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Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. Acts 12:18 It’s natural to feel a burden for those whom we know to be suffering. When I get to know an addict and I pour myself into his life, I become emotionally invested. Then, when he…
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He described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. Acts 12:17 Growing up in an evangelical church, we celebrated testimony – the story of how God has transformed us. The worse someone was before they met Christ, the better the story. In hearing those dramatic testimonies, I was jealous. I…
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But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. Acts 12:16 I’m quite absentminded and, so, it’s not uncommon for me to lose my car keys. I’ll look in all the usual spots with no luck. Then, late and frustrated, I’ll pray, asking God for miraculous intervention. At that point,…
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And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Acts 12:8 Some Christians will teach that when we come to faith, Christ instantly transports us out of the prison of our addictions. These believers insist that because we’re new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we’re absolutely free from all of…
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He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Acts 12:2 One of the worst things that happened to me, after I first diverted opiate pain pills for my own use, was . . . nothing. I cheated the…
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And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world. So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. Acts 11:28-29 I’ve been surprised by how controversial face masks have become.…
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Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch . . . And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. Acts 11:19-21 Often, in the midst of painful trials, well-meaning Christians…
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If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way? Acts 11:17 I’ve been in and around enough churches in my life that I’ve become familiar with this argument against change, “That’s just…
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So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Acts 11:2 It’s always amazed me how quickly an addict can become judgmental towards others. In treatment himself, only a few days sober, the newly recovered addict suddenly has the audacity to look…
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Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35 Over the years, I’ve run several marathons and have finished them all except one. That one, I walked off the course halfway through, taking the bus of shame…
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