Unstoppable! 'Sticking to the Formula' — Acts 16:13

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Multiplication of Ministry: Year-End Information

Key dates and details about our year-end ministry transition and financial support.

See Details

[After arriving in Philippi several days before,] on the Sabbath we [Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke] went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.

Key Thought

In cities without a synagogue, Jewish worshipers met near a river to have a time of prayer. Paul and his mission team stuck to the same formula Barnabas and Paul used on their first missionary journey. They began with religious Jews, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah promised by Moses and the prophets. Women played a crucial role in the life of the churches in Macedonia, so we shouldn't be surprised that the church in Philippi began with a group of women whose story follows in the subsequent verses. The compelling stories that follow are reminders that the vision to come to Macedonia (Acts 16:9) was world-changing, not just for this group of women, but for the history of salvation for Europe. As Jesus once said, the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed (Luke 13:18-21).

Today's Prayer

O Father, please make my efforts at sharing your love, mercy, and grace effective. Grow your Kingdom through my efforts so they will be to your glory and so others will come to Christ. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 16:13 NLT — [After arriving in Philippi several days before,] on the Sabbath we [Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke] went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, August 20, 2026

A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him will groan after restoration. In this renewal the same exercise of grace is required as at our....."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, Keep me from talking about or thinking about illicit sex and pornography and covetousness, since you require that your holy people avoid..."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[Jesus said,] "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ... When you are..."

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.