February 10, 2012 (Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” Acts 17:11 NLT
Observation: The majority of the people in Thessalonica were not very receptive to the gospel. The Thessalonian Jews turned jealous and formed a mob to oppose the gospel message. So Paul and Silas headed for Berea to preach Christ there. The people in Berea eagerly listened to Paul’s message and wanted to know more. They searched the scriptures daily to see if what they were hearing was truth. They discovered it was and many believed and joined Paul and Silas in spreading the gospel.
Application: It’s amazing how little people have changed over the past two thousand years. People who refuse to accept the gospels truth are still in abundant supply. They form mobs to protest against what the Bible clearly teaches as sin. They rebel against the moral authority of God’s word and do as they please. But a few will do just what the Bereas did. They will search the scriptures daily and see what the truth is. I pray that every person I ever witness to will turn to God’s holy word to determine if what I teach is truth. To study the scriptures and know the truth is one thing, to study the scriptures and submit to the truth is another.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this day You’ve made. I love You and worship You for who You are. You are the awesome God of heaven and greater than You is not possible! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for Your truth that I can discover within the pages of Your holy word. May I always seek Your scriptures to learn, know and submit to Your truth, in Jesus name, Amen!