Kristi Burchfiel

VERSE:Acts 15:11–But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way as they also are.TRUTH:The early church had some conflict, and they eventually had to have consensus on exactly what is required for people to be saved. They realized that the grace of God alone is what brings people into a right relationship with God, nothing else. RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for Your grace. Help me to demonstrate and share Your grace with everyone I meet, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for all.

VERSE:Acts 14:3–Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.TRUTH:How should we be sharing with others about Jesus? We are to speak boldly while relying upon the Lord. Speaking boldly without relying upon the Lord could be disastrous. And, if we are truly relying on the Lord, He will be prompting us to speak out boldly. RESPONSE:Lord, help me to rely on You in all areas and then to speak with boldness of Your glory.

VERSE:Acts 13:52–And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.TRUTH:They had just been rejected and run out of town, yet this is how Paul and Barnabas are described. Do we allow our circumstances to fill us and dictate our mood or do we look to the Holy Spirit to fill our needs and give us joy in ever circumstance?RESPONSE:Lord, no matter what is going on in my life or how I am treated, help me to be filled with Your Spirit and full of Your joy.

VERSE:Acts 12:3a–When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.TRUTH:What’s our motivation for the actions we take? For Herod, he was interested in the approval of the Jewish people and took actions based on that. Ultimately, that cost him his life. We need to be focused on the approval of God, not of man.RESPONSE:Lord, it’s easy to get caught up in the approval of man. Help me seek after only Your approval.

VERSE:Acts 11:23–Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.TRUTH:When we see others experiencing the grace and power of God, do we rejoice with them or are we jealous of what God is doing in their lives? We are to encourage others and rejoice when God works in their lives knowing that His plan is best.RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for working in such exciting ways. Help me not be jealous of how You move in the lives of others, but to be thankful that You are using them to glorify Yourself.

VERSE:Acts 10:43–Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His Name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.TRUTH:All the Bible points to the truth of who Christ is. The Name of Jesus Christ is the power and the one who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins. Are we pointing people to Christ in our daily life? He is the only hope people have!RESPONSE:Lord, I pray that You will be glorified through me so that everything I do will be a reflection of You.

VERSE:Acts 9:16–for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.TRUTH:Many people think following Christ is going to be the easy life. It’s not. It’s a call to an obedient life, a blessed life, but it’s not always easy or pain-free. Jesus suffered and we are called to follow Him. Are we willing to follow Him no matter what?RESPONSE:Lord, You are above all and I will follow You because You are worthy, no matter the cost.

VERSE:Acts 8:35–Then Philip opened his mouth and beginning from this scripture he preached Jesus to him.TRUTH:All scripture points to Jesus and Philip used an important principle when talking to others about Christ: meet people where they are. The Eunuch was at this scripture, so Philip started with that scripture. Christ wants to meet people where they are and lead them to a personal relationship with Him.RESPONSE:Lord, I pray You will help me meet people where they are and then point them to You!

VERSE: Acts 7:55–But being full of the Holy Spirit he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. TRUTH:Stephen was testifying of the amazing journey God had taken to show His glory to the people of Israel. Only through surrendering to God, as Stephen had, can we see God for who He truly is in all His glory RESPONSE:Lord, help me to surrender to You in all areas of my life so that Your glory may be evident and I may share it with others.