October 21, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Kings and Acts? Here’s today’s reading:
Acts 16 (NIV)
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey,……Continue Reading
Cool to see the Holy Spirit guiding and directing the path of Paul and Timothy. They thought they had a plan but God’s plan prevailed. I love the story of the demon possessed girl for so many reasons. First, Paul’s annoyance is used to cast out the evil spirit, no one asked him to help her, she wasn’t seeking to be saved but rather he doesn’t want to listen anymore so he casts it out and winds up unfolding a miraculous series of events. Obviously those who are benefiting from the torment of another don’t like that you have taken their meal ticket so they are beaten and jailed but their reaction to this is to sing and praise God…so confusing to the other prisoners! Earthquake, open doors, loose chains….RUN, but no they stay to save this jailer. Such amazing discernment to know that the plan wasn’t to escape but rather to bring this man to Christ. Finally, you gotta love these men having to politely escort them out after all the evil they had done putting them in there. Great story of God’s faithfulness, protection, and His plans happening in the most unexpected ways!
The first thing that hit me is the fact that Paul returns here to Lystra where he was beaten and left for dead. What courage he had that we should emulate. We should also see as a model the sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading to know where He is leading and not leading. The very place that he is being kept from is the place that he will later minister to. Timing is important to God and we should do our best to know both what to do and when to do it. And how simple the beginnings of things can be, to think of all the people who would be saved in Europe, the first one is saved by a river outside of the metropolis where people have gathered to pray. This account also speaks to the self centered and greedy nature of humankind, that anyone enslaves another for their benefit. There was no concern over the challenge of this girl having this spirit, just how much money they made. And now they come after Paul because he has taken away their source of income. And how worthy an example Paul and Silas are here that they are praising God when they have been beaten and thrown in prison and then they stay when the opportunity presents itself to be free. How overcoming and life changing is the knowledge of God and the power of Christ! It is no wonder this guard is struck by it and then wants it for himself. And how free and simple the gospel is. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved! Now that is good news!
The Holy Spirit guided Paul on which direction to go. How important to ask in prayer which direction to go personally and as a church. People have commented on our outreach this coming Sunday. But with careful consideration and bathed in prayer we will show Gods love once again to many seeking. As Paul and Silas goes right into the enemy’s camps. Where this possessed slave girl. Is being used for money. Was down the cape with relatives last week. Who one was telling of going to a fortune teller. After looking at what Gods truth was about this. She agreed to not go anymore. And was given a Done. Book. Praying it takes root. Inner cell. Shackles clamping your ankles. Cold dark. Stink. I’d be sucking my thumb crying out mommy. But after reading this 100 times. Think it’s finally starting to sink in. Let’s shake our surroundings with praise and prayer. Kind of hard to do with one person showing up for monthly prayer breakfast. Is there a more powerful weapon on earth. Praising our lord with others?
Acts 16
Acts 16
Acts 16
Paul is introduced in the city of Lystra to a disciple named Timothy. He is a man well reported by the believers and therefore Paul has him join them in preaching Jesus. But Timothy`s father was a Greek and his mother Jewish. Paul has him circumcised to quiet the Jews in the area. We know from an earlier chapter that being circumcised has nothing to do with being saved. Paul was very clear about this in his writings. For example, Romans 2:28,29 and Romans 3:28. {For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.} Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.} So, I am not sure why Paul had Timothy circumcised knowing this had nothing to do with salvation. Perhaps because Timothy was half Jewish? Maybe Paul just didn`t want to be distracted and wanted to preach Jesus? Perhaps Paul didn`t want to cause a stumbling block to the Jews that were there? 1 Cor. 10:32 {Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.} God bless you all.
Acts 16
Acts 16
I had many of the same thoughts as Dennis, studying in Romans (and knowing Galatians) that Paul curses those who place the burden of circumcision (or obedience to the law or preaching another gospel) as a requirement for salvation, why did he have Timothy circumcised? I think it just proves the nuances of obedience to Christ. Like many things, they are not necessary for salvation but still have other purposes – like maybe not causing your brother to stumble.