Read Acts 11

Highlights:

Disciples called Christians; James' death; Peter's imprisonment and deliverance; missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas.

And when He had removed him, He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will (Acts 13:22).

David is known as a man after Mine (God's) own heart, but we seldom hear the reason that follows, that David was one who shall fulfill all My will. What made David a man after God's own heart? Simply this, he was willing to do the will of God with his whole heart. There are times we find David's life falling out of God's will. At the end of these times, David is normally found in a state of heartfelt repentance. So, even in his times of disobedience, David still ended up following God's leadings back to the right path. We all need to let God's will be the first priority in our lives. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth (John 9:31).

King Saul performed part of God's will insofar as it pleased himself and the people. But this double-minded man was rejected by God. God never called us to follow Him sometimes. He desires us to follow Him always. Double-mindedness has no place in God's kingdom. If we are guilty of this, we must decide to follow Him. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8).

Compared to David's, your abilities may not seem important to you, but don't overlook what concerns God. Each of us has a particular calling, a place that no one else can fill. And the Lord wants you to fulfill His will with the abilities you have. God has chosen you to fulfill a certain place. No one else can fulfill this place except you. As long as we make ourselves availble to do the will of God, He will use us. Perhaps He may just want us to plant a seed, or give encouragement. We may never know the outcome of a simple act of obedience until we get to heaven. Paul said: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). This position is God's purpose for your life. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 1:9).

Decide right now to be the one of whom God can say, “I have this one who shall do My will.” What he expects you to be, He will truly enable you to become.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).

Thought for Today:

Our fruitfulness is dependent upon how much of God's Word controls our lives.

Cross References:

For Acts 13:22: See 1 Sam. 13:14; Ps. 89:20. Acts 13:33: See Ps. 2:7. Acts 13:34: See Is. 55:3. Acts 13:35: See Ps. 16:10. Acts 13:41: See Hab. 1:5. Acts 13:47: See Is. 49:6.

Word Studies:

12:1 Herod, Agrippa I, king of Judea, grandson of Herod the Great (Luke 1:5); to vex, to trouble; 12:4 four quaternions, 4 guards of 4 soldiers each; Easter, Passover; 12:15 mad, out of your mind; 13:17 high arm, great power.

Prayer Suggestion: Keep your mind on the Lord and trust Him; He will give you peace (Is. 26:3).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:12