Kristi Burchfiel

VERSE:Acts 25:19–but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.TRUTH:Even though Festus didn’t understand the argument against Paul, he picked out the main issue, Jesus. When sharing Christianity with someone, don’t be side-tracked by the details, remember that the key is Jesus Christ and who He is. Who do you say He is?RESPONSE:Lord, everything is about You. Help me know You more so I can share You with others.

VERSE:Acts 24:16–In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.TRUTH:Paul was always mindful of what he said and did so that he would be an effective witness for God. Could we say the same thing or do we get too focused on ourselves?RESPONSE:Lord, I pray that I will be so focused on you today that the only thing people can accuse me of is being obedient to You.

VERSE:Acts 23:11–But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”TRUTH:Paul’s heart was set on sharing the truth of God to everyone, so it was encouraging and exciting to get told that he would share in Rome also. Are we excited and encouraged by the chance to share God’s love with others?RESPONSE:Lord, help me be excited and encouraged by the things that bring You pleasure. It’s all for Your glory!

VERSE:Acts 22:22–They listened to him up to this statement and then raised their voices and said ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth for he should not be allowed to live.’TRUTH:The Jews thought they had God’s plan figured out. When Paul went against their expectation they got angry and tried to kill him. Do we listen to God’s plan or do we try to control God’s plan ourselves?RESPONSE:Lord, I pray that You will help me to accept Your plan in all things, even when it goes contrary to my expectations.

VERSE:Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’TRUTH:Paul was completely committed to Christ. Are we? Would we be willing to sacrifice everything for Him, including our lives?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to keep my perspective and to know that You are worth sacrificing everything for.

VERSE:Acts 20:32–And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.TRUTH:God and the word of His grace are the things which are able to build people up. Do we look for encourage here or seek it somewhere else?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to look to You and Your word for encouragement and also to share that with others so they will be encouraged.

VERSE:Acts 19:15–And the evil spirit answered and said to them ‘I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul, but who are you?’TRUTH:The power and authority of Jesus Christ is well known and feared by the evil spirits. Paul submitted himself to Jesus’ authority and followed Jesus and so was known to them too. Would the evil spirit have known who we are? Are we so surrendered to Jesus that it is His power and authority that comes through us?RESPONSE:Lord, I pray my life so reflects Yours that because of Your power, I am known and feared by those who oppose You.

VERSE:Acts 18:9-10–And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.TRUTH:Even Paul needed encouragement and reassurance from the Lord. God loves us and encourages us and gives us what we need to be able to go through the situations He puts us through.RESPONSE:Lord, no matter the situation, thank You for being there through it. You give me everything I need to make it through.

VERSE:Acts 17:23–For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.TRUTH:Paul got to know the people and spoke to them using an example that they were familiar with in order to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. Do we meet people where they are at when we share Jesus with them? Do we use those examples that are already part of their life?RESPONSE:Lord, help me get to know people so I can see where You are already working in their lives. Help me share…