The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 17:18 (NLT)
18 It's poor judgment to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for a friend.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Acts 13:13-15 (HCSB)
13 Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and went back to Jerusalem.
14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.
15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent [word] to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any message of encouragement for the people, you can speak."
My observation:
In our focal passage from Acts, in today's reading we see Paul and his associates going into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.
Paul's calling was to go to the Gentiles. However, he still had a love and compassion for his own people. It should not surprise us to see him going to the synagogue. He revealed his heart in this letter.
Romans 9:1-3 (HCSB)
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit—
2 that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.
3 For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.
Romans 10:1 (HCSB)
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation!
O that our desire and prayer might be for the salvation of our family, friends, and our neighbors both near and far. God has the world on his heart, and so should we. Is there a soul on your heart today? Then, pray for that person, and as the Spirit of God leads, speak to them.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you would give me and all of your people a heart for the lost. Father God, may your concern be expressed as our concern. Lord, may the prayers from our hearts and our lips be for their salvation.
Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and may I respond by loving them, and praying to you for their salvation. Amen.
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8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
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