Unstoppable! 'Accepted, but Sent Away' — Acts 9:28-30

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.

— Acts 9:28-30 NLT

Key Thought

With the help of Barnabas, Saul was finally accepted by the believers and church leaders in Jerusalem. So, Saul did what he knew to do and what he did well. He proclaimed Jesus to his fellow Jews, especially those who spoke Greek. When his proclamation became more of a debate, Saul's fellow Jews disliked his teaching so much that they wanted to murder him. Fortunately, the believers risked their lives for a man they once feared, and they helped him escape to his hometown. This a great testament not only to Saul's faith, but also to the generous spirit of his fellow believers!

Today's Prayer

O Father, give me a generous spirit toward people who are trying to live for you and Jesus and who are facing opposition and criticism. Use me to be your source of support and protection for them so that they can spread their wings of faith and soar in your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Determined to Live Out His Call
Devo: Unstoppable!
"So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord."
Growth Despite Previous Opposition
Devo: Unstoppable!
"When the believers heard about [the attempts to murder Saul], they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown. The church....."
They Prospered Wonderfully
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"When [Paul's] friends learned of the plot [to kill him], they got him out of [Jerusalem], took him to Caesarea, and then shipped him off to Tarsus. Things..."
Risk-taking & Faith-filled
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, What is the greatest obstacle that you face? What seemingly insurmountable forces are at work against you? Keep these two questions....."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:28-30 NLT — So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, May 20, 2025

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"Dear Father, Give us caring hearts when it comes to our fellow servants in Christ. May we carry the news of them to each other for the sake of..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Faithful Servants Pave the Way'
"Dear Servant of the Lord, If you take the time to look at the grand story of grace in the Bible, you will notice servants of the Lord playing..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 1 Samuel 7:12
"The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, "hitherto the Lord hath helped!"..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 1:11
"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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