June 28 — "Scattered But Not Silenced"

Today's Reading: Acts 8:1-25

Picture yourself stomping out a campfire, expecting to smother the flames. But instead of snuffing them out, you send embers flying in all directions—igniting new fires! That’s exactly what happened in Acts 8. Persecution scattered the early believers, but instead of silencing the Gospel, it shot sparks flying and spread like wildfire. What seemed like a setback became a divine setup—God’s Word reached new hearts and transformed lives.

The early believers, driven from their homes, didn’t retreat in fear—they boldly proclaimed Christ wherever they went. Acts 8:4 says, “those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” This scattering wasn’t random—it was God expanding His kingdom. What looked like chaos was actually His divine strategy.

How did this explosive growth happen? By the scattered believers “preaching” the word. What is remarkable is that “preaching” here doesn’t mean formal sermons—it means everyday conversations. These believers shared Jesus in streets, homes, and marketplaces, turning every moment into a chance to spread hope through the truth of Jesus Christ.

After Acts 8, Christianity expanded beyond Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, and Gentile regions. Through missionaries like Paul, the Gospel spread across the Roman Empire despite opposition. The early Church developed leadership, foundational doctrines, and resilience against critics and heresies. This growth laid the groundwork for Christianity’s prominence in centuries to come. Historians generally agree that by around AD 200, the Christian population in the Roman Empire had grown from a few dozen disciples to roughly between 1 and 2 million believers!

You may not face physical persecution, but life has a way of scattering us. Maybe it’s a career shift, a strained relationship, or unexpected hardship. The real question is: How will you respond? Will you shrink back, discouraged, or will you let God use your situation for His glory? He never wastes our trials—He repurposes them for His kingdom.

So, what about you? Where has God placed you? Who needs to hear His truth through your life, right here, right now? Don’t let hardship silence you—step boldly into the opportunities God has put before you. Like the believers in Acts, let your everyday conversations be a testimony of grace and truth, no matter where you’ve been scattered.

May the Lord grant you courage to share His Word, no matter where life takes you. May He open your eyes to see challenges as divine opportunities, and may His peace and purpose guide your steps!