Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Paul was in Corinth waiting for Silas and Timothy to come and join him. However, while he waited, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul was a missionary commissioned by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. However, just because Paul desired to be active preaching the gospel, God had him waiting working with tents.

Paul was not so proud that he could not work with his hands. Paul may have been a gifted speaker who encouraged thousands to repent of their sins and change their ways but this did not stop him from making a living. Paul understood that even though he had to work with tents for a while, that he still had to remain faithful and serve God right where he was planted. During this time of waiting, Paul still went into the synagogue every week to persuade both the Jews and the Greeks.

How often do we become proud of God’s calling for our life? Because of what God has called us to do, we become so focused on the future that we fail to serve HIM today. God does not always reveal to us what HE is going to do for us because if we know HIS plan for our life, we might become complacent in serving HIM where HE has us today. We need to be content wherever the Lord places us. If the Lord has us doing janitor, we need to praise HIM and seek how we can serve HIM while doing janitor services. If the Lord has us as a CEO of some company, we need to praise HIM and seek how we can serve HIM with the position HE has given us.

Paul was a great speaker but that did not stop him from working on tents. God had a purpose for Aquila and Priscilla but God first needed Paul to slow down and disciple this couple. Had Paul simply been so focused upon himself and the ministry that God had called him to, Paul could have very easily lost focus that there was a reason why God had him in Corinth at this time. Paul could have spent all his available time praying to God to bring Silas and Timothy so that HE could be active in the ministry again. However, this is not what Paul did.

We need to learn from the example of Paul. God has someone that we could minister to around us today. We need to stop and seek HIM and ask HIM to reveal to us what HE desires us to do for HIM today. If God has us during a time of waiting where we are patiently waiting for HIM to open the next door in our life, rather than focus on what we do not have, we should ask HIM to show us how we can serve HIM today.

Great vision and great dreams are nice, but we cannot afford to allow our visions and dreams to blind us from our purpose for today. The lessons of patience that God has for us are for a particular purpose. Just because we want to be used of God in a big way does not mean that we do not have an obligation to first demonstrate that we can be faithful today in something that we perceive is small.

We are accountable to God for every action, thought, and deed. If we fail to serve God where HE has placed us today, we will answer to God for our actions. God has placed us where HE desires us and HE has a reason for the trials that we endure. Rather than spending time complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves, we should spend the time diligently seeking a way to serve HIM today.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

In this passage, Peter is reminding men that God made men and women different. Men are being instructed that they cannot treat their wives as one of the boys. God gave women a tenderness that men naturally do not have. However, rather than despise a woman for this perceived weakness, men are being instructed in this passage that they are to honor their wives and cherish them for the way that God made them.

At the end of this passage is a reminder of the importance to husbands of learning to properly love their wives. We are told that if men do not properly treat their wives with honor, then their prayers will be hindered. It is important to understand that God made the husband and wife as one. If the husband and wife are not living in an oneness of spirit, why should they expect that their prayers will be answered by God?

If a child has been misbehaving all day, you would not expect the parent to give the child what he wanted when he wanted it? If an employee had just broken a bunch of rules and then came to the boss to ask the boss if they could have the afternoon off, the boss most likely would not give it. If it is such common sense that one should follow the rules if they desire to obtain something from someone else, why is it such a difficult concept to understand that men need to learn to live as one with their wives if they desire God to answer their prayers?

God designed men and women different. We are told in Genesis 1:27 that “in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” If you want to understand God a little better, study HIS creation. God tells us that HE made us in HIS image. That means that some of the characteristics of God can be seen in a man and some of the characteristics of God can be seen in the woman. When husband and wife are living together in an oneness of spirit, then a new and exciting demonstration can be seen of the image of God.

It is very easy for men to become absorbed in themselves. However, this is not the way that God designed the marriage relationship. God gave men great strength but they are not to use that strength to lord over their wives. Instead, God desires that men learn to add temperance to their lives so that they can work with their wives in such a way that the two can become one. Learning to live with your wife may not always be the easiest thing to do, but by God’s grace, you can develop an oneness that reveals to the world the love of God.

In the book of Acts, we are given a beautiful example of an oneness of marriage. We are shown the lives of Aquila and Priscilla. This couple is found working together in their trade of tent making. However, as they both were disciple by Paul, God used this couple then to disciple others. This couple learned how to work together and God blessed them by giving them a ministry working together.

It is natural for men to use their strength to lord over their wives. However, just because this is what the world does, it does not mean that it is right in the eyes of God. God desires that men learn to temper their behavior so as to become one with their wife. Marriage is designed by God for the two to become one. It takes sacrifice, but God will bless the oneness of your marriage.

Acts 18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Apollos was a man who had studied the scriptures and understood that the way of the religious leaders was not proper. Apollos had knowledge of the ministry of John but apparently had not been exposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Apollos did not sit on the sidelines waiting until he obtained more knowledge of the ways of God before he went out and tried to use the talents that God had given him for the glory of God. Apollos was bold, Apollos was diligent, and Apollos was faithful. God saw the faithfulness of Apollos and HE brought Aquila and Priscilla into his life to help disciple him. Apollos had stepped out in faith to pursue the perfect will of God and as he stepped out, God brought people into his life to help develop him into all that God needed him to be.

How often do you meet a person who is sitting on the sidelines? They have not been saved for a long period of time and they are afraid to volunteer in church because they feel like they do not know enough about God. However, God often tests us by telling us to start something and once we obey, then HE shows HIS power. This happened when the nation of Israel was entering the Promise Land under the leadership of Joshua. The priests had to step into the Jordan River carrying the Ark and then and only then did the river part.

God saw that Apollos was being faithful in that which was least and God blessed him and allowed him to be faithful in much. You should not be afraid of what you do not know about God; instead you should be afraid that you are not being faithful with the talents and treasures that God has given you.

In order to be faithful in that which is least, you need to set aside time to be like Apollos who studied the scriptures. You may not be able to spend eight hours a day studying the scriptures, but you can ask God to open your eyes and show HIMSELF strong on your behalf. As the Lord reveals HIMSELF to you, turn around and ask HIM to bring someone into your life that you can share this message with.

Being faithful in that which is least requires that you add temperance to your life. Satan will be quick to try to distract you from pursuing time to be alone with God. It is amazing the distractions that will come into your life just at the moment you were planning on spending time with God. You must demonstrate self-control and not allow these distractions to take away from your time alone with God. You must say no to the things of this world in order to put the things of God as a priority in your life.

If you do not make it a priority to study the scriptures, how can you expect God to bring people into your life to share the hope that is within you? If you are not bold in sharing with those who God brings into your life the hope that is within you; why are you surprise that God does not bring even greater opportunities your way?

Do not let Satan persuade you not to be bold for the cause of Christ because you do not know as much about God as some great preacher you know. Instead, ask God to show you how you can be faithful where HE has placed you today so that God might be magnified through your life today.

Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Paul was in a period of waiting of his life. Paul understood that he had been sent out by the church as a team with Silas. Silas was still working with Timothy in another town and as such, Paul was waiting for the day to be reunited with Silas and Timothy. In the meantime, Paul was in Corinth and he met Aquila and Priscilla. Paul chose to stay with Aquila and Priscilla because they also were tentmakers.

Paul understood that there are seasons in life. Paul had had times were he was in the full time ministry, and now he was in a period where he had to wait on the perfect timing of the Lord. Since he was not in the full time ministry, this meant he needed to work for his daily substance. However, even while Paul worked on making tents, Paul found opportunities to minister unto God. While making tents may not have been his great calling from God, it was a way that God could meet his needs and open the door for other ministry opportunities.

The job that God has you in today may be more than just a job. God may have some special opportunities for you where you are at today. When was the last time you prayed for God to use you where HE has you today? It is easy to pray that God would open some great door for you in the future, but what about HIS perfect plan for your life where you are at today.

It does not matter what God is having you do today; God has a purpose for your life right where HE has placed you. Are you content right where God has placed you or are you looking for greener pastures? It is easy to claim that you are discontent because you want God to use you more. Nonetheless, Paul was a great missionary who was use to preaching the gospel every day; God had him making tents for a period of time while he waited for something greater.

It is easy to become discontent with where you are at. Joseph was placed by God in a prison to wait for the perfect time where he could ascend to second in command of all Egypt. However, while Joseph was faithful in doing his best in the prison, it did not mean that he did not long to be home with his family. When Joseph interpreted the dreams of the baker and the cup bearer, he requested that he be released from prison. God had a different plan for the life of Joseph and HE made sure Joseph stayed in place until God was able to reveal HIS full plan.

You do not know all that God has in store for you. However, you do know where God has placed you today. Are you faithfully serving HIM where HE has you today? Are you seeking to be a faithful steward with your time, talent, and treasure?

If you are looking at your job as an opportunity to make it rich in this world, you have the wrong perspective. Your purpose on this earth is not to see how much wealth you can accumulate. Instead, your purpose is to see how much heavenly treasure you can accumulate. You cannot only accumulate heavenly treasure if you start saying no to the things of this world and start saying yes to the things of God.

As you focus your attention upon the ministry that God has for you where you are at today, then you can have a proper perspective in life. Temperance requires that you demonstrate self-control so that the things of this world do not control you. As you put the things of God first in your life, your life will take on a whole new meaning as you see God open new doors of ministry.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

You can spend years in school learning but it will not necessarily increase your understanding in the ways of the Lord. You obtain knowledge of the ways of the Lord by taking the time to hear HIS words and learning to hear HIS still small voice. When you have true understanding, you will be able to use that in your daily life to handle situations that others cannot figure out.

Joshua had a close relationship with God, but when the Gibeonites came into camp with a lie about where they were from and what they were doing, Joshua did not take the time to ask God about whether he should make a treaty with the inhabitants of Gibeon. Joshua learned his lesson because when the nation of Israel lost at Ai, Joshua was able to hear the voice of God to determine that it was Achan who had sinned against God by taking things out of Jericho.

God is willing to give you the knowledge you need in order to properly respond to the problems that you face in this life. However, the question is not whether the Lord is speaking; the real question is whether you are listening to the Lord speaking. You do not have control over the trials you face, but you do have control over whether you turn to God and listen to HIS still small voice. You can choose to listen to God.

The more time you spend listening to the voice of God, the easier it will be for you to understand the ways that God would have you to go. The better you understand the purposes of God for your life, the more content you will be when you are facing trials that seem to be about to destroy you.

How is your knowledge of the ways of God? Hopefully you answered that you could learn more about God. It does not matter how old you are or how many years you have been a Christian, you need to spend more time drawing closer to HIM. God is so big that there is no way that you can ever learn all there is to know about God. The more you learn about who God is, the greater your love for HIM should grow and the more you should desire to learn more about HIM.

What is your goal in life? What talents has God given you to use for the furtherance of HIS kingdom? The more you learn about God and HIS purposes for your life, the more you can turn your entire life into a ministry for the furtherance of HIS kingdom. When Paul was in Corinth mending tents, Paul did not just see himself working to make a living. Instead, Paul saw ministry opportunities and was diligent to disciple Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla were then able to disciple others who God had brought into their lives and thus the ministry of Paul was greatly expanded.

Paul constantly was seeking to draw closer to God. Paul was not idle with his needle and thread but instead he redeemed the time by sharing Christ with those who were around him. You too can be diligent in sharing with those who God brings into your life the truth of who God is. However, how can you share with others who God is if you do not take the time to draw closer to God yourself?

It is time for you to add knowledge of the ways of God to your life. The more time you spend drawing closer to God, the more doors God will be able to open for you to minister. You must take the time to put the things of God first in your life so that you can be a bright light in a dark land.

Act 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Apollos was a man who was given great talents by God. Apollos while not very knowledgeable in all the ways of God, was willing to share what he knew in Ephesus. God saw the boldness of this man and he caused Aquila and Priscilla to come along side Apollos and teach him more perfectly in the ways of God. Aquila and Priscilla had been disciple by Paul, and now that Paul was off on another journey, God was using Aquila and Priscilla to disciple Apollos.

Apollos learned from Aquila and Priscilla and after a period of time, he determined that he was going to go into Achaia. Because the church in Ephesus had seen the faithfulness of Apollos, they were willing to write letters on his behalf and send them to the church in Achaia. When Apollos had showed up at Ephesus, he had to start from scratch. However, as he took the first step of faith, God had blessed him and had given him a more perfect knowledge of the ways of God and now letters of recommendation for the church to open its doors to him.

As Apollos grew in his knowledge of the ways of God, God enabled him to expand his ministry around the country. Apollos had to take the first step of faith and God ensured that there were those around him who would disciple him in increasing his knowledge of God. Apollos however was required to first step out in faith and as he pursued the things of God, he discovered an even closer relationship with his Maker.

Have you ever choose not to witness to someone because you felt that your knowledge of the ways of God was weak? Look at the example of Apollos. All he knew was the baptism of John. Apollos had a lot to learn about God and the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, Apollos had a heart to do the will of God. Apollos longed to serve God and to do HIS perfect will. Because he stepped out in faith, God blessed him with a greater knowledge of spiritual things.

The same can be true in your life. Rather than sit back and be scared of messing up, you need to commit your life to God and allow HIM to put the words in your mouth that you need to share with others. Let the spirit of God guide you. Do not lean on your own understanding, but instead learn to rely upon the strength of God. God though you can do the impossible.

Do not be like Moses who when the Lord commanded him to lead the nation of Israel out of the land of Egypt complained that his speech was not the greatest. God desired to use the weaknesses of Moses to show HIMSELF strong. So likewise, God desires to use your weaknesses to show HIMSELF strong in your life. All HE requires of you is that you simply trust and obey. You must first be willing to yield your right to be in complete control over your life. You must be willing to let go and let God live through you and guide you in the way you are to go.

What value is your life if you are in complete control over it? What life do you really have? It is time that you allow God to have HIS way in your life and that you start seeking HIM so that you can find a closer relationship with HIM. Look for opportunities to add knowledge of the ways of God. Allow God to expand your weaknesses and your talents for the furtherance of HIS will.

Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

Paul had been asked to stay in Ephesus and continue to preach the gospel. Paul however felt that he was supposed to go to Jerusalem and keep the feast. Paul saw a field ripe unto harvest, but it was not the will of God for him to harvest that field. Instead, God had plans for a man named Apollos to preach the gospel. Apollos may have been knowledgeable about the scriptures, but Paul was more mature in the faith.

If Paul had decided that he was going to stay in Ephesus and preach, do you think that Apollos would have felt the burden to preach in Ephesus? Ephesus was a fairly easy mission field, especially compared with some other cities that Paul had preached at. God had a man who needed to become a missionary and HE knew just the place where Apollos could start. Paul was not directed of God to stay in Ephesus and the reason why was because this was a field God desired Apollos to work in. If Paul had decided to stay in response to the offer from the people in Ephesus, not only would he be disobeying God, but in addition, he would taken away an opportunity for another person to see God work through them.

Apollos was instructed in the ways of the Lord. He was fervent in the spirit and he taught diligently the things of the Lord. However, Apollos only knew of the baptism of John. Apollos was still young in the faith and had much to learn. Nonetheless, because he was bold to preach the things of God, God was able to use him and bring others into his life so that he could be even more effective for the Lord.

It is important that we are careful to hear the direction of God. If we do not follow the will of God for our life, not only do we affect our own ministry but we also could affect the ministry of those around us. You do not know what God is doing in the life of others. Your disobedience to the will of God will affect those around you. You may not even know who they are, but your actions will affect them.

God had given Apollos some talents and God brought Apollos to a field ripe unto harvest. Apollos was willing to serve God and as he obeyed the direction of God, God opened up doors for him to gain in his knowledge of the things of God. Apollos never would have meet Aquila and Priscilla had he first not gone to Ephesus to preach. It was only in his obedience to God that God added to his knowledge.

You do not have to wait until you know everything about God before you serve HIM. Instead, you need to be faithful. As you pursue God and do HIS perfect will, HE will add to your knowledge and increase your ministry. God had a more challenging ministry for Paul then Ephesus, but Ephesus was the perfect ministry for Apollos.

What ministry does God desire you do today? Whom does God desire that you work with to help reveal to them HIS perfect will? Be faithful today. Take the time to add to your knowledge the ways of God and HE will continue to expand your ministry. Do not lose focus but carefully weigh each decision so as to ensure that you are in the center of HIS perfect will. Allow God to use your talents for HIS glorious purpose. Be willing to allow HIM to guide you and show you how HE can use you for the furtherance of the kingdom.

Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Paul left Athens and went to minister in Corinth. Silas and Timothy were still in Berea ministering to the people there. Because he did not have the accountability and help of Silas and Timothy, Paul was not as active in his missionary work. He still went to the synagogue every sabbath and persuaded the Jews and the Greek. When Silas and Timothy showed up, he was pressed in the spirit, and testified that Jesus was Christ.

While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive, he found a husband and wife team of Aquila and Priscilla whom he lived with. Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers and Paul practiced the trade of tentmaker with them. Paul, the great missionary understood the trade of tent making and while he was waiting for his God given partners who assisted him in his missionary work to return, he earned a living. However, Paul did more than just earn a living. It is clear that Paul must have been discipling Aquila and Priscilla. After Paul left we see them ministering to others and discipling them.

Paul understood that until Silas and Timothy arrived, he was not to be as active in his missionary work. Yes, he still went to church and he still shared the gospel, but he understood that God had given him Silas as his partner for this particular missionary journey. When Jesus had sent out the disciples to preach the gospel, he sent them out in groups of two. When Paul took a journey, he always traveled with another person. Since Paul was separated from his team, he understood that he needed to wait for the rest of his team before he continued.

There are times in your life where you know what the will of God is for you, but you must wait. This was one of those times in the life of Paul. Paul knew that he was called to be a missionary, but he needed to wait for his partner that God had given to him. Because Paul was in a period of waiting, he remained productive by working a trade, tentmaking.

God has given you a ministry. Do you know what it is? If you know what it is, do you know whom God has brought into your life in order to fulfill that purpose? Just because you know what job you need to do for God, it does not mean that you have the green light to do it right now. You must understand that there are times in your life where you must wait on God. There are times where you must work and do other ministry work while you wait for the perfect timing of God to do that which HE has shown you HE desires you to do.

It takes knowledge of the ways of God to not only know the will of God but also HIS timing. You do not automatically find out the will or timing of God just because you proclaim to be a Christian. Instead, you must spend time seeking God so that you can find HIS perfect will. As you draw closer to God, you will learn HIS will and more importantly HIS timing.

Be careful that you are not a lone ranger in your pursuit of the will of God. While there are some who God called to work on their own like John the Baptist; even Jesus made sure that HE had disciples around HIM to help HIM in HIS ministry. Jesus did not need the accountability, but HE had it anyways. Remember, where two or more are gathered in HIS name, HE is with you. Whatever ministry God has called you to, how much more effective will it be if you do it with those who are also called to the same ministry. Wait on the perfect timing of God.

Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Apollos was ready to move on from Ephesus to continue to preach the gospel to the Jews. The disciples in Ephesus wrote references for the disciples in Achaia so that they understood that Apollos has already proven himself faithful. Apollos may have had a great gift from God in that he was an eloquent speaker who was bold in proclaiming the truth. However, because he was new at preaching the gospel, he did not have a reputation that would cause the Christians in other communities to open up their doors to him.

When Paul was first saved, Paul had a reputation of killing Christians and as such, before Paul was accepted in Jerusalem, Barnabas had to vouch for the change that occurred in the life of Paul. It appears that the church was very careful with new Christians being given much of a platform. Both Paul and Apollos were required to prove themselves faithful and then others were required to vouch for them before they were given new authority. The New Testament church was very careful whom they listened to.

Apollos had proven himself faithful in Ephesus and now God was blessing him by allowing his ministry to spread to Achaia. God gave Apollos great gifts and as Apollos used the gifts God had given him for God�s glory, God expanded his ministry. Apollos may have been given great gifts, but he was also humble in that he accepted instruction from Aquila and Priscilla so that he drew closer in his understanding of God.

In the same way you do not start at the top in your profession, so too, God does not start your spiritual journey at the apex of your ministry. Instead, God tests your faithfulness in that which is small and as you prove yourself faithful, God will expand your ministry. It is very easy to get caught up in all the ways God could use you, but the most important thing is to remain faithful in the place that God has placed you today.

In the same way that the New Testament church was careful in receiving unproven preachers, so to must you follow their examples by studying the word of God to ensure that the words that are being shared conform to the truth of the scriptures. You cannot afford to be led astray by every eloquent speaker. The most important thing is that you remain faithful to God and that HE is properly reflected by your life.

You have been instructed to add virtue to your faith. This means that you must learn to put on the mind of Christ. You understand that Satan does not want your mind to be upon the things of God and as such, he is going to try to distract you from thinking upon those things that are pleasing in HIS sight. Satan could distract you by simply causing your focus to be put upon the future and how God should be using you rather then what HE has instructed you to do now. Satan could distract you by brining persuasive speakers with no credentials to slowly move you from God’s perfect will.

The battle for your mind is never easy. You must keep your heart right before God. When God is ready to expand your ministry, HE will open the doors for you so that HE receives the glory. Do not allow Satan to have a victory in your life by taking your mind off of God’s purpose for your life today. Remain faithful to your calling today.

Acts 18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

The believers in Ephesus had requested that Paul stay in their community and continue to preach. However, because Paul felt led of the Lord to return to Jerusalem, Paul did not stay. While Paul was not the answer to prayer that the believers in Ephesus were looking for, God sent to the city Apollos, a Jew. Apollos was an eloquent man who was mighty in the scriptures. Apollos was able to expound the scriptures to the believers while Aquila and Priscilla were able to expound unto him the way of God more perfectly.

God did not abandon the citizens of Ephesus. While God did not answer their request by having Paul stay, he brought to them one who was bold in teaching the things of God. God sent Ephesus a man who was willing to learn and continue to draw closer to God. Paul could have stayed in Ephesus and seen a great harvest, however, God used this easy field that Paul had help prepare to start Apollos off on his public ministry.

God was faithful to the believers in Ephesus in that he brought someone who was knowledgeable in the scriptures to assist them. God was faithful to Apollos who while he lacked some basic understanding about the life of Christ, HE put in Apollos’ life a godly couple who were willing and able to disciple him in the way he should go. God was faithful to Paul by bringing someone to Ephesus to finish the work that Paul had begun.

You have heard “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.” God demonstrated this verse in the city of Ephesus by bringing Apollos to the city and by having Aquila and Priscilla ready to work with Apollos. God had other plans for Paul but that did not mean that Ephesus was abandoned. God wrote the last chapter and Ephesus received another preacher to expound the truth of the scriptures.

What is God doing in your life? Sometimes HE does not answer your prayers the way you thing HE should. However, that does not mean that HE is not going to answer them. God knows your true needs and HE knows just how HE is going to be able to fulfill the desires of your heart. Patience is never easy, but you must learn to wait on God’s perfect timing because in the end, God will work everything together for HIS glory.

Just because God does not initially answer your prayers the way you think HE should, it does not mean that you should give up upon asking God for the desire of your heart. When you add virtue to your life, your focus should constantly be upon what God is doing in your life and how you should respond so that your actions are conforming to the will of God. Use rejection to drive you closer to God so that you learn to understand the ways of God and learn how HE desires to fulfill your request.

The more learn to think upon the things of God, the more your actions will conform to the ways of God. God knows your heart and HE understands how HE is going to use you. Do not allow a simple rejection to change your thinking and stop you from seeing God open a new door that will enable HIM to work all things together for good in your life.

Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Paul left Athens and came to Corinth. He was still waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive from Macedonia. While he waited, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and worked with them as a tentmaker. Paul was called to be a great missionary yet he was willing to do manual labor. Paul’s calling to be a missionary did not cause him to become proud and refuse to do manual labor. Instead, Paul was willing to humble himself to earn wages while he waited for the Silas and Timothy to come.

However, just because Paul was doing manual labor, this does not mean that he put aside spiritual things. Paul went to the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded the Jews and the Greek. Paul may not have had a large focus on being God’s missionary to Corinth, but he was not going to stop sharing the Good News of God’s gift of Salvation.

Paul understood that even though he was called to be a missionary, there would be periods of time were God desired that he wait. This was one of those times that Paul had to wait until God gave him the green light to go into his fulltime work of being a missionary. While Paul did not have the green light to fully minister unto this community, Paul remained faithful to God and shared the truth of what God had done with those who God placed within his area of influence.

You know that Paul would have preferred to be preaching the gospel and disciplining the new converts in the way they were to go rather then doing manual labor in mending tents. Yet, Paul understood the importance of being in the center of God’s will and doing things in accordance with HIS� timing. God was going to release Paul to fully share the truth with this community, but in the meantime, Paul had to wait for God to send him help.

Because Paul had added virtue to his life, Paul was thinking upon the things of God. Paul was seeking the Lord and waiting on the Lord to show him when to go and when to wait. Paul’s change of mindset allowed him to humble himself and wait while the Lord brought to him those who could help him fulfill his ministry. Because Paul had the mind of Christ, while he waited, he made himself productive in working with Aquila and Priscilla not only manually but also on a spiritual level. Because Paul was thinking upon the things of God, he put himself in a position where he could still serve God while he waited for God to release him to fulfill the thing that God had called him to do.

God’s timing is always perfect. In order to properly hear God’s timing, you need to have a close relationship with God so that you can hear HIS still small voice. By adding virtue to your life, you will be thinking upon those things that God desires you to think upon. Your relationship will be closer and you will be able to carefully follow God’s will. It does not matter what your calling has been, there will be times where God desires that you wait. You need to be alert to the voice of God so that you can stop when God tells you to stop and go when he releases you to your calling. By applying virtue to your life, you will be in the position like Paul were he was able to humble himself and do manual labor because he understood that God’s timing was not perfect yet. Virtue will give you the strength to wait when you have the desire to fulfill God’s direction for your life.

I Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Timothy was not Paul’s biological son but Paul treated him as a son. Paul treated Timothy as a son because through Paul’s ministry, he led Timothy to the Lord. Paul did not simply lead Timothy to the Lord and then go on his way, but instead, Paul invested time and energy into the life of Timothy, disciplining him to enable Timothy to draw closer to God.

As Timothy drew closer to the Lord, his faith grew and Timothy was able to minister for God apart from Paul. Paul had properly trained Timothy in the faith so that when Timothy matured, he did not depart from the faith. Paul led many to the Lord but he did not treat them all the same way he treated Timothy. Paul saw something special in Timothy and he thus cultivated a father son relationship with him so as to be in the position to work with Timothy.

Just as a parent is responsible for the development and maturing of their child, so to did Paul take spiritual responsibility for the development of Timothy. Paul had no obligation other then the prompting of the Holy Spirit to spiritually adopt Timothy, but once Paul did take Timothy under his wings, Paul had an obligation to work with Timothy to spiritually train him so that he would be prepared to serve the Lord long after he departed from the presence of Paul.

A good parent understands that their children do not live with them the rest of their life. They understand that there is going to come a day when they will release their child into the world to fulfill their own purpose in life. A parent’s duty is to train up that child so that when the child is released, the child will have the capabilities of fulfilling their purpose. Paul did not take Timothy as a spiritual son to keep as a helper for his ministry for the rest of his life. Paul did receive some benefit in having Timothy as a fellow laborer but Paul’s purpose was to train Timothy to eventually release HIM.

Paul was always looking for individuals that he could disciple so that they could continue the work. Aquila and Priscilla are another good example of Paul disciplining someone and preparing them for future ministry. Paul spent a period of time mending tents with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth. We know from scripture that Aquila and Priscilla continued to serve the Lord for many years and that they not only hosted the Church in their house but that they also had an active part in disciplining other believers.

The body of Christ has many parts. Some are commissioned by God to bring many to salvation; others are responsible for taking the newborn Christians and working with them to assist them in their spiritual walk so that they can become productive members of the body of Christ.

You have a duty to God to fulfill HIS purpose for your life. However, while you are fulfilling your purpose in life, part of your responsibility to God is to help develop the next spiritual generation. You need to be looking for opportunities to work with others so that the church will grow and your freedom to worship God will not be lost.

Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

Christ desires that the body of Christ be united together in one faith. God has entrusted each one of us with different talents and different abilities. These various callings are designed to work together so that the Christians are perfected in Christ. God has given different callings for different individuals to specialize in so that the body of Christ is edified. God does not call everyone to be an apostle. While both an apostle and a pastor may preach, they really did have different ministries and different obligations to both God and the body.

God does not like seeing our different doctrine dividing the church around the world today. The body of Christ was supposed to unite together under the same faith. However, because of sin, Christians take their doctrine and they make their doctrine more important then fulfilling Christ’s command that we unite in the faith. Our faith is so simple. It is the simple belief that we are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God and that by accepting the gift of salvation we shall be made free.

God made each of us different in that HE gave us different abilities to bring about HIS purpose of delivering the message of salvation to the world. However, while we may have different callings, we must always understand that together we work together for the glory of God.

A man and a woman are two different individuals. However, when they unite in marriage, they become one in the eyes of our Lord and they must now learn to work together as a team to do the will of God. So too, prior to your salvation, you were an individual who did that which was right in your own eyes. Now that you have accepted God’s gift of Salvation, you have become united with the body of Christ, and you must learn to use your talents and your abilities to bring glory and honor to God.

You have an obligation to God to work to spread the knowledge of Christ. You may not be called to be an evangelist, a pastor or an apostle. However, God has called you to do your part. You are not permitted to sit on the sideline and watch others do the work. God has given you a calling and the question is whether you are fulfilling HIS will by doing your part. Not everyone can be a Paul or a Peter. There needs to be the Aquila and Priscilla�s in the local church. Aquila and Priscilla were faithful in doing their small part to ensure that the church continued to grow.

Your faith should be a uniting factor. Instead of getting in doctrinal disputes with your fellow believers, why don’t you learn to work together? This does not mean that you must worship together every Sunday. However, you can work together rather than compete against one another. The church of Christ must learn to work together to demonstrate to the world that there is something different about those who are called Christians. What are you doing to come together in unity of faith?

Acts 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

After Paul left Ephesus Apollos arrived. Apollos was an eloquent man who was mighty in scriptures. Scripture tells us he was instructed in the way of the Lord and he was diligent in teaching the things of the Lord. However, Apollos doctrine was shallow in that he only knew the doctrine of John.

Aquila and Priscilla saw this diligent man who had a heart for the things of the Lord and as iron sharpenth iron, they worked with him to assist him in understanding the scriptures more fully. Aquila and Priscilla were not quick to go preach in front of all the people in the synagogue, but they were willing to disciple individuals. They gave instruction to a wise man, and he became wiser: they taught a just man, and he increased in learning.

By faith, Apollos was faithful unto God with the little knowledge that he had. He did not refuse to do the work of God based upon his lack of experience. He did not refuse to preach based upon his lack of knowledge. Apollos loved God and he was willing to share the scriptures with others. God seeing Apollos’ faithfulness brought his faithful servants Aquila and Priscilla who together were able to help Apollos grow in God.

God will sometimes ask you to do things that you feel you are not prepared to handle. However, you must demonstrate your faith and reliance in HIM and do what HE has commanded you to do. Do not be like Moses who demanded that God send him a spokesman. Instead, you must listen to what God is telling you to do. You must be willing to step out in faith and allow God to work through your weaknesses.

As God sees that you are being faithful to HIM, HE will bring those into your life who will be able to help you grow in the areas that you are weak. However, be careful that you are not unwise and that you fail to receive instruction when God brings it into your life. It is easier to turn a moving object. So too, it is easier for God to show you HIS perfect will for your life if you are actively seeking HIM and following HIS will.

It is your duty to take those opportunities that God brings into your life and be faithful to obey HIM. You never know what kind of influence you will have on the world if you are faithful to minister to the one individual God brings into your life. Aquila and Priscilla were simply tent makers who ministered to Paul and in turn learned more about the deeper meaning of scripture. When Paul was gone to Jerusalem, God brought across their path Apollos who they were then able to disciple Apollos.

It does not matter how big or small, it does not matter your level of expertise, God is in control and HE simply desires that you obey HIM and that you take your abilities and use them to minister to HIM. You may not feel like you have much to offer, but remember, God used a boy’s lunch to feed a multitude and HE will use the little that you have to touch millions. God will use your inabilities in order to bring glory to HIMSELF. However, God will not leave you without because you gave what you did. By faith, God will multiply your faithfulness and open many doors that you never dreamed possible.

Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Paul came to the city of Corinth and while he waited for Timothy and Silas to rejoin him, he was faithful to serve God every week at the synagogue. During the rest of the week, he worked with Aquila and Priscilla on tents. Once Timothy and Silas arrived, Paul was pressed by the Spirit to testify that Jesus was Christ. The Jews rejected this message.

Paul heard from God that he was supposed to preach that Jesus was Christ, yet this message was not accepted. Paul did not doubt that God had told him to preach that message, but instead, he took the rejection that he received while pursuing the will of God as a sign from God that he was not called to preach to the Jews any more. Paul did not allow this huge rejection to distract him from pursuing the will of God.

The Jews rejected the message. Paul knew that he was instructed to preach that Jesus was Christ in the city of Corinth. Paul simply allowed himself to be flexible and he proceeded to preach the message God had given him to a different group of individuals. Paul had the faith that God had told him what he was supposed to do and he remained faithful in continuing to obey God.

If you were in the shoes of Paul, what would your natural reaction have been? Here you knew God’s will but it seemed like you could not obey God. Rather then giving up, Paul remained faithful to his calling and pursued other means of fulfilling God’s calling. Would you have been so flexible? Would you have remained faithful?

A part of your Christian faith is understanding that God does not always give you the full picture. God could have shown Paul to begin with that Paul was only to preach this message to the Gentiles. However, God gave a broad message to Paul and HE allowed Paul to experience rejection so as to focus his mind that God’s true purpose.

God has a purpose for your life. Some of this purpose HE has made clear by speaking to you through HIS word, through authorities, and through circumstances in your life. However, some of this message may not be perfectly revealed to you because HE desires that you experience some rejection and persecution in order to draw you closer to HIM. God desires that you serve HIM. HE desires that you continue to draw closer to HIM every day. Your faith in God will grow as you learn to pursue God�s will over the obstacles that HE places in your life.

Paul was a faithful man who was willing to wait for the Lord’s direction before he actively preached. However, Paul also understood that HE did not always receive perfect direction. Paul allowed God to direct HIM through both the Word and through the circumstances God placed in his life.

Look at the circumstances God has placed in your life. Examine how God has directed you to the point that you are right now. Understand where God is leading you and be willing to pursue God. By faith, you will overcome obstacles in order to pursue the perfect will of God for your life.