Acts – The Arnold Journey

Too Difficult

Acts 15:19 19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. I live in a community with some gated communities. We specifically chose not to live in one of them. With the gate comes expectations. The community has some say over what you canContinue reading “Too Difficult”

Unhindered

Acts 28:31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Much is made of the restrictions many are feeling placed on what we say be certain segments of our society. The cry “free speech” is heard from all angles, some crying for it, and someContinue reading “Unhindered”

Asserting Your Rights

Acts 21:39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.” I remember when I was a kid my parents wanted me to stand up for myself. I was a very thin kid, hardly able to not go down the drainContinue reading “Asserting Your Rights”

Objection Ignored

Acts 9:15 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Have you ever just wanted to be heard? You were talking with someone about something important, and you could tell they were somewhere else,Continue reading “Objection Ignored”

Self-Perception

Acts 7:22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. We all know people who seem to be oblivious to their own lives. They say and do two or more different things without ever realizing the conflict. Their inner and outer world are from two different planets.Continue reading “Self-Perception”

Flourish

Acts 12:24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. It can be easy to loose heart. I think that is the natural progression for humans. We tend to look down rather than up. Things fall apart, not put themselves together. Fungi and bacteria spread and flourish. As I read this section ofContinue reading “Flourish”

Rescued?

Acts 7:9-10 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.Continue reading “Rescued?”

All Stirred Up

Acts 6:12 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. Have you noticed that so many people are led by their emotions these days. Maybe people have always been led by their emotions, following them with their decisions whereverContinue reading “All Stirred Up”

What Are You Afraid of?

Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Most of us fear what we don’t know. The unknown, the shadow in the closet or under the bed, the doorbell at the odd moment, the “official” letter from the IRS, theContinue reading “What Are You Afraid of?”

Acts 28:30 House Arrest

Acts 28:30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. I must confess, I have never been under house arrest. I have never had to wear an ankle monitor 24/7. I have not had to call the monitor center to get permission toContinue reading “Acts 28:30 House Arrest”