Recent Devotions
After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” (Acts 4:7 CSB) Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the number of believers in Jerusalem grew daily. But so did the opposition. The apostles were no more popular with the religious leaders of that day than Jesus had been. The same antagonists, just a slightly different target. Acts 3 tells the story of Peter and John’s encounter with the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. The healing quickly drew the attention of…
While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5, NET) One of the last…
“To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3, NKJV) This week let’s explore some of the events in the Book of Acts. Within its…
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“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 God told the prophet Jeremiah to make a wooden yoke and use it as an illustration to the people of what God was planning to do. He told them that the Lord was going to allow Babylon to take over their country as well as many…
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15, New King James Version) Embarrassing moments. Ever have one? Let me tell you a story about one of mine. A few years ago, a group of us met twice a month for prayer and Bible study. This particular evening, I would host the group. You can imagine my dismay when shortly before my friends would arrive, I found an uninvited visitor in my…
“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,” Luke 20:1 (I used this scripture in our Ladies’ Meeting recently, so decided to condense it a bit and share it on here.) Have you ever asked someone how they were, and they replied, “Oh, this has just been one of those days?” Perhaps you have felt that way a few times during the last few months. Consider a couple of phrases from Luke 20:1…
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. (Proverbs 15:6, English Standard Version) Sometimes while reading the Bible a particular word or phrase will catch my attention and cause me to pause and reflect. Many times, it’s just what I need for that day’s encouragement. While reading Proverbs 15, I stopped abruptly at verse 6, which says, “In the house of the righteous there is much treasure.” Treasure. The word brought to mind items of great value—silver, gold, jewels—things that we can touch and hold. Looking around my rather modest…
