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Christian Devotional – April 15, 2016
Read Acts chapter 15 VERSE: Acts 15:11–No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. TRUTH: A dispute had arisen in the early church and they were going about resolving it. The question of “What is required in order to be saved?” was hotly debated with many people adding in various other rituals or practices that were based in tradition. In the end, Peter stood up and reminded everyone that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. No other fancy ceremonies are required. No other rituals are required. As we are looking at our lives,…
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Christian Devotional – April 14, 2016
Read Acts chapter 14 VERSE: Acts 14:22–strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. TRUTH: Guess what? The Christian life is not all candy and roses. There are plenty of times when we will go through difficult times and hardships. Paul could speak to that; he had just been stoned almost to death. No matter where we are in our life, the devil loves to depress and put down Christians and we can expect that we will experience that, too. The question becomes, will we find our hope and our joy in…
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Christian Devotional – April 13, 2016
Read Acts chapter 13 VERSE: Acts 13:38–Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. TRUTH: There are many people in our lives that we call “friends.” Sometimes we use the word casually to describe other people around and near us and sometimes we use the word to describe a much more serious and close relationship. Either way, we can’t truly call anyone a friend unless we are sharing with them the good news of Jesus Christ and how that will impact their life. Because we know the truth, how can we possibly say that anyone is our friend if…
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Christian Devotional – April 12, 2016
Read Acts chapter 12 VERSE: Acts 12:5–So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. TRUTH: Bad things happen to good people. In fact, evil things happen to Godly people and here is an example of just exactly that. Peter was imprisoned for no other reason than the fact that he believed in Jesus Christ as Lord. What do we do during those times? Are we caught up with worry and anxiety? Do we become angry and vengeful? The early church spent their time in prayer for Peter. When we are faced with difficult circumstances that don’t make any sense to us, do…
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Christian Devotional – April 11, 2016
Read Acts chapter 11 VERSE: Acts 11:24–He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. TRUTH: This was said to describe Barnabas and the work that he was doing as he reached out to the Gentiles who were coming to faith. If someone were to describe us and the work that we were doing for the Lord, what would that look like? Would people say we are full of the Holy Spirit and of faith? If they wouldn’t say that, then what do we do about that? We must completely surrender every area of our life…
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Christian Devotional – April 10, 2016
We’re starting a new series today as we take a look at what it means to be “Blessed” by studying the Beatitudes. Are we willing to make ourselves poor in spirit in order to gain the kingdom of heaven? What are we holding on to? Also, thanks to Andrew for sneaking in to say hi at the end 🙂
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Christian Devotional – April 9, 2016
Read Acts chapter 10 VERSE: Acts 10:34– Then Peter began to speak, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.” TRUTH: Peter was confronted with a situation that had no other explanation than that God had done it. He knew that his prior beliefs and prejudices were being stripped away in light of what God was doing. God desires all people to come to Him and the prejudices that we have need to be stripped away in the light of the love of Jesus Christ. As He has loved the world, so we should love the world! RESPONSE: Father, Let me love everyone today as…
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Christian Devotional – April 8, 2016
Read Acts chapter 9 VERSE: Acts 9:15–But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. TRUTH: God had chosen a purpose for Saul and God knew exactly how He was going to use Saul to proclaim His name throughout the world. God has planned a purpose for each one of us as well. God knows how each of us can best influence and promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are we each willing to go and do as God has led so that we can fulfill our purpose? RESPONSE: Father,…
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Christian Devotional – April 7, 2016
Read Acts chapter 8 VERSE: Acts 8:4–Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. TRUTH: Do we preach the word wherever we go? What’s more, if we had been forced to flee because of the Word, would we continue to preach it everywhere we went? These disciples could have gotten angry about their circumstance and determined to not do anything more with this Gospel that had resulted in running for their lives. Instead they chose to continue to preach it. Will we continue to preach the gospel wherever we go. RESPONSE: Father, Give me courage and boldness to preach the Gospel wherever I go. I want everyone…
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Christian Devotional – April 6, 2016
Read Acts chapter 7 VERSE: Acts 7:53–you have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it. TRUTH: Stephen is sharing the story of salvation with the religious leaders. He is explaining exactly how all the things that they have grown up knowing tie into the salvation message through Jesus Christ. However, these men are not happy at all with the conclusions that Stephen comes to and they really don’t like being confronted with their sin, as Stephen does in this verse above. When we are confronted with our sin, how do we respond? We all know that we are not perfect, yet when we are…