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Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 9 2025 | Acts 14:21-28 KEY VERSE: “ They returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. ” Acts 14:21-22a (NIV)   MESSAGE:   After facing persecution and hardship, Paul and Barnabas did something remarkable—they went back to the very places where they had been mistreated. But their return wasn’t about revenge or self-protection. It was about strengthening the souls of the disciples. They knew that new believers needed encouragement, not just instruction. Following Jesus would come with trials, and Paul made that clear: tribulation is part of the journey toward the kingdom of God. Strengthening souls means preparing people for real life with real faith.   Their ministry shows that discipleship is more than just making converts—it’s about building resilience.  New believers needed to know that opposition doesn't mean failure, and suffering doesn't mean abandonment. Paul and Barnabas equipped the disciples to endure, reminding them that hardship often confirms, rather than contradicts, the path of faith . Strength doesn’t always look like comfort—it usually looks like perseverance through pain.   Today, we’re called to do the same: strengthen each other’s souls. In a world full of pressure and discouragement, we need voices that remind us to press on in faith. Whether you're mentoring, parenting, leading, or just walking with a friend, your words can reinforce someone’s spiritual foundation. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Choose today to Speak life. Speak endurance. Help others see that God is still working—even in the tribulation. Be the one to strengthen someone’s soul today.   PRAYER: Lord, teach me how to strengthen the souls of others. Help me encourage those who are weary and remind them of Your faithfulness in every trial. Use my life to build up lasting faith in others. For Your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 221: 1 Chronicles 1–4 — Genealogies from Adam to Judah DAILY word study: STRENGTHENING The word “strengthening” in Acts 14:22 comes from the Greek epistērizō, meaning “to support further,” “to establish more firmly,” or “to make stronger.” Paul and Barnabas weren’t simply giving pep talks. They were helping the believers become spiritually stable—firm in truth, aware of trials, and ready to endure. This kind of strengthening wasn’t about comfort—it was about preparing disciples for hardship with clarity and courage. Reflect on this: When you strengthen someone in the Lord, you’re helping them stand when the shaking begins. Are your words and actions building stability in someone else’s faith?

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 8 2025 | Acts 14:15-20 KEY VERSE: “¹⁹ Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” Acts 14:19-20 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Paul had just been part of a great miracle in Lystra—a man crippled from birth was healed through faith. But the same crowd that once praised Paul soon turned against him, stirred by opposition. He was stoned, left to die, and dragged out of the city. From a human perspective, it looked like defeat. But what happened next revealed the power of perseverance: Paul got up and walked back into the very city that tried to kill him. His body may have been bruised, but his spirit was not broken.   This moment speaks volumes about the resilience of faith. Paul didn’t give up on his mission because of pain. He didn’t let rejection or suffering silence his calling. Sometimes we face spiritual “stonings”—attacks, criticisms, or failures that leave us wounded. But like Paul, we are called to rise again, not in our own strength, but in the strength of the One who called us. Being bruised is not a sign of weakness; it's often proof of obedience in a broken world. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: When life knocks you down, remember that the same God who raised Paul from the dust can lift you, too. You may carry bruises from battles you've faced—emotional, spiritual, or even physical—but God is not finished with you. Get up. Go back. Keep walking. You’re not broken beyond use. You're living proof that grace empowers the wounded to rise again.   PRAYER: Lord, when I feel bruised by life’s battles, help me to remember that I am not broken. Give me strength to rise again and continue the work You’ve called me to do, with courage and hope. For Your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 220: 2 Kings 22–25 — Josiah’s Reform and Judah’s Fall DAILY word study STONED The word stoned comes from the Greek "lithazo"( λιθάζω ), which means to throw stones at with the intent to harm or kill. In biblical times, stoning was a public act of judgment or rejection. Paul was stoned in Lystra not for doing wrong, but for doing right. He had just preached the gospel and healed a man. The same crowd that praised him quickly turned violent. Yet after the stoning, Paul didn’t quit. He got up and went back into the city. His response reveals how deeply conviction can overcome cruelty. Reflect on this: Have you ever felt attacked for standing up for what’s right? The stones may be verbal, emotional, or spiritual. But take heart—God gives strength to rise after the blow.

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 7 2025 | Acts 14:8-12 KEY VERSE: “Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. Acts 14:9b-10 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The man in Acts 14 had never walked a day in his life. He was born crippled, likely overlooked and pitied for years. But one day, he encountered the message of the gospel. As Paul preached, this man listened with an open heart, and something began to shift within him—faith awakened. Paul saw it, called it out, and gave a bold command: “Stand up on your feet!”  In that moment, the man didn’t hesitate or question. He responded, and for the first time in his life, he stood up and walked.   Sometimes, we’ve been down so long that we’ve accepted it as our normal. But God’s Word calls us to rise—spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes even physically. There are moments when faith must move from belief to action. The command to “stand up” was more than physical—it was a call to a new identity and restored dignity. When God speaks, He calls us not only to healing but also to boldness in response.   You may feel stuck, limited by past pain, fear, or failure. But when God says, “Stand up on your feet,”  it’s not just a suggestion—it’s a declaration of what He’s already made possible. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Don’t let your past keep you seated when faith is calling you higher. Respond to God’s voice. The same power that lifted the man in Lystra is still at work today—ready to lift you too. So, “Stand up on your feet” PRAYER: Lord, when You speak, give me the courage to respond. Help me rise from anything that has kept me bound and walk forward in the strength You provide. I trust You to make me stand.” For Your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 219: 2 Kings 18–21 — Hezekiah’s Faith and Manasseh’s Sin DAILY word study: STAND UP The Greek word for “Stand” is ἀνάστηθι (anastēthi), which comes from the verb anistēmi, which means “to rise,” “to stand,” or “to awaken.” This command is found in several moments of healing or resurrection in the New Testament (e.g., Luke 7:14, Mark 2:9). Paul’s command wasn’t motivational—it was prophetic. When he said, “Stand up,” he wasn’t just calling for movement but activating faith. The Greek word used carries a sense of resurrection, alertness, and new beginning. The man wasn’t just standing—he was stepping into a life he had never known. Reflect on this: What if God is speaking the same word over your life today? “Stand up”—not in your strength, but in His power.

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 6 2025 | Acts 14:8-12 KEY VERSE: “He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed. Acts 14:9 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   A man who had been crippled from birth sat and listened as Paul preached. He wasn’t shouting, asking for healing, or making a scene—he was present and attentive. Yet in that quiet moment of listening, something happened: faith stirred in his heart. Paul, discerning this faith, called him to stand—and in an instant, the man was healed. This story teaches us that healing often begins with a posture of openness. Sometimes, the most incredible miracles come when we sit under God’s Word with a heart ready to receive.   This man’s healing wasn’t based on a dramatic act or ritual, but on his quiet faith. While the world tells us to hustle for change, this passage reminds us that listening—truly listening—to God can unlock what striving never could. Sitting still doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means positioning ourselves with our hearts ready to hear, believe, and respond to what God is saying. Faith comes by hearing, and healing often follows faith. What followed this healing was dramatic—the people of Lystra responded with awe, even mistaking Paul and Barnabas for gods. But before the crowd's voice rose, one man had quietly believed.   You may be waiting for a breakthrough, wondering what more you need to do. Perhaps the answer is to pause, be present, and listen to what God is saying right where you are. In that place of quiet attention, God sees your faith. And just as He did in Lystra, He may be ready to call you into a new strength. Keep your heart open, because healing often meets those who are still enough to hear the call. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Quieten your spirit and shut out the noise. Stay your heart on the word of God. Focus on the word to build faith. Hear it with your eye and with your spirit. You are positioning yourself for a life-changing encounter by faith. PRAYER: Lord, help me to slow down and truly listen to Your Word. Strengthen my faith as I sit in Your presence. I trust that in Your perfect time, healing—of body, mind, or spirit—will come. Thank You, Lord. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 218: 2 Kings 13–17 — Decline and Fall of the Northern Kingdom DAILY word study: LISTENING The word “listening” in the New Testament is often translated from the Greek word akouō, meaning “to hear with attention” or “to understand.” It goes beyond just sound—it’s about giving focused attention with the heart. In Acts 14:9, the man didn’t just hear Paul; he listened with his heart, and faith grew inside him. Listening creates space for faith. When we truly listen, we are not just receiving words—we are making room for belief to form. Reflect on This: Do you listen to God with the same focus you give your favourite stories or songs?

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 5 2025 | Acts 14:8-15  KEY VERSE: “¹⁴when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. Acts 14:14-15 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   In Acts 14:8–15, Paul heals a man who had never walked, performing a miracle so astonishing that the people of Lystra assumed he and Barnabas were gods. The crowd praises them wildly, even attempting to offer sacrifices in their honour. But instead of soaking up the attention or capitalising on their newfound fame, Paul and Barnabas respond with deep distress. They tear their clothes—a sign of grief—and urgently point the people away from themselves and toward the living God. They understood the danger of misdirected glory and refused to let admiration distract from the gospel.   This moment reveals a timeless truth: we are not called to be famous, but to be faithful. In a world that often values popularity over integrity, Paul and Barnabas show us a better path. They didn’t manipulate the moment or ride the wave of attention. They stayed faithful to their calling, even when it cost them the favour of the crowd. Their humility reminds us that spiritual success is not about how many people applaud us but how well we reflect Christ in all circumstances.   Fame fades, but faithfulness leaves a lasting impact. Whether we serve in public or behind the scenes, our calling is to stay anchored in God’s truth and resist the temptation to make it about ourselves. When we live to glorify God instead of seeking personal praise, we create space for Him to be known and honoured through us. Like Paul and Barnabas, may we always choose. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do not be caught up in the social media frenzy and craze to sacrifice faithfulness for fame. Be focused and stay your course, let all attention be redirected to God while you faithfully serve on your assignment. PRAYER: Lord, help me to seek faithfulness over fame. Keep my heart fixed on You, especially when others try to lift me higher than I should be. May everything I do reflect Your glory, not mine. For Your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 217: 2 Kings 9–12 — Jehu’s Revolt and Temple Repairs DAILY word study: HUMAN The word “human” in Acts 14:15 comes from the Greek anthrōpoi, meaning "people" or "humans." It emphasises shared human nature, without divine qualities. Paul and Barnabas made it clear—they were not gods, just people. In a world of idols and celebrity worship, this word reminds us: we’re not to be glorified. We’re here to serve. Reflect on this: Never forget—being human is not a weakness. It’s a reminder to stay humble and depend fully on God.

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 4 2025 | Acts 14:8-14  KEY VERSE: “When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!” Acts 14:11 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   After Paul healed a crippled man in Lystra, the crowd was so astonished that they cried out, calling Paul and Barnabas gods. They tried to offer sacrifices to them, thinking they were Zeus and Hermes (Greek gods) in human form. In that moment, Paul and Barnabas were suddenly elevated and adored by people who had no understanding of the true God. It would have been tempting to bask in that glory, but instead, they tore their clothes in grief and pointed everyone to the living God.   This encounter highlights how easily people misplace their awe and admiration. Paul and Barnabas refused to let the crowd idolise them. They stayed faithful to their mission—declaring the truth about the one true God, not accepting glory that didn’t belong to them. Their humility stands in contrast to the human tendency to crave recognition. It's a powerful reminder that even when people praise us for what God has done through us, we must redirect that praise back to Him.   Being used by God doesn’t make us the source of the miracle—it makes us vessels. Paul and Barnabas understood their role: not to absorb worship but to reflect it upward. When God works through you—whether through gifts, talents, or acts of kindness—stay faithful. Let your life, like theirs, point others beyond yourself and toward the Saviour. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: When tempted to receive praise that only God should get, remember you are not the Object of worship. When people throw on you what belongs to God, point them to the One who deserves all the Praise-GOD. PRAYER: Lord, keep my heart humble when others praise me. Help me always point back to You and stay faithful, remembering that every good work comes from Your hand. Let my life be a clear reflection of Your glory, not my own. For Your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 216: 2 Kings 5–8 — Naaman Healed, Famine in Samaria DAILY word study: GODS The word gods in Acts 14:11 comes from the Greek theoi, meaning divine beings or deities. In the Greco-Roman world, people believed in many gods who could visit earth in human form. When Paul healed the man, the people of Lystra didn’t turn to the true God. They shouted, “The gods have come down to us!” and tried to treat Paul and Barnabas as divine. Their thinking was shaped by their past beliefs, not by the truth of the Gospel. Even miracles can be misunderstood when hearts are not trained to see God. Reflect on this: Do people see God when something powerful happens through you? Or are they tempted to focus on you instead? Your response can either point them higher—or keep the attention too low.

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 3 2025 | Acts 14:1-7  KEY VERSE: “So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of His grace....” Acts 14:3a (NIV)   MESSAGE:   In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas preached with such power that many Jews and Gentiles came to faith. Yet, opposition quickly arose, and the city became divided. It would have been easier—and safer—for them to move on, but instead, they “remained for a long time.”  Why? Because God was working.   Sometimes, the most fruitful places are also the most challenging. We should consider this: are we willing to stay where God is stirring, even when it gets uncomfortable? Remaining in hard places takes boldness—not just human courage, but spiritual strength fueled by grace. The apostles didn’t just endure; they kept speaking boldly for the Lord. They trusted that God's Word would bear fruit, even when people’s minds were being poisoned against them (v. 2). As we press into prayer, self-denial, and reflection, we’re reminded that spiritual growth doesn’t always come from escaping difficulty, but often through staying rooted in God amid the storm.   The lesson here is clear: don't flee just because it's tough. If God has placed you in a situation where truth is needed, where light is breaking through darkness, and where hearts are being stirred—even in conflict—then stay and speak. Let your life testify boldly to the grace of God. He will bear witness through your faithfulness. We must bear in mind that Spiritual fruits often grow in hostile soil. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: When faced with trying times during an assignment for God, are you tempted to flee? Remember that if God sent you, He will sustain you through the difficult times. STAY. PRAYER: Lord, help me not to run from difficulty when You are working in the middle of it. Give me boldness to speak the truth with grace and to remain where You are stirring hearts. Use me, even in uncomfortable places, for Your glory. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 215 : 2 Kings 1–4 — Elijah’s Departure & Elisha’s Miracles DAILY word study: REMAINED The word “remained” comes from the Greek word diatríbō, which means “to spend time,” “to stay with purpose,” or “to continue in a place with intent.” Paul and Barnabas didn’t stay in Iconium just because they had nowhere else to go. They remained because the Spirit of God was actively working—changing lives, despite the conflict. Their staying was a sign of obedience and trust in God's plan, not comfort. To remain where God is working is often a call to deep faith, even when others are resisting truth. Reflect on This: Is your urge to move on coming from fear or from faith? When God is working, don’t walk away. Remain with purpose.

Rev Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 2 2025 | Acts 14:1-7 KEY VERSE: “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord.” Acts 14:2-3 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Paul and Barnabas entered Iconium and preached the gospel with such clarity that many Jews and Gentiles believed. Yet, alongside this fruitfulness came fierce opposition. Instead of retreating, they remained and continued speaking boldly. This teaches us that success in ministry and life doesn’t mean the absence of conflict. Sometimes, bold obedience to Christ will stir up both revival and resistance. We are invited to reflect on how we respond when our faith is tested in hostile environments.   The passage highlights a divided city—some believed, others opposed. In our world today, truth often causes division, not because it is harmful, but because it exposes hearts. Again, we are invited to search our hearts: Are we more concerned with comfort or with faithfulness? Are we willing to stay and speak, even when it’s unpopular or uncomfortable? The example of Paul and Barnabas challenges us to be unwavering in our witness, no matter the cost.   Notice that their courage wasn’t rooted in self-confidence but in the Lord. “They remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of His grace...”  (v. 3). God confirmed their message through signs and wonders—not to elevate them, but to point people to Christ. Boldness to preach the gospel flows from grace, and God backs the gospel with His power, even in the midst of persecution. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Have you experienced the grace of God? It should give you boldness to tell others about His goodness, even in the face of opposition. Start today from where you are. Grace is available. PRAYER: Lord, give me the courage to remain faithful in places of opposition. Please help me to speak boldly, not for my sake, but for Yours. May Your grace strengthen me, and may my life point others to the truth of the gospel, even when the world pushes back .  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 214 : 1 Kings 19–22 — Elijah’s Flight & Ahab’s Death DAILY word study: BOLDLY The Greek word translated boldly is parrēsiazomai, meaning “to speak freely, openly, or without fear.” This word captures more than confidence—it means speaking with trust in the message, not yourself. Paul and Barnabas weren’t fearless because of who they were, but because of who they served. They remained where others might flee because grace gave them courage. Reflect on this Where do you need to speak freely for the Lord? Are you waiting to feel bold before you act—or are you willing to let grace speak through you?

Rev. Enoch Thompson | August 1 2025 | Acts 13:49-52  KEY VERSE: “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   In the midst of opposition to the preaching of Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and the opposition and persecution that it generated, we are told that the disciples, those who had believed and were committed to being citizens of the Kingdom of God, “were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Christian faith commitment does not remove challenges from within and from without, but gives believers the power to experience life at a higher, healthier and fuller level. Joy, as we read of in this passage, is not only a spiritual virtue that the disciples experienced. It was equally an emotional high, a positive psychological feeling of well-being and happiness. Joy is a factor in the life of a person that will ward off the forces of depression, anxiety and frustration. Our walk with God more than prepares us for Heaven; it brings Heaven into our earthly life!   Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples experienced a renewed, heightened sense of the blessed Holy Spirit. They had a fresh understanding of the presence of God as the blessed Holy Spirit with them. Their spiritual appreciation of God was raised to a new level. They were overwhelmed with divine love, peace and joy. They were motivated to live the righteous life and to preach the Good News that Jesus came to die and arose from the dead for the salvation of humans from the judgment due us.   Paul captures the thought presented here as follows: “ ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Rom 14:17-18 (NIV). FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Desire the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual benefits of being a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Look forward to these blessings in the midst of the surrounding challenges. PRAYER: Oh Lord, what an excitement to walk with you in the path of faith. I desire to experience the uplifting benefits of this walk and to help others find this blessing. Help me, Lord, for your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 213 : 1 Kings 15–18 — Asa’s Reforms & Elijah Confronts Ahab DAILY word study: JOY The word “joy” in Acts 13:52 is from the Greek χαρά (chara), meaning a deep, inner gladness not dependent on external situations. It reflects a rejoicing that comes from the Holy Spirit’s presence and work. This joy is not the same as surface happiness. It is spiritual strength, emotional wellness, and mental peace all rolled into one. In the middle of rejection and threats, the disciples were filled with chara. This was God’s gift to them—not a reaction to comfort, but the result of communion. Reflect on This: Are you waiting for things to get easier before you feel joy? What if God wants to fill you with joy now—right where you are?

Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 31 2025 | Acts 13:48-51  KEY VERSE: “ ⁴⁹ The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region. ” Acts 13:49-50 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   When God sends us on assignments, we are certain that the outcome will be success, to His glory. This is so because God knows all things, has all power and can do all things in and through us. This confidence in God sometimes overshadows another truth, which we must keep in mind as we venture to take new territories, that is, the mission of God will always attract opposition from the enemies of God. Acts 13:49 reports the rapid spread of the Gospel as the Apostles bore witness to the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as the way opened for reconciliation with God. The immediate response to this progress report is the incitement of persecution by the Jews and the expulsion of Paul and Barnabas from the region. Very often, new territory is occupied territory, occupied by other interested parties, physical or spiritual. Competing interests will seek to keep us out of the new things God would want us to attain.   The promise of the building of the church was made with a proviso that the gates of hell would not prevail against it, because the gates of hell would fight against the divine action to build the church! When God told Joshua, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life, (Joshua 1:5), He did not mean that the assignment was going to be without challenges and opposition. He meant that people WOULD GET UP AGAINST YOU, BUT CANNOT STAND UP AGAINST YOU. God has provided us with weapons like prayer, Scripture, and the support of our church community to help us stand firm. Let us engage those weapons and keep on keeping on. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are you experiencing any pushback in a clear vision from God you are pursuing? Don’t be deterred, press on, victory is assured! PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for committing your missions unto me, to your Church. Thank you for the pattern, which is clear that we shall face opposition as we reach out to take new territories. Please make us resolute, strong and courageous. May your mission prosper in our hands. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 212 : 1 Kings 14 — Jeroboam’s Fall and Judah’s Decline DAILY word study: SPREAD The word spread in the Greek is diapherō, which means “to carry through” or “to bear widely.” It conveys the idea of movement, expansion, and active distribution. In Acts 13:49, the gospel wasn’t just shared—it was carried far and wide across the region. The message of Jesus moved beyond individual moments into entire communities. God’s word spreads when His people are faithful, even when facing resistance. Reflect on This: Are you letting God’s word travel through you into the spaces around you? The gospel is meant to move—don’t keep it still.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 30 2025 | Acts 13:44-48 KEY VERSE: “Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ”_ Acts 13:46 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   It is the usual thing that we are told to consider ourselves unworthy of the goodness and mercies of God, and that is true since sin separated us from God, and even after we have become born again through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the old thought of our undeserved status still lingers with us. Religious thinking makes us think ourselves unworthy of God and His blessings, and our backgrounds and experiences may reinforce this sense of unworthiness. But in the preaching of the Good News, God would have us think differently about our approach to His abundant goodness, and to approach Him and walk with Him in confidence.  Coming to believe in Jesus Christ in the first place requires a certain amount of counting ourselves worthy of the goodness of God, not because we are worthy in ourselves, but that the mercy of God has made us worthy to access His blessings. When the Jews in Pisidian Antioch rejected the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul pointed out to them that it is not God who had disowned them but that it is they who  “ do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life.” (Acts 13:46). On the other hand, the Gentiles when they heard the same message counted themselves worthy of the offer of salvation, and in accepting it honoured the Lord (verse 48). FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: The offer of eternal life and all the spiritual and material blessings of God are offered freely to you; would you come boldly and count yourself worthy to begin to walk in the eternal life? PRAYER: Dear Lord, I come with humility to the banquet table not because I have anything in myself to make me deserve, but that you have invited me, and thereby made me worthy. Please help me to trust more and more in your making me worthy, and to walk in the confidence that comes from honouring you, day by day. “ Just as I am, I come.” For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 211 : 1 Kings 13 — The Man of God and the Disobedient Prophet   DAILY word study : WORTHY The Greek word used here is ἄξιος (axios), which means “deserving,” “fit,” or “suitable.” It was often used to speak of someone matching the value of what they receive. In Acts 13:46, Paul wasn’t saying the Jews lacked value. He meant they chose not to receive what matched the value of what was offered—eternal life. They saw themselves as unfit for it. The Gentiles, however, believed and received it joyfully. Believing the gospel means accepting that God made you fit to receive what He freely gives—not through your efforts, but through Christ. Reflect on this: Rejecting God’s gift doesn’t change its value — but it does keep you from enjoying it

Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 29 2025 | Acts 13:38-43  KEY VERSE: ³⁸ "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Paul and Barnabas presented the Good News of salvation to the Jews in the Pisidian Antioch synagogue: "T herefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.   Acts 13:38-39 (NIV). Through Christ Jesus and Him alone, every believer is saved.   The unique claims of the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world are the foundational issue that every human being must address for the eternal salvation of the human soul. In our world today, we have the history and the claims of many religious expressions, and, in the thinking of some people, “all roads lead to Heaven.” However, the Lord Jesus continues to declare, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6-7 (NIV). The Holy Spirit continues to testify, “ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV).   Whose report shall we believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord. Israel needed to be confronted with the truth that the Law and its observances could not save them, and that the Law was given by God to make human sinfulness more glaring, and to point humans to the only Saviour, God Himself, dying for human sin. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Have you personally believed that Jesus Christ of Nazareth died in your place and for your salvation from eternity in Hell? That is what we mean by accepting Jesus Christ. Settle that matter, now, and continue to walk in the grace of God. PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross in my place and for my salvation. I pray that you help me to live as one set free from Satan and sin, by your sacrifice. Please help me share this Good news with others. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 210 : 1 Kings 12 -  Rehoboam’s Folly and the Division of the Kingdom DAILY word study: JUSTIFIED The Greek word for "justified" is dikaioō, which means to declare righteous or to make right with God. It’s a legal word that means being set free from guilt—no longer seen as guilty before God. In Acts 13, Paul makes it clear: The Law of Moses couldn’t justify. Only faith in Jesus can make someone right with God. Reflect on this: Being justified means God sees you as right—not because of your effort, but because of Jesus. Do you live each day as someone who has already been accepted and forgiven?