Acts 17 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 17.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/17/1/s_1035001

Meditate on verse16.

 

Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens,

his spirit was being provoked within him as

he was observing the city full of idols.

 

As he waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, Paul’s spirit was troubled by the wickedness and sadness of this city filled with idols—thousands of idols.  Here in Athens, the wisest and smartest people in the Roman Empire lived and taught.  Paul was troubled because despite all they knew, they did not know the true God.  Paul remembered being much like they were, really intelligent, but not knowing God, until the day he met Jesus—that miraculous day when God physically blinded him, so his spiritual blinders could be removed (Acts 9:1-20).  Paul desperately wanted the Athenians to know Jesus and have their spiritual blinders taken away, so he introduced them to God, the LORD of heaven and earth, the Giver of life and breath, the Divine Nature which cannot be captured in gold, silver, or stone (vs. 24-25, 29).

 

Do you have a heart like Paul for those who do not know Christ?  Is your spirit provoked when you see people stumbling in their spiritual blindness?  Pray for God to give you a heart like His and for others to know Jesus, using the words from Acts 17:16-17 and 27-28 as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Holy Spirit, provoke my spirit when I see a city full of idols.

Help me reason in the synagogues and marketplaces every day,

with those who happen to be present.

God, may _________ grope for You and find You, for You

are not far from each of us.  Let them live and move

and exist as Your children.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 16 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 16.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/16/1/s_1034001

Meditate on verses 6-9

 

"They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian

region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit

to speak the word in Asia, and after they came

to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia,

and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;

and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of

Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and

saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

 

Paul and the team were working in present-day central Turkey.  They wanted to go further west into a region called Asia.  The Holy Spirit said, “No!”  They moved north toward Bithynia on the Black Sea in northern Turkey.  The Holy Spirit said, “No!”  They end up in Troas on the northern part of the Aegean Sea near modern-day Istanbul.

 

There Paul had a vision from God of a man from Macedonia begging them to come and help.  Macedonia is the northern part of present-day Greece.  The team discerned this was God’s will, so they moved out quickly to Macedonia. 

 

Sometimes God’s call is like an emergency, and you go immediately.  Sometimes you say, “yes” immediately, and God reveals the timing.  Say “yes” when God calls, asking Him to lead you.  

 

Pray Acts 16:6-7 and 10 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD Jesus, help ________ and me obey when the Holy Spirit

 forbids us to speak.  Help us obey when Your Spirit does

 not permit us to go.  Let us go immediately, God, when

You call us to preach the Gospel.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Acts 15 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 15.

Meditate on verses 28-29.

 

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater

burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols

and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep

 yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.

 

It is important to not add requirements for salvation, nor add unnecessary social or religious behaviors for holiness.  It is also important to know well what is needed for salvation and Christian living.

 

Paul and Barnabas spoke to leadership in Jerusalem asking whether circumcision was necessary for salvation.  While it is a visible reminder of the Old Covenant for a Jewish man, it is not a requirement for salvation in the New Covenant of Jesus.  This New Covenant requires a spiritual circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).  This circumcision takes place when you become a Christian and is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.  One does not have to become Jewish to become Christian (vs. 8-9). 

 

We are saved through the grace of the LORD Jesus.

—Acts 15:11

 

Thankfully, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and other church leaders listened to the Holy Spirit to answer their difficult questions.  The same Spirit lives inside of you.  Listen carefully to Him; He answers your questions, too.

 

Pray Acts 15:28 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Holy Spirit, what seems good to You?  Let ________ and me do Your

 will, not laying upon ourselves, or others, any greater burden

 than what is essential for following You, today.

In Your name, Jesus~”  

 

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 14 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 13:52-14:28.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/14/1/s_1032001

Meditate on verses 13:52 and 14:3a.

 

And the disciples were continually filled with

joy and with the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, they

spent a long time there speaking boldly with

reliance upon the LORD.

 

Paul and Barnabas’ proclamation of the Gospel often had similar outcomes.  Many believed, but many opposed the message, persecuting Paul and his traveling companions.  However, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, they continuously shared the Gospel everywhere they went. (Acts 13:52; 14:7). 

 

On one such adventure, Paul and the team fled for their lives to Lystra where they healed a man lame from birth (vs. 8-10).  The locals thought Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods and wanted to offer sacrifices to them (vs. 12-13).  Paul adamantly stopped them, telling them to turn from their vain things to the living God, Jesus Christ (vs. 14-15).  Many believed, but then some Jews incited the people to stone Paul (v. 19).  Left for dead, Paul revived and went right back into Lystra (v. 20).  The following day, he was off to Derbe to preach the Gospel (v. 20).  So changed by Jesus, nothing and no one stopped Paul from preaching the glorious news of his Savior. 

 

Despite persecution, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, relying on the LORD, sharing the Gospel with everyone—what an encouragement as we walk with Jesus! 

 

Pray Acts 13:52 and 14:3 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, continually fill ______ and me with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Let us speak boldly with reliance upon You as You testify to

the Word of Your grace.  LORD, grant that signs and

wonders be done by our hands.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus ~”

 

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 13 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 13.

Meditate on verses 2 and 4.

 

While they were ministering to the LORD and

fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart

for Me Barnabas and Saul for the

 work to which I have called them."

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit,

they went down to Seleucia

and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

 

Saul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey was launched by the Holy Spirit, with God clearly orchestrating His timing for going to Cyprus, an island southwest of Antioch in the Mediterranean Sea.  While in Cyprus, Saul encountered Elymas, a man discouraging their missionary work (v. 8).  Be aware it is common for God’s work to encounter opposition.  In your own life or church, is there an “Elymas,” who is unsaved or a false teacher, trying to hurt the work of the Kingdom?  Observe Saul, who is also known as Paul (v. 9), confront Elymas:

 

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and

 said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil,

you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make

crooked the straight ways of the LORD?

—Acts 13:9b-10

 

This spiritually blind man became physically blind as a result of discouraging faith in others.  The Holy Spirit prompted the mission trip and the rebuke.  Being led by the Spirit is a great way to walk each day.

 

Pray Acts 13:2 and 4 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Holy Spirit, set apart _________ and me for the

work to which You have called us.  Send us

out, Holy Spirit, where You want us to go.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Acts 12 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 12.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/act/12/1/s_1030001

Meditate on verse 5.

 

So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him

was being made fervently by the church to God.

 

The Holy Spirit is in the middle of every authentic prayer.  Note the role of the Holy Spirit when you pray: 

 

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our

weakness; for we do not know

 how to pray as we should, but the Spirit

 Himself intercedes for us with

groanings too deep for words, and

 He who searches the hearts

 knows what the mind of the Spirit is,

because He intercedes for the saints

according to the will of God.

—Romans 8:26-27

 

The Holy Spirit calls you to pray and helps you pray for God’s will.  He encouraged the hearts of the church in Jerusalem to pray for Peter (v. 5).  Soon Peter was no longer in prison but standing at the gate of the house where they were praying (v. 12).  Miraculous!  Young Rhoda didn’t let him in because she was so overwhelmed to see him (vs. 13-16)!

 

Encourage your church to be led by the Holy Spirit and networked in fervent prayer.  There are so many media tools to instantly engage people around the world in prayer.  The Holy Spirit has networked believers around the world for centuries without texts and the internet, but the LORD inspired that these tools be made and used for good.  There is great value in praying together as a church physically and with others electronically. 

 

Pray Acts 12:5 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD God, keep _______ and Your church

and me fervently praying by

 the power of Your Spirit.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 11 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 11.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/11/1/s_1029001

Meditate on verse 23-24.

 

Then when he (Barnabas) arrived and

witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced

 and began to encourage them all with

resolute heart to remain true to the LORD,

for he was a good man, and full

of the Holy Spirit and of faith. 

And considerable numbers

 were brought to the LORD.

 

Barnabas went to Antioch, the third largest city in the Roman Empire, to meet with new believers.  Only Rome and Alexandria were larger, and Antioch was a vital military and trade route in what is now present-day Turkey.  It was here followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” (v. 26).

 

What a vital city for preaching the Gospel!  Thankfully, good people like Barnabas, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, obeyed God’s command to go because the LORD had many souls ready to believe in Antioch.

 

But there were some of them, men

of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch

and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching

the LORD Jesus.  And the hand of the LORD was

with them, and a large number who

believed turned to the LORD.

—Acts 11:20-21

 

Do you want to be a “Barnabas”?  As a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), pray for the LORD to make you and those you love like that faithful man, using the words from Acts 11:23-24. 

 

“LORD, give _________ and me a resolute

heart.  Help us remain true to You, LORD,

 encouraging others to do the same.

Make us good people, full of the Holy Spirit

 and faith.  Use us to bring considerable

numbers of people to You.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 10 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 10.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/10/1/s_1028001

Meditate on verse 45b.

 

The gift of the Holy Spirit had been

poured out on the Gentiles also.

 

Cornelius, an officer in the Italian army, was based at Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea (v. 1).  Not only a dedicated soldier, he was a devout man who feared God and led his family and those in his household to do the same (v. 2).  Until Cornelius, the apostles were not aware that Gentiles (non-Jews) could become Christians.  Acts 10 describes God bringing Jews and Gentiles together into one body of Christ.  As you ponder that fact, think of this chapter of the Bible, Acts 10, as one of the greatest chapters in history! 

 

As Peter shares the Gospel, notice what God does to Cornelius and his family and friends (v. 24):

 

While Peter was still speaking these words,

the Holy Spirit fell upon all those

who were listening to the message.

—Acts 10:44

 

Wow!  With the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, Jesus made it obvious He is the Savior for all mankind.  Thankfully both Cornelius and Peter listened to God.  What a glorious impact their obedience had on our entire world!  Ask the LORD to make you obedient to Christ and His Word, speaking His Words to everyone, everywhere you go.

Verses 34-43 of this chapter are great verses to mark in your Bible because the Gospel is clearly written out for you to share with others.

 

As a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), pray Acts 10:43-44 over those who need the Holy Spirit.

 

“LORD Jesus, through Your name, please

let __________ believe in You to receive

forgiveness of sins.  Holy Spirit, fall upon

them as they listen to Your Word.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 9 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 9.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/9/1/s_1027001

Meditate on verses 31.

 

So, the church throughout all Judea

and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed

peace, being built up, and

going on in the fear of the

LORD and in the comfort of the

Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

 

One of the great miracles of being a Christian is you are part of an international family.  If you have the opportunity to host Christians from other backgrounds or visit them while traveling, you will be pleasantly surprised because authentic Christians are the same in Spirit and love of Jesus.  It is amazing!  Combined, we have been in 56 countries and find this to be true. 

 

In our church in Qatar, 70 nationalities were present—one church, one Spirit—it was like being in heaven.  The result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and in our churches is miraculous.

 

Observe these Holy Spirit-driven church characteristics from the meditation verse:

·      Enjoying peace

·      Being built up

·      Going on in the fear of the LORD

·      Going on in the comfort of the Holy Spirit

·      Continuing to increase

 

Wow!  What a great set of outcomes!   Pray Acts 9:31 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, please let my church and

the churches throughout the

world enjoy peace and be built up. 

Let us go on in the fear of You, LORD.

In the comfort of the Holy Spirit,

 let us continue to increase.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

 

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Acts 8 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 8.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/8/1/s_1026001

Meditate on verse 29.

 

Then the Spirit said to Philip,

 "Go up and join this chariot."

 

What an exciting chapter in God’s Word!  As Saul goes house-by-house in Jerusalem persecuting the Christians, many flee, preaching the Word as they go (vs. 3-4).  Recall Jesus’ last command in Acts 1:8:

 

“You will receive power when the

Holy Spirit has come upon you, and

you shall be My witnesses both in

Jerusalem (where the church began), and

in in all Judea (the territory around Jerusalem)

and Samaria (where people not fully of the Jewish

bloodline lived), and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

 

In this chapter, all four areas of ministry are active, with God using persecution to accomplish His will. 

 

Observe the Holy Spirit’s movement:  He comes upon the Samaritans (vs. 14-17), then moves Phillip to explain Jesus to an Ethiopian eunuch (vs. 26-35).  The Ethiopian believes and returns to his home where he is credited with starting one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. 

 

The Holy Spirit transports Phillip to Azotus to make his way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus every place he goes (v. 40). 

 

God quickly covers a lot of ground.  Does this excite you?  Are you a “Send me anywhere Holy Spirit!” kind of believer?  I think no matter your answer, this question should prompt a wonderful conversation with the LORD. 

 

Pray Acts 8:29, 35, and 37 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Holy Spirit, I hear you say,

‘Go up and join this chariot.’

Open my mouth with Scripture to

 preach Jesus to _________.  Let them believe

with all their heart that You, Jesus

Christ, are the Son of God.

For the sake of Your name~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 7 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 7.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/7/1/s_1025001

Meditate on verses 51 and 55.

 

You men who are stiff-necked and

uncircumcised in heart and ears

are always resisting the Holy Spirit;

you are doing just as your fathers did.

 

But being full of the Holy Spirit, he

gazed intently into heaven and

saw the glory of God, and Jesus

standing at the right hand of God.

 

One of the men selected for distributing food in Acts 6 was Stephen.  After out-debating his oppressors, Stephen was falsely accused, arrested, and allowed to tell his side of the story to the High Priest and religious leaders (Acts 6:8-7:1).  He recounts the history of Israel from Abraham through Solomon and finishes by accusing the religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit, killing the prophets, and killing the Righteous One (vs. 2-53). 

 

Filled with rage, these leaders take Stephen outside Jerusalem to kill him (vs. 54, 58).  Contrast the glorious vision of Stephen with the murderous vision of his accusers.  Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, sees Jesus at the right hand of God; the religious leaders are blind to Who God truly is (vs. 55-57).  A Spirit-filled Stephen prays the same as His Spirit-filled Savior, “LORD, do not hold this sin against them!” (vs. 60; Luke 23:34).  

 

Is the Holy Spirit dynamically active in your life?  Do others see the Spirit working in you?

 

Pray Acts 7:51 and 55 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, do not let __________ and me

 be stiff-necked and uncircumcised in

heart and ears, always resisting the Holy Spirit. 

Let us be full of the Holy Spirit, gazing intently

 into heaven, seeing Your glory, God, and

 Jesus, standing at Your right hand.

In Whose name, I pray~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 6 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 6.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/6/1/s_1024001

Meditate on verses 3, 8, and 10.

 

Therefore, brethren, select from among

you seven men of good reputation,

 full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we

may put in charge of this task. 

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was

performing great wonders and signs

among the people.  But they were

unable to cope with the wisdom

 and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

 

In Acts 6, the church had a management issue with the daily food distribution among non-Hebrew widows (v. 1).  The responsibility was given to seven men, of good reputation and full of the Spirit and wisdom, to take charge of providing that food (v. 3).  Those chosen were brought to the apostles who laid hands on them, commissioning them to do the work (v. 6).

 

Do these three traits identify you?  As a Christian, would your friends and family say you have a good reputation?  Are you full of the Holy Spirit?  Are you seen as a wise person?

 

These are traits we can all grow in as we journey with Jesus. 

 

Pray Acts 6:3, 5, 8, and 10 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

 

“LORD, make _________ and me people of good reputation, full

 of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom You can put in charge of tasks.

 Make us full of faith and the Holy Spirit.  Fill us with Your

grace and power for performing great wonders and signs

among the people.  Make them unable to cope with

 the wisdom and the Spirit with which we speak;

rather let them humbly come to You.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Acts 5 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/5/1/s_1023001

Meditate on verses 1-3.

 

But a man named Ananias, with his wife

 Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

and kept back some of the price for

himself, with his wife's full knowledge,

 and bringing a portion of it, he

 laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled

 your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep

 back some of the price of the land?”

 

Ananias and Sapphira were following many people’s example by selling their property and giving the money to the poor.  For some reason, they decided to keep part of the money.  No foul yet, but then they acted like they gave all of the selling price to the church. 

 

Peter tells Ananias he lied to the Holy Spirit which is lying to God (v. 4).  To Sapphira he says she and her husband have conspired to put the Spirit of the LORD to the test (v. 9).   Both died in this event by God’s power (vs. 9-10).  

 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your life for places where you are lying or testing Him.  Also, ask Him to show you areas of your personal life that you no longer treat as sacred.  In fearful respect of God, confess those sins, asking the LORD to help you live holy to Him.

 

Pray Acts 5:3-4 and 9 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Holy Spirit, ______ and I do not want to lie to You.

God, we do not want to lie to You.

Holy Spirit, we do not want to put You to the test.

Please forgive us and help us not to do it again.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Acts 4 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/4/1/s_1022001

Meditate on verses 7-8.

 

When they had placed them in the

center, they began to inquire,

"By what power, or in what

 name, have you done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said

to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,…”

 

The leadership of the Jewish community was very concerned because the disciples boldly declared the healing of the man born lame came by the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ (v. 10).  Five thousand more believed because the disciples taught: in Jesus there is resurrection from the dead (vs. 2, 4).  Think about how Jesus provided physical fish and bread for the 5,000 and is now providing the Bread of Life in Himself as spiritual food for all who believe (John 6:1-14, 35). 

 

Hear Peter’s bold, Holy Spirit-filled response to the religious leaders’ accusations (Acts 4:8-10): 

 

"Rulers and elders of the people, if we

 are on trial today for a benefit done

 to a sick man, as to how this man

has been made well, let it be known to all

 of you and to all the people of Israel, that

 by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom

 you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—

by this name this man stands here

before you in good health.”

 

For two thousand years, this testimony by Peter and John has encouraged millions of believers to give account of their faith.  Let it encourage you in your stand for Christ today.

 

Pray Acts 4:29 and 31 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, grant that __________ and I, Your

bond-servants, may speak Your Word with

all confidence.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, let

 us speak the Word of God with boldness.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell