Tuesday, June 4 - Acts 13

v. 1.   Manean.   God called men from all walks of life and from all types of experiences.  Here is a man who grew up with the civil Roman leader, Herod the Tetrarch.  One wonders if this man had any influence upon the authorities 

Even today God contiues to bless the church with people from all backgrounds.  The backgrounds bring unique gifts and talents with which to serve the Lord.  What is your talent?  How can God use you to serve His kingdom?

v. 3.  fasted and prayed.  The practice of fasting, so as to dedicate oneself to the study of God's Word and prayer, has largly fallen out of use today.  The hunger a person felt was intended to make one realize his reliance upon God's grace for all things.

Have you ever fasted, perhaps for a special physical exam or for some other reason?  Did it help or hurt your focus?  How might spiritual fasting benefit you?

v.4   in the synagogues.   The disciples specifically begin their ministry in each city by going first to the Jews.

v. 7.  Sergius Paulus.  This proconsul is surrounded by two who seem positioned by the Tempter to lead him astray:   Bar-Jesus, a false prophet and sorcerer, and Elymas, another sorcerer.  God's power is displayed through Paul and Barnabas, and Elymas is made blind.  Interesting that God uses the same act which He did with Saul/Paul as a tool to help Elymas recognize his misunderstandings.

In today's world we sometimes are faced with leaders who seem surrounded by the Tempters advisors.  It is important to remember to pray for our leaders so that God would open their eyes from any deception and help them be faithful servants.  God is always more powerful than the devils henchmen, but sometimes He permits them to roam.

v. 14  Pisidian Antioch.    Again they begin in the synagogue.  Paul reiterates Old Testament history and shows how the promises are fulfilled in Jesus.  He especially keys in on King David and celebrates Jesus as the Savior and King who was even greater than King David because He did not see decay and was raised from the dead.

v. 42.  Paul and Barnabas are invited back to speak further.  But some of the Jews became jealous of the crowds that gathered and spoke against them.  This leads the apostles to declare that their message is also for the Gentiles.  This pleases the Gentiles, but seems to anger some of the Jews further.  Soon, persecution erupts and Paul and Barnabas are driven from the region. 

Jealousy too is often a tool of the Devil.  He loves to work on our pride so that we resent those who seem more successful, intelligent, or capable than us.  We must always watch out for the seeds of jealousy in our lives that we not be deceived.