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Acts 28:17-31 ESV  After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.  [18]  When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.  [19]  But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.  [20]  For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”  [21]  And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.  [22]  But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”  [23]  When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.  [24]  And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.  [25]  And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:  [26]  “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”  [27]  For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’  [28]  Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”  [30]  He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,  [31]  proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Christian faith is not blind, it’s based on evidence. The Word of God is proved and corroborated by history, archaeology and many other scientific disciplines. The resurrection of Jesus is a historically attested fact as is all of the Bible. When we see this we are faced with a choice to submit to the authority of all of the Bible, or to chose ourselves as the authorities in selecting what we believe to be His Word. One choice leads to love, joy, peace and eternal life, the other to a hopeless future.

Prolonged suffering is nobody’s desire. Nobody wants to be endure dark, cold, painful suffering. Nobody wants to be shipwrecked, we all want to be rescued. But what if the shipwreck is our rescue? Paul’s arrival in Malta ends weeks of suffering, but it also testifies to God’s grace and power. 275 people were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to know God and His goodness. That’s something far more valuable than a ship, it’s cargo and even the mortal lives of those on board. God can use shipwrecks to rescue us.

Paul’s voyage to Rome shows how Jesus Christ upholds the universe with His powerful Word. Storms are an apt metaphor for life. They can arise suddenly and can take us to the point of losing all hope, but they can do something else. Coming to the end of ourselves delivers us to the foot of the cross, where we can truly begin to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. This is a great gift and powerful liberation. The bumpier the road, the more obvious it becomes that Jesus is actually carrying us, not being a crutch.

We all long for freedom. So many things promise it, or some form or concept of it. But true freedom is not what it’s sold as. Freedom is not just being able to do what we want, more importantly, it’s the freedom of not having to do what we want. We don;t always want to do the right thing, or what is best for us and those we love. The compulsion to do what is bad for us and those around us is sin, and it’s consequence is ultimately death. The only freedom from this comes by faith in Christ Jesus and the subsequent work of the Holy Spirit of God. Paul’s time with some of the most powerful and popular leaders proves this irony and gives us, and those we get to share it with, a chance for real freedom.

Jesus died and was buried, delivered up for our trespasses.

Last week we looked at whether Jesus is the Servant who suffers in Isaiah’s prophecies, and what the implications are if He is. Do Isaiah’s predictions accurately match Jesus death? Does Isaiah explain why the promised Messiah and almighty Son of God had to die? It’s uncomfortable to look at why it was necessary, but when we do, it’s a deep blessing to know every detail of how God rescues us from our own wickedness.

On Palm Sunday we remember the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy and in so doing identified Himself as the Messiah. Some believed Him and some didn’t and there were profound implications. Today, almost 2800 years ago a prophet named Isaiah wrote about God’s chosen and suffering Servant. Since then many have argued for and against the identity of this Servant. Many say it’s a prophet or the nation of Israel, some that it’s a prophecy of Jesus of Nazareth. Does it matter who it is? What are he implications if it was written about Jesus more than 700 years before His birth? This Palm Sunday we start a series looking at the implications for our faith and for the hope of the world.

Human beings are designed by God to love Him and one another. Part of this design is that we crave love, joy and peace. These are only truly realised by faith in Jesus Christ and the subsequent work of His Holy Spirit living in us. Our relentless pursuit of these is usually distorted into chasing after substitutes rather than the real thing, and this pursuit is exhausting. Paul may be under trial, but it’s his judge and accusers who are most vulnerable and desperate for a peace that eludes them, Paul’s has passed from death to life and is free from condemnation, but they still stand accused under God’s law. We have so little time to find the peace that guarded Paul, and to make this peace known to the world that stands accused before our Holy God.

The easiest time to concede a goal is when you’ve just scored. We are most vulnerable immediately after great things happen. Have you ever noticed that we seem to be attacked after we do good things in the Lord? Paul’s experiences teach us to stop thinking like this, as if God responds when the enemy attacks. God doesn’t need to respond, He’s omniscient, nothing takes Him by surprise, He doesn’t need to respond because He’s initiated before He need to respond. God is always ahead, always working, He is with us before, through and after every dark valley.

The resurrection covers the death and rise of Jesus, and the subsequent hope that He will raise us after death. This is deeply offensive to those who refuse to be accountable to a moral authority - Who rules over life and thereafter. No matter how we package the resurrection, it will be refused or distorted by those who refuse to humble themselves before Jesus Christ. What are we to do about that? We must not be disheartened, Jesus shows us how deeply he cares for our imperfect efforts and how He uses our testimony.

The Bible describes meeting Jesus as a life changing experience. Putting our faith in Him and receiving His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit is said to so drastically alter us as to render us “reborn”. That implies that the old person dies and is replaced with a new one. Sadly though we’re more inclined to be content to hear the Gospel and to take comfort in it’s message of mercy, and less to embrace a full commitment to a drastically changed life. Paul’s defense to the crowd that wants to beat him to death, helps us understand the way Jesus changes those who genuinely follow Him.

It’s a rare and wonderful gift to be able to learn from the mistakes of others. When we can do so we are saved from the pain of making those mistakes ourselves. We can learn from the crowds that tried to murder Paul. They themselves were hurting, afraid and helpless and prone to further abuse. Jesus loved and taught many such crowds and He teaches us how to avoid the destruction of rage and find the peace that we call crave. If you’re longing for peace, come and listen.

Ever felt completely confused by a passage of Scripture? That's exactly where this message begins—with one of the most challenging passages in Acts. Paul has been preaching that we're saved by grace, not by keeping the law, so why does he suddenly participate in temple ceremonies? Has he abandoned his message, or have we completely misunderstood grace? Whether you're crushed by guilt or comfortable thinking you're "not that bad," this sermon will challenge how you understand God's grace and what it truly means to obey Him—not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and gratitude for what Jesus has already done.

We don’t like being told what to do, yet when making decisions, we often want all the facts first. Even then, knowing the facts does not always make the right choice clear. Sometimes, we still choose wrongly—or hesitate. The prophet Agabus revealed by the Spirit that Paul would be bound in Jerusalem. Hearing this, the disciples urged Paul not to go. From their perspective, the facts were clear: danger awaited him. But Paul, also led by the Spirit, declared he was ready even to die for the name of Jesus. The Spirit does not contradict Himself. Agabus and Paul both heard the same warning. The difference was in the response. The disciples interpreted it as a reason to stop. Paul understood it as preparation to obey—no matter the cost. We see this pattern throughout Paul’s life. In Damascus, Thessalonica, and Berea, he faced danger, sometimes escaping but always enduring. Ananias, too, obeyed despite fear when sent to help Paul (who was infamous for murdering Christians at the time). Paul was later imprisoned, yet from prison came some of his greatest letters—Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. God’s will is not always convenient—but it is always purposeful. Do we obey when His path is not what we wish to hear?

What will our lives mean when we lose them? What will we leave behind that’s of real value? The last will and testament of the most diligent, responsible and successful person, leaves only temporary goods to people to enjoy temporarily. If that’s important, how mush more important is an eternal legacy, one that serves people for all eternity? Paul’s life is an example of how God’s grace can leave a legacy through our lives, that will live on for ever.

Sometimes in the Scripture, as in life, we encounter strings of events which seem nothing more than meaningless diversions. We view them as irritations to overcome and put behind us so that we can carry on with what’s important to us. This passage of Acts is wrapped in exactly those kinds of events, but when you look closely and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, we find God’s purpose precisely timed and encoded in every detail. We need to ask God to direct our every move, trust Him to do so not matter the outcome, and continue to obey Him in the details.

Do we follow Jesus so that we can “get into heaven?” Sure, it’s part of it, but if we’re not careful this approach can lead us further away from Jesus and an eternity with Him. Idolatry isn’t defined by by the worship of statues. It’s defined by a transaction mentality, a desire to manipulate in order to gain. The Idolising business characterises every religion except for genuine Christian faith. What can we learn from Scot Adams heart wrenching statement and the contrast between Paul and Demetrius, to ensure that we stay on God’s path to eternity instead of trying to forge our own?

What are we here for, is everything a meaningless pursuit of survival and pleasure - or is there far more? As we look out at our plans for the new year, let’s learn from Scripture what makes us who we are, and what we’re supposed to do to understand and live out the purpose for which God created us. David’s life provides a great picture of what it means to be authentically ourselves and to live for God’s purpose.

The start of the new year gives us an opportunity to think about our lives and their purpose in God’s plan. We are not capable of doing anything new or worthwhile. Without God our existence is meaningless repetition of the same old stuff. The older we get the more we realise this. But God is a God of New Beginnings, and when we seek His will and purpose in our lives, we can look forward to a meaningful and fulfilling new year regardless of what it holds. The proof is in Scripture, in God’s blueprint for New Beginnings.

As we look toward 2026, we may find our minds crowded with ever-changing plans often leading to restless 3 a.m stints. as we try to control an uncertain future. Proverbs 19:21 invites us to discover the unshakeable peace of recognizing that while our human plans may fail or change, God’s singular purpose is firm and eternal. Rather than relying on self-belief, faith in Jesus Christ empowers us with the Holy Spirit to perform the true "work of God"—loving others with a genuine and fervent heart. Like Moses, our small, daily acts of honest obedience can align us with God’s purpose that we do not yet fully see. Join us as we learn to navigate the coming year aligning our will with God’s purpose by gratitude, constant prayer, and a commitment to serve, starting with the needs of those right here in our own Church community.

Is the 25th of December even Jesus’ birthday, is Christmas a pagan holiday? Should we rather celebrate the Jewish festivals of the Old Testament? These questions aren't new, and thankfully the Bible addresses them in one way or another, but whatever we think about Christmas, it remains a great opportunity to share our faith and be blessings to one another. It’s also an opportunity which is under constant threat whether by distraction or disruption. How can we make Christmas the Jesus centred celebration that it should be?

The Cornerstone of Christmas, why the Virgin Birth matters.

Monday: Following the King of the JewsReflecting on the Magi's diligent search for the newborn King, guided by a miraculous star and fulfilling ancient prophecies.Today's VerseSaying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2 ESVReflectionThe Magi were noble pilgrims from the east who followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem where they sought to pay homage to the infant Jesus as king of the Jews. They attracted the interest of King Herod I of Judea in Jerusalem by announcing His birth and asking where this child was. Although the Magi were not Jews, God revealed to them the significance of the Saviour’s birth, as well as where and when it would take place, demonstrating that God reveals truth to both the lowly and the very wise. These wise men traveled great distances with a large caravan, seeking Him to worship Him and offer Him gifts.Additional ScriptureNow after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1-12 ESVLife ApplicationConsider the diligence and long journey the Magi undertook to find and worship Jesus. Reflect on what effort you are putting into seeking Him and giving Him homage in your own life.Prayer pointsPray for a spirit of diligence in seeking Him daily.Pray for clarity and guidance in following the signs He gives you.Pray for the dedication to worship Him wholeheartedly.Tuesday: Recognizing the Light of the WorldUnderstanding how the coming of Jesus Christ was prophesied centuries in advance, detailing His glory and the reverence He would receive from the nations.Today's VerseArise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 ESVReflectionIncredible prophecy found in the Old Testament, recorded hundreds of years before His birth, describes the nations of the world recognizing Israel as the light of the world. This prophecy stated that the nations and kings would come to the brightness of His rising. Darkness shall cover the earth, but the Lord will rise upon His people, and His glory will be seen upon them. The wealth of the nations shall come, and camels shall come from Midian, Ephah, and Sheba, bringing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.Additional ScriptureFor behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. The camels of Midian and Ephah shall cover you, all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. Isaiah 60:2-6 ESVLife ApplicationBe amazed by how Scripture fulfills Scripture and how the detailed plans of God cannot be thwarted. Allow the incredible prophecy of Jesus's coming to increase your faith in His word.Prayer pointsPray for a heart that thrills and exults when reading and recognizing His glory.Pray that His light may shine through you in the darkness.Pray for deep appreciation for the fulfilment of prophecy in Jesus Christ.Wednesday: Dealing with Selfish OppositionReflecting on the reaction of King Herod, who took the news of the King of the Jews seriously, not out of faith, but out of selfish intent to oppose God's plan.Today's VerseSaying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2 ESVReflectionKing Herod, a puppet king set up by the Roman government, took the news of the birth of the King of the Jews very seriously. After learning the place of Jesus's birth from the priests and scribes, Herod gleaned from the Magi the precise date the star appeared as confirmation of biblical prophecy. Herod had subversive, malevolent plans to use this information to secure his own power. He rejected the prophecy and God's plan because he was too selfish. He intended to circumvent the birth of Jesus as the true King of the Jews, eventually committing infanticide against young male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in a vain attempt to kill the infant Jesus.Additional ScriptureSaying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2 ESVLife ApplicationRecognize that taking the truth of the Scripture seriously does not equate to accepting it. Guard your heart against selfishness that would lead you to reject the truths of God's word and oppose His sovereign plan for your life and the world.Prayer pointsPray for the humility to accept and submit to God's will, even when it challenges your power or comfort.Pray to cast aside selfish motives that lead to deliberate rejection of Him.Pray for the wisdom to discern between believing and merely taking His word seriously.Thursday: The Call to All Kings and PeoplesConsidering that God revealed the significance of His Son's birth to people of high status and wealth, indicating that His kingdom is for all people, great and small.Today's VerseMay all kings fall down before Him, all nations serve Him! Psalms 72:11 ESVReflectionThe revelation of the Saviour’s birth was given not only to the lowly shepherds but also to the Magi, who were wise men from the east and possibly kings in their own homes. These individuals were people of great wealth and power, suggesting they were esteemed astronomers. They came great distances with large retinues, bearing luxurious gifts. It is often believed that these Magi were a fulfillment of the prophecy that all kings would fall down before Him. This demonstrates that God's plan encompasses all people, from those engaged in menial tasks to those holding positions of great authority.Additional ScriptureMay all kings fall down before Him, all nations serve Him! Psalms 72:11 ESVLife ApplicationAcknowledge that Jesus Christ is King over all the earth and that His message of redemption is directed toward all nations and all classes of people. Commit to honoring Him with your status, wealth, and wisdom, just as the Magi did.Prayer pointsPray for the understanding that His salvation is available to all, regardless of status or wealth.Pray for the grace to serve Him alongside people from all walks of life.Pray that all nations will indeed fall down before Him.Friday: The Gift of Gold (His Kingship)Focusing on the significance of gold as a gift that symbolized Christ's earthly kingship and provided practical aid to the Holy Family.Today's VerseThey shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. Isaiah 60:6 ESVReflectionGold was one of the three gifts brought by the wise men, and it was particularly significant because it symbolizes kingship on earth. Gold has always maintained its value, representing wealth and prosperity. This gift would have been incredibly useful to Mary and Joseph when they had to flee with Jesus to Egypt, providing necessary wealth for their journey and sustainment during that difficult time. The gold brought to the manger was an acknowledgment of Him as the newborn King, the wealth provided to Him by the nations.Additional ScriptureThe wealth of the nations shall come to you. Isaiah 60:5 ESVLife ApplicationRemember that everything you possess is ultimately for His service. Consider how you can use the wealth and resources God has given you to honor His kingship and further His divine plan.Prayer pointsPray for a commitment to recognizing Jesus Christ as the supreme King of your life.Pray for wisdom in using your resources to support His kingdom.Pray for generosity in sharing your wealth and possessions.Saturday: The Gift of Frankincense (His Deity)Examining the significance of frankincense, an expensive item used for religious purposes, signifying the divine nature of Jesus Christ.Today's VerseThey shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. Isaiah 60:6 ESVReflectionFrankincense was an expensive perfume or incense, similar to the nard used to wash His feet later in His life. This luxurious gift served as a clear symbol of deity. This gift illustrates that He is not merely a king, but He is God, the Son of God. The gifts offered by the Magi illuminate the different aspects of Christ’s identity, confirming that He is Christ the King and Christ the God, revealing His magnificent grace.Additional ScriptureThey shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. Isaiah 60:6 ESVLife ApplicationSince He is God, He is worthy of your absolute adoration and worship. Do not let familiarity or distraction cause you to forget that the infant in the manger was fully God, deserving of the most expensive and symbolic offerings.Prayer pointsPray that you may worship Him daily, acknowledging His deity.Pray for a spirit of adoration and praise for His magnificence and grace.Pray that you may offer Him the best of your life as a spiritual sacrifice.Sunday: The Gift of Myrrh (His Sacrifice)Contemplating the meaning of myrrh, a gift that grimly foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice Jesus Christ would make for humanity.Today's VerseAnd they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. Mark 15:23 ESVReflectionThe final gift brought by the wise men, myrrh, was used in ancient Egypt in the embalming process. This gift marked a pivotal and important foreshadowing of Jesus' death. Years later, He was offered wine mixed with myrrh before His crucifixion to help numb the excruciating pain He was enduring. Myrrh was also used in oil for anointing kings, signifying that the Magi came looking for the King of the Jews. The presence of this gift makes clear that Christ died so that we may live with Him in eternity, recognizing His incredible sacrifice.Additional ScriptureMay all kings fall down before Him, all nations serve Him! Psalms 72:11 ESVLife ApplicationPonder the profound significance of this gift, which pointed beyond the cradle to the cross. Live your life in gratitude for the supreme sacrifice He made to redeem you from your sins.Prayer pointsPray that you may never forget the incredible sacrifice He made on the cross.Pray for the strength to live a life worthy of the grace He has given you through His death and resurrection.Pray for thankfulness for the redemption He brought you.

As Christmas approaches, we have many things on our minds. Even when thinking about Jesus and His birth, Mary and Joseph and the shepherds and angels can be a distraction. We can fall into a dangerous trap when we focus too much on people like Mary, but we can also learn a great deal from her, as we can from others in Scripture. Mary did something wonderful and powerful and very useful in the way that she treasured the works of God and pondered them deeply. We may not have the same blessed experiences as she did, but we can gain deep blessing from our own experiences of God by responding in a similar way. Such a response yield great blessing now and for eternity.

Scripture ReadingPsalms 23:1-6 ESV  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  [2]  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  [3]  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  [4]  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  [5]  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  [6]  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.Daily DevotionsMonday: Recognizing the Identity of the Good ShepherdToday's Verse: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for His sheep. (John 10:11)Reflection Jesus is the Good Shepherd who willingly gives His life for His sheep. He is the one who provides the necessary guidance in our lives. He is known by the Hebrew name Yahweh Raah, which means God is my shepherd. The responsibility of a shepherd is high; it concerns the well-being and livelihood of the flock. We must look to Him as the one who fulfills that vital, guiding role for us.Life Application Acknowledge that He is the one who watches over your well-being and livelihood. Trust in the guidance He provides daily, knowing that He is your personal Shepherd.Prayer pointsPray to recognize Him as my Shepherd, Yahweh Raah.Pray for help in trusting His guidance and following Him.Tuesday: Finding Provision and Satisfaction in HimToday's Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:1)Reflection He provides lavishly for His people. The shepherd feeds His people in peaceful green pastures. He refreshes and cools them with water from a quiet stream. He provides so well that His people lack nothing and are completely satisfied. This profound satisfaction comes because His people know Him and call Him their shepherd, and He knows them too.Life Application Be satisfied with His provision and remember that He cares for us lavishly, not only in eternity but while we are here. Seek to know Him well, just as He knows us. Be open to receiving His lavish love.Prayer pointsPray for a deepened relationship so I may know Him well.Pray for trust in His provision, believing that I shall not want.Pray for an open heart to receive His love daily.Wednesday: Reflecting on the Humility of the SaviorToday's Verse: For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)Reflection God chose to share the glory of Christ’s birth with humble shepherds. These were men tending their sheep in the field at night, engaged in a highly responsible task. When an angel appeared, they were overwhelmed with great fear, but the angel brought good news of great joy for all people, not just a select few. Jesus is the essence of humility in His coming, moving from the shepherds in the field to a humble stable and humble parents. He is the Savior, Christ the Lord, in the heritage line of David.Additional ScriptureAnd in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8)And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (Luke 2:9)Life Application Remember that God values the humble, choosing to show His glory to the lowly shepherds. Testify to what has been witnessed concerning Jesus. Treasure the things He reveals, pondering them in your heart.Prayer pointsPray for a humble heart, recognizing His glory.Pray for the opportunity and courage to testify to others about Him.Thursday: The Necessity of Restoration and RepentanceToday's Verse: He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)Reflection We need the Shepherd to restore our soul because it is the nature of the sheep to wander away from the safety of the fold and into the wilderness of sin. Like lost sheep, we have gone astray, turning everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid our iniquity upon Him. Only He can restore our souls from the ravages of sin and make us right with God again. The restoration He gives is the forgiveness of sin and peace with God. Repentance, which means we stop going our own way and return to the Shepherd, coupled with faith, is required to be restored.Additional ScriptureFor you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)Life Application Stop going your own way and return to the Shepherd. Ask Jesus to restore your soul, believing that He died for your sins and rose again to give new life.Prayer pointsPray to repent of sin and stop wandering.Pray for faith in His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.Friday: Following the Paths of RighteousnessToday's Verse: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)Reflection We walk in the paths of righteousness by following Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This righteous leading is done for His glory, not ours. It is by Christ’s death that we are saved, but it is His resurrection that enables us to walk righteously. He offers salvation to all, but only those who believe He died for them will be saved. His sheep hear His voice, and He knows them, and they follow Him; He gives them eternal life, and no one shall snatch them out of His hand.Additional ScriptureYou do not believe because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:26-28)Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)Life Application Actively listen for His voice and follow His guidance. Remember that true righteous walking is accomplished through His power, made possible by His resurrection. Never cease to pray for those who reject His word.Prayer pointsPray for the grace to walk in paths that bring Him glory.Pray for His resurrection power to work in you to do His will.Pray for those in difficulty who struggle and reject His guidance.Saturday: Assurance in the Valley of DeathToday's Verse: Yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)Reflection This psalm describes the process we go through in our walk with the Lord. We find assurance when facing death by making this journey with the Shepherd, because He knows the way. He is the only one who has journeyed through death and emerged victorious, having conquered sin, hell, and the grave. He will personally lead His sheep home. His rod and His staff symbolize His presence and they are the source of comfort.Life Application Do not be afraid of death if you know the Shepherd, because He will take you home. Trust Him as the indispensable guide who knows the way on this journey. Have the confidence to say that even when leaving this life, you will be more alive than you are now.Prayer pointsPray for assurance and lack of fear when facing difficult processes in life.Pray to feel His comforting presence (His rod and staff) during times of darkness.Pray for the assurance that He will lead you home.Sunday: Anticipating the Eternal HomeToday's Verse: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)Reflection Those who belong to the Good Shepherd receive a lavish welcome when they arrive home. He prepares a table before His people, which speaks of feasting and fellowship that will continue forever and ever. God's sheep will never again leave His house. Goodness and mercy follow them all their lives, and they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The promise of God’s provision, sins forgiven, a constant companion, and a home in heaven only applies to those who know Him. This is the triumph and coronation day for those who are His.Life Application Receive His love now, knowing that He lavishes it on you even here. Anticipate the eternal fellowship and feasting in His house. Ensure you know the Good Shepherd personally so that you can dwell with Him forever.Prayer pointsPray to be open to receiving His lavish love every day.Pray that I may know Him truly as my Shepherd, securing the hope of dwelling in His house forever.Pray that I may find hope and assurance for my loved ones as well.

The Name of Jesus is powerful beyond our understanding, but it’s not a magic word or incantation. God works powerfully through His children who rely on the grace and authority of Jesus Christ. God exercises the power of Jesus Christ through us when we confess our sin, humble ourselves and trust completely in Him rather than our own strength or that of anything else. Evil seems to triumph in the world, but remember Jesus Christ has already overcome the world, our sin and the enemy. Jesus wins, always and forever.

We find a curious situation in Ephesus that leads to questions on the Holy Spirit and His gifts like speaking in tongues. many different understanding are out there around these questions but the most important question is, have we received the Holy Spirit and are we being filled with the Holy Spirit with power to be witnesses?

The Church is called the bride of Jesus. A successful marriage is built on teamwork, and the Church needs to be reminded of this all the time. Sometimes when we’re doing the work of God, we can get focused on the outcome and not on Jesus Himself. Watching the team at work through the first century Church can help us to remember to put Jesus first, to trust Him for everything, and to give Him the Glory. God can achieve any outcome any time. Our focus needs to be on trusting and obeying Him regardless of the outcome.

Paul was more like us than we realise. He also got tired and despondent, he could only do the extraordinary things he did because of the love and power of Jesus Christ. When we reach the same lows as he did, we can be encouraged and strengthened in our faith that Jesus will supply our needs and raise us up to complete His purpose for us.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Paul encountered intelligent, educated people who considered themselves wise, cultured and sophisticated, but still believed nonsense about our inexistence, value and purpose because they believed that they made gods rather than that God made us. in 2000 years nothing has changed we still encounter people like this every day. Paul teaches us how to reach them with the truth, and give them every opportunity to know the One true God Who made us to know, love and worship Him.

The Bereans are people that we only hear of once or twice in the Bible - but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a lot from them. They received God’s Word the right way, and they responded to Him the right way. God’s plans are timeless and perfect, and we need to decide to join His plans and be part of His glorious work, or miss out on the opportunity of an eternal lifetime. There’s no time like the present to get involved.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a massive blessing, and it carries with it a great responsibility to make disciples as we journey in our faith. Making disciples can be hard and thankless, it can become discouraging. Paul and Silas give us great insight into the way to deal with the challenges, of making disciples by praying for and being obedient to the strategic wisdom of Jesus Christ and trusting in Him to build His Church.

The Church is being attacked from outside and within. It always has been. How do you feel about the rampant evil that surrounds us, and the way it infiltrates the church? We should be aware of this, but never be disheartened and distracted from continuing the work of God to the very end. In the end He always wins. We can see His victory in Philippi, even though it looked like a loss, and we will see the same in our lives if we keep trusting, obeying and seeing things from Jesus’ perspective.

When big choice are before us, we naturally want to know what God wants us to do. But how? Too often we are preoccupied with the desire to be in control and have perfect knowledge before making a decision. Faith does not operate like this. Learning to keep going in trust and obedience until God changes our path is difficult but deeply rewarding in our journey with the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul Silas and Timothy show us how, and encourage us to keep going.

When we last look at Acts we saw the way that God uses all kinds of people, and their strengths and weaknesses, without giving up on them, to achieve His purposes. This passage introduces a very active and gifted person called Timothy. Timothy was effective because he had a knowledge of Scripture, the gift of the Holy Spirit and access to the communities that God sent him to reach. We all have access to a communities that need the Gospel. They may be age, culture or otherwise defined, who are particularly equipped to help access God’s Kingdom?

The news this week, like any week, can leave us in a distracted and anxious frame of mind. The more you hear about the events of this world and our human reaction to them and attempt to make sense of them, the more you realise how scarce truth is. We need truth - we crave it - but how can we know it, when even the Bible gets distorted and abused by unreliable human influence. The Scripture shows us what it is and how to study it, when we do what it teaches us, we have truth, love, joy and peace.

Why do Christians break bread and drink the blood of grapes? Our answer would probably be simply “to remember Jesus”. It’s good to ask questions about the Lord’s Table, but the Table also answers our deepest questions about suffering, life and death, good and evil, justice and mercy. The deeper we meditate on the Table the more our eyes are opened to the beauty and Truth of the Gospel.

From Acts we’ve seen that the Church, under the leadership of the Apostles fasted and prayed together at certain critical junctions, especially when selecting or sending out workers for Jesus Christ. Should we still fast, why and when?

Have you ever felt “out of your depth” and wanted to, or decided to quit? We know Jesus felt like this in the garden of Gethsemane - just before His arrest - but we also know that He never quit, and that He was strengthened by our Heavenly Father and empowered throughout His suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus never quits. He calls us to draw on His strength so that we will never quit and gives us great examples of perseverance and second chances, when even people like Paul give up on us.

When difficult things happen, things that test our faith, we can be sure that God can use them to actually strengthen our faith and the faith of others. It can take much time and painful effort, but God gives us three things to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones. See how God uses the Scriptures, Signs and wonders and the testimony of the Saints to turn serious stumbling blocks into faith strengthening blessings, even when we don’t realise that we need them.

Our mission is to make disciples of all nations, that means setting them free from sin and it’s consequences by sharing the Gospel and our testimony of what Jesus Christ has done for us. When anything, especially false teaching, threatens that mission we should be quick to deal with it, not getting distracted from our mission and not allowing it to rob us or others of our joy. We should draw together under the authority of the Church, be lead by the Scripture and the Holy Spirit and trust that God has already seen the problem coming and has a solution.

We can see a pattern of people humbling presenting themselves for service and asking God to send them out to make disciples. It starts with the prayer and worship of the Church and then follows with the obedience of those sent out to preach and minister His grace. Persecution seeks to interfere with the process but only serves to strengthen it. The process continues with new leaders being appointed and the cycle repeating. The Church is meant to grow and keep growing under this pattern, but always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How is our part of the Church growing, are we following the patter and the Holy Spirit?

The attempted murder of Paul shows us that evil is present, determined and relentless. Christians who want to serve Jesus will suffer. God’s Spirit in us is more powerful than all the enemy put together. We will be knocked down, but God can pick us up and keep us going. In order to be strengthened in our work for Him we need to understand that we’re not alone, that He has a purpose for us and that He will fulfil His promises to us. This will help us to rise up when we are knocked down and keep us going through the challenges of living out our faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul saw something in the way a crippled man was listening to the Gospel as he preached it. This set the man apart from the crowd, who could hear him speaking but didn’t believe. Thinking about the contrast between the two can help us to focus on what real faith in Jesus Christ is, and to appreciate it’s immeasurable power to save. See how he listens to learn not confirm, how he trusts in God not man and how he gives God the glory not man. Who are we like, the cripple or the crowd?

The way that people react to us sharing our faith will differ. Some will reject it strongly and even attack us, but that shouldn’t determine when we move on and when we persevere. A close reliance on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit will help us to see great wonders done to save people, just like Paul and Barnabus did in a place called Iconium.

While God brings judgement on Israel’s disobedience and rebellion, He continually recovers them in His grace and mercy. The preaching of the Gospel first to the Jews, who widely reject it, is never wasted. God’s plans do not just survive the attacks of the enemy and the rejection and rebellion of people, they are more firmly established by them. From the rejection of Israel in the time of Moses, the murder of Jesus, the jealousy of the Jews at the power of the Gospel, their rejection of it, all the way to their subsequent jealousy of the gentiles who received it. God uses it all to establish His unbreakable eternal plans.

We are constantly being called to go out and share the Gospel. It’s God’s power and plan to bring humankind to repentance and to faith and relationship with Him. There is spirtual and physical opposition to this which can become frightening and demoralising. Faith in God and His irresistable power, delivered through the Gospel of Jesus, overcomes this opposition and brings astonishement, love, joy and peace to those who God is calling.

In Acts 13 we read about the next phase of the growth and expansion of the Church to every corner of the globe. It is the start of Paul’s first journey through many cities, preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. In the first three verses we are given a formula for being the kind of Church that grows and does the will of God. Do we want to be a Church that is in maintenance mode and dying, or a Church which is faithful, obedient, committed and growing?

Herod like many before and after him tried to destroy the Church. After being humbled by the miraculous deliverance of Peter he continued to oppose Jesus, and hold himself up to being some kind of god. The following events in Acts contrast Herod with Jesus, and show how all attempts at destroying the Church, the bride of Christ, only succeed in glorifying Jesus Christ and building up His Church. We can grow our faith in Christ by learning from these events and trusting that Jesus Christ is still in control and still using all the attacks against Him and His Church, to grow her and bring Glory where it is due. To God alone.