"Unstoppable" June 30 Readings: 2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 5:1–31, Psalm 78:26–32, Proverbs 16:12–14
Reading the Bible in 2023
Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!
NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!
Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 5:1–31, Psalm 78:26–32, Proverbs 16:12–14
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: Unstoppable
You almost had to feel sorry for the Pharisees and other opponents of the work of Jesus Christ in the Early Church.
They seemed to have all the power, or they thought they did. The Temple authorities had arrested the Apostles in an attempt to intimidate them and keep them from preaching about Jesus Christ. But the next day when they got up, thinking the Apostles were where they had placed them, they found that the troublesome followers of Jesus were back out in the Temple courts proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and stirring up more trouble.
There was nothing to do but to tighten the screws a little. They arrested them again and upped the ante on the threats against them, warning them to stop their evangelistic work. This didn't work any better than their previous efforts had. No matter what they did, those pesky Christians continued to work, and pray, and preach, and grow.
In Acts 5:29 the Apostles replied that they had to obey God and could not obey their commands. They continued to tell the world that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead no matter what anyone did to them. If they warned them, they proclaimed Christ. If they arrested them, they proclaimed Christ. If they beat them, they rejoiced and proclaimed Christ. If they killed them, those who were left continued to proclaim Christ.
The Pharisees could hate Jesus and could oppress those who sided with him, those who believed in and served him. But they could not stop the work of God in the church. They grew angrier, more frustrated, and more aggressive, but nothing they did worked to stop the gospel story from spreading. Every attempt to stop the church only served to advance the kingdom.
We can rejoice that nothing can stop the work of God in us and in his church. Opposition will come, even perhaps persecution, but the gospel goes forward. Satan can sow lies, but the truth prevails. When we serve Christ we can overcome any obstacle and endure any hardship that is put in our path.
They seemed to have all the power, or they thought they did. The Temple authorities had arrested the Apostles in an attempt to intimidate them and keep them from preaching about Jesus Christ. But the next day when they got up, thinking the Apostles were where they had placed them, they found that the troublesome followers of Jesus were back out in the Temple courts proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and stirring up more trouble.
There was nothing to do but to tighten the screws a little. They arrested them again and upped the ante on the threats against them, warning them to stop their evangelistic work. This didn't work any better than their previous efforts had. No matter what they did, those pesky Christians continued to work, and pray, and preach, and grow.
In Acts 5:29 the Apostles replied that they had to obey God and could not obey their commands. They continued to tell the world that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead no matter what anyone did to them. If they warned them, they proclaimed Christ. If they arrested them, they proclaimed Christ. If they beat them, they rejoiced and proclaimed Christ. If they killed them, those who were left continued to proclaim Christ.
The Pharisees could hate Jesus and could oppress those who sided with him, those who believed in and served him. But they could not stop the work of God in the church. They grew angrier, more frustrated, and more aggressive, but nothing they did worked to stop the gospel story from spreading. Every attempt to stop the church only served to advance the kingdom.
We can rejoice that nothing can stop the work of God in us and in his church. Opposition will come, even perhaps persecution, but the gospel goes forward. Satan can sow lies, but the truth prevails. When we serve Christ we can overcome any obstacle and endure any hardship that is put in our path.
Father, come what may, I thank you for your power and your victory.
Consider God's Word:
Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
What obstacles and trials are you facing in your life?
Remember that in the power of the Spirit, you can overcome them and continue in the work of Christ. do not allow trials to discourage or derail you from the work of God. They are normal, but they are overcome by the power of Christ's Spirit.
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