“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.” (Acts 14:21–22, NIV84) It isn’t easy! The […]
05/15/23 Daily Devotion – Justification
“Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39, NIV84) Volumes have been written on the doctrine of justification. Theologians make the distinction between “objective” and “subjective” justification. We speak of justification in the “broad” sense and in the “narrow” sense. With all […]
05/14/23 Daily Devotion – King David and Jesus
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.” (Acts 13:36–37, NIV84) It is said of king David that “he was a man after God’s own heart.” The same […]
05/13/23 Daily Devotion – And the battle goes on…
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You […]
05/08/23 Daily Devotion – Be mindful of the enemy!
“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.” (Acts 12:1–3, […]
05/07/23 Daily Devotion – We are ‘Christ’ians!
“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:25–26 (NIV84) I sure wish I had been there! […]
05/05/23 Daily Devotion – God does NOT show favoritism!
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.’” (Acts 10:34, NIV84) This had to be tough to say. It came from a man who was raised in a culture of people who described themselves as God’s “chosen” people. When this encounter with Cornelius was over, Peter […]
05/04/23 Daily Devotion – God works through our obedience!
“So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your […]
05/03/23 Daily Devotion – Jesus changed everything!
“‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’” (Acts 10:14–15, NIV84) The Gentile soldier, Cornelius, had had the vision that he needed to send messengers to Peter. At the same time, Peter was […]
04/08/23 Daily Devotion – The last week of Jesus’ life – Saturday (another day of plotting!)
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his […]
