FRIDAY - JULY 10

Read. Acts 9:23-31
23 After this had gone on for some time, the Jews hatched a plot to kill Saul. 24 However, he found out about their scheme. They were keeping watch at the city gates around the clock so they could assassinate him. 25 But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.

26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really a disciple. 27 Then Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and told them the story about how Saul saw the Lord on the way and that the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them about the confidence with which Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus.28 After this, Saul moved freely among the disciples in Jerusalem and was speaking with confidence in the name of the Lord. 29 He got into debates with the Greek-speaking Jews as well, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the family of believers learned about this, they escorted him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. God strengthened the church, and its life was marked by reverence for the Lord. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow in numbers.

Reflect. Saul went to Damascus to arrest and, possibly, kill Christians. Now the Jews of the city seek to arrest and kill Saul for the same thing. The great persecutor has become the persecuted because of the faith of Jesus. 

• Imagine yourself in the position of the disciples in Jerusalem. You know who Saul is. You remember that he was around when Stephen was killed. You know that he left Jerusalem looking to arrest more Christians. For all you know, he is coming back to insert himself into your community as a spy. Maybe he has come back to Jerusalem for one more mission to put an end to the Christian community in Jerusalem once and for all. However, one of your brothers in faith, Barnabas vouches for Saul, and you accept him. 
• What are you thinking during this time? What doubts and worries are creeping in? What are you thinking as Barnabas is telling you about Saul? Do you believe him? What does it take for you to believe? When you finally believe, what does this do to your faith in God? When you see Saul preach and, eventually, run out of Jerusalem, what are you thinking? As you reflect on this whole encounter, how have you seen God work? 

Pray. Lord, you made the impossible possible in your early church. Bring this revival again in my heart and in the hearts of Christians around the world. Amen. 

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Terry Kibler. Carolyn Harlow. Jeremy. Jeff Green. Lyric. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families.