February 28, Boldness without hinderance
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Boldness without hinderance
Following the shipwreck on Malta, Paul enjoyed quite the welcome after many days out at sea. The local inhabitants of the island soon learned that there was something different about the Apostle Paul. The power at work in his life and in his ministry opened doors for the Gospel to be purveyed throughout the island.
After three months there, Paul was finally on his way to the destination of Rome. This would be Paul's final stop. None of his original accusers had sent word to Rome or reported any of the wrongdoings that they had asserted of Paul in Jerusalem. The punishment for all of his crimes came down to this sentence: “Paul was able to rent his own house and stayed there for two years.” He was on house arrest, but this would be the location where anyone could come to be discipled. His home became a preaching point in Rome and the location from which Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon would be penned. You and I still benefit today from the work that was done during that house arrest sentence.
Paul had spent years on the mission field being shuttled away from mobs, spending nights in prison, and relentlessly ministering to the needs of the early church. God had now brought him into a season in which he had no option but to abide. Paul had spent years developing the platform that he was about to minister from. God is faithful to not waste a thing. When you encounter the words of the prison epistles, you can sense the experience and weight behind those words. That wisdom was hard-earned, and God still uses it to impact lives today. The challenges in your life today are laying the foundation for your ministry tomorrow. God is writing your story, and you can be sure that every difficult chapter will give way to victory and opportunity. The victory you experience in God's faithfulness will create opportunities to tell the story and encourage those around you.
The statement that Luke made in the last two verses in the book of Acts was this:
"He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."
As we conclude our journey through Acts, the desired outcome is this: that you could proclaim the kingdom of God with all boldness and without hindrance. My prayer is that every hindrance, distraction, and procrastination in your life would be called into submission to the boldness and empowering of the Spirit in your life. With all that God has done in your life thus far, there is no doubt that even greater things are ahead.
Reflect on the journey:
Regardless of what difficulties you've experienced, Romans 8:28 reminds us that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Take time to thank God for the testimony that will come from the challenges in your life.
Through your prayer time today:
As you think back through the Journey Through Acts, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the key takeaways that you've received through your time. Has the Holy Spirit revealed truth to you? Take time to thank God for speaking and ask for an unhindered boldness to accomplish that purpose.
