Day 40: Acts 28

The people of Malta were kind and gave Paul, and the others, clothes and fires to keep them warm from the rain. A viper came into the fire to keep warm and bit Paul, attaching itself to his arm. Paul shook the snake off. The people expected him to die but he suffered no effects. Thus, the people thought he was a god. When a leader of the Maltese people’s father was sick, Paul prayed for him and healed him. So, people all over the island began bringing their sick to Paul and he healed them.
Then they boarded a ship that had “the twin brother’s image” on its bow for Rome. The twin brothers were a symbol of the city of Rome. Paul arrived in Rome and was allowed to be free of his chains with one guard guarding him. He went to the Jewish brothers and spoke about the new sect of Christianity to them and what God had done in the world. There was already a group of disciples there, but they were spoken against and persecuted frequently. Paul was allowed to rent his own house and teach freely for two years while awaiting trial. Paul spoke about the Kingdom of God and large numbers of people were coming to hear him speak. Some believed, but others were closed minded as the prophet Isaiah had prophesied. For two years, Paul was unhindered in preaching the Gospel, despite having the charges over his head.
God does not waste a moment in our lives. Whether Paul was in prison, in danger, on land, in the sea, in a home, or out in a large gathering God used him every moment. Paul knew that God had sent him to the gentiles, but he always went first to his own brothers in the Jewish faith and gave them an opportunity. Paul knew God had a plan for His life, but he could not see everything, so he looked for God’s direction moment by moment. Sometimes that meant going places he would not ordinarily go. Sometimes that meant relying on others. But always he looked to God. Paul was not perfect, but even in his imperfections God used those moments to teach him and multiply his efforts.
Luke ends the second of his two letters here. What we get is a good look at the life of Jesus and the early Church. Ask yourself what does the risen Jesus want me to do? How does the Holy Spirit want me to do it? What is the Church's role in all of this? How should the Church function? Jesus prayed that we all be one even as He and the Father are one, that we be in Him and Him in us. So how does this all work together? What do I need to have God change in me to partner with His kingdom purpose in my life? Who do I need in my life that can help me along God’s path?
The Church exists today. Sometimes it does not look like the church of that day. Sometimes it's not even Godly. But it is made up of imperfect people that God loves and wants to lead. Within the church there are those who have submitted to the rule and reign of God in their lives. The Kingdom of God, just as prophesied, has not fallen in 2000 years, nor will it ever fall. Christ reigns supreme forever. His Church is unstoppable.