Day 33: Everything is God’s Will

Acts 16, 17, 18

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen to you?  Whenever I’m in a rut, I used to wonder if I deserved it.  Now, I try to accept each and every thing (even if I may not understand it) as part of God’s plan for me and those around me.

Lately, I’ve been struggling with my faith.  I feel that the “honeymoon” feeling that I had in the beginning of this project has dwindled and I am now being tested.  I notice myself falling and growing weaker – spiritually and physically.  It makes me sad to realize that I am still so weak in my faith that the tests of faith are actually breaking me.  It’s such a blow, that I can’t even pray about it.

Through this, after reading Acts 16 – 18, I realize that the Paul (Saul) didn’t have it easy either. Through the unknown lands and people in disbelief, they proclaimed their faith in Christ.

⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. Acts 16:5

¹⁰After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10

Through heavy persecution (including stints in prison), they still maintained their faith in God.

²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:25-28

This should explain to all of us who proclaim that God is unknown to them.  After reading this, I’m reminded that it’s not God that needs us, it’s us that needs Him.  We try to fit Christ into our earthly lives and fail.

Dear Lord: As you know my heart, I am burdened by my inadequacies.  My hardened heart reads the words and what should be a sense of comfort, I am left defeated because I don’t feel it.  Let me trust in your promises.  Let me trust in Your will.  I ask that you soften my heart and open it, so that I may openly and freely obey Your words. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 32: God and the Gentiles

Acts 13, 14, 15

⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9

How powerful is that? Anyone who was confused in Barbaras & Paul’s preaching and baptizing Gentiles were immediately put to rest with this explanation.  What once was their blinders, has been opened!

¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:11

What are your thoughts to knowing that God knows your heart and that through His grace and his grace alone is what saved you? Are you proud of what’s in your heart?

Dear Lord, I can honestly admit that my heart is not beautiful.  I’m easily distracted from my relationship with the material possessions of this world.  As I remain in prayer and diligently nourish my soul and heart with your promises and your great news, my heart is still attacked.  Protect me from the ways of this world – so that I may rejoice and fully comprehend your great magnitude.  Thank you for your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.