WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Acts 28:7-10
Ministry in Malta
We see in this passage that Paul’s ministry never stops. As Paul is shipwrecked on Malta, we get a glimpse in these verses of Paul’s ministry on Malta.
We learn that as Paul is visiting with the leader of Malta, Paul discovers that this man’s father is sick. So Paul goes to the man, lays hands upon him, and prays – and the man is healed! Amazing, but it doesn’t stop there. They then bring all the sick from the island to Paul and he heals them as well! Paul does all of this not by his own might but by God’s power in the name of Jesus!
What we see in this passage is that Paul’s ministry has no boundaries! Paul does not follow God’s call on his life when it is convenient. Paul is constantly crossing boundaries with the good news of the Kingdom. Whether it is on a ship or in a prison or on a random island in Malta, Paul is always crossing boundaries. Paul’s ministry is not contained to a place, time, or circumstance.
May we consider today, is there any place or people to which we have put up a boundary that states, ” I don’t do ministry there”? Or I don’t talk about spiritual things there, or I don’t allow my faith to influence what I do there. Is there a boundary around your work? family? gym? recreation? May God expose those things in order for the good news to cross the artificial boundaries that we have put up in the way.
Reflection
Is there any place where you have put a boundary?
Prayer
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit, Acts 28:7-10 would change us into the likeness of Christ. We pray that we would also cling to your Word, your sufficient, inerrant word. Thank you that you have spoken to us, especially in our times of need! We trust you once again today, Lord. We pray all these things in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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