Week Thirteen

Written By Melissa Rightmire

John ends his gospel explaining that there is so much more he could have written but he just couldn’t write it all - “the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” And so many more have been written because people continued to encounter Jesus throughout history and continue to encounter Him even today! That’s because He is alive! The book of Acts makes sure we know how alive Jesus is.

The book of Acts is written by Dr. Luke. To get the full affect of this sequel to his gospel, consider going back and re-reading the end of Luke, chapter 24. As you read Acts, remember that Dr. Luke is writing an orderly account of things that he has verified have happened. However, at some point in this book, he is not only writing what he verified, but he begins to write what he experienced. I’ll let you know when we get there!

For this week, consider that Acts 1:25 is the first place the disciples are referred to as apostles. An apostle is a title for someone who is sent as a messenger with a very specific message. The message they carry was given to them directly from Jesus. If you want to know what the message is, go back and re-read Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20:19-23. And remember that all that is experienced in His name also becomes part of the message.

Be in awe as you read the accounts of the Spirit of the Living God active in the lives of ordinary people and disciples. The story begins close to home, in Jerusalem. If the disciples thought that life on the road with Jesus was incredible, I can’t imagine what they were thinking when tongues of fire showed up at a prayer meeting and languages were not a barrier to sharing the message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

I often pray that God will do more than I can think or imagine to ask (Ephesians 3:20). It seems to me what we begin to read in Acts are the type of thing that can happen when we boldly pray for what is beyond ourselves.

As you read the book of Acts over the next couple of weeks, use this time to take the hardest thing you have in your life and ask God to do what you can’t even imagine to resolve it. Read the accounts in this book and be assured that God is alive and He is about to blow your mind!

I would love to join you in praying for the unimaginable. You can write a comment or prayer need below, or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 13:

Melissa Rightmire
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Week Twelve