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…Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.” Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah1:1-9, ESV)God really knows His people in the Bible. This is one of the constant themes—He not only knows the number of hairs on their heads, but even knows them before they were in their mothers’ wombs, and He knows them better than they know themselves. And this is true of life today, too. Even though we almost always “look within” for the resources to accomplish everything, we don’t really know as much about ourselves as we think.On one hand, this inadequacy leads us to despair, both of ourselves and our so-called abilities to do what the Lord asks of us. On the other hand, with the self-realization we so long for yawning beyond us, we are strangely brought to a place of freedom.Jeremiah, coming to this impasse, is able to go out in strength because this power came from outside of him. Jeremiah is called by God, as they say, but Jeremiah’s ability to fulfill the calling was not contingent upon the depth of his résumé, but instead his complete reliance on the Lord to stand in for him and walk with him. Armed with only this, Jeremiah does the impossible because it was actually not Jeremiah doing anything, but the Lord doing it all.This kind of supernatural strength is necessary for all of life, from birth to grave—it doesn’t just apply to Jeremiah or the Patriarchs. Life is a challenge that leaves all of us muttering, like Jeremiah, “I do not know how to…” Are you in a job in which you feel way over your head? Struggling with a frigid marriage? A hapless child? Life confronts all of us with issues with which we feel woefully inept to deal, including the present crisis we find ourselves in. And God uses these things to show us the need for complete reliance. Just like Jeremiah, God is in the midst of it all, doing it all, while you do nothing.Whatever it is you are faced with in your life today, God has called you to this place, but He is not leaving you there. He will use your weakness to His glory.-Jake Koehler

Paul's missionary adventures inspires imitators.Jealousy and comparison can stifle the mission of the church. Unless ministry is founded on Jesus himself there is no value.

Paul and Silas worship while beaten and imprisoned.Paul and Silas are filled with fortitude as they worship despite their circumstances. Their bold worship, coupled with miraculous emancipation, allow Paul and Silas to convert those around them.

The early church experiences and navigators through its first theological disagreement.Mixing the old law with the new covenant came with some difficulty. There were Jewish believers who thought that it was necessary for the newcomer Gentiles to follow the old ways. Through united and direct leadership they led through adversity.

As Paul journeys he begins to experience difficulty navigating pagan worship.The recipients of Paul's preaching and ministry mistake him for God himself. Paul iterates that grace comes from Jesus alone.

The first "Christian" Church is founded in Antioch.Saul curses Elymas. It's odd that a believer would call down something negative on anyone. However, Saul only calls down on Elymas what Jesus Himself had inflicted upon Saul.

God rescues Peter from prison.Sometimes we can get so caught up in our prayers that we aren't looking for God's reply. We should EXPECT God to take control

The church is diverse and it is meant to be.Peter goes back to Jerusalem to explain to them the adoption of gentiles into the church. This new direction is hard to adopt and will take a lot of grace and submission.

Peter receives a vision that begins the evangelism of gentiles.This account of Acts begins the adoption of gentile people into the God's people. This new direction is a monumental shift for the church. It will take a lot of convincing for the rest of the church to adopt this new direction.

Saul begins his ministry as a new christian and a new evangelist.Right after his conversion, Saul begins to preach about Jesus. He allows his transformation to inform his testimony and Saul cannot help but preach about Jesus.