This is the third post in the study, The Power of the Word. The early believers continued to bring powerful lessons, reminding us that every inch of our stories matter:

• We must be flexible in order to be effective. In Acts 21:15-26, we found Paul in Jerusalem where there are some who are upset with him. They spread rumors about Paul and his teaching. Paul complied with requests in order to continue preaching the Gospel, and to demonstrate he was a devout observer of the Law. This served to strengthen his credibility. The authors of the study beautifully pointed out that Paul was flexible. Motivated by his love of Jesus and the people, he did what was needed to serve others in love. “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some”
  (1 Corinthians 9:22, NIV).
• We must remove ourselves from the chaos and seek God. The commander couldn’t find out the truth because of the uproar and confusion. He had Paul moved to the fortress, in an effort to speak quietly with Paul. Same is true for us … sometimes when life is causing an uproar and confusion, we cannot hear the Truth over the noise and clamor. May we remove ourselves to the one true Fortress for protection. It is in His shelter we will find the Truth and all we need in those times.
• Not every hardship should be viewed through the lens of “bad”. Instead of letting the angry crowd upset him, Paul asks to speak to the crowd. Paul saw opportunity instead of opposition. The crowd was yelling to kill him, yet Paul did not allow their screams to cause him panic. He saw opportunity to present his case calmly, giving his testimony in a way they could understand (Acts 21:40).
• Our testimonies matter. The Lord spoke to Saul/Paul individually and personally. It was a message specifically for him (Acts 22:7). Those with him knew something was happening but could not understand what was being said (verse 9). Saul/Paul’s response was an immediate change. When God speaks, we must respond to either accept His message or reject it. Saul/Paul was chosen by God, to be a witness before he knew the Lord or the Gospel (verses 14-15). Sometimes we are called and know we are called but God has yet to reveal His will to us. An encounter with Jesus will change us. We will not be left the same. God may call us to something that those around us may not be able to understand. Follow Jesus anyway.
• Our individuality matters. As you read Acts 22: 22-29, this turn of events may seem a bit odd to us. The crowd had been intently listening to Paul until … “Paul said that word” (verse 22). What was the word you may ask? Gentiles. And then the crowd bursts out again. Their response was that of perceived blasphemy. They were outraged at the mere thought of the inclusion of Gentiles. Paul is brought inside to be lashed with whips in the hopes of getting him to confess to his “crime” until it is discovered that Paul is not only a Roman citizen, but a Roman citizen by birth. This was of importance because Roman citizenship could be purchased at a high price. It was Paul’s family of origin that saved him that day. Had it been any other disciple, they may have been whipped for it would have been legal. Our upbringing, our families, the places we have lived and journeyed are important. God has designed the details of our lives for the very purposes He has called us. It can be hard to be grateful for the painful circumstances in your life and yet, those have played just as much a part in shaping you as the good. Today give thanks for one good and one bad situation that has been played a part in your life.

Our testimonies and our individuality are by God’s very design. Our upbringing, our families, the places we have lived and journeyed are important. God has designed the details of our lives for the very purposes He has called us. It can be hard to be grateful for the painful circumstances in your life and yet, those have played just as much a part in shaping you as the good. Today give thanks for one good and one bad situation that has been played a part in your life.

Past posts in this study include Week One: Lessons From the Early Church and Week Two: Staying to Task.

Today I am joining … Inspire Me Monday .