Pray Thru the Bible

Acts 15-16

Mary Skelton — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 10:00:45 +0000

God Speaks

After the Jerusalem Council, Silas, Timothy and Luke Join Paul on His Second Missionary Journey

Verse of the Day: [After an earthquake and seeing that Paul, Silas and other prisoners were still there, the Philippian Jailer asked,] “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

Acts 15

Reflection: Acts 15 is a report of the discussion a council of the leadership of the Church in Jerusalem about 20 years after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The need for such a meeting was because the Holy Spirit was working among Gentiles to lead them to faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Some influential believers of Jewish descent were insisting that these Gentiles had to become “good Jews” before they could be considered “real Christians.” Leaders in the “First Christian Missionary Church of Antioch, Syria” decided that Paul, Barnabas, and several others should go to Jerusalem to get a ruling from the apostles and elders there to settle the disagreement. They made several stops along the way. Both Jewish and Gentile believers responded with great joy when they heard that Gentiles were being saved. The same was true when they first arrived in Jerusalem. Soon, however, some believers who had been Pharisees insisted that new Gentile converts must be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. After listening to the debate, Peter addressed the group saying in essence, “Since I was the first of ‘The Twelve’ to be used by God to preach the gospel to them and see Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit, I affirm that we all (Jews and Gentiles) are saved the same way, through the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Next, Barnabas and Paul reported on the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles leading many to faith in Him. Then James, Jesus’s half-brother, spoke to the group, referring to the prediction of Gentiles hearing and believing through God’s restoration of His chosen people, the Jews (Amos 9:11-12 and Isaiah 45:21-22). So those at this meeting formulated a letter of instructions to be delivered to all the churches concerning what was required of Gentile believers in Christ. This letter is recorded in Acts 15:23-29. Then Barnabas, Paul, Judas, and Silas delivered this letter to the believers in Antioch of Syria, encouraging and strengthening their faith. After some time, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they revisit the churches they had previously established. Barnabas agreed and wanted to take John Mark. Paul, however, strongly disagreed. So, they separated with Barnabas taking John Mark and sailing for Cyprus; meanwhile, Paul chose Silas and traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening churches there.

Prayer: Dear God of Truth, help Your people, especially those in leadership positions, to recognize error and stand up for the truth. After there has been honest debate and examination of all of the facts but still no resolution, may we seek the wisdom of a higher authority (with You being the highest authority). May we take time to listen to each other quietly and respectfully, to Your Holy Spirit, and to Your word to create simple rules or principles that we can agree upon and apply going forward. May those in authority choose godly, upright leaders from among various people groups to deliver and explain these principles and encourage people to follow them. May some leaders remain with the various smaller groups to teach these laws and principles and to train future leaders. Whenever there is a disagreement, may it lead to an expansion of, rather than a detriment to, Your kingdom, LORD. For Your glory. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will pray for the leadership in each of the seven areas of influence (religion, business, government, media, education, families and sports, and entertainment and the arts) to lead according to God’s will and purposes whether they know Christ as their personal Savior and Lord or not.
I will discuss with the LORD with which of the areas of influence He wants me to involve myself more actively with and how, then do it.
I will work as God directs me to defend “both the truth of the gospel and the missionary outreach of the church.”*
I will examine my own heart and actions to see where I might be “adding to the gospel and denying the finished work of Jesus Christ.” After all,”. . .salvation is wholly by God’s grace, through faith in Christ, plus nothing!“*

* The Wiersbe Bible Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe, p. 368-372

Acts 16

Reflection: While ministering in Derbe, Paul recruited Timothy, a Christian young man with a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Once Timothy was circumcised so that he would be accepted in the synagogues, he joined them in delivering the decrees regarding believing Gentiles to the growing churches. As Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled to various places, the Holy Spirit directed them where and where not to go. One example of this is a dream God gave Paul about a man asking him to come to Macedonia. At that point Luke joined them in sailing to Philippi, a Roman city in that area. In Philippi, they met Lydia, a prominent woman who was an immense help to them. One day they encountered a fortune-telling slave girl who brought undue attention to them even while she was telling the truth. Paul set her free of demonic control. The irate reaction of her masters created a riot that resulted in Paul and his associates being arrested and thrown into the prison’s inner dungeon. About midnight, while these Christians were praying and praising God, an earthquake freed them from their shackles. The chief jailer saw the prison doors wide open and assumed the worst. Paul stepped in and not only saved the man’s life but also the souls of him and the members of his household. These new believers were baptized and in return fed and tended to Paul and his companions’ wounds. The next morning when the city officials learned that Paul and Silas (whom they had publicly beaten) both had Roman citizenship, they tried to handle things privately, but Paul and Silas insisted on leaving town on their own terms after preaching at Lydia’s house once more.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus who is leading Your people in establishing Your Kingdom on this earth, please direct Your chosen leaders as they train younger people to carry on the work. Show them any actions that must be taken in order for these new leaders to be accepted and more effective. Holy Spirit, please be as specific with Christian leaders today as You were in the “Macedonian call.” May they be just as effective. Like Lydia, may people of wealth and influence be open to the gospel of Jesus Christ and His workers, providing for them. Like Paul and Silas, may Christians recognize and deal in Your strength with demonic oppression. Help Christians to deal with both persecution and prosecution in a godly manner, so that those who see their response will come to (or be strengthened in) faith in Christ. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will look for a specific young person I can mentor and/or train in what it means to follow Christ.
I will help that young person to find ways to “fit in” with his/her peers without compromising their Christ-centered values.
I will look to the Holy Spirit to direct me as to where I should go, to whom I should speak, and what I should say, then do it.
I will use whatever advantages or privileges I have to further the Kingdom of God, like Lydia with her prominence or Paul with his Roman citizenship.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

James 1-5

Mary Skelton — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:00:52 +0000

God Speaks

Faith Should Be Demonstrated By Actions, For Example By How One Controls Their Tongue

Verse of the Day: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. (James 3:13-14 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

James 1

Reflection: The book of James is a great study contrasting the responses of two types of people to the testings, trials, and tribulations of life: people controlled by the culture, their own sinful nature, and Satanic forces versus people controlled by their “new self” in Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the word of God. The first contrast is found in chapter one, verse one where James, a half-brother of Jesus and a leader of the early church in Jerusalem, humbly introduces himself as a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. Next, he tells his readers to “count it all joy” (KJV) when they are confronted with various trials and temptations. This is in stark contrast to people’s natural reaction to moan, complain, or angrily blame someone else. God’s purpose for these difficult situations is to cause us to grow in trustful endurance so that our faith in God is fully developed, perfect and complete, needing nothing else. The wisdom we need to face life is available to us if we just ask God our Father. He won’t shame or chide us like the culture does. Instead of boasting in ourselves and our accomplishments, we should boast only in what Jesus has done for us, is doing in us, and will do through us to benefit other people and God’s kingdom. If we don’t give in to the temptations that come from the culture, satanic influences, or our own sinful natures (never from God), but stand firm in Christ, God, our loving Father, will give us good and perfect gifts and make us His prized possession. He will train us to be like Himself, “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19 NLT) The culture says, “It’s okay to go to church or read the Bible, just don’t practice it in public or on the internet,” but true religion according to James (and the rest of scripture) is to actually take care of orphans, widows, and those truly in distress and to refuse to be corrupted by the world.

Use this link to view a video summary of the book of James.

Prayer: Thank You, LORD, our great teacher, who tests our faith in many ways. This testing is to prove to us that our faith is genuine, reliable, and complete. It can bring us immense joy when we fully understand this. If we don’t understand, we can come to You and ask for Your perspective. You promise to explain without belittling us; however, we must trust You completely and not waffle back and forth. You promise that whoever stays steady and keeps on loving You during the test will receive a special reward, the crown of life. Although You test us, You never tempt us to sin. We do that ourselves when we pay more attention to our own human desires than to Your Spirit within us. That wrong attention leads to sin which leads to death (in some form or fashion). You are the ultimate source of every generous act and perfect gift, even our turning to You to receive the new birth. In our relationships with other people, You want us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger doesn’t accomplish Your righteousness. You’ve told us that our lives can be cleaned up by paying attention to Your words and really doing what You say. This includes looking after orphans, widows, and people truly in distress and by staying pure in thought, word, and deed. All for Your glory, LORD. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask the LORD to show me the joy He wants me to find in the midst of or as a result of my current difficult situation and thank Him for it.
I will trust God to give me the wisdom I need to face the problems of life.
I will practice being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry especially as I relate to the people I encounter every day.
I will try to demonstrate true religion by doing as God directs me to help orphans, widows, and people truly in distress.

James 2

Reflection: James chapter 2 can be summed up by saying, “You say you have faith, so prove it by the good works that you do for others.” This letter of James doesn’t leave the reader wondering what he meant but gives practical examples, including two from the Hebrew scriptures: James 2:2-4 points out how we should or shouldn’t treat the rich and the poor at our meetings. James 2:5-11 explains why. James 2:14-16 examines another practical example, specifically helping someone in need, not just brushing them off. James 2:17-20 develops the premise that faith without works is useless. James 2:21-26 gives the scriptural examples of Abraham and Rahab. James 2:26 concludes by saying, “Just as the body is dead without breath [or spirit], so also faith is dead without works.” (NLT)

Prayer: Thank You, our God and Father, that although You choose to show favor to Your children, You do not “play favorites.” You tell us not to do so either. We are not to “play up” to the rich or put down the poor. We are not to prejudge or show partiality. What really matters to You is for us to be rich in faith and to love You and other people self-sacrificially. Help us to live out the statement “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” Help me to demonstrate my faith in You by how I act, especially toward other people, not by favoritism but by honest, self-giving love. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask God the Holy Spirit to monitor my life and keep me from showing favoritism.
I will perform a random act of kindness toward someone regardless of their economic or social status.
I will go out of my way personally to help someone of a different race, ethnicity, or social or economic status than myself.
I will ask God to bless someone of a different race, ethnicity, political, social, or economic status than myself and then seek to build an honest, mutually supportive friendship with them.

James 3

Reflection: James continues expressing his concern for the church in general, particularly Jewish believers in Christ, because he knows that culture best and pastors the church in Jerusalem. First, he addresses those who would be teachers and then the need for control of the tongue. He uses various real-life examples to illustrate how powerful this small member of our body really is: the bit in a horse’s mouth; the small rudder on a large ship; and the tiny spark that ignites a raging forest fire. Many types of animals can be trained, but the tongue is much more difficult to tame. The human tongue inexplicably seems to spew out both good and evil. The same tongue can be used for both blessing and cursing. James seems to wonder, “How can this be? How can both fresh and salty water exist in the same pool?” Verses 13-18 are a very compelling statement regarding wisdom, where it comes from and what it looks like.

Prayer: Dear Father God, You hold those who speak (as they lead and/or teach Your people) to a higher standard. James gives us many examples of how destructive the tongue can be, despite its small size. You are the One who created my tongue. Please help me to control it. Fill me with Your wisdom and understanding. In these days of rapid, wide-spread communication through the internet, social media, smart phones, and live streaming, it is more important than ever that we have Your wisdom, help, and direction. Help me to recognize faulty human and/or demonic speaking (or writing) based on thinking that is selfish, jealous, boastful, envious, power-seeking, deceptive, or outright false. Instead, may I convey words and thoughts that are from You (pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere). May I be an ambassador for Your kingdom who sows peace and reaps righteousness. For Your glory, not my own. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask the Holy Spirit to monitor my mouth and help me to speak only words of wisdom that come from God (not just my own human ideas).
I will memorize James 3:17-18 and use this passage on wisdom to guide my speech, writing, and teaching.
I will willingly and faithfully teach my own or other children or adults as God directs.
I will be impartial and sincere, especially if I am called on to make some kind of judgment (ex. jury duty or a family dispute).

James 4

Reflection: This chapter presents the three enemies of the believer in Christ and how to deal with them. These enemies are the flesh (one’s personal human nature), the world (the system of thinking and/or feeling that opposes God), and the devil (Satan and all his forces and schemes). The first enemy James addresses is the flesh. His example of a problem in this area is quarrels and fights, especially among believers. James says that the problem begins in our own hearts when we don’t get what we want or our own way. This leads to temper tantrums or to coveting (inordinately desiring what belongs to someone else) to the point of scheming, harming, or killing them to get it. We don’t have what we want because we don’t ask God or trust Him to provide what is best for us. Even when we do ask, we do so with wrong motives. We only want, whatever it is, to please ourselves, not God or others. The second enemy James mentions is the world. James indicates that following any attitude, action, or ideology that opposes God is considered adultery in His eyes, thus an enemy of God. Once God has graciously placed His Holy Spirit within us (because of our faith in Jesus and what He has done for us) we should be faithful to Him. If not, God will oppose us. If we humble ourselves before Him, God will give us grace. This is how we deal with the third enemy–the devil. We draw close to God, deeply sorry for the way we have offended Him by our sin. If we humble ourselves before God, He will restore us to our place of honor. We are not responsible for or have any right to judge other believers. God knows everything about them and has the power and the right to save or destroy them. We don’t know the future (only God does), so we can’t boast about our plans. We need to trustingly ask God what He wants, then obediently do whatever He says. To do otherwise is sin.

Prayer: You, O LORD, are the only one who has the correct perspective and the right to diagnose the cause of the social turmoil of my life and culture, especially among Your people. You say that the source of our problem is our inner passions, our evil desires. We are coveting what others have, even to the point of murdering them or their reputation. When I pray, I may (knowingly or not) be asking with wrong motives. Sometimes I’m just trying to fit in with the “cool people,” to be a friend of the world, yet this chapter says that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. You, however, have put Your Spirit within me to give me grace. If I humble myself and submit to You, You promise that I will be able to resist the devil, and he will flee from me. I am determined to draw near to You so that You will draw near to me. I wash my hands in the soul-cleansing blood of Jesus. I purify my heart and mind with the clean water of the Word of God. I am truly sorry for my sins. Don’t let me judge anyone else. You are the only one who knows all the facts and implications. Only You, Lord God, are able to judge correctly and save or destroy with proper judgment. Only You know the future and the right thing to do. I so often sin by not carrying through on Your directions. The only thing I can do (in regard to that and any other sin) is to admit it and claim the grace and forgiveness made available to me by the suffering and death of Jesus on my behalf on the cross. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask God the Holy Spirit to show where these three enemies are attacking me and how to defeat them.
I will humbly confess my sins before God and receive the forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration Jesus has provided.
I will make a list of scriptural truths I can use in resisting Satan.
I will praise God for His mercy and grace, daily.

James 5

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask God the Holy Spirit to show where these three enemies are attacking me and how to defeat them.
I will humbly confess my sins before God and receive the forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration Jesus has provided.
I will make a list of scriptural truths I can use in resisting Satan.
I will praise God for His mercy and grace, daily.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 13-14

Mary Skelton — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:00:53 +0000

God Speaks

Barnabas and Saul (aka Paul) on the First Missionary Journey

Verse of the Day: “Therefore, my friends, I [Paul] want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39 NIV 2011)

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Watch TBR Day 325

We Respond

Acts 13

Reflection: Acts 13 is the record of the first organized sending of missionaries. Previously, individuals like Peter, Ananias, the persecuted believers, and Philip had gone and talked with people as the Holy Spirit directed. Now the Holy Spirit was using a group of seasoned leaders to send out men He had chosen to go in an organized manner. The first thing they had to deal with in Paphos on Cyprus was a Jewish false prophet who was opposing them and trying to turn the proconsul away from faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 13:13 tells us that John Mark, who had been travelling with Barnabas and Paul and helping them, left them at Perga in Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem. We are not told why, but it was serious enough that Paul refused to take him on a subsequent mission trip. After this, Paul was invited by the leaders of the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia to speak to the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in attendance. He delivered the message of the gospel by moving from the old and known (in this case the Jewish scriptures and history) to the new and unknown (the life, ministry, true identity, and saving work of Jesus Christ). At one point he referred to Isaiah 49:6 “. . . I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (NLT) This caused the Gentiles to rejoice and believe in Christ and the Jews to be so upset that they stirred up a mob of the leading citizens of the city who ran Paul and Barnabas out of town.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as head of the church, please guide our leaders as they worship, fast, and pray. Show them who they are to appoint and how they are to proceed with the next steps of Your plan. Holy Spirit, please make people of intelligence and position (like Sergius Paulus) curious about the word of God, but may people with wrong motives (like Elymas) be dealt with properly so that they cannot deter people from coming to faith in You. May those who are invited to speak in church be able to move from the old and known (in this case the Jewish scriptures and history) to the new and unknown (the life, ministry, true identity, and saving work of Jesus Christ). May as many as are appointed to eternal life believe and begin rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord. May these new disciples be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit even when leaders are forced out and go on to minister in other places. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will pray and fast as God directs for wise and God-fearing leaders in every major area of culture: business, education, families, government (especially regarding elections), media, religion, sports, entertainment, and the arts.
I will take significant time alone with God to be sure that I am clean and reconciled to Him.
I will study God’s word and rely on the Holy Spirit so that I will be equipped to tell others about how they can have a new identity through the saving work of Jesus Christ.
I will demonstrate in my day-to-day life what it means to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 14

Reflection: In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas continued their missionary journey in Iconium. First, they went to the local synagogue and preached boldly about the grace of the Lord. The Lord showed His approval of their message by performing miraculous signs and wonders through them. Then, a mob of Gentiles and Jews were stirred up by their leaders which forced them to flee for their lives. They just went on to other towns and continued to preach the Good News. In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas met a man crippled from birth who had never walked. When Paul saw his faith, he said to him “Stand up!” The man jumped up and started walking. When the crowd realized what had happened, they began treating Barnabas and Paul like Greek or Roman gods, but Paul and Barnabas directed the worship back to the true and living God. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and again stirred up a mob which turned on Paul and stoned him. The believers gathered around him and prayed. God restored Paul, and he went back and appointed elders in the churches they had previously planted. Finally, Paul and Barnabas returned to their “sending church” and reported all that God had accomplished through them.

Prayer: Dear Lord who prayed for unity among Your followers, I see that this division among people who hear the truth goes back to at least the first century. Please help us face opposition courageously, faithfully, and graciously. Please use Your people to turn others from worshiping false gods to the true and living God who made the heavens and the earth and the seas and all that is in them. May those who have preached the truth of God in various places return and strengthen, encourage, and prepare believers for various trials and tribulations which will come. May emerging leaders be appointed with fasting and prayer. Help us to take time periodically to report and celebrate what You, Lord God, have done in and through us and the doors of faith You have opened for many people. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will join with Jesus in praying for unity among His followers.
I will “take courage” and stand up for the truth (especially the truth of the gospel) wherever I see it under attack.
I will faithfully and graciously point people away from false gods to the true and living God.
I will gather with other believers to hear reports and praise God for what He is doing to expand His kingdom locally and around the world.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 11-12

Mary Skelton — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:00:13 +0000

God Speaks

God’s Work Among the Gentiles; Peter Released from Prison; Herod Fails to Honor God

Verse of the Day: [May the LORD raise up many people like Barnabas in our day and time.] When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the LORD with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the LORD. (Acts 11:23-24 NIV 2011)

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Watch TBR Day 324

We Respond

Acts 11

Reflection: After Peter had witnessed to the Gentiles and seen God save and empower them in chapter 10, he was called to give an account to the leaders in Jerusalem in chapter 11. Verses 1-3 show how upset the Jewish believers were with Peter for associating with Gentiles. In verses 4-17, Peter reported the events just as they had occurred. The leaders’ conclusion after hearing his report was recorded in verse 18, “We see that God has given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” (NLT) Verses 19-30 relate how the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread among the Gentiles in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. First, persecuted Jewish believers in Christ began telling their new neighbors the good news about Him, and then Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to investigate. When he saw what God was doing, he encouraged these new believers to stay true to the Lord while he went to Tarsus to recruit Saul. Together they returned to Antioch. There they preached and taught for a full year. During this time, a man named Agabus came and led by the Holy Spirit, prophesied that there would be a famine in the whole Roman Empire. The believers (now called Christians) took this to heart. They took up an offering with each person giving as much as they could and sent it via Barnabas and Saul to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Prayer: Glorious God who is gathering people into His Kingdom, please help Your designated leaders not to automatically criticize when they see people doing something unusual that they don’t understand. Help these leaders to ask politely for the facts and reasoning, listen carefully to the answers, and then do as You direct. Help us to be alert to ways we may be opposing You. May we be empowered by the grace of God to fearlessly take the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of other nations, languages, cultures, races, ideologies, and opinions whether near or far away. May the hand of the LORD be with us so that a great number will believe and turn to You, LORD. May godly people full of the Holy Spirit and faith, like Barnabas, partner with others newer in the faith, like Saul, and bring them along and minister with them. May we be so like Christ that people around us will call us “little Christs.” May we be so in tune with You, Holy Spirit, that You can use us to warn people of coming disasters, and we can prepare for them. May each of us determine how we can reach out to brothers and sisters in need according to our ability and Your provision. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will, when questioned about why I have obeyed God in an unexpected manner, give a clear and exact accounting as Peter did.
I will share the good news of Jesus Christ with at least one of my neighbors.
I will give what I can to people in need here or around the world, especially believers who are suffering from war, famine, natural disaster, pestilence, or persecution.
I will honor God daily by obeying and trusting Him in seeking to make earthly life and eternity better for other people.

Acts 12

Reflection: About the time of the famine prophesied in Acts chapter 11, Herod Agrippa I had James (the brother of John) killed. He intended to have Peter killed as well, but because it was the time of Passover, he temporarily imprisoned him. Even though he was guarded by four squads of soldiers, Peter was released by an angel. When Peter realized he was free, he went to John Mark’s mother’s house where people were praying for him. There he showed them that he was truly alive and free and told them to spread the word. Herod was so upset by Peter’s “escape” that he had the negligent guards executed instead. Because of his pride Herod accepted the flattery of the people of Tyre and Sidon who called him a god. He should have honored the true and living God. As a result, God dealt with him in very severe manner causing his death.

While reading this commentary on Acts 12, I found the following statement that was very reassuring when puzzling over conundrums like why God allowed Herod to have James killed while sparing Peter’s life: “It is good to know that, no matter how difficult the trials or how disappointing the news, God is still on the throne and has everything under control. We may not always understand His ways, but we know His sovereign will is best.” (The Wiersbe Bible Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe, published by David C. Cook, 2007 p. 362)

Prayer: Suffering Savior, please keep us close to You in the midst of persecution, suffering (of any kind), and death. Keep us earnestly praying for You to release the prisoners. Set them free naturally, supernaturally, spiritually, physically, or whatever way You see fit. Give us such peace and trust in You that, like Peter, we will be able to sleep amid trying circumstances. May we, like Rhoda, recognize answers to prayer and run to tell others. May we not doubt or quibble when You answer our prayers in unexpected ways. When You send us a miracle, may we, like Peter, calmly relate it, encourage others to share the news, and go on with the work, letting You have all the glory. May we never be so desperate that we, like the people of Tyre and Sidon, flatteringly worship an evil man like Herod, whom You struck down because he took Your praise to himself. May the work and word of God increase and multiply as leaders like Barnabas and Saul train the next generation like John Mark. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will visit a Christian who is “suffering well,” praising and glorifying God in the midst of their physical, emotional, or societal pain. I hope both to encourage and learn from them.
I will write letters of encouragement to “suffering saints” both near and far away.
I will join other believers in praying for persecuted Christians around the world.
I will mentor a younger believer, modeling for them what it means to follow and trust Christ even in the tough times.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 9-10

Mary Skelton — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:00:35 +0000

God Speaks

Saul of Tarsus, Peter and Cornelius Have Encounters with Jesus or His Messengers

Verse of the Day: Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (Acts 9:31 NIV 2011)

Read or listen on BibleGateway.com

Watch TBR Day 323

We Respond

Acts 9

Reflection: Acts chapter 9 covers the activities of the Holy Spirit in the lives of two of the most influential men in the early Church–Paul (first known as Saul) and Peter (first known as Simon). Both had their lives drastically changed by encounters with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They were both also used in mighty ways to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Verses 1-30 cover Paul, and verses 32-43 cover Peter with verse 31 being a sort of bridge. Saul had been threatening the followers of Christ and was on his way to Damascus to arrest both men and women and take them back to Jerusalem for trial as heretics of Judaism. These Christians were claiming that Jesus was alive from the dead and that He was the Jews’ promised Messiah. This enraged Saul. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to Saul in a blinding light. He questioned Saul as to why he was persecuting Him. Then He told him to go on into Damascus and await further instructions. While blinded Saul did so, the Lord spoke to a believer named Ananias in a vision. The Lord instructed him to go to Saul, heal his blind eyes, and tell him how he was chosen to suffer while taking the message of Christ to the gentiles and to kings. Ananias obeyed the Lord and delivered His message to Saul. Immediately Saul was healed, filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to preach in the synagogues, saying, “Jesus is indeed the Son of God.” Everyone who met him was amazed at the change. He created such a stir that fellow disciples had to go to extraordinary means to help him escape persecution. Later, Saul went to Jerusalem where Barnabas introduced him to the leaders of The Way (what Christ followers were called at that time). He continued to preach boldly in the name of the Lord. Fellow believers again had to send him away for his own protection. For a time, there was peace. Believers grew stronger, lived in the fear of the Lord, were encouraged by the Holy Spirit, and grew in numbers. In the meantime, Peter traveled around to various towns, and God used him to heal a paralyzed man named Aeneas, who became walking evidence of the Lord’s grace and power. Many people believed in Jesus because of him. Next, God used Peter to bring Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) back to life, much like how Jesus brought Jairus’ daughter back to life. Peter stayed a long time in Joppa with Simon the tanner.

Prayer: Loving Father in heaven, please save even the most forceful persecutors (Saul) of those who follow Your ways. When necessary, appear to them in Damascus-road type experiences. Cause them to be aware of their spiritual blindness and seek You in fasting and prayer. Lord, fill those of us who know and belong to You with courage. Then we will be able to go to even those who are determined to torment us and instruct them in God’s plans for their future. We will lay hands on them, pray for them, and see them healed. May we have the joy of seeing lives changed by faith in Christ. May we, like Barnabas, stand up for those who are truly changed from raging against Christians to preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. May Your church, wherever it is, have peace and be walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. May believers like Aeneas and Dorcas be healed and/or raised from the dead to further serve You and Your people. May many believe because of these miracles. All for Your glory, LORD. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will pray daily for those I care for to have a life changing encounter with Jesus, either directly like Saul on the road to Damascus or indirectly through interactions with true followers of Christ.
I will read, study, and meditate on the Word of God so that I can explain it to others in such a way that they turn in faith to Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
I will surrender to God regarding any suffering that He has for me to make me a more usable servant for Him.
I will ask the Lord if He would give me the privilege of being used to see someone healed, brought back to life physically, or be brought into eternal life through faith in what Jesus has done for them.

Acts 10

Reflection: I agree with author and pastor Warren Wiersbe. “Chapter 10 is pivotal in the book of Acts, for it records the salvation of the Gentiles.”* Peter was instrumental in preaching the gospel to the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2), to the Samaritans (Acts 8), and now to the Gentiles. This follows the pattern set out in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”** This incident occurred about 10 years after Pentecost. It is just the beginning. It will take the power of the Holy Spirit to complete this tremendous task which is still going on 2,000 years later. Regardless of the level of morality and respectably, God’s order in the process of salvation is the same: Both God’s spokesman (Peter) and the hearer (Cornelius) are prepared (in this case through visions). God’s servant obeys. The “seekers” hear the Word of truth clearly presented. Receptive hearts believe on Christ (Cornelius’s family, servants, neighbors, and friends who had gathered). They display evidence of receiving the Spirit. They are baptized and unite with other believers in the church to serve and worship God. Leaders are chosen to teach the truth of God’s Word and continue the process of making disciples of Christ.

* The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament by Warren W. Wiersbe, p. 355-357

** Acts 1:8 NLT

Prayer: Father God, thank You for affirming and calling people, like Cornelius, who are upright, God-fearing, generous, and seeking You in prayer; however, it is only when they put their faith in the finished work of Christ that they are saved. May the people I am concerned about follow his example. May these good and respectable people understand that this is not enough for eternal salvation, but that believing in Jesus Christ and depending on the Holy Spirit is what will give them eternal life. As You did with Peter, please use whatever is necessary (including dreams and visions) to break down whatever barriers or misconceptions that are keeping the Gospel from reaching the people You are choosing to cleanse, heal, and set free. Help Your people, especially leaders, to recognize and respond to how You are leading us, even when it goes against our normal inclinations and training. May those who are seeking the Lord gather their friends and relatives to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. May both Christians and seekers share with each other how You are leading them, especially to overcome prejudices. May the good news of peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ be clearly and completely preached. May many people believe in Him and receive forgiveness of sins through His name. May the presence of the Holy Spirit be evident to all present. May new believers be baptized and filled with a desire to learn more about life in Christ. May we see lives changed in God-honoring ways. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will strive to live a moral, respectable life like Cornelius, but not look to that as my means of salvation: only by believing in what Jesus did on the cross can I truly be saved.
I will receive what Jesus Christ has done for me and daily ask the Holy Spirit to fill me with the evidence of His presence in my life.
I will ask about being baptized as a public profession of my faith in Christ. (If I haven’t done so already.)
I will join with other believers in service and worship of the One who saved me.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 7-8

Mary Skelton — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:00:19 +0000

God Speaks

Stephen Delivers a History Lesson to the Sanhedrin; God Uses Persecution to Spread the Gospel

Verse of the Day: [May all of Christ’s followers proclaim the word of God wherever they go in their daily lives.] After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (Acts 8:25 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

Acts 7

Reflection: With 60 verses, Acts 7 is the longest chapter in the book. It is Stephen’s defense at his trial before the Sanhedrin. He summarized the long history of God’s dealings with the Jewish people from Abraham down to his current situation. When he got to a discussion of the prophets, he made the point that the Jewish people had generally not listened to the prophets God had sent. Even now they had killed the very Messiah they had been looking for throughout the generations since Moses. At that point, his hearers became angry, dragged him out, and stoned him to death. Stephen’s dying statements were a reflection of Jesus’s words from the cross.

Prayer: Lord God, judge of all the universe, prepare me to be so familiar with Your character and the history of Your interactions with Your people that I can quote, summarize, and apply it when giving testimony in court as Stephen did. Please give me the simple faith and obedience of Abraham, trusting Your promises over time. Please reward those who stay true to You and the dreams You have given them despite persecution, just like Joseph. Continue to send faithful leaders like Moses to lead Your people out of bondage, even though at times we are rebellious. Give us leaders like David who was a man after Your own heart, O LORD. Cause me to value and display wisdom as Solomon did. Keep me obedient to what You said through the prophets, not resisting and rebelling. Forgiving God, enable me and other believers, especially those who are being persecuted, to forgive those who rage against us (and You). Like Stephen, may I ultimately behold Your glory, LORD. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will study the history of the Old Testament so that I can recite and apply it as Stephen did.
I will study the life and teachings of Jesus so that I can recite them and live them as Stephen did.
I will study the fundamental doctrines of the New Testament so that I can live them out in my daily life.
I will study at least one book on the history of the church from Pentecost to the present so that I can learn from the struggles, victories, and mistakes of believers in the past and present.

Acts 8

Reflection: This chapter gives snapshots of the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria to Ethiopia. First, God used persecution (of which Saul of Tarsus was a leader) to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in Judea and Samaria. Saul dragged both men and women out of their homes and sent them to prison. Philip, a deacon along with Stephen, went to Samaria. There he proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ and performed miracles in the power of the Spirit even though He had not yet indwelt and empowered most of the believers there. When Peter and John came from Jerusalem to lay hands on them so they could receive Him, Peter dealt with Simon the magician’s misconstruing of the work of the Holy Spirit. After that, an angel sent Philip to bear witness to an Ethiopian official, explain the scriptures to him, and baptize him.

Prayer: Father God, please rescue us from those (like Saul of Tarsus) who are ravaging the church. May there be much joy in our area because Christ is being proclaimed, unclean spirits are being evicted, and the sick or disabled are being healed. May those who serve You with wrong motives be exposed and properly chastened. Holy Spirit, make us so sensitive to Your leading that we go out of our way to obey Your direction. May we present the truth of Christ so clearly that people of other backgrounds and/or cultures respond and ask to be baptized. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will pray that powerful people who are harassing and persecuting the people of God will be saved and turned into those who spread God’s word and advance His kingdom.
I will help in any way I can to send missionaries to people who need to hear and receive the Good News of Jesus’s love for them.
I will ask the Holy Spirit to fill me with all the evidence of His presence so that people may see Jesus shining out in my life.
I will be prepared to explain the scriptures to a stranger, even one from another country or who may speak a different language.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 4-6

Mary Skelton — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:00:49 +0000

God Speaks

The Growing Church Faces and Deals with Various Problems: Religious/Civil Investigations, Prosecution, Imprisonment, Persecution, Poverty, Hypocrisy, and Partisanship

Verse of the Day: Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead–whom you killed by hanging hiim on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:29-32 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

Acts 4

Reflection: It Is recorded in Acts 4 that, as it grew, the early Church had face up to and dealt with various problems:

1) Religious and civil investigations, prosecution and imprisonment (Acts 4:1-3, 5-7, 15-18, 21-22)

2) Miraculous healing and deliverances (4:8-10, 21-22, 31)

3) Unity (4:21, 24, 31-37).

Prayer: Lord God, may we, Your people, respond appropriately to police and community (religious or political) leaders who come to investigate what we are doing in Your name. May our focus be on the Resurrected Jesus Christ so that a great number of people will hear and believe. Don’t let us be afraid of being arrested for doing right. Whenever we stand before officials may we be bold for Christ. May we proclaim that there is no one else who can save us; “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12 ESV]. Make us so focused on You that we can’t help but speak of what we have seen and heard. May believers and unbelievers alike do whatever Your hand and Your plan has predestined to take place. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and and grant Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” [Acts 4:29-30 ESV] May all those who believe be of one heart and soul, boldly testifying of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and Your great grace upon us all. With Barnabas as our example, may we willingly share with each other so that there is no one in need among us. AMEN

Action:(Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

If I face opposition for doing what is right in God’s eyes, with the help of the Hol Spirit, I will give a good testimony as Peter and John did.
I will ask the LORD for courage and boldness.
I will praise God using the Scriptures.
I will share my time, possessions and/or money with others as God directs.

Acts 5

Reflection: Ananias’ and Sapphira’s hypocrisy was a deliberate deception. They wanted to appear as generous and “godly” as Barnabas (4:37) without having to sacrifice as much money, but the Holy Spirit knew and revealed the truth to Peter. Some people may question why God was so harsh in His judgment if He is a God of mercy. Such people are only looking at the surface. God knows our hearts and motives: He knows if a person is or will be repentant. God is also often harsher at the beginning of a new phase of His dealings with humankind. This way, as a good parent, He can warn against misbehavior while being free to show mercy later. In this case, God was dealing with lying, overweening pride, dishonoring God (especially the Holy Spirit), and polluting the purity of His church. Besides, God is always just. After developing a healthy fear and awe-filled respect for God, the church (especially the apostles) went on to witness many signs and wonders being performed in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The rest of the people in Jerusalem held them in high esteem. The apostles were arrested for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus despite being instructed not to do so. They were miraculously freed but had to appear before the Council. They remained faithful to Christ even when interrogated and flogged, and they even rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. They kept on proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.

Prayer: Dear true and loving God, thank You for being the source of all that is good and truthful. Please keep me (and all Your people) from deceiving or being deceived like Ananias and Sapphira were. May the fear of the Lord come upon me and other people so that we will not have to face Your severe judgment. May we again see many sick people healed and those oppressed by demons set free by Your Holy Spirit working mightily through Your people. May more and more souls be added to the Kingdom. Lord God, please protect us from jealousy either among ourselves or from opponents of the gospel. Please comfort and strengthen those who are being persecuted for their faith in You. Release them by natural or supernatural means when appropriate. May we stand firm and proclaim the full message of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. May those in authority (like Gamaliel) take a level-headed approach by closely examining issues and making wise recommendations. Don’t let us, as individuals or as a nation, find ourselves opposing You, Lord God. Most of all, may we never stop teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me where I might be trying to appear more holy than I am. Then I will ask for His forgiveness and help to change.
I will look for ways to help myself and others develop a healthy fear and awe-filled respect for God.
I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit and other believers so that we might see many miracles, signs, and wonders that point people to Jesus and build up His kingdom.
I will stand up for (and obey) Jesus and all He has said and done regardless of the consequences–rejection, arrest, jail, court appearance, or torture. I want to consider it an honor to suffer for Christ and His church as the apostles did. (Acts 5:40-42)

Acts 6

Reflection: Acts 6 is a short chapter (15 verses) that tells the reasoning and outcome of the Twelve choosing the first seven “deacons” (vs 1-7). The rest of the chapter (vs 8-15) focuses in on one of those deacons, Stephen. Stephen so lived out a life of faith and power from the Holy Spirit that God was able to use him to perform many miracles among the people, causing many of them to turn to Christ in faith, including many Jewish priests. This so enraged leaders from other Jewish communities that they spread lies about him and had him arrested. Stephen’s face was radiant as he spoke to the court. His testimony is covered in chapter 7.

Prayer: Father God and Jesus who is head of the Church, please help us recognize where there are interpersonal problems and deal with them sensibly and sensitively. Point us to men and women who are filled with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, grace, and power like Stephen and his fellow deacons. Use all of us together to expand Your Kingdom. May even unbelievers see Your glory reflected in our lives and on our faces even when we are falsely accused. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will make an effort to get to know the needs of my fellow congregants and others in my community and work to meet them.
I will meet with God through Bible study and prayer and ask Him to make me wise and fill me with His Holy Spirit.
I will seek to carry out faithfully the tasks assigned to me by the leaders of my church and God Himself.
I will cooperate with the indwelling Holy Spirit so that my life and face radiate Christ’s love to people around me.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 1-3

Mary Skelton — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 20:25:16 +0000

God Speaks

The Church is Born and Begins to Function

Verse of the Day: [Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus said to His disciples:] “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

Acts 1

Reflection: The book of Acts was written to inform Theophilus (who may or may not be a real person) about what happened among Jesus’s followers after He ascended to heaven. They were to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came and remained on them. Then, they would be able to go from there to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth as witnesses for the Kingdom of God. After He ascended, two angels assured them that He would return. The remaining eleven were part of a group of about 120 people who met together and were constantly united in prayer. At that time Peter exhorted from the scriptures that they should choose a person to take the place of Judas, which they did. First, they listed the qualifications, narrowed the field to two men, prayed (verses 24 and 25), and then they cast lots. This may seem strange to us who are used to casting votes, but it does eliminate personal opinions, preferences, personalities, and pressures: it leaves the choice up to God. All we have to do is accept the results as they did.

Prayer: Dear LORD God, thank You for Luke writing this account so that we can study how the church (the kingdom of God) developed after Jesus’s resurrection and ascension. Lord Jesus, may I and other believers so love You in word and deed that we earn the nickname Theophilus–God-lover. Thank You, Jesus, for meeting with and instructing Your followers for those first forty days after Your resurrection. May we carry on the work and teachings You started while we earnestly anticipate Your return. May I not plunge ahead in my own strength but wait on Your Holy Spirit’s empowerment and direction. May we grieve over the bad decisions of ungodly leaders but look to You for who should take their place. May we do this in an environment of corporate prayer. Show us Your choice for all positions, especially of those of leadership. Father, help us to serve You faithfully even when we know that some among us may have wrong motives, like Jesus did with Judas. I pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will look for specific ways to show my love for God by obeying Him and loving His other children. Then, I will do them with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
I will show my love for God by reading and studying His loving instructions–the Bible.
I will cooperate with others in spreading the good news of the kingdom of God locally, provincially, nationally, and to the ends of the earth.
I will set my own opinions aside and seek to follow God’s direction in a particular situation within my community.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Acts 2

Reflection: Acts chapter 2 recounts the birthday of the Church, when the Holy Spirit of God breathed Life into the body of believers. This unified and empowered them to take the good news of the kingdom of God from Jerusalem to the ends of the world. The presence of the Holy Spirit is how Jesus would be with them until the end of the age. It all happened on the fiftieth day after Passover when Jewish people from all over the world were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate “Shabuoth, the commemoration of the revelation of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai–called also Pentecost.”* While followers of Jesus were meeting for prayer, three notable things occurred: the sound of a rushing mighty wind and the appearance of tongues of fire and tongues of speech. Then Peter preached the first sermon to explain to the gathering crowd what was happening. During the sermon Peter quoted or referred to three passages in the Hebrew bible (Joel 2:17-21; Psalm 16:8-11; and Psalm 110:1) with which his hearers would have been familiar. Peter’s words had such an impact that many in his audience asked, “What shall we do?” He told them to repent and be baptized in Jesus’s name, and about 3,000 did so. Verses 42-47 tell how these precious people’s lives and actions were changed.

* Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.

Prayer: May Your Holy Spirit, O God, fill us, Your disciples, in such obvious, miraculous, and unexplainable ways, that everyone, no matter where they come from, gives only You the credit. May Christian pastors and leaders be so led by You and familiar with the Scriptures that they can quote them to explain what is happening in the current events of our day. May all believers take courage and continually point others to Jesus, telling clearly who He is and what He has done for us. May everyone that God is calling to Himself respond to our confident and certain witness. May they repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. May we, Your followers, devote ourselves to these: the apostles’ teaching (scripture), fellowship (meeting together), breaking of bread (communion), and prayer (talking things over with You, LORD–both privately and corporately). May we unselfishly, with glad and generous hearts, share with others this same good news as well as our possessions, our homes, our food, and our very lives. May we be continually praising You, LORD God, and finding favor with all the people. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will acknowledge that I have the very Spirit of God indwelling me from the time I first believed in Christ.
I will humbly ask God to fill me with His Spirit so that I can correctly reflect Him in my daily life.
I will look for and thank God for the evidence (fruit) of the Holy Spirit working in my life. (See Galatians 5:22-25)
I will share the good news of Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit with someone whose first language is not the same as mine.

Acts 3

Reflection: The author of this blog sees this chapter as an example of how a Christ-centered healing ministry should go. Peter and John were on their way to a prayer service at the Temple. They were aware of the needs of the people around them, especially the poor and needy. They saw beyond the man’s obvious need (crippled) and perceived need (money). But when the beggar looked at them for money, Peter gave him something far better: healing and salvation in Christ. This healing caused the man to be so thankful that he worshiped the LORD. Peter took the need to explain the man’s behavior as an opportunity to expound the Gospel. After Peter and John’s ministry to him, there was such a change in the man’s life (walking and leaping and praising God) that an explanation was necessary. Peter’s focus was not on themselves but on Christ. He is the one who died and rose again to bring healing and salvation. Jesus was the One people should praise. Peter explained that it is only by faith in the name of Jesus that people are healed and saved. Peter was not shy in pointing out the people’s sin in crucifying their Messiah. His explanation was based on the Scriptures, looking both back and forward. His preaching was meant to be a blessing and turn them back from their sinful ways.

Prayer: Dear loving Father God, thank You for healing this crippled man and using Peter’s explanation to draw many to faithful lives in Christ. Please help me to be faithful to participate in corporate prayer. I need to be aware of the needs of those around me. Each individual is beautiful in Your sight. Every individual we see has some kind of need. Give us Your compassion and understanding to meet their deepest need–You. Use me, please, to meet the same deep needs (healing and salvation in Christ) of people in my day. May I have the privilege of seeing someone walking and leaping and praising God because of You working through me. After ministry there should be such a change in people’s lives that explanation is necessary. Let me not focus on myself but on Christ. Jesus is the one who died and rose again to bring healing and salvation. Jesus, You are the One people should praise. I declare that it is only by faith in the name of Jesus that people are truly healed and saved. Help me to explain based on the Scriptures, looking both back and forward. May I and those I minister to continue to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in turning away from our sinful ways. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask the LORD how He wants me to apply Acts chapter 3 in my daily life. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will do it.
I will ask the Holy Spirit to use me to meet the needs of healing and salvation in Christ of people in my day.
I will develop a list of Scripture verses to use before, during, and after ministry to explain healing and salvation.
I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit in discipling new believers. (Be specific.)

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.

Luke 24, John 20-21

Mary Skelton — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:10:38 +0000

God Speaks

Jesus Is Raised From the Dead and Interacts with His Disciples at Various Times and Places

Verse of the Day: Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said,”Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

Luke 24

Reflection: Luke 23 ends with the recounting of the sad news of the death and burial of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews and the Christ (the Messiah). Luke 24 conveys the glorious news of His resurrection. Other passages of Scripture give more or different details of the resurrection, but Luke gives us these: It was early dawn on the first day of the week. They (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James [the half-brother of Jesus, an early leader of the church in Jerusalem and writer of the book of James in the Bible], and other women) brought burial spices. The stone had been rolled away from the tomb. They did not find the body of Jesus. They were perplexed. Two men in dazzling clothes appeared to them which terrified them. The women were told, “He has risen.” These men repeated to them what Jesus had said would happen (See 24:6-7). The women reported to the eleven. Peter ran to the tomb, examined it, but didn’t find Jesus at that time. In late afternoon, the resurrected Jesus joined two other men walking on the road to Emmaus and explained the Scriptures to them. Later that evening back in Jerusalem, Jesus appeared to His disciples and explained the Scriptures to them. Luke’s account of Jesus’s ascension is quite short with few details. See the other Gospels and the book of Acts for more information.

Prayer: Dear Almighty God, thank You for accepting Jesus’s sacrificial suffering and death as payment for my sinfulness. His glorious resurrection was proof of that acceptance and the preview of mine in the future. In the meantime, Lord, please help me to live a resurrected life here and now by leaning on the Holy Spirit to pull me out of the muck and mire of the sin around and within me, empowered by Him to live a life that daily displays His wonderous fruit. Holy Spirit, You directed Luke to report three times in this one chapter when people were reminded of the scriptural prophecies that the Son of Man would suffer at the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise again on the third day: by the angels to the women at the tomb (24:6-7), by Jesus to the men on the road to Emmaus (24:25-27), and by Jesus when He appeared to His disciples (24:44-47). It must be an important point that You don’t want us to miss. Please open my mind to understand the Scriptures just as You did for those men and the disciples. Help me to carry out the assignment You gave Your disciples at Your ascension, for the glory of God. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will write a thank you note to the Lord for all the ways His death and resurrection have benefitted me.
I will repent and claim the forgiveness of sins Jesus has made available to me.
I will proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins to people near and far. (Be specific.)
I will search through Luke and other scriptures and write down other times when the crucifixion and resurrection in three days are prophesied. Then I will reflect on how God always keeps His promises.

John 20

Reflection: Oh, how intense sorrow turned to great joy that first day of the week! Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24 recount the same events from different perspectives. It is recommended that one read all four accounts together to get a fuller picture of all that occurred that wondrous Resurrection day and the days following. All who will believe and obey Jesus and the Father will receive joy unspeakable and be filled with glory. The following are unique to the account in John 20: 1) Luke comments that Peter examined the grave clothes in the tomb, but only John tells us that he was there as well. 2) Although the other gospel writers mention Mary Magdalene being at the tomb, only John shares her personal meeting with Jesus. 3) Jesus’s interaction with “doubting” Thomas is found only in this gospel. 4) In verses 30 and 31, John gives us his purpose in writing this account of the gospel. All these details, combined with the other accounts in the Gospels, give us a fuller picture of what happened that eternity-changing day.

Prayer: Dear Awesome God, thank You for this most awesomely joyous day that makes every other joyful day possible. Your beloved followers went from feelings of intense sorrow to great, inexpressible joy. Jesus’s disciples had finally grasped that He truly was the Messiah and King that You had promised the Jewish people for centuries. But three days previously, Jesus, their beloved, miracle-working Rabbi had been cruelly mistreated, tortured, and put to death. Grieving, Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb to care for His lifeless body and discovered that the stone blocking the entrance had been removed. Confused and worried as to what that meant, she ran to report it to the disciples. May I come running to You whenever I am disturbed by the circumstances around me. Jesus, You appeared privately to Mary Magdalene. Please grant me similar interactions with You however You see fit. You also appeared to the disciples in groups. May that be true in this day and age as well. It is good to know that we are not just imagining things in our own minds; it can be confirmed by others who experienced the same event. There are times, Lord Jesus, when I need You to confront and resolve my doubts just like You confronted Thomas. May the purpose of this book be the purpose of my life–that many people “will believe that [Jesus] is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing in Him [they] will have [abundant and eternal] life.”* For Your glory, Lord. AMEN

*John 20:31 TLB

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will read the other accounts of Jesus’s resurrection and thank Him for all He has given and made possible for me: new life and the power to trust and obey Him now and throughout eternity.
I will watch the Jesus film, The Passion of the Christ, or a similar movie to get a clearer picture of the resurrection of Jesus and all that it means.
I will talk with and encourage another believer to do the same.
I will tell this great news to someone who has not yet put their faith totally in Jesus and urge them to do so.

John 21

Reflection: It may seem to some that this chapter is an afterthought and may have been added later; however, this author feels that this more personal interaction between the risen Jesus and these seven disciples illustrates His intimate caring for His followers. After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared to the disciples at least three times. According to John, this is the third time. The resurrected Jesus met seven of the disciples who had gone fishing. He directed them to a large catch after they had spent an unproductive night.; he then served them breakfast. Afterward, Jesus reinstated Peter and called him to be a shepherd of the flock of God’s sheep and lambs. His answer regarding John, the beloved disciple, illustrates that Jesus has an intimate relationship with each of His beloved ones which are no one else’s business. The three sections of this chapter picture three aspects of the Christian life: fishing=evangelism; shepherding=discipleship and teaching; intimacy with Christ=personal devotion, prayer, growing in faith, and fellowship which includes corporate worship and prayer. This author feels that all believers should be involved in each of these three aspects in some way.

Prayer: Dear caring Father God, You are the Great Fisherman, the Good Shepherd, and the Ultimate Friend. Thank You, Jesus, for the many ways You have met this disciple in my everyday life and work, the ways that You provide, protect, and guide me. Help not to be shy about sharing these instances with others and thus glorifying You. Jesus, You reinstated Peter after his denials and called him to be a shepherd of Your flock. You don’t play favorites. You will do the same for me (or anyone else) if I will repent and express godly sorrow. I’m excited about how You will use me in the future. Jesus, I know from Your word that You have chosen me as Your beloved disciple. I commit myself to living that out with the help of the Holy Spirit. For the glory of Christ Jesus. Amen

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will ask the Lord to show me how He wants to use me as a “fisher of men,” then do whatever He says.
I will ask the Lord to show me how He wants me to care for His sheep and lambs, then do whatever He says.
I will build (or continue to) into my daily schedule regular times for intimacy with God. (See also the spiritual disciplines.).
I will keep (begin or continue) a journal of what God has done or is doing in my life and/or in my fellowship group.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________

Matthew 28, Mark 16

Mary Skelton — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:00:25 +0000

God Speaks

Jesus Rose from the Dead, Met with His Disciples and Commisioned Them to Take His Message to the World

Verse of the Day: Then Jesus came to them and said, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV 2011)

Read or listen on BibleGateway.com

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We Respond

Matthew 28

Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding each chapter of Matthew 13:

1. What does this chapter tell me about God?

2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?

Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.

1. God always keeps His promises. Both Jesus Himself and the Old Testament prophets promised that He would suffer, die and rise from the dead. He fulfilled it all, and He will fulfill any as yet unfulfilled promises.

2. People need to trust and obey the LORD in spreading the Word and completinng the assignment He has given them.

Prayer: Dear Gracious God, You always keep Your promises. Many times, Jesus, You told Your disciples that You would be betrayed, put on trial, tortured, crucified, and resurrected the third day. This was also prophesied in the Hebrew scriptures. Whatever was related to Your first coming all came to pass, just as You said. You will fulfill all the promises of Your return as well. Please help me to learn, believe, and put into practice all that You accomplished through the cross and resurrection. May I be as excited to tell others as those women were. You told us to make disciples for You wherever we go and whatever we do. Holy Spirit: help me to do so. AMEN

Action: With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:

I will interact with God about my emotions, bringing them under His control.
I will pray for believers who are being persecuted for their faith–rejected, betrayed, put on trial, tortured, or killed. [See material from Voice of the Martyrs or Open Doors]
I will use a good study bible or other reference to locate at least 10 verses containing promises of Jesus’s return. I will begin memorizing them.
I will participate in my church’s outreach cohort where we pray and encourage each other to build relationships with our neighbors and demonstrate the love of Christ to them.

Mark 16

Reflection: Since the gospel of Mark was the first account of the resurrection written down, what Mark writes is very significant. I am personally very thankful to God for using various means and people to preserve it, one of the oldest of the books of the New Testament, for two thousand years. Although ancient manuscripts vary as to the ending, the message is the same: on that morning long ago, women going to the tomb to anoint Jesus’s dead body learned that He had risen from the dead. Whether they, in fear, didn’t tell anyone at first or they told the disciples but were not believed is irrelevant. What is important is that He was indeed raised from the dead. He did meet with many other men and women over a period of 40 days before His ascension. They were so convinced of His resurrection that many were martyred for their vibrant witness. That is true even today. Through His Holy Spirit working in His faithful followers, Jesus is still turning the world upside down (or as someone else has said, right side up).

Prayer: Father God, I come to the Bible seeking to honor Jesus just as the women did that first resurrection day. Help me to be prepared to serve Him all day (and life) long. Remove any and all barriers that would keep me from seeing that He has risen. Help me to not be afraid but to obey the instructions of Your messengers and go and tell others the Good News. Please help me to be like Mary Magdalene and the two walking in the country who did hurry to tell others that they had seen You, alive. Help me to truly believe and to see You do mighty works in Your Name, in and through me and other believers for Your glory. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

I will spend specific time studying the Bible to see what Jesus had His disciples write about Him.
I will spend specific time talking with Jesus in prayer about who He is and who He is helping me to become.
I will share what I’m learning about Jesus with someone like the disciples who already know Him.
I will share what I’ve learned about Jesus with someone who doesn’t yet know or trust Him.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.