Familiar names
Day 516, Friday, Jan. 9
Acts 18:18-28
As we have read of Paul’s travels over the past few days, several of the place names should be familiar. Paul has stopped in places like Thessolonica, Ephesus and Corinth to find converts and instruct the new believers in the Christian faith.
His time in each place ranges from a few days to more than a year. These new converts who learn the faith will become churches that continue to learn, teach, expand and build the kingdom.
Paul doesn’t forget about these churches when he moves on to a different place. He continues to support them, sometimes through return visits and often through letters, some of which we still have in our New Testament.
Paul doesn’t seem to operate on his own schedule, but rather as God leads. As he tells the church at Ephesus, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”
He also supports the churches by calling and equipping leaders like Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos, Timothy and Silas, all of who become strong leaders themselves.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 59:1-5
Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me. Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood. See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord. I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.

Prayer focus
Show us your will, God, and grant us the strength to follow wherever it leads.