May 2016 – The Listening Plan

Acts 19

May 31, 2016

Devotional

And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

– Acts 19:10

Faithfulness in the face of opposition. Though he was opposed by unbelievers who spoke evil of the Gospel, Paul remained faithful. As a result, the word of God spread and the Church of God multiplied.

Where there are great and effective doors, there are always many adversaries.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 18

May 30, 2016

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Devotional

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

– Acts 18:9-10

Before there was much of a church at Corinth, God knew who His people were in the city. God knows what we can not know and sees what we could never see. It’s good to be reminded that God knows what He is doing, even though I likely do not.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 17

May 27, 2016

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Devotional

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
“for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

– Acts 17:22-23

Observe the culture around you and consider whether there are inroads and onramps for the gospel in the everyday things people think and believe. Look for open doors and make the most of every opportunity.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 16

May 26, 2016

Click For Today’s Audio

Devotional

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

– Acts 16:6-10

I don’t normally highlight such a large passage, but I can’t help but do so here in Acts 16 as this presents one of the most beautiful pictures of God’s direction and guidance. We are not told how, or why God forbade Paul and his co-laboreres from preaching in Asia, or why he would not permit them to move into Bithynia. But moving in the only direction available to them they waited at Troas until God revealed the next step.

Don’t be afraid to wait on God if doors seem to be closed all around you. I’ve never met anyone who suffered greatly by waiting on God. But I’ve met more than a few who regret moving forward to quickly without Him.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 15

May 25, 2016

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Devotional

“So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”

– Acts 15:8-9

Acts 15 presents what is referred to as the “Jerusalem Council.” The Gospel had begun to move with great speed to “the uttermost parts”; just as Jesus had foretold (Acts 1:8). As it did, God began to move in the same way, by His Spirit, as He had when the gospel began to be preached at Jerusalem (Acts 2). The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Praise God for His great grace!

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 14

May 24, 2016

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Devotional

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

– Acts 14:19

This is why it’s important to be called and not self-appointed to the work of the ministry (see yesterday’s post for context). One of the reasons, at least!

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 13

May 23, 2016

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Devotional

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

– Acts 13:2

The work of the ministry is work, like many other forms of work. But it’s also a calling. God calls and appoints individuals to the work of the ministry. Which means, ministers don’t appoint themselves. Sure, there have been people that have set out to do the work with out the calling, but at some point it becomes evident that such individuals were not called of God to the task.

He who desires the position, desires a good thing (1 Timothy 3:1). But make sure that good thing is God’s thing for you!

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 12

May 20, 2016

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Devotional

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

— Acts 12:24

The persecution continued… but so id the growth of God’s church as His Word grew and was multiplied. Now, 20 centuries later, the church continues to grow and move forward, even in the face of continuing persecution.

The gates of hell will not prevail against His church!

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Books on the Gospels

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim

Acts 11

May 19, 2016

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Devotional

“If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

— Acts 11:17-18

Being 2,000 years removed, and equally distant culturally, it is hard for us to grasp the weight of this mini counsel after the move of God among the first Gentile Christians. I imagine that the silence among these Jewish hearers of Peter’s testimony was long and pronounced. But ultimately a joy and rejoicing in the grace of God broke out.

It is essential that we remember this, as God still desires to bring many more who are far from Him near by repentance to life in our day.