Devotionals

So much for Paul. How about you? Fast forward to the 21st century. Are you afflicted and burdened excessively? Do you feel as if you're under such intense pressure these days that you, too, are close to despair? I have some surprising news: you're exactly where God wants you to be. It took all these years to get you this low, this needy. Now, look up!

We'd rather admire Paul for his strength in trials. We want to applaud his fierce determination against vicious persecution. If the man were alive today, he would not tolerate our congratulations. "No, no, no. You don't understand. I'm not strong. The One who pours His power into me is strong. My strength comes from my weakness." That's no false modesty. Paul would tell us, "Strength comes from embracing weakness and boasting in that." It is that kind of response that brings divine strength and allows it to spring into action.

Paul pressed ahead through a mind-boggling series of intense hardships.“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I have more claim to this title than they. I have worked harder than any of them. I have served more prison sentences! I have been beaten times without number. I have faced death again and again. I have been beaten the regulation 39 stripes by the Jews five times. I have been beaten with rods three times. I have been stoned once. I have been shipwrecked three times.

Read Acts 18:1-17; 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

PAULPaul viewed whatever happened to him through the eyes of faith. That remarkable trait allows him to be numbered among giants of the faith like Moses, who, according to Hebrews 11, "left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen" (11:27). Like Moses, Paul endured the hard times by focusing on the eternal. He used his trials as reminders to focus on things not seen. When your heart is right, you can do that.

Read Acts 17:10-34

PAUL

If you are responsible for communicating biblical truth, consider yourself a preacher (at least for the now) — you are a communicator of God's Word. If that describes you, these next four principles are especially for you. Pay close attention, read thoughtfully, and carefully, as I apply this to whatever may be your ministry.

Read Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

PAUL

What is it going to take to convince us that the last will be first and the first will be last? For some, it will take a lifetime, for others only a few semesters in seminary.

Read Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-11

PAUL

Good leaders are enthusiastically affirming. Again, Paul writes, "You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children" (1 Thessalonians2:10-11). He started with a mother tenderly caring for her children. Now we see a father encouraging and exhorting his kids.

Read Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

PAUL

Good leaders have affection for people. Paul writes, "Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God...” (1Thessalonians 2:8). Is that great, or what? Paul didn't shrink from sharing his emotions with his flock. That strong man, an apostle of Christ, looking back on the Thessalonians said, "Oh, what an affection I had for you. How dear you were to me." Those are affectionate words of intimacy.

Read Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

PAUL

Good leaders are sensitive to the needs of others. Paul compared his ministry toa mother who tenderly cares for the needs of her children. I love that word picture. I watched my wife nursing our children when they were tiny, without giving one thought to her own needs. It has been my joy as well to witness my grown daughters caring for our grandchildren too. It's a precious sight to behold.

Read Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

PAUL