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Christian Devotional – March 31, 2016
Read Acts chapter 2 VERSE: Acts 2:42–They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship and to the breaking of bread and to prayer. TRUTH: What are we devoting ourselves to? The apostles, brand new in their receipt of the Holy Spirit and new to their understanding of what the Christian life really means, spent their time in teaching, fellowship, eating and prayer. They were so focused on these things that they were devoted to them. They knew that was the only way they would grow in their understanding of all that God desired of them. When we look at our lives and how we spend our time, what…
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Christian Devotional – March 30, 2016
Read Acts chapter 1 VERSE: Acts 1:8–“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” TRUTH: Jesus had a job and a responsibility for them to do, but He knew that they would never be able to do the work He had for them on their own. We are the same way. All the things that we see and that we are trying to do are things that we will never be able to do on our own and through our own strength. The disciples needed…
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Christian Devotional – June 29, 2013
VERSE: Acts 28:31–He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ–with all boldness and without hindrance! TRUTH: Just as a reminder, Paul was still under house arrest. He could not leave, yet scripture shares that he was without hindrance. Do we get caught up in our situation and circumstances and allow that to hinder our obedience? If Paul can be unhindered from prison, then we can be unhindered no matter where we are. RESPONSE: Father, I will stop focusing on my situation and circumstances. I will focus only on You. Through You I will be bold no matter what situation You have placed me in!
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Christian Devotional – June 2, 2013
VERSE: Acts 27:25–So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. TRUTH: Courage and faith go together. We will have courage only in the areas where we have faith. As we trust in God and believe that He will do what He says, then we can act in confidence with courage. Do we confidently obey what God has directed us to do? We know that our courage to do what He asks is a direct reflection of our faith in what God has promised us. RESPONSE: Father, this statement was true for Paul and it is true for…
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Christian Devotional – June 27, 2013
VERSE: Acts 26:24–At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” TRUTH: When we share the gospel message with people, we receive a vast array of responses. Festus went so far as to call Paul insane. Paul responds calmly and continues his argument. Are we afraid of how people will respond to the message of Jesus Christ? We must remember that we cannot control their response, we can only be faithful to share. RESPONSE: Father, I pray that You will give me boldness to share and not worry about the response of others. Your message is…
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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…