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Christian Devotional – June 26, 2013
VERSE: Acts 25:19–Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. TRUTH: Festus was the new governing authority who was holding Paul captive. He wasn’t familiar with the Jewish religion and customs or with Paul’s case specifically so he was trying to figure it out. When asked to summarize it, he made the above statement. No matter who we are speaking with or what their background, the discussion is to always come back to who Jesus is. When sharing with people of other religions, the differences are most quickly found by discussing who Jesus…
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Christian Devotional – June 25, 2013
VERSE: Acts 24:26–At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. TRUTH: Felix listened to Paul speak and share his beliefs several times, yet Felix never realized the change that was evident in Paul’s life. He kept thinking that Paul would act like everyone else. Paul, as a follower of Christ, had no intention of acting like everyone else did in this situation and offering a bribe to Felix in order to be released. Even when we are in difficult situation, do we rely on Jesus or do we start trying to fall back on…
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Christian Devotional – June 24, 2013
VERSE: Acts 23:1–Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day. TRUTH: Paul had just finished giving testimony before the Pharisees and Sadducees and they were very upset with what Paul was saying. He ends by stating that he has done every aspect of His duty to God and He has a clean conscience. Are we able to say the same? Just like Paul had been obedient to God and had a clear conscience, could we say the same about ourselves? RESPONSE: Father, I will seek to do all You ask of me so that when I…
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Christian Devotional – June 23, 2013
VERSE: Acts 22:1–Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense. TRUTH: Paul had been accused of doing wrong and he stood up to give his rebuttal to their accusations. Would we be prepared to give a defense for the reasons we believe in Jesus Christ and seek to obey Him? What would we say? Does our own life reflect Jesus so much that someone would even accuse us of having a relationship with Him? We are to be bold and uncompromising in both our witness for God and our explanations for why we follow Him. RESPONSE: Father, give me the boldness to share the reasons for why I do what…
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Christian Devotional – June 22, 2013
VERSE: Acts 21:13–Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready to not only be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” TRUTH: When we commit to follow Jesus 100%, sometimes those who love us and care about us have difficulty with the idea that God may allow difficulties to come into our life as part of His will. Paul reminded his friends that it wasn’t about his own safety and security, but instead his goal was to share the name of Jesus Christ and if that meant being imprisoned then that was OK with him. Do we…
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Christian Devotional – June 21, 2013
VERSE: Acts 20:24–However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. TRUTH: This statement really sums up Paul and his focus during his life. Can we say the same about our own life? Jesus Christ has given us all the task to declare Him and His good news of grace and salvation to all. Will we take that task so seriously that we consider everything else a waste of time? RESPONSE: Father, I desire this single-minded focus. I know You desire so much…
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Christian Devotional – June 20, 2013
VERSE: Acts 19:11–God did extraordinary miracles through Paul TRUTH: Paul traveled throughout the known world proclaiming that Jesus was the way and the fulfillment of the prophesies of the Old Testament. However, never in scripture are the miracles that occurred attributed to him. God is always given the praise and credit for performing amazing and wonderous things through Paul. Why? Paul was obedient and willing. God can move through us as well if we will humble ourselves and be obedient to Him and give Him praise in everything. RESPONSE: Father, there is nothing extraordinary about me. Yet, You are awe-inspiring and amazing. I will submit myself to You. Please do…
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Christian Devotional – June 19, 2013
VERSE: Acts 18:9–One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent.” TRUTH: It’s encouraging to know that even the apostle Paul got discouraged and afraid at times. God came to Him to encourage and lift Him up and He does the same for us when we are down and struggling. No matter who we are, we will go through discouraging and down times. Satan will tempt us to give up and turn away from being obedient to God, but we can be encouraged that we are not the only one to go through times like these and we…
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Christian Devotional – June 18, 2013
VERSE: Acts 17:27–God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. TRUTH: Paul preaching to the people of Athens is explaining that God wants us to seek Him and search for Him. God wants us to be sure that we desire Him and desire to know Him. The great thing about seeking God? He is not far from us. Yes, He wants us to seek Him, but not because He is hiding from us. God desires to be known and to reveal Himself to us, but He wants us to desire…
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Christian Devotional – June 17, 2013
VERSE: Acts 16:13–On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. TRUTH: When Paul and Silas went to go look for the local church in the new area they were in, they went looking for a place of prayer. Would we characterize our church that way? If a stranger was looking for a house of prayer, would they be directed to our local church? Jesus called His house a house of prayer. Are we following that or have we turned His house into something…