Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way

Read Acts 21-22

Head

Paul faces some pretty big trials today. The Holy Spirit has been warning him that he would face prison and hardships on his journey. Just a reminder, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do what God calls us to do. The Holy Spirit has worked through Paul on his journey to lead others to Jesus.

Back to the story. Paul was at the temple in Jerusalem when the Jews from Asia started stirring up the crowd, saying that Paul had taken a Gentile, or non-Jewish person, into the temple. For a Gentile to enter the temple, it was punishable by death. Paul had not actually broken the law, but the crowd grabbed Paul and tried to kill him. The Roman commander came, and they stopped beating him. He was arrested and bound with chains. They took him to the barracks so the commander could figure out what all had happened. The crowd was so wild that the soldiers carried him! Paul asks to address the crowd. He immediately begins to give his testimony of how God changed his life. In the middle of a horrifying situation, God cleared his mind and let him share the good news.

Heart

I am blown away by Paul’s perseverance and trust in God. He loved God so much that he was willing to do anything for Him. He was SO bold! He wanted the people to know His Father. God gave Him strength and confidence in the moment, just like He does for us in the middle of our trials.

Hands

Take a minute to think back on a trial in your life. Talk about ways you saw God give you strength and confidence in Him. Also, I challenge you this week to speak boldly about your faith. Tell your friends about Jesus. Ask God to give you the boldness and the strength to share the Good News.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, make me bold like Paul. Help me to rely on Your strength and give me confidence to share Your Word with others. Amen.