December 18

Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. — Acts 28:31 BSB

The last glimpse we get of Paul in the book of Acts shows him as a prisoner, but still receiving all who came to him. Many undoubtedly came with their burdens, their sorrows, and their questions. Men with deep sympathies and gentle spirits become a source of blessing to many. Those with heavy hearts, weighed down by sin or grief, are drawn to them like thirsty animals to a spring. Paul was that kind of man, and many sought him out for the comfort and wisdom he could offer.

But notice how Paul helped those who came to him. He preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He fed their spiritual hunger with the bread of heaven and pointed them to Christ as the only source of true help and blessing. We have nothing in ourselves to offer those who come seeking comfort; we can only point them to the Savior.

Paul’s prison days were among the most fruitful of his ministry. In the same way, even our "shut-in" days can be filled with blessings for others.