Jean Ann Williams | Author

“And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you [Jews]. ‘Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles [anyone else not a Jew]’” (Acts 13:46 ESV).  Father, we are so grateful that the […]

“The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him” (Acts 13:44, 45 ESV).  Father, they hated Jesus. They will hate those who preach, teach, and live by Your […]

“‘Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you’” (Acts 13:40, 41 ESV).  Father, does this prophecy apply today? Help us to understand each […]

“‘Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses’” (Acts 13:38, 39 ESV).  Father, we understand that once we believe in Jesus and are […]

“‘For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he [Jesus] whom God raised up did not see corruption’” (Acts 13:36, 37 ESV).  Father, this is why we need to follow Jesus. He is our example. He is You with […]

“‘And as for the fact that he [God] raised him [Jesus] from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption’” (Acts 13:34, 35 ESV). […]

“‘. . . and for many days he [Jesus] appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.  And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as […]

“‘And though they [Jerusalem and their rulers] found in him [Jesus] no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead . . […]

“‘Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him [Jesus] nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning […]

“‘Before his [Jesus’] coming, John [the baptist] had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he [Messiah Jesus]. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am […]