Acts 18 | Renewed Encouragement

Monday: Read Acts 18:1-4
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Readers of Acts know Priscilla and Aquila as faithful partners in the work of the Gospel, but in Acts 18 Paul met them without knowing the whole story God was writing. In that moment he only knew they shared his trade as tentmakers. All three may have felt discouraged or frustrated, Paul pressed on by threats and Priscilla and Aquila driven from Rome by a decree, yet God was quietly arranging their steps. He gathered them in Corinth not merely to mend tents but to build up the church and advance the kingdom, turning inconvenience and a common skill into a Divinely arranged partnership.

 Pause and remember someone who has shaped your life. Do you recall your first meeting with them. They were a stranger, yet God in His kindness placed them in your path, and what began as a simple introduction or a shared interest became a doorway for growth. Imagine greeting every new person as a gift from the Lord, someone He may use to encourage you, challenge you, or partner with you in the work of His kingdom. Let that perspective shape you so your voice is calm, your patience is strong, and your conversations are real. Today ask God to open your eyes to the people He is bringing near, so you do not stop at common hobbies but welcome the greater purpose He is writing through your relationships.

Spiritual Practice: Welcoming Divine Appointments

God often weaves His purposes through unexpected relationships. Like Paul meeting Priscilla and Aquila, we may see only a shared skill or circumstance at first, but the Lord is quietly arranging partnerships for His kingdom. This practice helps you train your heart to see each new connection as a potential divine appointment.

1. Pray for Awareness – Each morning, ask God to open your eyes to the people He is bringing into your path.

2. Notice the Details – Be intentional in conversations, paying attention to shared interests, struggles, or callings.

3. Respond with Openness – Treat each interaction as an opportunity for God to work, resisting the urge to rush past or dismiss it.

4. Follow Up – If someone seems placed in your life for a reason, take the next step to connect again—share a meal, pray together, or serve alongside them.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Proverbs 16:9, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Romans 12:10, Hebrews 10:24-25

Tueday: Read Acts 18:5-11
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Luke records another ministry setback. Paul faced opposition and reviling in Corinth. It is easy to picture Paul as fearless and bold, but he was still human. He likely wrestled with anger, frustration, and fear, just as anyone would in that setting. Perhaps his fear did not come only from the threat of harm but from the ache of not feeling enough, possibly letting numbers become the verdict on his calling. The strain of slow fruit and repeated resistance can make even a faithful servant question his or her value.

It is striking that the first words the Lord spoke were, “Do not be afraid.” That comfort reached both kinds of fear, the fear of harm and the fear of not being worthy of the call. Jesus anchored the command with a promise, “for I am with you.” His presence, not our performance, is the ground of courage and the power for the work. This is our reminder today. God has called every believer to keep the Great Commission before us, and when results seem small, do not be afraid, for Jesus is with you every step of the way. Your worthiness and value are found in Him, not in what you can count or produce. Take heart and keep speaking and serving, knowing He is near and He will bear the fruit in His time.

Spiritual Practice: Courage in His Presence

When ministry feels fruitless or opposition looms, it is easy to measure our worth by visible results. But just as Jesus told Paul, “Do not be afraid… for I am with you,” our courage comes from His presence, not our performance. This practice helps you realign your heart to rest in His nearness and keep going in faith.

1. Pause to Remember His Presence – Begin your day by quietly reflecting on the truth that Jesus is with you right now.

2. Name Your Fears – Identify the situations, doubts, or discouragements that make you hesitate, and lay them before God in prayer.

3. Replace Fear with His Promise – Speak Scriptures aloud that remind you of His presence and faithfulness.

4. Take the Next Step – Act in obedience to what God has called you to do today, trusting Him with the results.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20,  2 Timothy 1:7

Wednesday: Read Acts 18:12-17
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Little is known about Gallio beyond his position as Rome’s proconsul in Corinth, responsible for maintaining order and overseeing legal disputes. Both Scripture and historical records suggest he was not a tyrant but a man who avoided unnecessary entanglements. Luke records his swift dismissal of the Jews’ accusations against Paul, revealing a leader unwilling to step into matters of religious controversy. With firm authority, Gallio sent the crowd away, making it clear he would not be drawn into their quarrels.

Gallio’s indifference may have been frustrating for both parties—the Jews who wanted Paul silenced and Paul who may have hoped for an opportunity to speak and bear witness before the court. Yet, his decision carried an unexpected benefit. As the voice of Roman authority, Gallio declared by his actions that Paul had committed no crime, effectively granting him freedom to continue his mission without fear of legal consequence. What may have felt like an inconvenient or missed opportunity became a doorway for the gospel’s advance, reminding us that God can turn what we see as unjust, wrong, or disappointing into something that furthers His good purpose.

Spiritual Practice: Trusting God with Unlikely Outcomes

When situations feel disappointing, unjust, or like a missed opportunity, God may still be working behind the scenes. Gallio’s decision, though it may have seemed indifferent, ultimately gave Paul freedom to continue his mission. This practice helps you shift your perspective from frustration to trust, believing God can turn even unexpected outcomes for His glory.

1. Recall Past Surprises – Think of a time when God used a situation you didn’t understand for good, and thank Him for it.

2. Release Control in Prayer – Bring your current frustrations or disappointments before God, surrendering your desired outcome to Him.

3. Watch for God’s Hand – Stay attentive to ways God may be moving in your situation, even if it’s different than you expected.

4. Respond in Faith – Continue serving and obeying God while trusting Him to shape the results.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Genesis 50:20, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28

Thursday: Read Acts 18:18-23
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Luke notes earlier that Paul may have wrestled with fear—whether from the threat of physical harm or from questioning his usefulness when fruit seemed scarce. In Corinth, the Lord promised, “I am with you” (Acts 18:10), a word that strengthened Paul to remain there for up to two more years, faithfully proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. Luke records no other visions or direct words from Jesus during that period, though they may have happened. If they did not, then what Jesus had spoken that night was enough to carry Paul through the work in Corinth and beyond—until five years later, when Luke records the Lord speaking again in Acts 23.

If those recorded words were the only ones Paul heard, how often he must have recalled and replayed them in his mind. He knew he was commanded not to fear and was assured of the Lord’s constant presence. Today, most believers may never hear the audible voice of Jesus until they step into eternity, yet we hold something Paul did not, the complete canon of Scripture. God’s written Word informs, instructs, corrects, and offers wisdom for every situation (2 Timothy 3:16). Like Paul, we can cling to what God has spoken and let it anchor us through the hardest seasons and guide us in the brightest ones. The same Word that fueled Paul’s courage for years is the same Word we hold in our hands today ready to strengthen us, sustain us, and send us forward in the mission God has called us to.

Spiritual Practice: Clinging to What God Has Spoken

Like Paul in Corinth, we may not hear fresh words from the Lord every day, yet His previous promises and the written Word are enough to sustain us. This practice helps you remember, rehearse, and live by what God has already said, trusting it to guide you through both long seasons of silence and seasons of abundance.

1. Recall a Promise – Identify a specific Scripture or word from God that has encouraged you in the past. Write it down somewhere visible.

2. Revisit Daily – Meditate on that promise each day this week, speaking it aloud and praying it back to God.

3. Respond in Obedience – Let that truth shape a practical choice or action today, even if circumstances haven’t changed.

4. Record God’s Faithfulness – Keep a journal of how holding onto this truth impacts your perspective and strengthens your resolve.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Friday: Read Acts 18:24-28
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Even as God was powerfully using Paul to proclaim the gospel, he was not the only instrument in God’s hands. Luke introduces us to Apollos, an eloquent speaker, competent in the Scriptures, and fervent in spirit. These were impressive qualities, yet his understanding of the way of God was still incomplete. Then enter Priscilla and Aquila, not introduced with the same glowing credentials, but known simply as tentmakers who had traveled with Paul to Ephesus. Still, God used them to come alongside Apollos, explaining the way of God more accurately. In humility, Apollos listened, received their instruction, and was equipped to proclaim a truer and fuller message.

This moment reminds us that God’s kingdom work is not limited to the most gifted, the most eloquent, or the most well-known. While we often admire and elevate those with public influence or exceptional talent, God delights in using anyone who is willing and faithful. Priscilla and Aquila were not apostles, renowned teachers, or trained theologians, they were tentmakers. Yet their obedience and willingness to invest in Apollos helped shape a leader who would have a significant role in the spread of the gospel. The Lord is not impressed by titles or reputations; He is moved by availability, humility, and faithfulness. In God’s hands, ordinary believers become extraordinary instruments for His mission, capable of influencing lives in ways they may never fully see on this side of eternity.

Spiritual Practice: Care for Souls, Not Arguments

God’s mission is not reserved for the most talented or well-known. Like Priscilla and Aquila, He can use anyone who is willing to serve and invest in others. This practice helps you live with a readiness to be used by God—whether in a public role or in a quiet, behind-the-scenes moment.

1. Offer Yourself Daily – Begin each day in prayer, telling God you are available for whatever He has planned.

2. Look for Opportunities – Be attentive to people around you who might need encouragement, guidance, or a listening ear.

3. Invest in One Person – Take intentional steps to help someone grow in their faith, even if it’s a simple conversation or shared prayer.

4. Celebrate God’s Work in Others – Rejoice when those you invest in flourish, giving glory to God rather than seeking credit.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: 1 Corinthians 1:27, Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Peter 4:10, 2 Timothy 2:2