The Acts of the Apostles begins with the Holy Spirit and healing. But then there's imprisonment, the murder of Stephen and James, and the attempted murder of Peter. And this is only the beginning.
When the Church sends out missionaries (Acts 13:3), all hell breaks loose. The first missionary journey begins with a monumental confrontation in Paphos. Riots break out in Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium. Vigilante parties from these two cities hunt Paul down and catch up with him in Lystra. Paul is then attacked by a mob, which smashes stones against his skull and literally beats him to the point of death (Acts 14:19). Miraculously, Paul is either raised from the dead or brought out of a coma (Acts 14:20). Then he goes back to Lystra and continues to proclaim the good news of Jesus' kingdom.
Read on, if you dare. The Acts of the Apostles describes a persecuted Church, so in love with Jesus that it will suffer anything to serve Him. Does this describe you and your church? Get your "acts" together this Easter season.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, may I love You so much that I will choose to suffer for You and Your kingdom. |
| PROMISE: | "Anyone who loves Me will be true to My word, and My Father will love him; We will come to him and make our dwelling place with him." –Jn 14:23 |
| PRAISE: | Inspired by the movement of the Holy Spirit found in Acts, Regina prays for new Pentecost after new Pentecost. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College