Unstoppable! 'Problems into Opportunities' — Acts 6:7

Saturday, March 25, 2023

So God's message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
— Acts 6:7 NLT

Key Thought

The Jewish priestly class had been some of the fiercest skeptics and adversaries of the Lord Jesus in his earthly ministry. They were also fierce opponents of the apostles in their ministry, often threatening and persecuting them, and they even approved Saul's going to Damascus to arrest Christians (Acts 9:1-2). The Holy Spirit used the solution to the problem in taking care of needy Greek-speaking widows in Jerusalem to open the hearts of many of those priests to follow Jesus. A potentially divisive controversy became an evangelistic opportunity. I am not sure what captured the hearts of the priests, but the way the apostles handled this problem became the Holy Spirit's tool of influence. The message of Jesus IS unstoppable! The Spirit used the solving of a potential conflict to spread the Good News to a group that seemed unreachable in those days. Imagine what the Spirit can do as we lovingly and spiritually address our problems today!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, use our current problems as opportunities for us and for Jesus' people everywhere to reach those who are skeptical and critical of us. We ask this in Jesus' name so that your grace dawns in the hearts of more men and women looking for answers to life's problems. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 4:1-24, 5:17-32
  • Philippians 4:22-23

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 6:7 NLT — So God's message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

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.

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