I’d like to start with Acts 17:1 for today’s blog post:
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
(Acts 17:1)
This verse is talking about Paul and Silas going through several cities, spreading the Gospel.
But when I was studying this verse for my morning devotions, the city name “Amphipolis” really stood out to me.
What does “Amphipolis” mean?
What lessons can we learn from it?
The name “Amphipolis” actually means “surrounded city.”
And in Acts 17:1, it says that Paul and Silas “PASSED THROUGH” Amphipolis.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
(Acts 17:1, emphasis added)
In other words, they “PASSED THROUGH” the “surrounded city.”
What do the words “passed through” mean?
Which Way?
One of the Greek root words for “passed through” is hodos.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines that word hodos as “the way in which one walks.”
Now, what kind of application can we glean from all this?
When the cities of our hearts suddenly become SURROUNDED by the things of this world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–which way do we walk?
Do we walk the way of surrender, and SUBMIT these things into God’s hands?
Or, do we walk the way of selfishly clinging to these surroundings of living like the world?
When the cities of our hearts become SURROUNDED by feelings of bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, and jealousy–which way do we choose to walk in?
Do we choose to walk the road of surrender, and GIVE those feelings away to the Lord?
Or, do we choose to walk in the road of holding onto those feelings, and cultivate a grudge in the heart?
When the cities of our hearts become SURROUNDED by fear, worry, and sadness, which path do we walk in?
The path of surrender, and simply YIELD those emotions to Jesus’ hands?
Or, do we choose the path of focusing on our fears, worries, and sad feelings?
When the cities of our individual hearts become surrounded by negative feelings and ugly temptations, which way do we walk?
The way of surrender, and surrendering those mental and emotional surroundings to God’s control?
Or, the way of clinging onto those surroundings?
A Prayer
Dear reader, would you like to surrender whatever sort of negativity that is surrounding your heart, mind, and soul right now? Would you like to give those surroundings to the control of God today?
If so, then I wanna encourage you to just pray:
Amen! Maranatha!