Believe (Fully Believe)

Read Acts 14:1-7

It is interesting to think about the strategy of Paul and Barnabas. First, it was to go to the Jewish synagogue (as usual). Why there? If they were reaching more and more people for Jesus especially the Gentiles (non-Jews) – why was the strategy to always start in at the Jewish center (the synagogue). It was clear that the Jews continue to know they were part of God’s chosen people and it was so important to shed light of how they were to see their calling to be a light for others from the beginning. This message of Jesus was for everyone from the Jews to the Gentiles. If they were able to gain the trust of those who already were suppose to know God, then they could help with bringing more to the kingdom. Here Paul and Barnabas are doing God’s work in speaking boldly and effectively. But to make sure that the words were not just from themselves, God showed miraculous signs and wonders so that they knew that it was by God’s power and the Holy Spirit that people were coming to surrender their lives to Jesus. That is where I want us to start thinking. The word is “believe”. They were Jews who already knew God and believed He was out there. But believing is not just a cognitive, head knowledge thing. The understanding here is that many believed (surrender to Jesus and submitted their lives to God). It is no longer a ritual rule thing that they were living for but a life with God through Jesus. Here we see that this message was so effective that it didn’t just reach the Jews but also the Gentiles in that area. However, not everyone wanted to embrace that. There were still Jews that were threatened by this because it affected their own desire and thoughts on what this meant. It was more about themselves and the power they held through the things they “believed in”.

So I ask you to start thinking about that for yourself. Where would we start in sharing about the Jesus that gives us a full life in God? Are you living for God and who He is, or are you like a Jew that is threatened by what this Jesus is asking you to do in living for Him?

Spend some time praying and reflecting on things ways you don’t want to just “believe” with your head but you want to surrender/submit/believe with all that you are and live a life “worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus” – Ephesians 4:1.


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Tuesday: Pray for your family
Pray that God will provide for your family’s daily needs