As Paul draws his guidance on this practical matter in Romans to a close, we are reminded again that the issue of food and sacred days is a symptom of deeper divisions between Jew and Gentile. Paul rejoices that this division has been healed! For Christ endured his reconciling work for both Jew and Gentile, so that together they might endure in re conciliatory praise of God through Christ, our only hope.

As we move from the weak Christian's judgement of the strong to consider how the strong should conduct themselves in the Kingdom of God, we see that the Gospel really does turn everything inside out. In fact, the inward transformation of Christ's work must be so outwardly expressed that our external freedoms in God's kingdom may need to be kept internally captive to our conscience in Christ.

In Romans 14, Paul shows us how and why Christian conscience must be undivided.

In Acts 12 the church encounters difficult days, one apostle is killed and another is imprisoned. Yet the believers respond in dependence on God who continues to be at work. Even in difficult days we can trust the goodness of God as he continues to make his gospel known.

The good news of what Jesus has done continues to spread! In Acts 11 we see the gospel being embraced by more people, and the start of a new church in Antioch. God's grace is evident among them as they hold fast to Jesus, reach out to others, and display Christlikeness

We have seen through Acts the good news of Jesus reaching new people, and this continues in a significant way in today’s passage as Gentiles are included in God’s family receiving the blessings of forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is a new stage for God’s people, and a reminder to us that God’s plans are for all who will come and find cleansing through the cross of Jesus.

This week we see God's amazing grace on display as he takes hold of Saul, changing him from a persecutor of Christians into a proclaimer of Christ to the nations.

We continue  to see the Gospel message spread to all the nations, despite persecution. Faithful believers are scattered with the Gospel of Jesus. As enmity between man and God is healed, so too are earthly divisions removed. However, we also see that not all who believe are genuine, as they put their faith not in Jesus but power.

We come to the final section in Song of Songs. The love between the young couple is more evident than ever before, but will their love be supported or scorned? Again we are reminded of the ups and downs of love in this world and ultimately we're pointed to God's great love for us - as strong as death, like a mighty flame.

We continue listening to the Song of Songs and we see that love in this world can often be a bumpy ride. The lovers in the story long to be together but they face threats to their relationship and circumstances that show us both the pleasures and pain of love.