acts 11:23 devotional

Many believers take risks to spread Jesus’ good news. The Ethiopian eunuch in his royal chariot seemed to have it all together (Acts 8:27). —Lowry, I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Devotional # 63. What about you? This life-changing interruption had huge implications for the future of Christianity. Found inside – Page 26One Year Devotional Mark Dupre ... (ACTS 15:31 ESV) Barnabas is a relatively minor character in the New Testament. After separating from Paul over the issue of bringing John Mark, Barnabas tends to fade out after Acts 15. We urge you … that you may walk properly toward those who are outside. The word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. He endured beatings, near assassinations, and cruel treatments. Are we all nothing but cosmic accidents? Often it is the very people who have experienced the most suffering—physical and emotional—who are the most abundant providers of encouragement to others. For the second week, she shadowed a college basketball coach. COCA-COLA seems to be everywhere. The apostle’s statement was especially meaningful to the Jewish audience with its reference to the millennium when Messiah would rule. “There is a property in God of thirst and longing.

12:15). On May 19, 1780, a mysterious phenomenon took place. The "cattle upon a thousand hills" are His, and He is entirely self-sufficient. Weekly Family Devotional: The Ascension (Acts 1:1-11 ... —John 21:14. Suddenly another car squeezed in front of the “smiley” car, forcing the driver to hit the brakes. Rest on the rock-solid foundation of the Word, not on the sinking sand of your feeling! In the early days of the church, the life-giving gospel spread quickly through Jerusalem (Acts 2:41). —D. My discussion with that trucker gave me a new appreciation for those 18-wheelers, and it reminded me of a spiritual truth. “I came to the end of my rope and cried out to God,” he said. Once an impetuous fisherman-disciple who denied even knowing Christ after His arrest, he became a bold witness for Him (John 18:17,25,27; Acts 2:14-36). Without any help from us, He makes the sun rise every morning and set every evening. The apostle Paul is an example of a good finisher. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ … —1 Timothy 1:1. So she quickly added, “I didn’t mean anything except admiration. The testimony of those first-century Christians led thousands to faith in Jesus Christ. A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God . Running downstairs, she said to the newly employed cleaning woman, `Pearl, have you seen my Bible?' We love You, Lord. So Gilquist arranged to meet with him the next morning.

When we do, God’s people will grow. But persecution scattered them into a new territory—Samaria. Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he ... When Jesus sent His disciples out, He gave them this promise: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. The One Year Praying in Faith Devotional: 365 Daily Bible ... - Page 373 When aroused to become angry, he who is wise will be patient, and slow to lose his temper. The fifth book of the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles, records the beginnings of the Christian church under the leadership of the people Jesus had appointed.

A man named Abraham Davenport can teach us a lesson in steadfastness. Peter disagreed with Jesus (Matt. This theme of divine love that will not let go is to be reiterated to each new generation so that God’s covenant people may continue in relationship with their Creator and Sustainer. And there’s everything right about that. Missionary Keith Gustafson was forced to leave the Congo because of the civil war that erupted in 1997. Through witnessing she found great joy. His pedigree and performance were prized possessions until he encountered Jesus in a blinding moment on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-8). One summer as my wife and I sat on our porch, we were serenaded by a tree frog who had taken up residence in the dense vine climbing a nearby tree. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-2, 4). The video may be funny, inspiring, or thought provoking, and it can quickly spread around the world and be seen by millions of people. In the midst of the storm, he said, “I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (v.25). In Scripture we read of refreshment by resting on the Sabbath (Ex. They all broke down during the race. Maples of red and orange, green pines, and yellow softwoods painted the ever-changing landscape. She was stricken with cancer. The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him. The fearless evangelist had a burden to give out the message that had transformed his life. [He was] seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. But persecution did not destroy Christianity. But Napoleon just shook his head and turned away. Prayer keeps us in constant contact with our Commander-in-Chief. Reason 2: He is almighty and has the power to accomplish what is best for me. He talks about nothing but revolution. Acts 11:23 DEVOTIONALS When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; Acts 11:23 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB) As we walk prayerfully in the Spirit, our faces increasingly reflect the beauty of Jesus. Four thousand miles from home? As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. Somehow Paul’s nephew found out about the assassination plot and went and told Paul. The enemy tries to divert ministers and teachers from their main purpose of preaching the gospel. 21- Job 9:4-14; Acts 13 . Be as patient with others as God has been with you. For example, He gives us specific instructions for Christlike behavior in, 1 Corinthians 13, yet we may be tempted to say, “I just don’t feel convicted about that,” or “That’s not really my gift.”, What is the Lord asking of you today? —Acts 4:10. Help us to accept responsibility and seek Your forgiveness when we make the wrong choices. It is a great privilege to be identified with Christ—and a great obligation to live up to His name! The worst kind of insanity is to deny one’s guilt while living in sin and unbelief. To conserve weight, clothing was very light, saddles were extremely small and thin, and no weapons were carried. —Acts 18:26. Posted by Peter Kennedy on Thursday Aug 4, 2011. Expect to hear from Him. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked. It is possible that Paul was allowed to live in his own rented home under house arrest and share the gospel (vv.30-31) because the soldiers were impressed by the hospitality that had been shown to them. The girl who was a splendid Christian looked up brightly and replied, "But, Miss Baldwin, remember, I don't have to think about potatoes while I'm peeling them." We can all take part in spreading God’s Word by developing a friendship, by giving someone an article about the gospel, or by sharing some Scripture verses with a stranger. Make us good listeners to others, as You are to us. And so it was. 14:10-12). He had not gone far when he felt a tug on his sleeve. As a result, they feel they are useless to God. It was marked by perfect technique in breathing and enunciation. Found inside – Page 146... does none in most of the Protestant churches , and orPaul commence his mission to the Gentiles.- dination is not ordinarily preceded by any church Whereunto I have called them . Paul had fast , though often by special devotional ... Do we try to witness for Christ without asking the Spirit to help us (Acts 1:8)? I was not expected to explain the physics of the wreck or the details of the medical trauma. Her mother and father were murdered for their faith by the communists in the 1960s. Every warrior needs a battle plan. No two faith journeys are identical. A young man was preaching about Jesus, and Ramos stopped to listen. You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. In Acts 2, when believers experienced the filling of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, “suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). One of the reasons we know that Jesus spoke the truth about going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2) is that He has been seen alive in heaven. Are we willing to do what God has called us to do with the same dedication, whether it is easy or tough? Self-effort, religious ritual, or agonizing prayer cannot take away sin. 6:10). While we can show the critics that the doctrine of the Trinity is both biblical and reasonable, we must acknowledge that our human limitations make it impossible to fully understand and explain our infinite God. Yet there were some during the greeting time who went out of their way to welcome and accept him. ", The interviewer then inquired, "And you have not yet attained the heights you seek?" So he could have gone and told his family what he heard and they may have sent him to warn Paul. What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual, rescue? Their Master’s slow, visible, and final ascent was a dramatic way of saying to them that a new era was about to begin. Acts 23:10-11 - Sovereignty Scripture: Acts 23:10-11. Although nothing further had to be done to receive salvation, there was much more to do to serve God. He had declared, “When one is an artist, what else can he be?” I would ask, “When one is a Christian, what else can he be?”, In the early church, the disciples were called Christians, which means “those belonging to Christ.” Their love and service for the Lord was obvious. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. They immediately prepared animals to sacrifice in honor of Paul and Barnabas. Sweet hour of prayer! He placed a picture of Jesus on the street and demanded that the Christians in his province step on the picture in renunciation of their faith. In today’s reading, we see a preview of many of the functions of the local church. When we live a holy life, we will attract attention. 2. But the apostle said to them, “You have not lied to men but to God.”. 2. When the apostle Paul came to Athens, he was distressed by the idolatry he saw. 2:13). But at some point, though we are not told when, the brothers of Jesus came to believe in Him as their Lord and Messiah. Then, let’s ask ourselves if we are willing to do the same for our children. I had some reservations about making the call, but I obeyed. I began by asking the students to give their names and where they served, but one student shocked me as he boldly declared, “Of all the pastors, I am the most faithful to the Great Commission!” I was taken aback momentarily until, smiling, he continued, “The Great Commission says we are to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. the sins God has erased from their record. 1:1-2). But seeing the buttercups made my temporary discomfort worthwhile. The mind cannot be entirely at rest; it is not a blank. In the believer’s heart rages a spiritual war between sin and righteousness. McQuilkin’s words echo the heartfelt longing of the apostle Paul as he faced danger ahead in Jerusalem: “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Don’t confuse divine mystery with human madness. Ultimately, they parted ways, and Barnabas took Mark with him on his journey (Acts 15:36-39). When telling others what Christ can do for them, tell them what He has done for you. —Acts 10:42. Many people poked fun at him, however, and young boys often pelted him with cabbages and rotten eggs because they considered him peculiar. We don’t need to go through life searching for an unknown god, for the one true God has already revealed Himself to us through His Son. I learned that we cause unfathomable sorrow when we dishonor and debase others through bigotry. But in that woman’s act, Jesus saw a moving display of the proper attitude toward money (vv.41-44). Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I'll be glad to tell you why!" It can happen. Those responsible are the people who want to punish them for their crimes.” How contrary to the Scriptures, which teach that God holds each of us accountable for what we do! They motivate us to wish fervently that somehow we could undo the past. Centuries later, a British lecturer visited Rome and found that all the niches around the wall were empty except one. That night [after his difficult defense, hardships, and arrest,] the Lord appeared to Paul and said, "Be encouraged, Paul. —Acts 12:5. When they see you, what influence do you have on them? They departed … , rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. In telling the story of the Israelites during the exodus, Paul said, “For a time of about forty years [God] put up with their ways in the wilderness” (Acts 13:18). After he had witnessed at great length to the angry religious leaders, they rejected his words and took him out to be stoned (7:1-53). So we set a trap. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Repent … that your sins may be blotted out. The book of Acts concludes with Paul confined in Rome, living under guard in a rented house, where he “received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:30-31). As a younger man, Peter had left a well-paying job so he could serve as an evangelist for his church. God is to be the focus of all we do in His church. Woman’s Day magazine surveyed more than 2,000 people to check out their honesty level. They wanted to be recognized as a generous couple, but they were not what they appeared to be. They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship. The buttercups in our backyard were unusually bright and beautiful due to the generous amount of spring rain God sent our way. And from Him, “we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16 NIV).

Day after day, year after year. When the Lord had accomplished His purpose, demonstrated His power, and saved the jailer and his family, then Paul and Silas were commanded to "depart and go in peace.". The Lord can use us today to encourage and strengthen each other. To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. What Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1 applies also to us. They considered them guilty of Christ's death and referred to them as "Christ-killers." The race of life is run by faith and won by grace. When he died in April 2012, one newspaper article carried the headline, “Charles Colson, Nixon’s ‘dirty tricks’ man, dies at 80.” It seemed surprising that a man so transformed by faith should be identified with things he did as a politically ruthless presidential aide decades earlier before he knew the Savior. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they had a sense of mission. But you ask, “How can we have a cleansed conscience?” We must repent of our sin and return to our Creator. When she suggested that he attend an evangelistic meeting, he agreed. Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood the GERMAN importance of listening to one another. He had told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would not begin His work until after He left (John 16:7). Yet every week she faithfully placed $4 in the offering plate. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. —RWD. When Jesus said He was going to heaven, Peter asked, “Lord, why can I not follow You now?” (John 13:37). Finally in desperation, another altar was built bearing these words: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Envy and jealousy are feelings of discontent and resentment aroused by thinking about another person's desirable qualities or possessions and wanting them for ourselves. —Ephesians 5:30. Is this the time to speak?” You can never tell what’s going on in the depths of another person’s heart. Old Testament Genesis 1:1-31 Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:26-28 Genesis 1:26-27 But each of those offers was a fraud. In this day of "gaps," and especially the "credibility gap," I can see why this politician chose that particular slogan. 3:16). Jesus said of His church that "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matt. I was the only customer at Jimmy’s Diner in East Harlem when a man entered and approached my table. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. It showed one of their cars being crashed into brick wall during a safety test. —Chambers. The psalmist David too called out to the Lord when he was in desperate straits. —Acts 9:18, In 1991, two operations restored Shirl Jennings’ sight after 40 years of blindness. He received Christ on the Damascus road. The object of these devotional studies is not to get through the worksheets, but to develop your personal relationship with God as you learn to communicate with Him. —Titus 2:14. There he witnessed fugitive slaves escaping from bondage, so he devoted himself with all his powers to free those who were in slavery. His teaching was incomplete because he didn’t know about being filled with the Spirit for daily empowerment. Moses also did not know his skin was shining with a celestial glow when he came down from the Mount. To find out why, read the online bookletTransformed Lives. Aren’t you afraid of me?” “Yes sir,” the private replied, “but you don’t know my mother!”. --Acts 11:26, During an interview, the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski said, "It is not from choice that my life is music and nothing more, but when one is an artist what else can he be? For John Piper, this impact is very personal. He does not just admire and trust Paul. He loves him. Piper gives us thirty glimpses into why his heart and mind respond this way. It is impossible for anyone to earn these favors! Whether we receive our Bible teaching through church, Sunday school, radio, or TV—we need to test what we hear against God’s inspired Word (2 Tim. Have you told anyone lately? His surprise came when he walked up to the apostles and offered them money. Reprinted by permission. GREAT ENDURANCE IS ESSENTIAL TO GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. One group felt that their widows were being discriminated against in the distribution of food. We wanted to give the impression that unkind expressions or insults did not really give pain; but down deep in our hearts we knew better. —Matthew 22:21. I find it interesting that Paul’s nephew went to see Paul. We should never downplay prayer, for it is something God commanded us to do. We can face this day with confidence because of the Comforter’s ministry in our lives. To be Your bond-slave, Master-King. Taking the offering was never the same after that. So they journeyed to Troas, where Paul learned that God wanted him to preach in Macedonia (vv.9-10). Galatians Don’t keep it to yourself! What a contrast to Spartacus is the apostle Paul. Even if they do not produce immediate and spectac­ular results, God takes note of them. Found inside – Page 191ACTS 11:23 Whom HAS GOD LAID ON MY HEART TO TOUCH ? Joy Sprague knows how to brighten the days of her customers . As the postmaster for Little Cranberry Island , Maine , she actually has customers competing to get their pictures on her ... Then I got a refund check of $.02 for the returned equipment! Because the Scriptures were deemed standard equipment! After all, Paul spoke with “truth and reason” (v.25), and his witness was verifiable—”this thing was not done in a corner” (v.26). As the holidays approach, churches are gearing up for their largest attendance of the year. Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. Lord, I know I’m a sinner and cannot save myself. But the article never mentioned the resurrection of Jesus, without which there would have been no Christianity. The Lord’s any-moment return is no cause for date-setting but for watchful expectation. A distinguished Bible scholar of the 19th century, J. The term Christian, once directed at Jesus’ followers in scorn, was embraced by them as a badge of honor, a mark of allegiance to Him. Beginning at this Scripture, [Philip] preached Jesus to him. This chemical was added because it artificially enhanced protein readings. 5:6-11). Let’s examine each of these words. What “stones” are in the pouch at your waist? But if we show our love by listening, our common faith in Christ can bind us together. Every skirmish hones our skills and sharpens us for the next encounter with the enemy. Trembling in the divine presence, he asked a second crucial question, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" All rights reserved). There's the cry from beneath. —Sper. She was fearful of being left alone, so her mother brought her a doll. When You take a stand for Christ, He stands with you. —Acts 4:4. Realizing that salvation is by God’s grace through faith, the student gladly received the Lord Jesus as his Savior. The Bible, in Ephesians 2:8-9, makes it crystal-clear that we are saved by grace through faith.

He criticized their ancestors and implicated the whole council in the murder of Jesus Christ. How many wicked people would say that my godly conduct and Christlike spirit put them to shame? They see people who are able to give generously and pray with evident effectiveness, but they think they can’t do these things. In 1941, as Hitler's reign was expanding across Europe, novelist John Steinbeck was asked to help with the war effort. De Haan. His name was Joseph, but in the early church, the apostles called him Barnabas—“son of encouragement.” It was Barnabas who vouched for the newly converted Saul when others doubted the sincerity of his faith (Acts 9:26-27). Satan creates dissension within the church. —Acts 2:36,38. His authority outranks all others. I'll teach you how to swim and save your-self!" Ann, a receptionist at RBC Ministries, told me that she has kept a journal for much of her life. Instead, the company sealed the site and confiscated cell phones. —Acts 17:11. A company that can offer a new and desirable feature on its cars gains a eted selling edge in a tough market. We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. They were flexible. Acts 12:1-6 describes a situation in which Peter’s odds of survival were very low. And another predicted that Christ will come in 2005, saying that we can know the “nearness” but not the “exactness.”, The dismal record of date-setters has led many to abandon the subject altogether. Imagine for a moment that you are driving through the desert in Southern California and you see the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge spanning the dried-up bed of “Three Frogs Creek” on the outskirts of “Turtle Soup Junction.” What a ridiculous sight that would be! Parents may spend months researching and deciding on the perfect name for their baby. Christians never say goodbye for the last time. One way to connect with people who are unfamiliar with the things of Christ is to become culturally “bilingual.” We do this by communicating in ways people can easily relate to. If you have, then prayerfully ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to make the necessary changes. “Praise God!” she exclaimed. De Haan. To give warning or in-formation." King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. The song of saints on higher ground. But their reaction caused their opponents to start thinking. I smiled, appreciating his witness and realizing that God has His people everywhere. How often do we experience delays, changes of plans, and redirections and treat them as intrusions? One thing you cannot do about missions—escape your responsibility. We may be struggling with a decision about how to serve the Lord, or concerned about a problem at work, or unsure of how to discipline a rebellious child. He presented Himself alive by many infallible proofs! The apostles were feeling pressured to “leave the Word of God and serve tables” (6:2). Last summer, some teens from our church were conducting 5-day Bible clubs in the area.

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