Introduction

Acts 9:32–43: Peter travels to Lydda where he heals a paralyzed man, and the believers summon him to Joppa where he restores a woman to life.

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 9:36 GNT

In Joppa, there was a woman named Tabitha, who was a believer.… She spent all her time doing good and helping the poor.

Read

³² Peter traveled everywhere, and on one occasion he went to visit God’s people who lived in Lydda. ³³ There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for eight years. ³⁴ “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ makes you well. Get up and make your bed.” At once Aeneas got up. ³⁵ All the people living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ In Joppa there was a woman named Tabitha, who was a believer. (Her name in Greek is Dorcas, meaning “a deer.”) She spent all her time doing good and helping the poor. ³⁷ At that time she got sick and died. Her body was washed and laid in a room upstairs. ³⁸ Joppa was not very far from Lydda, and when the believers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him with the message, “Please hurry and come to us.” ³⁹ So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, he was taken to the room upstairs, where all the widows crowded around him, crying and showing him all the shirts and coats that Dorcas had made while she was alive. ⁴⁰ Peter put them all out of the room, and knelt down and prayed; then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ Peter reached over and helped her get up. Then he called all the believers, including the widows, and presented her alive to them. ⁴² The news about this spread all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³ Peter stayed on in Joppa for many days with a tanner of leather named Simon.

Reflect

How is Tabitha (Dorcas) described (verse 36)? Why did the believers call on Peter? What did they show him (verse 39)? What did Peter do? In what ways do you or your community of faith reach out to those in need?

Pray

Lord God, like Tabitha, grant me a servant’s heart to serve others in your name. Open my heart and eyes to discern those in need, and empower me to bear witness to your love and grace. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 14:8–20: Paul and Barnabas continue their missionary journey.

January 29

Introduction

Acts 14:8–20: Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey throughout Asia Minor, traveling to Lystra and Derbe. Those who oppose their teachings create trouble. Paul is stoned and dragged out of town, but when the believers gather around him, he gets up and goes on to Derbe with Barnabas.

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 14:15b GNT

[Barnabas and Paul shouted:] “We are here to announce the Good News, to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea, and all that is in them.”

Read

⁸ In Lystra there was a crippled man who had been lame from birth and had never been able to walk. ⁹ He sat there and listened to Paul’s words. Paul saw that he believed and could be healed, so he looked straight at him ¹⁰ and said in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” The man jumped up and started walking around. ¹¹ When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they started shouting in their own Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us!” ¹² They gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and Paul the name Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ The priest of the god Zeus, whose temple stood just outside the town, brought bulls and flowers to the gate, for he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice to the apostles.

¹⁴ When Barnabas and Paul heard what they were about to do, they tore their clothes and ran into the middle of the crowd, shouting, ¹⁵ “Why are you doing this? We ourselves are only human beings like you! We are here to announce the Good News, to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea, and all that is in them. ¹⁶ In the past he allowed all people to go their own way. ¹⁷ But he has always given evidence of his existence by the good things he does: he gives you rain from heaven and crops at the right times; he gives you food and fills your hearts with happiness.” ¹⁸ Even with these words the apostles could hardly keep the crowd from offering a sacrifice to them.

¹⁹ Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium; they won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. ²⁰ But when the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe.

Reflect

What did the crowds in Lystra do after Paul and Barnabas healed the man who had been lame since birth? What did Barnabas and Paul say to the people? Based on verse 19, what does today’s reading teach you about the risks involved in proclaiming the good news? Do people today face such risks? If you were asked to describe all that God has done for you, how would you answer?

Pray

Living God, you made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them. My heart is filled with joy that comes from serving you. May the good news of your love and salvation spread throughout the world. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 16:1–15: Paul embarks on his second missionary journey.