“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus, Acts 1:8 in Jerusalem: Acts 1-8 in Judea and Samaria: Acts 9-12 to the ends of the earth: Acts 13-27

(imprisoned, released, imprisoned) First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14 Second journey: four years (50-54 AD) Acts 15-18 Third journey: four years (54-58 AD) Acts 18-20 Trip to Rome (imprisoned, released, imprisoned) seven years (59-66 AD) Acts 21-27

Joy (of the Lord) Focus (on the mission) Joy and focus give us strength and help carry us through the hard days.

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.  2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14 have called them.”  3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:1-3; p. 407, The Story

Salamis (Cyprus): Paul taught in the Jewish synagogues (Acts 13:4-5, p Paphos (Cyprus): verbal altercation between Paul and a sorcerer – and a miracle (Acts 13:6-12, p. 407 - 408 ) First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14

Pisidian Antioch (Turkey): Paul is invited to preach in the synagogue (Acts 13:13-41, p. 408-409, The Story) First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14

Pisidian Antioch (Turkey): Jesus came to save you! But you killed Him! But God raised Him from the dead! Jesus can set you free and make you right with God! Acts13:23-39 First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14

Pisidian Antioch (Turkey): The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14 a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:49-52, p. 409, The Story)

Joy Definition: “happiness.” God doesn’t tell us to be “ONLY joyful. He tells us to be “ALWAYS” joyful. When we choose to see God’s goodness (even on hard days) and invite His joy into our lives, we WILL have more energy and strength to get through the hard days.

Iconium: Acts 14:1-7 (p. 410, The Story) Iconium (Turkey): Iconium: Acts 14:1-7 (p. 410, The Story) Lystra: Acts 14:8-20 (p. 41-411, The Story) First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14

Lystra (Turkey): Acts 14:8-20 (p. 410-411, The Story) Then some Jews came from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Acts14:19-20 First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14

Derbe… and back home: Derbe: Acts 14:20-21 Return to Antioch via Lystra, Derbe, Pisidian Antioch, and Perga (Acts 14:21-28) First journey: two years (48-49 AD) Acts 13-14

Joy (in the Lord) Focus (on the mission) Joy and focus give us strength and help carry us through the hard days.

Jesus, I believe You are the Savior of the world. I know that my sins put you on the cross – You died because of my sin and for my sin. I receive Your forgiveness and invite You to be the Master of my life. Thank You for saving me. Amen.

Jesus, please grant me joy and focus. Too often I only see problems and darkness. Help me, each day, to see and experience Your joy. Too often I drift from my mission to follow You. Give me discipline to stay focused each day. I need the strength that joy and focus can give me. Amen.