-
Christian Devotional – April 29, 2016
Read Acts chapter 27 VERSE: Acts 27:11–But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. TRUTH: This Roman centurion was tasked with taking the prisoner Paul to Rome. So, he does what every good soldier would do; he listens to sailing advice from the captain of the ship and from the owner of the ship. After all, what would Paul, a tent maker and preacher of the gospel of Jesus, know about sailing? Well, we see that this trip turned into a disaster for sure, just as Paul said it would. When we are seeking advice…
-
Christian Devotional – April 28, 2016
Read Acts chapter 26 VERSE: Acts 26:29–Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” TRUTH: Paul is giving his testimony to the political leaders of the area, King Agrippa and Festus. He shares his entire story of his life before Christ, how he met Christ, and what his life has been like since having Christ in it. This is all our testimony is. When we have experience Christ in our lives, we can explain to others what our life before Christ was like, how we met Christ and…
-
Christian Devotional – September 16, 2014
Read 1 Corinthians chapter 9 VERSE: 1 Corinthians 9:24–Do you not know, that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. TRUTH: Paul often compares the Christian life to a race. We are running a race that takes self-discipline, endurance, focus and determination. We are to keep ourselves focused on the goal: Jesus Christ. As we are obeying what He has for us, we will encounter hardship and difficulty. There will be distractions and plenty of reasons will come to mind of why we should give up and quit. Are we running today in such…
-
Christian Devotional – December 29, 2013
VERSE: Titus 1:16–They claim to know God, but by their actions deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for anything good. TRUTH: Paul is warning Titus to be careful of the others around who claim to know God, bur are not truly believers. How would Titus be able to tell the difference? Their actions deny the very God they claim to serve. Do our actions line up with our words? If we claim to be followers of God, then our actions must be in line with our words, otherwise, we will be detestable and disobedient to God with the result that we are unfit for anything good. RESPONSE: Father,…
-
Christian Devotional – September 1, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 12:9–But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. TRUTH: Paul was given what he called a “thorn in the flesh” and when he asked God to remove it, God gave him this response. No matter what we face and what situations or struggles we find ourselves in, God’s grace is always sufficient for us. We can rest assured that through His grace we will always have exactly what we need to make it through. How? Because God’s…
-
Christian Devotional – August 31, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 11:30–If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. TRUTH: Most people don’t think about boasting in their weaknesses, typically we try to hide those. However, Paul is using his weaknesses and sufferings as a way to explain God’s grace. Paul knows that these sufferings and difficulties are only so that God can be shown to be full of grace and power as He works through Paul to do the amazing things that Paul has been a part of. When we are weak, He’s shown to be strong. Are we boasting in our weaknesses so we can explain about God’s grace through…
-
Christian Devotional – August 26, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 6:2–For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor and now is the day of salvation. TRUTH: What does it mean that now is the time? It means that today is the day when God will hear and help us. He is listening to us and He is poised to help us as we come to Him. Do we see today as the day of God’s favor? We don’t have to wait for it, God hears us and helps us today! RESPONSE: Father, You are…
-
Christian Devotional – August 24, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 4:18–So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. TRUTH: What are we focused on? As we are going through each day, are we focused with intensity on the eternal things that matter? Or are we focusing on the things that are temporary? The temporary things are more distracting because they are easier to see, but the eternal goals that God has for us require discipline of mind to stay focused on because they cannot be easily seen. Are we choosing to focus on the unseen and eternal or…
-
Christian Devotional – August 23, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 3:5–Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. TRUTH: No matter what it is we are thinking of, we are not competent in anything solely by ourselves. The knowledge we have, the understanding we have, these are all gifts from God. We are to be careful that we do not become prideful about what we think we know. Knowledge is from God and He deserves the glory and praise for it. RESPONSE: Father, You are the only reason I know what I know. It is only by Your grace and understanding, and I praise You for allowing…
-
Christian Devotional – August 22, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 2:15–For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. TRUTH: When we are following Christ, allowing Him to live through us, our life has a distinctive aroma. Only the aroma of Christ is pleasing to God and as we allow Him to fill us and work through us, our life gives off the pleasant aroma of Christ. Without Christ, our actions and attitude leave a stench that is disgusting to God. Are we allowing the sweet smell of Christ to define our life? RESPONSE: Father, I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to…