The Essential 100, Day 75 God doesn’t show favoritism, but desires that all come to know him. Read acts 10:1-11:18. As Peter learned, God desires that everyone come to know him. God’s salvation and gifts from God are not reserved for only a select few type of people. God has made his salvation open to the world. Our job is to ensure that we are telling everyone about the gifts of God and the plan of salvation. We should never restrict our churches or our services or our message to only one certain type of people or group of people. God desires the world to come to know him. Do…

The Essential 100, Day 74 Do we recognize when we are being led by the Spirit? Do we follow through and do what the Spirit says? Phillip did. Read Acts 8:26-40. The Spirit gave him direction and he followed it. There was no question. Phillip knew the voice of the Spirit and he obeyed. Do we recognize the nudges and direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Do we follow through on what he directs us to do?

The Essential 100, Day 73 Do we speak boldly, even when faced with trials and struggles? Even if facing persecution? Read Acts 6:8 – 8:8. Stephen spoke the truth of God’s Word boldly even thoigh it resulted in him losing his life. Do we realize that there is nothing more important than sharing the message of God’s plan for salvation to everyone? We may face difficulties and struggles. We may have others who don’t like us or refuse to spend time with us. We may even have others say things or treat us badly. In some countries, we may even face persecution or imprisonment. But, is there anything more important…

The Essential 100, Day 72 Sharing the message of salvation. The new believers and the early church faced many challenges and opportunities. They needed boldness and courage to take the message of salvation to the world. Read Acts 3-4. As the disciples were going through their situations, they asked the Lord for courage and boldness to ensure that they were doing and saying all that Jesus would have them to do and say. Are we demonstrating courage and boldness in all that we do? Do we share the real reason for the hope and the joy that we are experiencing?

The Essential 100, Day 71 Th Holy Spirit. The discipes received the Holy Spirit. Read Acts 2. We see the Holy Spirit come down and fill the disciples and then we see them acting out on what the Holy Spirit gave them to do. Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to move and work in our life? Do we allow the Spirit to guide us and direct us?

The Essential 100, Day 70 Christ rose from the dead, but then he ascended into heaven right before the eyes of the disciples. Read Acts 1:1-11. The disciples were still trying to understand exactly what God’s plan was. They wondered if now was the time for a conquering army. God had other plans and he arose from the dead with a mission and purpose for them to share. When he left them and went back into heaven, he did so by giving them a mission and purpose. They were to go and share. As Jesus sent them, he also sent us. I often wonder if God would like to ask…

The Essential 100, Day 69 The Resurrection of Jesus is why we can have hope today. If Jesus had stayed dead, then we would not have the hope of salvation. Read John 20 – 21. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. Jesus took our sins upon himself, was crucified and died. However, because he was not guilty of those sins, God raised him from the dead. He is resurrected in us and he is the one who lives through us every day as we continue to crucify our sinful thoughts and sinful nature. Just like Paul says in Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer…

The Essential 100, Day 68 The death of Jesus is a terrible and gruesome event that is recorded in scripture. Read John 19. As you read through this account of the crucifixion of Jesus, John makes this statement that he witnessed everything and that the reason he was a witness so that we also maybe leave. Witness statements have such amazing value and weight to them, especially in a court system. How do we know what is true, what did a witness see? What did a witness experience? In the end, many people don’t believe that Jesus lived or that Jesus died, but John records here that he wants us…

The Essential 100, Day 67 Do we betray Jesus? Peter did. Read John 18. When faced with difficult decisions, will we acknowledge the impact Christ has made on our life, or will we deny him. It’s very easy to read through this story and condemn Peter or talk about how we would have done things differently. Yet, if we were to put ourselves in Peter’s place, would we really have responded differently? How do we respond to similar situations today?

The Essential 100, Day 66 The night before Jesus was crucified, we see him with his disciples, honoring God and celebrating the Passover. Then, as he prays, we see his anguish. Still, he follows God. Read Luke 22:1-46. Jesus faced more temptation than any of us ever will. Jesus, in preparation for the crucifixion, was praying for all that was about to come. He was to be used by God in a powerful way. Are we willing to be used, broken, sacrificed and resurrected so that God’s will is done in our lives?