Month: February 2016

Scripture: Acts 25: [19] Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.

Observation: Paul claimed Jesus was alive to the Roman court. Who am I proclaiming Jesus is alive to? How often do the people around me know the story of Jesus’ love, suffering for us and resurrection. It’s not enough that people know I’m a Christian if they don’t know what a Christian is.

Application: I need to find opportunities to share the gospel and what it is all about. Unless people understand what Jesus is all about and what they need to do to receive Him and have eternal life my purpose in being here is useless.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’m tired of being useless for you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and use me to serve you and to tell others about you and what you’ve done for me.

Scripture: Acts 24: [16] So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Observation: This is an area in my life I need to work more at. To do the right thing so that I don’t have to worry about it. When I talk is it encouraging or am I criticizing someone or something. Are my words kind and truthful or do I have to worry that I will be caught in a lie or hurt someone?

Application: Think before I act. Will my actions honor God and be right with others. Will what I do represent Christ to others through honesty, love and kindness. Stop focusing on myself and live for God by serving others in this way and my conscience will be clear.

Prayer: Dear Lord direct my steps in all that I do. I am a sinner and only through your power can I be the man you desire me to be.

Scripture: Acts 23: 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation: The Lord is constantly by my side and tells me to take courage. With God by my side why do I worry so much? What is going on around me that the Lord can’t handle? The Lord has given me a purpose in my life and the only thing that gets in the way is me, my fear, lack of faith, laziness and the desire to do my will over His.

Application: It is each Christian’s responsibility to testify to others about Jesus. To share our testimony to others on how God has saved us and wants to save them. He gives me courage and I need to use it in glory and honor to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me courage this day to fulfill the purpose you have created within me. May I make no excuses but be guided by you this day.

Scripture: Acts 22: 14 “Then he said: `The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.

Observation: I have been chosen to know God’s will. What a privilege that my Lord would choose me, sinner to know His will. He saved me for this day and hand picked me for a special purpose. I may not hear it directly from His mouth, but He makes it clear to me through His word what He wants. One day I will see the Righteous One and kneel before Him.

Application: Just because I know His will doesn’t mean I always do it. My main reason for being here is to do the will of my Father, everything else is a distant second.

Prayer: My Lord, guide me and show me the things you desire today. I am yours use me as you will.

Scripture: Acts 21: [14] When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Observation: How easy is it for me to be dissuaded or distracted from the Lord’s will. Most of the time I don’t need anyone’s help I get distracted all by myself. Usually from laziness or self interest, it normally doesn’t take much. Even now my thoughts wander about things of this worldI as I try to write .

Application: I know what the Lord’s will is for my life and I know when I’m out of His will. I need to put in my best effort in being in God’s will at all times. To realize what I’m doing during the course of the day and to make sure I’m doing it to honor God. My mission statement for my life should be, “The Lord’s Will be done.”

Prayer: My Lord open my heart to your will and give me the knowledge and wisdom to know your will and the strength and courage to do it.

Scripture: Acts 20: [24] However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Observation: That is the commitment I want for my life that my whole purpose is to finish the race my Lord has set before me. My main purpose is to spread the gospel and bring others to Him and God has a specific way He wants me to do it using the gifts and talents He has given me. That is my race and I’m running out of time.

Application: My focus needs to be on what God wants of me and not what I want. My desire should be of serving Him and completing the task He has given me.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me and strengthen me for this race. May I see the finish line and run with perseverance toward the end.

Scripture: Acts 19: [15] One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

Observation: I wonder if they know about me? Is my life so ineffective for Christ the demons don’t know me or worried what I might accomplish in glory and honor to God. So who am I? A disciple of my Lord Jesus Christ or just someone trying to make it through this life without much regard what my Lord and Savior wants from me.

Application: I need to establish who I am in Christ. Am I going to fulfill the purpose God has put on my life or am I going to ignore God and make no difference in this world before I go home.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’m tired of being useless, caring for my needs here instead of serving my purpose for you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, guide me and open my eyes to Your will.