Day 298: Acts 28:30–31

He welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness (vv. 30–31).

We now conclude our studies in the fascinating book of Acts. I’ve relished every second of our journey. In a blinding light on the Damascus road, I saw God’s mercy. In a midnight song from a dungeon, I heard authentic worship. In every miracle on the island of Malta, I felt hope. The book of Acts has quickened my senses and involved me. I pray that you’ve also gotten involved. Much more awaits us, but not from the pen of Luke. Our upcoming days will take us to the letters Paul wrote during the last six years of his earthly life. But Luke’s final account provides a fitting conclusion to the book of Acts.

Recently a friend asked me what impressed me most from my research about Paul. I didn’t hesitate to answer. God used the apostle’s unparalleled passion for Christ to woo me into the study, then used his inconceivable perseverance to sustain me.

When I was a child, someone gave my brother an inflatable clown with sand in the base. No matter how we socked that clown, he always came back up for more. The apostle was no clown, but every time he got hit, he bounced back up for more. Of course, the reason for his perseverance was his deep passion for Christ.

In these last moments from the book of Acts, we’ve gotten a glimpse of the risk we take when we put our hand up to God and say, “No more. I’m comfortable this way.” We’ve also realized how much we have to gain by remaining receptive to God. He has so much to give us. Yet His greatest riches are those things that are conformable, not comfortable.

As we conclude the book of Acts, I pray we’ve each had our eyes unveiled to the extra-ordinary works God can do in ordinary lives. As we’ve sojourned from chapter to chapter in Luke’s wonderful book, we’ve met Stephen, Paul, Barnabas, John Mark, Timothy, Silas, Aquila, Priscilla, Philip the evangelist, his four daughters, and many more. They all shared one thing in common: they were simple flesh and blood infiltrated by the awesome power of the Holy Spirit—all because they didn’t resist.

We may never leave our native land or travel by sea, as Paul did. But if we love and serve God, our lives will be a great adventure. He’ll never take you anywhere He has not already prepared for your arrival. Keep trusting Him. There are more Acts to be performed.