Manna Ready to Eat

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” (Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭7‬) This verse begins the story of the young man Eutychus who ends up falling asleep, causing him to fall to his death and the Lord resurrects him. If we look closely we will begin to see some keys in this passage that are also found in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Seven Keys: 1. Continued/delayed/prolonged 2. Midnight 3. Lamps- a few translations...

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭13‬-‭16‬) First notice...

“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” (Acts‬ ‭18‬:‭9‬-‭10‬) Paul was abiding in the Lord Jesus, and His shadow (Ps. 91) was his armor (Eph. 6). So many times we look ahead to meetings, situations, tasks, daily activities and try and play out what we will do or say. When the Lord is encouraging us to simply yield to the Holy Spirit...

“But many of the Jews were motivated by bitter jealousy and formed a large mob out of the troublemakers, unsavory characters, and street gangs to incite a riot. They set out to attack Jason’s house, for he had welcomed the apostles into his home. The mob was after Paul and Silas and sought to take them by force and bring them out to the people. When they couldn’t find them, they took Jason instead, along with some of the brothers in his house church, and dragged them before the city council. Along the way they screamed out, “Those troublemakers who...

“But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” (Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭37‬) This is after Paul and Silas are beaten and imprisoned for casting a demonic spirit out of a young girl. The girls owners had leveled accusations against them when they realized they would no longer be able to make money off her fortune telling. So after they are beaten they are thrown in jail. While chained they begin to pray and praise,...