Acts 14

Throughout this chapter clear evidence is communicated or demonstrated regarding the Gospel. In the first paragraph "Paul and Barnabas spoke so effectively," some believed but others chose not to. Our Lord confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. But again there were those that chose to believe and those that chose not to.

Throughout this chapter Paul and Barnabas acted in compelling and convincing ways. As you see, there were those that were compelled or convinced and those that were not. This scares me! Who wouldn't have been convinced and chosen to become a follower. Yet today God is still trying to reach and convince people, just as much as described in the book of Acts. Let's not forget "Explore God." When is the last time you saw so many churches setting aside differences and agreeing to such an act of outreach. "You're right it was probably just a coincidence or they had self serving motives - this obviously wasn't God acting."

What is God doing in my life to speak to you and me yet we continue to choose not to believe or listen. It is easy for me to look at the Jews and Galileans condescendingly. Of course I would have been one of the believers. But really am I living my life with such a faith or am I quick to dismiss what I am being told or seeing. I've learned that if I am angry or dismissive there was something happening or being said that I need to choose to listen to or evaluate further and even act on. This is one of the valuable things of aging and being surrounded by followers that love me enough to act. You reflect and become open to being wrong and possibly changing your beliefs.

Choice is an action. Hopefully if you have been reading through the New Testament with us you have been reading with a faith and openness to listen to what our Lord is saying to each of us. Evaluate for me what your daily time reading the New Testament looks like.

• Are you excited about meeting with your Creator or is it a check mark item each day?
• What were you doing before the Quiet Time? Facebook, texting, Instagram
• Afterwards do you reflect on what you read or do you go back to Facebook?
• Do you hear God telling you to Act, to Listen, to Help, to Change, to Love, to Forgive?

Prayer:

Lord, I choose to believe, I choose not to doubt I choose to listen and follow You. I choose to act to serve and to love others!

Joe Losurdo | Elder

Joe committed his life to Christ in February of 1994 through attending Hill Country Bible ChurchNorthwest. He and his wife, Debbie, have two married children and four grandchildren. Joe has served in Student, Children’s, Small Group, Assimilation, Benevolence, and Biblical Guidance Ministries. Joe and Debbie joined Hutto Bible Church in June of 2009.