Daily Encouragement: Uplifting Devotional Thoughts

THURSDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2024

TEXT: Acts 18:18-28

18. So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said good-bye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscila and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchreae, because he had taken a vow.

19. When they reached Ephesus he left them there, but himself entered the synagogue and engaged in discussion with the Jews.

20. And though they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined,

21. but said good-bye and stated, “I’ll come back to you again, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

22. On landing at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.

23. He set out, traveling through one place after another in the Galatian territory and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24. A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus.

25. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught the things about Jesus accurately, although he knew only John’s baptism.

26. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscila and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the way of God to him more accurately.

27. When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers wrote to the disciples urging them to welcome him. After he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace.

28. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

(Holmans CS Holy Bible)

TOPIC: BRIEF, BUT IMPACTFUL

Sometimes people describe someone’s life time as having been brief, especially when they die at a young age.

But today’s text shows that it is not how long a person lives that matters but the impact they make on humanity.

Paul was in Antioch for a short time but he made time to reason with the Jews in the synagogue, connected with the brethren and further strengthened the disciples.

As believers in Christ, we should not forget that our time on earth is but for a brief moment. So, whatever we do should be done with all sense of urgency.

Priscila and Aquila demonstrated this when they briefly met Apollos and taught him the ways of the Lord. This enabled him to vigorously challenge the Jews in public debate where he proved that Jesus is the Christ.

QUESTION: Since you have a brief moment to spend on earth, how are you using your time in strengthening other Christians and helping those without the knowledge of Christ?

PRAYER: O Lord, help me to number my days and to apply my heart unto wisdom to know that I have a brief time to urgently reach out to others with the gospel of Christ, in Jesus name. Amen.