Acts 28 | Renewed Mission Continues

Monday: Read Acts 28:1-10
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Paul knew Rome was his destination, yet he could not have imagined how God would use a shipwreck to redirect his steps to the island of Malta. From storms at sea to swimming ashore to warming himself by a fire, Paul was taking one day at a time. He did not set out to reach Malta, and he may not have even known the island existed, much less understood the language of its people. Yet God had already prepared the way. Without strategic plans or missionary training for this culture, Paul stepped into opportunities to serve. He prayed for the sick, met needs with compassion, and became an instrument of healing to an entire community.

Luke does not mention conversions, baptisms, or a church being planted, but revival in Malta looked different. It was seen in hospitality, in prayers offered, in healings received, and in lives touched by God’s presence. Paul’s time on the island reminds us that God’s plans are often far greater than our own. He does not always reveal the whole picture, but He calls us to walk faithfully through storms and surprises, trusting that each step may become a divine appointment. God’s mission is not limited to our plans, strategies, or expectations. His purposes unfold in ways that often catch us by surprise yet always display His power and grace.

Spiritual Practice: Trusting God in the Unexpected

Life often takes us to places we never planned, just as Paul found himself on the island of Malta. This practice invites you to slow down, release control, and look for how God is already at work in unexpected seasons and circumstances.

1. Remember God’s Sovereignty -Pause and remind yourself that nothing in your life takes God by surprise. Reflect on how He has guided you through past storms.

2. Surrender Your Plans - Pray honestly about the areas of your life where you feel uncertain or out of control. Ask God to lead you instead of your own desires.

3. Look for God’s Opportunities - Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to people around you who need encouragement, prayer, or kindness. Step into one small act of obedience today.

4. Trust His Purpose - Affirm in prayer that even when you do not understand the outcome, God is weaving all things together for good. Rest in His promise to finish what He has started in you.

Want to Dig Deeper?
Study: Proverbs 16:9, Isaiah 55:8–9, Acts 28:8–9, Romans 8:28

Tuesday: Read Acts 28:11-16
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What is interesting is that Luke records that Paul and his companions encountered believers, not identified by a church name or denomination, but referred to as brothers. There may have been differences in culture, style of worship, or teaching methods, but the Gospel remained the same. They did not view one another as lesser but recognized that through faith in Christ alone, they belonged to the same family. In the Roman world, the word “brother” carried profound significance, symbolizing loyalty, shared identity, and an unbreakable bond. To call someone a brother was to welcome them into your household, extending protection, trust, and honor. By using this word, the early believers expressed that their unity in Christ transcended cultural barriers and personal differences.

This moment offers a powerful reminder for us today. Too often, we allow labels, preferences, or traditions to divide us, forgetting that what truly unites us as a family is not our background or worship style, but our shared faith in Jesus Christ. When we see one another first as brothers and sisters in Christ, we begin to reflect the oneness that Jesus prayed for in John 17. True unity does not mean uniformity, but it does mean love, respect, and honor that flow from the Spirit of God living in us. Like the believers who met Paul on the road to Rome, we are called to encourage, strengthen, and walk alongside one another, demonstrating to the world that the Gospel creates a family stronger than any cultural or social division.

Spiritual Practice: Living as Brothers and Sisters in Christ

The early believers welcomed Paul and his companions not as strangers but as brothers, showing that faith in Christ created a family that transcended culture, background, and tradition. This practice invites you to intentionally live out that same unity today, seeing others first as family in Christ and extending love and honor that reflects God’s heart.

1. Remember Your Identity - Pause and give thanks that through Christ you have been adopted into God’s family.

2. Release Control – Acknowledge the temptation to demand your way and instead surrender the outcome to God, trusting His purposes to prevail.

3. Encourage a Brother or Sister - Take a simple step today to encourage another believer. This could be a word of affirmation, a prayer, or an act of service. Small gestures can have a lasting impact when done with love.

4. Walk in Love - Commit to treating fellow believers with the same love and honor Christ has shown you. Ask the Spirit to help you put this into practice in conversations, decisions, and relationships.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: John 1:12, John 17:20–21, Romans 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Wednesday: Read Acts 28:17-22
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Paul’s life of faith is admirable for many reasons, from his knowledge, passion, and commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to everyone he encountered. Yet what is often overlooked is his willingness to let go of grudges, even toward the people group that had wronged him repeatedly. Over the past twenty years of ministry, Paul had been lied about, attacked, threatened, and opposed at nearly every turn by Jews who sought to silence his witness. Still, when he arrived in Rome, Paul called together the Jewish leaders to speak with them. He did not withdraw in resentment but sought another opportunity to build bridges, explain his situation, and, if given the chance, proclaim Christ once more.

Paul’s desire to engage with the Jews in Rome reflects the heart of Christ Himself. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, pursued those who rejected Him, and extended compassion even when He was despised. Both Paul and Jesus knew when to shake the dust off their feet toward those who refused the message, yet neither allowed bitterness to take root. They did not let the hostility of some harden their hearts toward the whole community. In the same way, we are called to have the mind of Christ, refusing to let one painful encounter cause us to stereotype, dismiss, or harden our hearts against an entire group of people. Instead, we are to remain open, prayerful, and willing to extend grace, trusting God to soften even the hardest hearts through the Gospel.

Spiritual Practice: Releasing Bitterness and Extending Grace

Paul’s example in Rome shows us the heart of Christ. Even after years of mistreatment, he sought to engage the Jewish leaders with compassion and truth. This practice will help you surrender bitterness, refuse to let painful experiences harden your heart, and learn to see others through the eyes of Jesus.

1. Acknowledge the Hurt - Bring any painful memory or person that stirs resentment in your heart before God. Be honest about the wound and ask Him to help you release it.

2. Remember Christ’s Example - Reflect on how Jesus responded to rejection, betrayal, and hostility. Ask the Spirit to form His compassion within you.

3. Pray for the Offender - Pray specifically for the person or group who hurt you. Ask God to bless them, soften their heart, and draw them closer to Himself.

4. Commit to Walk in Grace - Choose one practical way to show grace this week, whether through forgiveness, encouragement, or a simple act of kindness.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Matthew 5:44, Luke 23:34, Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:13

Thursday: Read Acts 28:23-28
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Imagine devoting an entire day to proclaiming the Gospel, from morning until night, opening the Scriptures and pointing people to Christ. What if in those hours someone’s eternity was changed? For many believers, the thought of sharing the Gospel for even a single day feels daunting or unrealistic; yet Paul’s example reminds us that it is possible. We can easily picture spending our time resting, working, or pursuing hobbies, but what if just one day of intentional witness became the moment when someone moved closer to faith? In Acts 28, some believed, and others rejected, yet Paul’s faithfulness reminds us that the outcome belongs to God. Our call is not to guarantee results but to trust that God can use even a single day of obedience to leave an eternal mark.

Paul’s example challenges us to consider what God might do if we dared to be intentional with our time. You may not be called to spend twelve hours sharing the Gospel in one sitting, but what if you devoted a portion of your day to purposeful conversations, prayer for the lost, or opening the Scriptures with someone who is searching? One moment of courage, one conversation, or one act of obedience could be the spark God uses to awaken faith. Do not underestimate the power of offering your time to Him. When we choose intentionality, we position ourselves to see God work in ways we might have never imagined.

Spiritual Practice: Choosing Intentional Witness

Paul devoted an entire day to proclaiming the Gospel, knowing that some would believe and others would reject. His example reminds us that faithfulness is not measured by results but by obedience. This practice invites you to step into intentionality, offering God your time and trust, believing He can use even a single moment to shape eternity.

1. Pray for Courage - Ask God to remove fear and hesitation in sharing your faith. Invite Him to give you boldness and clarity when opportunities arise.

2. Identify One Opportunity - Think of one person in your life who may need encouragement, prayer, or to hear about Jesus. Write their name down and commit to intentionally reaching out.

3. Take a Step of Obedience - Choose one practical action this week, such as sending a message, inviting someone to coffee, or sharing a Scripture. Trust God with the outcome.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14–15, Colossians 4:5–6

Friday: Read Acts 28:30-31
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Luke ends the book of Acts in what may feel like an anticlimactic way. Instead of dramatic miracles or a triumphant resolution, we see Paul quietly living under house arrest, welcoming anyone who would come, proclaiming the Gospel faithfully, and continuing his mission without hindrance. History tells us that Paul would eventually be executed under Nero, yet Luke does not record these details. Why? Because the focus of Acts was never on Paul’s story alone, but on the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s earthly ministry came to an end, but the story of the kingdom of God did not.

Paul had invested the greater part of his life in building what could not be shaken, the Kingdom of God. When he drew his last breath, the work did not die with him. The Gospel he preached, the churches he planted, the leaders he mentored, and the letters he wrote all continued to bear fruit. His story reminds us that the work of God’s Spirit does not depend on any one person. Faithful servants come and go, but the Spirit keeps moving the mission forward.

 This truth leaves us at a crossroads as readers of Acts. We can close the book and say, “That was nice,” treating it as a history lesson, or we can take it to heart and recognize that the story is not finished. God still desires to use ordinary people like Andrew, Philip, Peter, Lydia, Barnabas, Paul, and the countless unnamed believers scattered throughout the pages of Acts. The mission that began with the Great Commission is still unfolding today, and we are invited to be part of it.

The Acts of the Holy Spirit continue in an unwritten chapter, one being lived out in our own generation. The question is not whether God is still at work; He is. The question is how you will contribute to the story. Will you welcome others into your life as Paul did, proclaim the Gospel where you are, and trust the Spirit to use your obedience to impact eternity? The book of Acts ends with a challenge: the story is ongoing, and now it is your turn to carry it forward.

Selah