Unstoppable! 'The Lord's Hand Was in This!' — Acts 11:20-21

Monday, June 29, 2026

However, some of the believers who went to Antioch... [because of the persecution in Jerusalem] began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
— Acts 11:20-21 NLT

Key Thought

To reach people wherever we go requires two essential things at the same time:
  1. Our commitment to go where the Lord leads us and to tell everyone about Jesus.
  2. The power of the Lord working to help open the hearts of those to whom we are sent.
The first of these requires our readiness and willingness to share Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). As for the second, the Lord opened the disciples' minds and the door to the hearts of people the disciples were trying to reach (Acts 14:27, 16:14; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Colossians 4:3). He can still do the same now with us and also for people we are trying to reach with the story of Jesus.

Today's Prayer

God of all people, please help me see those whose hearts you have prepared for the message of Jesus. Empower me through the Holy Spirit to share the right words that will help them find your grace in Jesus. I commit to seeking your strength so that I will have both gentleness and courage as I share Jesus with those around me. I ask you to open their minds and hearts to the message of Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Pushing Past the Racial Barrier
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of..."
To the Ends of the Earth
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
God uses the most amazing connections and people to fulfill his promises to bless all people! James Nored and Phil Ware share Jesus' plan to reach all peoples, like the Ethiopian Nobleman and the people in the farthest reaches of the earth, with the goodness of grace.
Moving Out
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Faithful Follower, One of the marks of Our — Father, Son, and Spirit's — people has been their acceptance of "moving out," that is,...."
Discovering the Character of your Church: 'Are' Values or 'Should' Values?
Article by Tim Woodroof
How do we get down to our true values? Tim Woodroof talks about the values of churches and distinguishes between the values that are and the values that churches feel like they should have.
See All 5 Related Resources about Acts 11:20-21

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:20-21 NLT — However, some of the believers who went to Antioch... [because of the persecution in Jerusalem] began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, June 29, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Urgency!' (Jn. 9:4)
"[To his disciples, Jesus continued,] "We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 138:8
"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 17:3
"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Shows the Proper Path' (Ps. 25:8-10)
"The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way......"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!