Alive and Active: Studying the Book of Acts in Isolation

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” As everything around me has become increasingly inactive due to COVID-19, I have come to realize just how important the word of God is in my own personal life.

When the “Stay at Home” order for Allegheny Country began, I decided that I would start reading the book of Acts during my quiet time or “QT” with the Lord. I knew that there were 28 chapters in the book, and I would simply sit each morning and read one chapter a day. I was hopeful and optimistic that this period of time at home would not last longer than it would take me to read this book, but now I am thinking I should prepare myself to read Romans as well!

There has been nothing my heart and soul has needed more than just time spent with the Lord, in His word, in prayer, and in silence. There are no more excuses like there once were to not make Christ a top priority in my life. There is nothing getting in the way or demanding my time or attention like in the past. I now have much more time and space as opportunity to allow God’s word to come alive and be active in my life.

It has been amazing how God has been using Acts to meet me in the midst of where I am and reminding me of who He is and how much He loves me.

Every day that I would read a chapter of Acts, I would hold a highlighter in my hand and turn yellow all verses that spoke to my heart. Psalm 139 tells us that the Lord has seen what is in our hearts and knows all about us. As I read, it was on my mind that God knows exactly all the things that I am dealing and struggling with, focused on, worried about, fearful of, and concerned with as I humbly approached His word.

What follows in the next few paragraphs of this blog post are the ways in which God has been using His, “living and active” word to speak to me. These are my paraphrases from verses found in Acts chapters 1-20. This is how I felt my heart and mind apply these verses amid what is happening in the current days.

I hope and pray that as you read the following verses, you are comforted, like I was, during these unknown times and reminded that hope and life are not found in this world but only in the name of Jesus Christ!

“It is not for you to know the times or dates I (God) has set by my own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Wexford, and in Butler and the Strip, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:7-8

“Repent, then, and turn to me, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from me. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which you must be saved.” – Acts 3:19; 4:12

“When your neighbors look around and they see you living amongst them will they be able to take note that you have been with me?” – Acts 4:13

“You see all of my followers will be one in heart and mind. No one claiming that any of their possessions are their own, but they will share everything they have. Those who have been quarantined will preach the word however they are still able. Then the church throughout Wexford, Butler and the Strip will still enjoy a time of peace and will be strengthened through all of this. By living in the fear of me and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the church will actually increase in numbers.” – Acts 4:32; 8:4; 9:31

Everyone who believes in my son receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Therefore, my friend, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain by your own deeds. I am bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. I, who knows your heart, will show that I accept you by giving the Holy Spirit to you. I will not discriminate between you or anyone else who chooses to believe, for I purify your hearts by faith. May you be filled with joy because you had come to believe in me—you and your whole household.” – Acts 13:38-39; 14:15; 15:8-9; 16:34

“May you receive this message with great eagerness and examine the Scriptures every day to see if what I am saying is true. Russell Brasher! I see that in every way you are deeply religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. I am not served by human hands, as if I needed anything. Rather, I give everyone life and breath and everything else. I did this so that you would seek me and perhaps reach out for me and find me, though I am not far from you. For in me you live and move and have your being.” – Acts 17:11; 17:22-23; 17:25; 17:27-28

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to all of you that you must turn to me in repentance and have faith in my son Jesus.” – Acts 20:20-21