AnActsDevotional

  Acts 8:8:24 The power of the Holy Spirit isn't for sale!  Simon was hoping it was because it would add to his magician business but it's not! Lord Jesus, help us to not take You and Your power for granted.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can do good works in Your Kingdom.  Amen

  Acts 8:14-17 Philip was a regular man.  He was chosen to care for the poor in the early church yet he had a heart for sharing his faith.  He did so in Samaria and even Simon the magician believed him when he taught of Jesus death and resurrection yet one thing was missing, he didn't present the Holy Spirit.  Peter and John heard about the new believers in Samaria and went there to support Philip and realized no one had been filled with the Holy Spirit so they placed their hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, as we see the evidence of You living on earth, and understand the significance of Your death and resurrection help us to not forget the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit the produces fruit in us of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  Fill us today with Your Holy Spirit. Amen

  Acts 8:9-13 As Philip preached and performed miracles he got the attention of Simon, the magician.  Simon was a good magician!  People thought he had the power of God yet Simon saw something in Philip that he didn't have.  Philip even amazed Simon! Lord Jesus, as we approach Halloween I'm reminded of a darker spiritual world that exists, and sometimes even amazes us yet You are even greater than magic and the occult!  Lord Jesus, help us to operate in the realm of faith so we too can see greater things and be amazed by You.  Thank You for coming to earth, connecting with every day people and being willing, as tough as it was, to go to the cross for us.  You are an amazing God.  Thank You too for showing Yourself after the resurrection so we can know that You have power over death.  You are an amazing God!   Philippians 2

  Acts 8:4-8 Philip was a brave man.  Even though the church was being persecuted he spoke of the Messiah and God complimented his ministry with miracles. Lord Jesus, please help us to be courageous to speak the truth of You to others.  And Lord, if someone will come to know You personally through a miracle please work some miracles into our ministries too. Thanks

  Acts 8:3 Lord Jesus, as I read how Saul destroyed the church I'm reminded of the Christians that our being persecuted even today.  Lord, I don't fully understand this but I know You can take what satan means for harm and turn it around into good for Your Kingdom.  Lord Jesus, please give dreams and visions to the people You are calling and may there be many Sauls in this world today who started out persecuting the church but who You got a hold of and turned his life around.  Amen

  Acts 8:2 It's interesting because it says "Godly men" mourned for Stephen; even though they were being persecuted! Lord Jesus, in our differences help us to listen to Your Holy Spirit. Amen

  Acts 8:1 The "churches" leader approved of the killing of Stephen and those that followed Christ were persecuted so much that they scattered among Judea and Samaria. Yet what satan means for harm God turns into good.  Where the Christians could have become comfortable in Jerusalem and surrounding areas God used their scattering to spread the news of Jesus. Lord Jesus, when tough times come help us to remember we're in a Spiritual battle and help us to remember you are in the business of turning what satan means for harm into something good.  Please watch over the persecuted church just now; especially those left in Afghanistan and those in northern Africa.  Guide them and protect them and grow Your Kingdom through them.  Amen

  Acts 7:59-60   This is an amazing story of a Christian martyr!  He focused on Jesus and asked God to forgive his attackers!  What an amazing man of God! Lord Jesus, help us to use these principles when we're attacked (even when we're attacked by the church).  1) Focus on Jesus 2) Ask for their forgiveness.  Give us the courage, strength and healing to do this. Thanks.

  Acts 7:57-58 The reaction to Stephen's history lesson wasn't good.  They started yelling and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him...but there's an important side line.  The witnesses placed their coats at Saul's feet; basically saying we respect you; maybe even implying "do something". Lord Jesus, when we see an injustice help us to speak up and/or do something.  Give us Your divine wisdom to know how to intervene.  Amen.

  Acts 7:55-56 When the church leadership was angry at Stephen he looked up and saw Jesus.   Lord Jesus, when others come against us help us to look to You; the author and finisher of our faith. Amen

  Acts 7:54 Stephen was bold and it angered the church leadership; maybe because they couldn't control him.  This reminds me of the many people who have been hurt by the church.  I'm also reminded that our fight isn't against flesh and blood (people) but  "against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the powers  of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12    Lord Jesus please help us to remember who our fight is against and give us courage to come to You for our healing. Show us how to best fit into the body of Christ " And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,   not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

  Acts 7:51-53 Stephen was willing to challenge the church leadership of his day because he believed in Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  This challenge cost him his life!  So the question is, will we listen to the Holy Spirit? Lord Jesus, please help us to learn from our history. Help us to not get so caught up in the rules we forget the Holy Spirit.  Move Holy Spirit, move in our lives; Move Holy Spirit to make us like Christ.  Lord Jesus, we confess that sometimes we're in a relationship with You for what we can get out of it but we forget that this relationship is far bigger than that.  We see Jesus dead on the cross, where He lost everything, yet we also see Him a resurrected God.  Help us to realize that it's not all about us and give us the courage to trust You.

  Acts 7:48-50 God can't be contained by people.  He's bigger than the tabernacle, temple and church. Lord Jesus, help us to recognize where You are working and join You in Your mission.  Especially now during covid days help us to recognize that You are outside of the building as well.  Prepare us for this new kind of church  "   And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,     not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

  Acts 7:44-47 God's house was first a tabernacle, a tent.  A tent that went with the Israelites wherever they went. Then Solomon built a building. Lord Jesus, as we decide whether to go to a church building or worship from home help us to remember You.  The God of Israel! and help us to respect Your church.  Amen

  Acts 7:42-43 How upsetting it must have been for God to see His people turn from Him but He let them go.  This is the significance of God's love for us.  He doesn't force Himself upon us. Dear Jesus: Please be with our friends who have been hurt by the church.  Help the church to be part of the healing process.  Give us wisdom to know how to be part of the healing process. Amen

  Acts 7:39-41 Sadly the Israelites turned away from God when Moses was away from them.  They turned back to their years of history with the Egyptian gods.  Note, the issue here is they refused to obey God! Lord Jesus, help us in our walk with You to not turn back.  Give s the courage to move forward in obedience to You.  Amen

  Acts 7:37-38 A prophet speaks on behalf of God, and Moses spoke.  Stephen quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 ' God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.' Stephen emphasizes that these words didn't just come to Moses.  They were given at a very special time in Moses' life.  Stephen is painting the scene that Jesus is this prophet! Lord Jesus, help us to listen to the people who have been called to speak on Your behalf and give us the courage to follow.  Amen

  Acts 7:36 This one verse sums up a whole movie "The Ten Commandments"!  Moses, in his "retirement" saw God working in spectacular ways! Lord Jesus, help us not to put a time limit on when You choose to work in our lives.  Help us to be ready to serve You in the normal every day life as well as when You are working in spectacular ways.

  Acts 7:30-34 Forty years after Moses had run away from Egypt God called him to go back!  The calling was spectacular.  An amazing site, a burning bush that didn't burn.  As Moses got closer he heard God speak.  Moses was afraid to look closer. Lord Jesus, help us in our every day world to be prepared for your calling on our lives.  Help us to recognize sometimes it takes a very long time to prepare everything for us but You are always at work in and around us. Amen

  Acts 7:29 When the calling goes all wrong, are we called to live a normal life?  Moses did! Lord Jesus, help us when we run ahead of You to recognize that You are still on the throne; working in and through us.

  Acts 7:23-28 Moses was 40 years old and he felt he had a calling to help his Jewish family but the Jewish family didn't like his actions.  Have you ever sensed God calling you to something and then you tried to fulfill this calling on your own?  It's important that we continue to live in obedience to God even after He shares with us our calling.  God's ways are different than our ways which means our solutions are different than God's solutions.  Remember we're called to do the right thing even if it takes seemingly longer than the wrong thing. Lord Jesus, please help us to remain grounded in You even after You reveal Your calling on our lives.  Give us the patience we need to wait on You and Your perfect timing and perfect will.  Amen