Bible Reading: 2090621

Acts 15-18

 

“Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Acts 15:7-11

 

Dear God, thank you for seeing fit to purify my heart through faith. Thank you for putting no difference between me and Your people. Truly Thou art a great God in that You loved all men and have provided salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, why do I so often, as the Pharisees did, try to put a yoke of bondage and law upon my own shoulders? I truly can bear no weight but have need that You bear it for me. Lord, help me to ever give thanks unto Thee for Thy grace through faith.

 

“It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 15:25-26

 

Lord, why do I complain so often about the things I supposedly suffer? Dear God I am truly and unprofitable servant in every way. Lord, I pray that You would forgive me. These men hazarded their lives for Thee and it pleased them that they might have the honor of suffering for Thy name’s sake. Lord, I pray that You would see fit to mold my life that I might be profitable to the cause of Jesus Christ in this world.

Bible Reading: 2080616

Acts 11-14

 

“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18

 

Dear God, thank You for granting unto me repentance. Lord, again I face a situation where difficult things have come my way and the greatest of the many things that I have let slip have been my devotions. Dear God, You have done such wonderful things for me, the multitude of which could not be contained in this simple devotion. Thank You for Your provision, thank You for Your protection, thank You for these trials, but most of all, thank You for Thy salvation. Lord, help me, as You have so many times in the past and will many more times to come, to commit myself afresh and anew to You and the study of Thy word. I have no idea where You plan to take me or plan to do in my life...all I ask is that my life would matter for Thee. Help me to be humble and to not desire the applause of men. My heart is desperately wicked and desires so much that does not honor You. Fill my heart with the knowledge and power of Thy word that I might not sin against Thee. Lord, I desperately need you in these times. I need wisdom more so  than I ever have before. Help me not to faint.

Bible Reading: 2090607

Acts 7-10

 

“The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts 8:32-35

 

Lord, I pray that You would help me to teach and preach Jesus to others. As I prepare to go before my students today in Sunday School, I pray that my heart would be right with You, my mind would be filled with Thy word, and my heart filled with the Holy Spirit. Help me to see Jesus in every scripture I read and to communicate it with clarity that others may know Thy Son.

Bible Reading: 2090603

Acts 3-6

 

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:12

 

Lord, I pray that through Thy word that I would become bold to speak the name of Jesus. You have done so many wonderful things in my life, so much so that I cannot but speak the multitude of Thy tender mercies. Help me Lord to be a bold witness of Thy salvation that men would turn unto Thee as they did in the temple as Peter and John preached. To speak with such boldness and with such power of the Holy Spirit that 5,000 would turn unto Thee in a single day. Lord, I desire to be speak Thy name. Help me to glorify Thee with my mouth.

 

“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

 

Lord, thank You for such a man as Gamaliel that he would have such wisdom. I cannot recall nor know if there is anywhere in Thy word when Gamaliel turned unto Jesus Christ…but if he never did, how close he came to the truth only to be cast into hell. Lord, we stand upon the Rock of Jesus Christ knowing that this work is of God because it cannot be overthrown. Help us to be bold in all that we do and say for Jesus Christ that someone as wise as Gamaliel would not come so close to salvation, only to turn away and to be lost forever.

Bible Reading: 2090602

John 20-Acts 2

 

“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” John 20:27

 

Lord, help me not to be faithless but believing. My heart is filled with anxiety over all that is happening. I pray that the peace of God that passes all understanding would rule in my heart and that I would believe Thee and Thy word. I know You will not leave me alone or hungry. Help me to love Thee with my whole heart.

 

“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” John 21:12

 

Lord, Thy disciples knew who You were without asking. Why do I question so many times who You are and what You are doing in my life? Help me always to see the provision and to have faith to trust Thee with every part of my life.

 

“To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” Acts 1:3

 

Lord Almighty, You truly are an infallible God and have shown Thyself strong in my life. I thank You for the proofs that You hast set before mine eyes and caused my faith to be strengthened. Help me now to live for Thee that Thou mayest be glorified.

 

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42

 

Lord, of all those that were added unto the church that day, they all committed to the Apostles doctrine. Help me Lord to do the same; to commit myself more diligently to the daily study of Thy word. This do, that fear would come upon me as it did to the multitude so that I would draw near not The and bring glory to Thy name.

Bible Reading: 2090601

John 16-19

 

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.” John 16:13-16

 

Dear God, I pray that Thy Spirit would testify of Thee in my life. I pray that through me, Christ may be glorified. Thank you for all the blessings in my life and help me to know Thy will for my life.

 

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17

 

Lord, why is it that every time life throws me a curve that my devotions are always what take the biggest hit. I have been greatly perplexed about all that is going on in my life. Things have been erratic at best. Lord, I need wisdom concerning many different things in my life but my obvious area of focus at the moment is my financial situation. I thank You for the provision You have given both through charity and through employment, but any accomplishment that could be had at this time is overshadowed by the fact that my daily walk with Thee is compromised. Lord, help me in these times to draw closer to Thee and Thy word rather than allowing the everyday necessities and tasks to take preeminence.