Acts 16: Will You Sing Praises To God?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
1. Servants (V1-18)
V16 “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:”
Even a young slave girl, who had a spirit of divination from the devil (that brought much wealth to her masters through her fortune telling), could proclaim that Paul and Silas were servants of the most high God. Indeed, the devil and his evil spirits cannot deny God and His salvation even though they shall one day be condemned to the fiery hell.
V17 “The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.”
2. Sang (V19-26)
V25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
When God through Paul cast out the spirit of divination from the girl, her masters were furious because they would lose their source of income from her fortune telling. The masters brought Paul and Silas to the unbelieving Roman rulers who imprisoned them for inciting trouble in the city by preaching the gospel. Though Paul and Silas were imprisoned and in trouble, yet they prayed and sang praises to God because they knew that they were suffering for Christ’s sake. God then sent a great earthquake to free them.
V26 “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
3. Saved (V27-40)
V27 “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.”
Even when Paul and Silas were freed, they were concerned about the soul of the prison keeper who was about to kill himself because he knew that he had failed in his duty. Paul and Silas shared the gospel to him, and then his family, and they were saved and baptized.
V31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to sing praises to You even when I am in trouble.
Acts 15: Are You Saved?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
1. Christ (V1-11)
V1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
During the days of the apostles, there was a group of Jewish leaders from Judaea who taught the people that salvation was not only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but one must be circumcised as in Moses’ Law in order to be saved. Apostle Peter and the rest of the apostles and leaders rebuked these leaders on their false teaching. Indeed, we are saved by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not the fulfilment of circumcision or Moses’ Law, because we can never keep all of God’s Law.
V11 “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
2. Church (V12-35)
V22 “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:”
The church sent out Paul, Barnabas, Barsabas and Silas to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia to reaffirm them that salvation was only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and never the fulfilment of circumcision or keeping the Law.
V24 “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
3. Contention (V36-41)
V38 “But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”
Paul and Barnabas had a sharp contention over Mark who deserted them during their first missionary journey. Barnabas was forgiving and willing to give Mark another chance while Paul refused to let Mark travel with them. Finally Barnabas brought Mark with him to Cyprus, while Paul brought Silas, another man of God, with him to Syria and Cilicia.
V39 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am saved by Your grace through faith in Jesus.
Acts 14: Who Do You Worship?
Verse of the Day: (V15) “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”
1. God (V1-18)
V11 “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”
Apostle Paul, by God’s sign gifts, healed a cripple, and the people thought that he was the god from heaven, and began to worship him. Paul then rebuked them that they should only worship the living God, the Creator, and not the creatures like him. Indeed, before the Bible, God’s Word, was completed, God gave the apostles the sign gifts to prove to the world that they were God’s preachers. Today, the preachers have no sign gifts because we have now the completed Bible to prove that God is the true and living God.
V15 “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”
2. Grace (V19-26)
V23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Paul and Barnabas knew that without God’s grace, they could never survive the persecution, preach the Gospel, ordain pastors in every church, and fulfil God’s work.
V26 “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which thy fulfilled.”
3. Gentiles (V27-28)
V27 “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”’
Paul and Barnabas immediately shared to the church and their fellow disciples the moment they arrived that God had greatly used them to win the Gentiles to the Lord.
V28 “And there they abode long time with the disciples.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I only worship You, the true and living God.
Acts 13: Are You A Man After God’s Heart?
Verse of the Day: (V22) “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
1. Hands (V1-13)
V2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
During the time of the early church there was already great teamwork in action. Though the church ordained and sent out Barnabas and Saul as missionaries to preach the Gospel of Christ to the regions beyond, yet God expected the church to support them in prayers and finance. The laying of hands was God’s way of identification that the church and their missionaries were of one heart and one mission of winning the lost to Jesus Christ.
V3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
2. Heart (V14-43)
V22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
God removed Saul and promoted David as the next king of Israel. Of all the kings of Israel and Judah, God only commended David as a man after His own heart, because he was truly a man who loved God, knew how to repent his sins, and turned to God. Hence God blessed David to be the ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
V23 “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:”
3. Hear (V44-52)
V44 “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”
The Jewish leaders persecuted Paul and Barnabas and chased them out of the city because they were preaching to the Gentiles who desired to hear the Gospel. However they were not discouraged as they went to another city to continue preaching the Gospel with joy.
V50 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a man after Your heart.
Acts 12: Will You Glorify God?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”
1. God (V1-5)
V1 “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.”
Apostle Peter was arrested and waiting to be sentenced to death, during the time of Herod, the evil and wicked king, who had commanded his army to persecute the church and the Christians. When the church heard of Peter’s arrest, they immediately prayed to God for Peter’s deliverance. Prayer is our lifeline to God. Whatever crises and challenges we are facing, let us pray to God who hears and answers our prayers according to His will.
V5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
2. Gate (V6-19)
V7 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
God heard the prayers of the church, and sent His angel to break Peter’s chains, and opened the iron gate for him to escape from the prison. Indeed God can do the impossible. God can miraculously break the chains, open the iron gate, and best of all, He can rescue us from fiery hell to pearly heaven, if we repent our sins, and trust and believe in Him.
V10 “When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”
3. Glory (V20-25)
V22 “And the people gave a shout, saying, Is it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”
King Herod acknowledged the shout of his people that his voice was that of a god. He not only rejected God, and gave not God the glory, but he desired the people to worship him as god. Therefore, God immediately judged him, and sent worms to eat him to death.
V23 “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”’
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to glorify You as You are the true and living God.
Acts 11: Are You A Christian?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
1. Christ (V1-21)
V17 “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”
Apostle Peter explained to the Jewish Christians that God spoke to him in a dream to preach the Gospel of Christ not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. Initially the Jewish Christians had difficulty in accepting Peter’s explanation, but they soon realised that their salvation was God’s gift to them. Indeed, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that whosoever, whether Jews or Gentiles, believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V18 “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
2. Cleave (V22-24)
V22 “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.”
God convicted the church in Jerusalem to send Barnabas, a man of faith, to preach the Gospel of Christ to the Jews as well as the Gentiles in Antioch. Barnabas obeyed God and immediately went to Antioch to preach the Gospel, and many believed and trusted in God. He then taught the new disciples to grow spiritually by cleaving their hearts to God.
V23 “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
3. Christians (V25-30)
V25 “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:”
As the church in Antioch grew, Barnabas went to Tarsus to enlist Saul to help him in the preaching and teaching ministry. Saul was more than willing to serve alongside with Barnabas. They led many souls to the Lord, and many were baptized and added to the church. In fact, it was at Antioch, that the disciples of Christ were first called Christians.
V26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am a Christian by the grace of God.
Acts 10: Will You Preach To Every Nation?
Verse of the Day: (V35) “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
1. Prayed (V1-4)
V1 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,”
God sent an angel to a centurion named Cornelius who was a Gentile but praying to know more about the God of Israel. God told Cornelius to send his men to look for apostle Peter in Joppa who would tell him more about the God of Israel, the true and living God.
V2 “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.”
2. Peter (V5-33)
V5 “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”
Peter could not fully understand when he was told by God in his dream to eat the unclean animals which the Jews were forbidden to eat according to the Leviticus law. God spoke to Peter thrice before he finally understood that God commanded him to preach to the Gentiles beside the Jews. Just like God cleaned the unclean animals, God would forgive the sins of the Gentiles. Hence, when the men of Cornelius came to fetch Peter to Cornelius, Peter knew that God had already prepared him to preach to Cornelius that the Lord Jesus Christ shed His precious blood for the sins of the Jews as well as the Gentiles.
V15 “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
3. Preaching (V34-48)
V35 “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
During the Old and New Testament time, God taught the people through His preachers that anyone who would believe and trust in Him shall be saved. Even though during the Old Testament time, God chose the people of Israel, the Jews, yet He would still save the Gentiles from condemnation to fiery hell, if they would only believe and trust in Him. Today, God is extending His love to every nation and every soul that whosoever believes and trusts in Jesus Christ shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V36 “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to preach to everyone that Jesus loves, cares and saves.
Acts 9: Will You Suffer For Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
1. Slaughter (V1-9)
V1 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
Saul was hated Christ, and desired to slaughter and exterminate all of Christ’s disciples or the Christians. While on his way to Damascus to arrest the Christians, Christ through a light from heaven questioned him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It was at that moment that Saul realised that Christ was truly the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
V6 “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
2. Suffer (V10-31)
V15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”
Christ told Saul that He had chosen him to be a vessel to preach His gospel of salvation to the Gentiles, kings and the people of Israel. Christ also told Saul that he would suffer much because of doing His work and will. Indeed, Christians, let us not be surprise and sad when we suffer for Christ’s sake. Christ assured Saul and all who love and preach His gospel that we shall certainly suffer for Him as well as reign with Him one day in heaven.
V16 “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
3. Sick (V32-43)
V40 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”
During the apostles’ time, before God’s word, the Bible, was completed, God gave the apostles the sign gifts of casting out demons, healing the sick and even raising the dead, as evidence that they believed in God and were from God. Today, we do not have these sign gifts because we have the Bible with us as evidence that we believe in God and are from God. However, we can still fast and pray for God’s power, promises and miracles to cast out demons, heal the sick and even raise the dead, if it is God’s perfect will and work.
V41 “And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure suffering for Christ’s sake.
Acts 7: Is God With You?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph unto Egypt: but God was with him,”
1. God Was With Joseph (V1-19)
V9 “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,”
Stephen was fearless when the false religious leaders were about to charge him with a death sentence. Stephen reminded them that God who was with Abraham, Joseph and Moses was also with him. Though Joseph’s brothers out of envy sold him into Egypt, yet God was with him. Through all the trials and troubles, God miraculously made Joseph to become the saviour of Egypt and the world, when he correctly interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and fed the people with corns he had kept for the past seven years. Subsequently, Joseph was promoted to be the most powerful ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
V10 “And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”
2. God Was With Moses (V20-50)
V30 “And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.”
Stephen reminded the false religious leaders that God was with Moses. Moses was a Prince of Egypt, a Somebody, for 40 years, until God humbled him for 40 years to be a Nobody, before God finally used him as God’s body for the remaining 40 years of his life. Throughout Moses’ life, God was with him, because Moses had faith and trust in God.
V36 “He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”
3. God Was With Stephen (V51-60)
V59 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Stephen was stoned to death as these false leaders not only refused to believe that he was God’s servant, but they also refused to repent of their sins and unbelief. Indeed, God was with Stephen as even in his last breath, he prayed to God to forgive his murderers!
V60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are with me as I trust and obey You.
Acts 8: Will You Believe in The Son Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V37) “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
1. The Word Of God (V1-17)
V4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
In spite of the great persecution, the apostles and their disciples continued to preach the word of God until the entire city of Samaria received the word of God. Without the great persecution, there might not be a great scattering of the disciples in preaching the word of God. Indeed, without great suffering, we will not grow in great faith and trust in our God.
V14 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:”
2. The Gift Of God (V18-25)
V18 “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,”
Simon, a professing believer, offered money to the apostles thinking that he could exchange them for the gift of God. He saw the apostles’ miracles and wanted to be like them, who would lay hands on the believers so that they received the Holy Ghost. Apostle Peter rebuked Simon and told him that money could never purchase God’s gift.
V20 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
3. The Son Of God (V26-40)
V32 “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:”
God led Philip, a man of God, to approach a prominent Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the book of Isaiah. Philip explained to him that the prophet Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he wrote - He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered so that His blood was shed for the forgiveness of the sins of the world. Immediately upon seeing a pool of water, the eunuch requested Philip to baptize him as he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He knew that baptism was the first step of obedience for a new believer as it symbolised Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
V37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
