NOV 12

Acts 28:31
Memorise Acts 28:31
“…we are Christians and our preoccupation, our passion, should be the Lord Jesus Christ…”

 The deeds of the Apostles recorded in the book of Acts are many and varied. Some are miraculous like the many works of healing performed by the Apostles. Some are difficult yet courageous like the persecution they endured. All were done in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission and for one singular purpose – to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The last verse in Acts (Acts 28:31) sums up the book nicely and spurs us to follow in the footsteps of the Apostles. It concludes how the Book of Acts shows how the New Testament Church is an ensample to our churches of today. Our motive should be, as Paul’s was for those “two whole years in his own hired house” (Acts 28:30), to “[preach] the kingdom of God, and [teach] those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding [us]”.

We are Christians and our preoccupation, our passion, should be the Lord Jesus Christ. Wherever God places us, to whomever God connects us with, we should proclaim His name and His Gospel. If we purpose in our hearts that this should be our goal in all things, it will direct our decisions in life and protect us from becoming worldly in our pursuits. Acts 28:31 also describes how we should proclaim the Gospel. We should do it “with all confidence”, knowing that we speak the Truth and that it is God’s Spirit who converts the souls of those we evangelise to. We should also not allow any man to forbid us in our preaching of the Gospel, meaning that the fear of Man or how people perceive us should not hinder us from courageously declaring His Word.

Dear Teen, can you make Acts 28:31 your motive for your actions and decisions in life? Or are you still pursuing worldly goals? If you desire to make Acts 28:31 your motive in life, do you then lack the confidence or is the fear of Man forbidding you? Are you afraid that your friends may reject you if you appear too “religious” or take a stand against ungodly views or practices? Remember Acts 1:8 which we read in the previous devotion. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit who lives within each and every one of us will enable and empower us to do His will for His glory.

Thought: Examine your motives for your actions everyday in light of Acts 28:31.
Prayer: Lord, grant me courage to proclaim Thy Gospel.