Daily Devotional

Scripture: Acts 11: [24] He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Observation: To have people notice I’m a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Barnabus must have walked his talk and his faith was so obvious. The called him the encourager. That is the kind of man I want to be around and the man I want to be. That people can look at me and see God at work and what to be like me as I try to be like Jesus.

Application: To be that type of man I need to put God first along with all his desires for me. He wants me to be a Barnabus, a reflection of his Holy Son, but he doesn’t force me, which I wish He would at times. I need to offer this life to God and use it to fulfill the purpose He has created it for.

Prayer: Dear God I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice may it be holy and pleasing to you. Take charge and show me how to glorify you.

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 anything I do goes up as a memorial offering to God? Even now I am struggling whether to do the street evangelism tonight. Is that something that comes before God as a Memorial Offering? I would think it is because it is honoring Him. There’s not too much in a day that I do that is honoring to God. I start my day and end it in prayer and in between I read the Word, but how much of that can be considered an offering?

Application: I need to go tonight to offer this as a Memorial Offering before God, trusting Him that He will use it to glorify Him. To find things I can offer to God especially the way I live my daily life.

Prayer: Dear Lord continue to open my eyes to see what I can do to glorify your name. I am here only to serve you and fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture: Acts 9:35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Observation: Talking about Peter people saw him and his life represented Jesus so well that they didn’t turn to worship him but the Lord. What a long way Peter came from denying Jesus to be able to be used so powerfully that when others saw they turned to the Lord. I have come a long way from that sinner I was before Jesus was in my life, but not even close to how far Peter went, but I would like to get there or much closer than I am. I want to live a life where people see me they can see my Lord and savior in what I say and do.

Application: Each day draw closer to my goal of being a better representative for my Lord. Humble myself before others so they can see past me to Jesus. Serve and help others and make sure they don’t see me but see Jesus my Lord who healed me. That when people see me they see a follower of Christ.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all that you have and are going to do for your servant. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me how to live this day and every day until it’s time to go home.

Scripture: Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Observation: They preached the word wherever they went. It must have been the first thing on their heart to preach the word to others. I try to live a Christian life being the best example I can be most of the time, but I don’t preach the word, unless I’m at a Bible study or talking to Christians. The word is to bring others to Him, to explain God’s love and how to live. I don’t have to stand on the corner and read the Bible, but I can speak the word into people’s life that is appropriate for where they are. The word can comfort, encourage and give them hope.

Application: Finding opportunities to preach the word of God to the people God puts in my path. Use situations and find scripture that would be right and follow it by telling them about Jesus. Continue to read each day so I may know more scripture and help others.

Prayer: My Lord you know your servant and how weak I am. Give me strength to preach your word to others and use me to glorify your 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: I read about Stephen and he must have really pleased God. Willing to serve the widows, strong in faith and a heart for God and others. Most of the time my thoughts are about me whether something I want or worried about what is going to happen to me. It comes down to selfishness and here is a man being killed for our Lord and yet he asked forgiveness for those killing him. I can’t even forgive those that hurt my feelings, I have such a long way to go.

Application: Ask God for a softer and kinder heart. Take the focus off me and focus on pleasing God by obeying what he wants of me. Not to hold a grudge and desire ill of someone but always have a loving heart.

Prayer: Dear Lord the things I desire to be I can’t do on my own. I’m a sinner and a self-centered man and you deserve so much more from me. Continue to change me into the likeness of your son as you did for Stephen. May you be able to look down on me and smile with pride.

Scripture: Acts 6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

Observation: I would like to have the faith, courage and power that Stephen had. He must have pleased God so much by the man he chose to be. he was full of God’s grace and power because how he lived. God offers that same grace and power to each one of us but we need to accept it and put God first in our life and stand in faith that we may receive it.

Application: I want to live like Stephen by allowing God to work in my life. The wonders and miracles all are from God, but to be able to do those things we must have faith, even as small as a mustard seed. As I serve God and trust him in all things I will draw nearer and be able to experience the things Stephen did.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith and give me the heart of Stephen, that when you look down on me it would please you. That you would give me the strength, courage and discipline it will take to live a life like Stephen.

Scripture: Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Observation: If it’s from God you won’t be able to stop it. The things in my life that I do for God will happen if it’s from him. I worry about not being able to fulfill my purpose that God has given me, I become lazy, worry and preoccupied, putting other things before God’s will. Put no matter what God desires to be done it will get done whether through me or someone else. It is my choice whether to be used by God or not.

Application: I do want to honor God with my life. I need to put him first in all that I do, that my purpose is to serve him and glorify his name. Organize my time so that what God wants done is top priority and realize if God wants it down it will get done.

Prayer: Dear God I am you servant, your slave, guide me to the things you desire to be done. Use me please to do these things in your name. Give me the strength, wisdom and courage to do them that I may finish this race well.