive Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, who came to reconcile us to God. As we grow in our relationship with God, and abide in Christ we will bear much fruit. Remember, God can use anybody, but he desires to use you.

Questions to ponder:

• How will you sharing the Good News with others?
• Will you allow God to use your life to point others to Christ?
• How can you encourage believers and non-believers?
• Who will you pray for this weekend?

Prayer

Father God we thank you for the great examples of the people of faith who have gone before us. Thank you for the ability to listen to and read your word. Thank you for not allowing our lives to die like a dead branch or root. Thank you for caring for us, for pruning us, for cultivating us into who you desire for us to be. Lord, you have been incredibly faith to us. We want to be faithful to you. Lord, continue to reveal your word to us. Open up our eyes and lead us in the way we should go, in the decisions we make, and in all of our relationships. Lord, there is no one more greater than you, we trust you to reign over our lives. Keep changing hearts, keep working on our spouses, our children, our family members, our friends and neighbors, and the leaders in offices around the world. Lord, we lift up France, Africa, and China to you. Lord, protect and cover your believers in those countries, and encourage them to continue believing and trusting you. Lord, we want change, but we want it to be driven by you. Lord, keep us and protect us, In Jesus name, amen.

Events

Our next virtual Women’s Retreat is Saturday, November 14, 2020 . In order to participate in the arts and crafts session and receive your supplies on time, we strongly advise that you register at least two weeks before the event.

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

Photo credit: Ivette Ocampo

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