Good morning! May our Lord and Savior who gives perfect peace surround you today. May your hearts be encouraged to keep pressing forward. Enjoy today’s devotion as we review the final verses in Acts chapter eleven.

Bible Verse – Acts 11:27-30 NLT

“²⁷ During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) ²⁹ So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. ³⁰ This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.”

Reflection

Last week, we read that the believers were first called Christians (meaning belonging to Christ) in Antioch. Today, we read the first mention of elders in the church, they were in Jerusalem. In prior chapters we read the apostles remained in Jerusalem while other believers had scattered. Jerusalem had become the leadership hub of the church. They were sending prophets, apostles and other strong believers in the faith out to encourage, teach the Good News, and confirm what was being reported by other believers – the church continued to grow.

Sisters and brothers, the quiet take away from today’s verses is: In the midst of changing circumstances (scattering and hiding in fear), God was laying a solid foundation for the church. The believers cared for one another and they used spiritual and financial gifts to support the churches.

Today as you consider the chaos, disorder, fear, and spiritual warfare that we have encountered already this year – may I encourage you to look at your circumstances through the eyes of God.

1 Corinthians 14:33a “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

• God is a God of order.

• God is a God of peace

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

• Move forward with the power of God working on the inside of you.

• Move forward loving others as Christ loves you.

• Remain in Christ – remain true to the teachings in the Word, and align yourself to them.

Sisters and brothers, God has laid out the plan. Trust Him to continue to work it out for His glory. Stay connected with your church, continue to love and serve one another virtually or in-person, pray for those who are ill and continue to support your church with your spiritual and financial gifts.

There’s still work to do.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for today. Thank you for a glorious sunrise and daybreak. You are so faithful to us. Lord, we pray for believers around the world and ask that you comfort them, send your peace, and encourage them in faith. Be with those who are without food, water, electricity, heat, etc.

Lord, help us to see our circumstances through your eyes and help us to anchor down in faith. Hold us steady in you. Lord, you know the medical, financial, and spiritual needs of your people. Lord, our hope is in you and we believe that you will come through on your promises that are written within the word.

Lord, we trust you as our healer, sustainer, provider, comforter, peace giver, and as the Lord over all to do exactly what you said you would do. Lord, we bind the enemy from any assignment plotted against your children today – in the name of Jesus. Continue to work within us. In Jesus name, amen.

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