Acts 14:19-28
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
Reflection
After surviving an attempted execution by the crowds (Acts 14:19), Paul continues preaching the gospel, making and encouraging disciples together with Barnabas (vv. 20–22). As part of their ministry, Paul and Barnabas explain the importance of realizing that the Christian life is full of difficulties that require us to “continue in the faith” (v. 22). Though this will require strenuous effort, the power for our enduring faith comes from God, who is at work within us (cf. Phil. 2:12–13). It was God who first began his work of faith within us, and it is God who will strengthen us to the end (Phil. 1:6).
Revelation 2:18-29
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Reflection
Like the church in Pergamum, the church in Thyatira has tolerated false teaching that results in eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality (Rev. 2:20). Jesus tells the church that he has eyes like a flame of fire (v. 18) and warns that he searches the mind and heart (v. 23). Thyatira must respond to what the Spirit says, turning from their sin (v. 21) and holding tightly to the gospel (v. 25). Those who hear and obey will be given authority over the nations together with Jesus (vv. 26–27).
Psalm 11:4
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
Be mindful that Jesus sees the motives and desires of the heart in all that we do. Pursue obedience to God’s Word, asking him to shape your heart so that your intentions are sincere and God-honoring.