Day 29: Acts 18:23-28

We continue to see the many, many travels of Paul, as he goes from one place to another, encouraging the believers and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. There were no healings; no casting out of demons; no resurrections; no walking on water; no extraordinary works in this passage but what we do find is powerful!

Paul was a man committed to the life of Jesus; not just in part, but completely. His answer to Jesus was “Yes, Lord!” He surrendered his whole life for Jesus. Everywhere he went, he shared the gospel, strengthened and encouraged the believers and he prayed for them. God even hooked him up with other passionate believers, Apollos being one, who loved Jesus. He was recognized as an educated and cultured man, powerful in the Scriptures, had accepted Jesus, and had been taught about the Lord. He was fearless in his preaching in the synagogue, but because he only knew about the baptism of John, and not of the Holy Spirit, he was open to hear more, when Priscilla and Aquila took him aside privately and revealed to him the ways of God more completely. Don’t you just love that they didn’t point out his lack of knowledge in the crowds, humiliating him, but gently taught him in private more of God stuff! AND Apollos received their teaching with grace.

Apollos was able to move on to another province, being recommended by the brothers in Ephesus so his ministry would be welcomed in the region. Because of his humility and openness to receive instruction from others, he was a tremendous help to the believers in that region and caused them to increase in grace.

When we submit our will to the work of the Holy Spirit, our selfish ambition for power and position is gone! Our fears disappear. We can love those who hate us. We can embrace the hardships of life that come our way. We can lay down our lives for the poor and the needy. We can live in our sufferings with joy. We don’t have to be offended when someone doesn’t agree with us. Easy? Absolutely not! But by God’s grace and our choice, may we remember to ask the Holy Spirit to come and join us, so that we can be and do all that God has created us to be and do!

Today let us pray, “ Come Holy Spirit and do a mighty work in each of us. May Your Kingdom fall upon us at The Vineyard Church in Arlington!”