16 One day we were going to the place of prayer. On the way we were met by a female slave. She had a spirit that helped her tell people what was going to happen. She earned a lot of money for her owners by doing this. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us around. She shouted, “These men serve the Most High God. They are telling you how to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became upset. Turning around, he spoke to the spirit that was in her. “In the name of Jesus Christ,” he said, “I command you to come out of her!” At that very moment the spirit left the woman. 19 Her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone. So they grabbed Paul and Silas. They dragged them into the market place to face the authorities. 20 They brought them to the judges. “These men are Jews,” her owners said. “They are making trouble in our city. 21 They are suggesting practices that are against Roman law. These are practices we can’t accept or take part in.” 22 The crowd joined the attack against Paul and Silas. The judges ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 They were whipped without mercy. Then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put Paul and Silas deep inside the prison. He fastened their feet so they couldn’t get away.

This is a powerful passage where the powers of this world are contended with by God in very direct ways.  It is clear that the confrontation between Paul and this evil spirit in the girl is straightforward enough.  Paul was annoyed by being exposed by the servant girl under the influence of the evil spirit.  Just why an evil spirit drew attention to the ‘Most High God’ – seems almost stupid, but then the prideful element of the spirit was simply drawing attention to itself, in a sense saying look at me I am so good that I can even tell when an ambassador of God is around.  The spirit was no match for the authority of God – but this was not the end of the story.  The powers that be were then summoned to place these rabble rousers in gaol.

Forces that oppose the Kingdom of God are not always obviously demonic, sometimes they are within institutions that oppose the work of the Kingdom.  We need not be surprised nor alarmed at these kinds of events.  We need to be vigilant and recognise that the work of the enemy may occur in ways that may otherwise seem eminently rational, at least to some.  The work of the enemy may occur from direct demonic activity or more subtle worldview issues like where people are regarded as disrupting the peace, when in-fact they are bringing freedom from tyranny, of an evil; spirit or an anti-Christ system.  We need to maintain our faith in God and face each situation with the peace-filled strength of a believer in Jesus.  Each of us need to develop the wisdom and faith to see breakthrough in these kinds of situations.

Father give each of us the wisdom to stand strong in the spiritual battles we face, whether direct and obvious demonic activity or more subtle world-view issues where the anti-Christ spirit is at work as well.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

8 In Lystra there sat a man who couldn’t walk. He hadn’t been able to use his feet since the day he was born. 9 He listened as Paul spoke. Paul looked right at him. He saw that the man had faith to be healed. 10 So he called out, “Stand up on your feet!” Then the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 The crowd saw what Paul had done. They shouted in the Lycaonian language. “The gods have come down to us in human form!” they exclaimed. 12 They called Barnabas Zeus. Paul was the main speaker. So they called him Hermes. 13 Just outside the city was the temple of the god Zeus. The priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates. He and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. 14 But the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about this. So they tore their clothes. They rushed out into the crowd. They shouted, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are only human, just like you. We are bringing you good news. Turn away from these worthless things. Turn to the living God. He is the one who made the heavens and the earth and the sea. He made everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 But he has given proof of what he is like. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons. He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Paul and Barnabas told them all these things. But they had trouble keeping the crowd from offering sacrifices to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They won the crowd over to their side. They threw stones at Paul. They thought he was dead, so they dragged him out of the city. 20 The believers gathered around Paul. Then he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Paul & team having re-visited & encouraged the believers from his 1^st journey, now look to move into new regions to bring the Gospel message. Interestingly, the Holy Spirit stops them twice from going into regions they logically thought would be the next area to go to. Without any hint of discouragement Paul keeps moving until the Holy Spirit gives him a dream as to where to go next to bring the hope of Jesus.

Here we see Paul keeping in prayer, keeping open, keeping listening and keeping moving. I think this is a great example of doing what we think is logical but also allowing space for God to come in with a far better plan. Paul didn’t give up, he kept going, knowing that God would show him.   Am I open to allow God to come in to my plans? Am I open for the Holy Spirit to say no to what I think is the way to go? I don’t know how much time went by between verses 6 and 10 when Paul finally had the dream… could have been days, weeks, or months …. how long am I prepared to wait before I hear the Holy Spirit?

Lord, thank you for this great example to keep open to the Holy Spirit & listening in prayer, I want to allow you to come and shape my good ideas into the best plans for not only my life, but for those along the way to be touched and set free by the power of your love. Amen

Written by Suzie Hodgson

30 So the men were sent down to Antioch. There they gathered the church together. They gave the letter to them. 31 The people read it. They were glad for its message of hope. 32 Judas and Silas were prophets. They said many things to give strength and hope to the believers. 33-34 Judas and Silas stayed there for some time. Then the believers sent them away with the blessing of peace. They sent them back to those who had sent them out. 35 Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch. There they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord. 36 Some time later Paul spoke to Barnabas. “Let’s go back to all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord,” he said. “Let’s visit the believers and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. 38 But Paul didn’t think it was wise to take him. Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia. He hadn’t continued with them in their work. 39 Barnabas and Paul strongly disagreed with each other. So they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas. The believers asked the Lord to give his grace to Paul and Silas as they went. 41 Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia. He gave strength to the churches there.

The new Church in Antioch, in Syria, needed guidance and reassurance. Powerful forces threatened to derail these new Christians. These forces included Jews who had stoned and left Paul for dead in Chapter 14. How intimidating. The Christians were under pressure to conform. The council in Jerusalem knew that their message in these circumstances needed to be delivered in person, not just by letter. To prevent misunderstanding or manipulation, two charismatic teachers and prophets were chosen to go, Judas and Silas. The Christians were obviously pleased to see them and Paul and Barnabas back again.

I just imagine being Judas and Silas in that situation, being so warmly welcomed as they brought good news of inclusion and encouragement. They would have been encouraged too to meet these new Christians.

I think back to times when I have met with Christians in other countries when I have been visiting or living in France as we did for 2 years. The thrill of joining with like minded Christians in another part of the world is so encouraging. Here are people who believe what I believe, who worship my wonderful God too! Whether we are overseas or in our regular church family, are we encouragers of other believers? Are we strengtheners or weakeners? Are we using the gifts given to us by God for his glory (could be prophecy like Judas and Silas) or are we only there for what we can take and to have our needs met? Whether we have a particular word from God for the church like Judas and Silas, or we are serving week on week, when we put God’s glory first we will be encouragers.

Dear Lord, the church, your bride, needs our extra special care. Help me to be a strengthener, and encourager, so our church will stand firm against outside pressures and influences. Then I can play my part in ensuring your bride, the church, is united and effective. Amen

Written by Claire Moore

12 Everyone became quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul. They were telling about the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon Peter has explained to us what God has now done. He has chosen some of the Gentiles to be among his very own people. 15 The prophets’ words agree with that. They say, 16 “ ‘After this I will return and set up again David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be. 17 Then everyone else can look to the Lord. This includes all the Gentiles who belong to me, says the Lord. The Lord is the one who does these things.’ (Amos 9:11,12) 18 The Lord does things that have been known from long ago. 19 “Now here is my decision. We should not make it hard for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Here is what we should write to them. They must not eat food that has been made impure by being offered to statues of gods. They must not commit sexual sins. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not drink blood. 21 These laws of Moses have been preached in every city from the earliest times. They are read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”

This passage makes me thankful and excited. The salvation and redemption message is for all humankind. We know it was for the Jews, Jesus himself was a Jew. And it says here it is also for the Gentiles, all non Jews. And it has always been that way, as James reminds the group.

The message is alive and active in signs and wonders. Paul and Barnabas have just been telling the group about the miraculous things they have seen and how Gentile lives have been changed and transformed.

Lord, help me not to anticipate who might hear and receive. Help me to be obedient to you and share you with all people. Please give me the boldness I need and help me to always have a testimony ready on the tip of my tongue. Lord, also help me to minister your Holy Spirit and accompany this witness with signs and wonders, that people might see, hear, experience and come to know you.

Written by Zoe Stewart

21 Paul and Barnabas preached the good news in the city of Derbe. They won large numbers of followers. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. 22 There they helped the believers gain strength. They told them to remain faithful to what they had been taught. “We must go through many hard times to enter God’s kingdom,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church. The elders had trusted in the Lord. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted. They placed the elders in the Lord’s care. 24 After going through Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas came into Pamphylia. 25 They preached the good news in Perga. Then they went down to Attalia. 26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch. In Antioch they had been put in God’s care to preach the good news. They had now completed the work God had given them to do. 27 When they arrived at Antioch, they gathered the church together. They reported all that God had done through them. They told how he had opened a way for the Gentiles to believe. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the believers.

Paul – what a strong example of the transformative power of the Gospel. Paul is a man who knows what he is about and what the call on his life is. The very next day after being beaten and stoned to the point of appearing dead, Paul, along with Barnabas, continue to travel to preach the gospel in several different cities in order to win more disciples for Christ. He also works to encourage fellow believers to remain strong in their faith, even in the face of hardship and trials. This from a man who is probably still recovering from some severe physical injuries and exhaustion! Yet we see no selfpity or desire for special treatment from Paul. Rather he is focused on winning souls and building up fellow believers, praying and fasting for church elders, and travelling to different churches to share their news with these congregations. Paul is so committed to the call he has received from Christ, he is not put off by pain, discomfort, fear or threat.

I am both encouraged and convicted by Paul’s example!! It is so important to have a clear sense of what God has called each of us to. While we all have individual calls on our lives, we are all called to go and make disciples, to speak and live the gospel, to reach and build people in the name of Jesus. While our experience of this may be different to Paul’s, may we remember to take this call just as seriously and to pursue it for all we can.

Lord, help us never to become too complacent or comfortable to remember that the call to spread the gospel and build disciples should be our first priority. Lead us and guide us in this calling, Jesus. Amen.

Written by Madelaine Tarasenko