Month: November 2021

Scripture: Acts 11: [21] The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Observation: I know when I do God’s will that is hand is upon me and He grants me success. If I allow Him He will guide me through this life, but because of pride I think I can do it on my own and fail so often. God’s hand can only be upon me if I’m doing what He desires of me and I was created for to be an instrument of His in this world do help guide others to Him.

Application: I need to make sure I’m on the right path that God has chosen for me. I need to resist the temptation of doing things on my own and without God’s approval. I’ll only be successful when I’m doing God’s will and not my own. I need to think and pray before I act and ask God’s guidance in my life so His hand will be upon me.

Prayer: Dear Lord apart from you I can’t do anything, but I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me. Help me stay under your guiding hand and show me each day your desires for my life.

Scripture: Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

Observation: I wonder if I do anything that goes up to God as a memorial offering? I wonder when I help serve like the spaghetti dinner or the Father Daughter breakfast that I will do tomorrow if that goes before the Lord. I wonder if there is anything else that I do that rates going before the Lord, maybe the way I treat my wife, others, when I share my testimony or proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior? Do I do these things often enough to be a memorial offering?

Application: I should be doing so much more that is worthy of my Lord. How awesome would it be to do things that come up before the Lord. I wonder if He smiles when He sees things done in His name? I need to get out of my comfort zone and make serving Him my main priority in this life, so when I get home my Lord might say I received your offering well done.

Prayer: Dear Lord I want you to be proud of me. I want what I do to manner in your presence and that this life would be an offering to you. I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice, may it be holy and pleasing to you.

Scripture: Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Observation: We have each been chosen for a purpose. God gives us the necessary gifts and abilities to carry out our mission on this earth. The only thing He doesn’t force us to do it. I would like to know exactly what it is I’m supposed to accomplish with this life God has given me, but it’s not that clear. God asks that I trust Him each day and if I’m obedient He will guide. Normally you would think that would be exciting looking at each day individually for God’s blessing, but I lack patience and want to know right away.

Application: I need to trust God all of the time and just follow each day. I need to repeat Proverbs 3:5,6 each morning and believe in it that God will guide me. I need to be patient and wait on the Lord, He has all the time in the world and what I think my mission is might be something totally different. I need to remember I’m her to serve God and not the other way around.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith that I will trust in you with all of my heart and not lean on my own understanding but in all my ways acknowledge you and that you will make my paths straight.

Scripture: Acts 8: [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Observation: I’ve heard God direct me and have listened some of the time. The other times I would make excuses that it wasn’t the Spirit, I was busy or just ignored what I heard. However the times that I listened I was blessed, because I was doing what God had asked me, so why don’t I listen all of the time? What is it about me that I want to either be rebellious or just do things my way.

Application: I belong to God. He has created me, He is my Master and He knows what is best for me. I need to listen more attentively to His voice and do what He commands me to do. God doesn’t request he commands. There should never be a choice, if God speaks to me through the Holy Spirit, I do it, no questions asked.

Prayer: My God, my Master command your servant and speak to me. May I never disobey you again, may I complete the mission you have sent me on with joy and thanksgiving, that you would consider me worthy of doing anything in your great name.

Scripture: Acts 7: [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation: There isn’t a lot written about Stephen, but what there is, is God honoring. When they gave him the responsibility for the Greek widows he took it, never passed on an opportunity to share the gospel, even to the point where the Pharisees framed him and then during the interrogation he didn’t back down, but spoke boldly. When they took him out to stone him because of his faith he asked God to forgive those that were putting him to death. I think it’s interesting also that it is written that he fell asleep, I’m guessing because he was at peace and knew where he was going.

Application: Stephen was an example of a man I would like to be like. To stand firm in my convictions without wavering and to go out and make a difference. Then to treat those who have wronged me with such love instead of wanting revenge is beyond my understanding. My goal is to be like Jesus and I don’t think that will be a goal I’ll reach before going to meet him, but Stephen did. What a welcome he must have gotten.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me be like you. Give me the heart, courage and compassion of Stephen. Help me live my life in a way that when the time comes to go home that I will see You standing at the right hand of the Father.

Scripture: Acts 6 [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

Observation: I don’t believe Peter was putting down waiting tables, but that was not what God designed him to do, he was to preach and minister to others. Me on the other hand was created to wait on tables, my gifting was food and organization of those type of events. Yesterday Teri and I did a fund raiser Pasta Dinner. To us it’s nothing since that is what we are gifted to do and we have a tendency to take this gift for granted. Most people that can do something simply just think everyone can, but that’s not the way everyone is gifted.

Application: I need to understand and appreciate the gifts I was given by God and not to look at others and wish I had their gifting. I need to use those talents in God’s service and when I do that He will get the glory. Yesterday after the dinner they called me in and everyone applauded. I pointed to heaven and said He gets the glory, but I could have done so much more. I could have stopped and explained to everyone how God should be getting the applause and not me, because none of us can do anything without Him, but unfortunately I didn’t.

Prayer: Dear Lord show me how to give you the glory by the gifts you have given me. Give me guidance on what to do and help me do it. I owe you everything and there is nothing I have that you haven’t given to me. May my life reflect the love I have for you.

Scripture: Acts 5: [42] Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Observation: It is on a rare occasion that I take an opportunity to proclaim Jesus to anyone, let alone each day. On those rare occasions I feel as if I have done God a favor instead of doing what I was created to do. I’m commanded to spread the gospel throughout the world, to be like Jesus and to do the Father’s will. I never did what I was told as a child and haven’t come much further.

Application: Spreading the gospel is my full time job everything else should take a back seat, instead of doing when I feel comfortable doing it. I need to take chances and speak up and to live a life that is worthy of my Lord. I’m here for only a short while longer and have done so little, I need to step up my commitment to my Lord and be obedient in this life so I’m welcomed into my eternal home.

Prayer: Dear Lord your servant is lazy and selfish. Help me do what you created me to do. Give me the boldness I will need to stand and speak to others about your love and salvation. Take this laziness from your servant and give me strength to do your will.