Recent Devotions
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers . . . And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.” (Acts 2:42,46, ESV) I enjoy reading the Book of Acts. It lets us view the birth of the church and see how the believers learned to support each other as they faced the exciting, but difficult, days ahead. Acts 4:32 says “those who believed were of one heart and soul.” They were united by a…
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5, ESV) Through the years, I’ve worked with some very intelligent, highly educated people. But it didn’t take me long to realize that it’s possible to…
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (I Peter 4:10, NLT) Sometimes we disqualify ourselves from areas of service for the Lord for various reasons. “I’m too young . . . too old . .…
Readers Loved
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” Acts 16:25 We sing songs in our worship services quite often about how worship can change a situation, and we proclaim and believe that worship can set us free. This story in Acts is a perfect example of that. Paul and Silas had been severely flogged. They were stripped, beaten and publicly humiliated, then thrown into a dark and cold prison cell. Their feet were then fastened in stocks, and thus began a very uncertain future for these two men. After all…
“Saying, what wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Luke 18:41 What a strange question Jesus asked. There was no doubt that Bartimaeus was blind and because of that he was begging along the roadside. No doubt the garment he wore showed the world that he was unable to work because of his disability. He had heard the footsteps of the crowd as they were passing by. Even though he could not see Jesus, he somehow knew that He was there and cried out. When they tried to quiet…
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (II Corinthians 2:14-15, ESV) A certain large store, whose name has only four letters, has an amazing sales technique. As I near the checkout, after wandering through their vast maze of goods, my nose begins to twitch. A captivating aroma wafts across the lines at the register and swirls around me. They are…
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:23-25 We have been looking at Psalm 37 and David’s questioning as to why God does not punish the wicked immediately and reward the just. We have considered six words that David placed his faith in God upon: fret not, trust, delight, commit, rest, and…
