SEPTEMBER 7 - PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY
READ Acts 15
Paul begins his second missionary journey.
INSIGHT
Inherent within every person is a tendency to want to work our way to heaven. Accepting a gift with gratitude does not seem to be enough; human beings want to do something to earn it. While Paul and Barnabas are at Antioch, some men come down from Judea and teach: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (v. 1). This issue grows into a major debate involving the leaders in Jerusalem, but in the final analysis, Peter’s argument wins out: “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (v. 10). The council in Jerusalem then sends a letter to the Gentile churches encouraging their faith and assuring them that they are not under bondage.
PRAYER
Since none of us could earn it, praise the Lord that salvation is a gift:
Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing to our God,
For praise is pleasant and lovely.
Our Lord is great, vast in power;
His understanding is infinite.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Play the lyre to our God,
The Lord values those who fear him,
Those who put their hope in his faithful love.
He has not done this for every nation;
They do not know his judgments.
Hallelujah! (Psalm 147:1, 5, 7, 11, 20).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,
And your sins like a mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you
(Isaiah 44:22).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Close with this prayer to the Lord:
Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love
So that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days
(Psalm 90:14).
Paul begins his second missionary journey.
INSIGHT
Inherent within every person is a tendency to want to work our way to heaven. Accepting a gift with gratitude does not seem to be enough; human beings want to do something to earn it. While Paul and Barnabas are at Antioch, some men come down from Judea and teach: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (v. 1). This issue grows into a major debate involving the leaders in Jerusalem, but in the final analysis, Peter’s argument wins out: “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (v. 10). The council in Jerusalem then sends a letter to the Gentile churches encouraging their faith and assuring them that they are not under bondage.
PRAYER
Since none of us could earn it, praise the Lord that salvation is a gift:
Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing to our God,
For praise is pleasant and lovely.
Our Lord is great, vast in power;
His understanding is infinite.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Play the lyre to our God,
The Lord values those who fear him,
Those who put their hope in his faithful love.
He has not done this for every nation;
They do not know his judgments.
Hallelujah! (Psalm 147:1, 5, 7, 11, 20).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,
And your sins like a mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you
(Isaiah 44:22).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Unity in the body of Christ
- Greater commitment to the Lord
- Your activities for the day
Close with this prayer to the Lord:
Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love
So that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days
(Psalm 90:14).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.