AnActsDevotional

Acts 2:40-41   The crowd had recently encouraged those in authority to kill Jesus and now Peter is responding to it.  It may be the same people or it may not be the same people but Peter is noting that a culture that kills a good man is a corrupt one.  With this warning he as a solution; turn away from sin...and so around 3,000 responded! It makes me ask the question, are we living in a corrupt generation?  If so, are we prepared to repent and turn away from our wrong doings.  Lord Jesus, please guide and direct us.  Show us where we need to repent and turn away from our wrong doings even if they are culturally acceptable.  Give us the courage to be filled with Your Holy Spirit so that we may be guided and directed by You. Amen

  Acts 2:37-39 When the crowd heard Jesus was the Messiah they were cut to the heart.  It makes me wonder if they were part of the crowd that cheered on the death of Jesus.  We need to be so careful of following the crowd.  Yet, after being implicated in such an awful thing Peter tells them what they need to do  “Repent and be baptized,  every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. " We can think that we weren't part of the crowd yelling crucify Him yet do our actions deny that He is Lord of our lives?  Would we have been caught up with the crowd if we were there?  The good news is " The promise is for you and your children  and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  The message is for us too!!! Lord Jesus please forgive us of our sins; our sins so deny the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.  Lord Jesus, we w...

Acts 2:32-36   The Jews were looking for a Messiah and Peter highlighted Jesus was the Messiah.  He lived a life that demonstrated God's love and power, He died yet rose again, and He shared the Holy Spirit with the disciples.  The question is is He Lord of our lives?  Are we willing to obey the next little thing God tells us to do?   Lord Jesus, please give us the faith and courage to obey the next little thing You tell us to do.  If we are to be creative and "grace bomb" a neighbour let us know what we are to do.  If we are to write a letter of encouragement or say a prayer please guide us and direct us as Lord of our lives.  Amen

Act 2:25-32   JESUS IS RISEN!!!  This fact, if not true, kills Christianity yet Christianity is still around even after people have tried to get rid of it.  Jesus has risen and has demonstrated His power over death. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your obedience to God the Father by allowing people to kill You even though You were an innocent man.  This act allows us to see You have power over death.  Lord Jesus, guide us and direct us and let us know when we are to defend ourselves or when we are to let things go so others may see You. Amen

  Acts 2:24 Death is not the end! God is victorious over it.  Some say Jesus never died, He was just unconsious but the fact that they stabbed Him in the side and blood and water came out is proof that He was dead. John 19:34 Some say the disciples stole the body but it doesn't make sense.  The tomb was guarded and the disciples were tortured to death; why would they die for a lie. Some say the Romans stole the body but if they did why didn't they produce it to stop the growth of Christianity.  We can ask the same question of the Jewish leaders. No, Christ rose from the dead, conquering death!!!  Praise God! Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering a great fear of mankind; death.  You are an awesome God!

  Acts 2:23 This is an interesting thought; God could have stopped Jesus's death!  God allowed Jesus to die.  Think about it; there is nothing that we go through that God doesn't allow first.  This incredible act of God not stopping Jesus death is still talked about 2021 years or so later.  God allowed it.  He even foretold it in scripture and then with the help of the crowd and wicked men Jesus was put to death. Lord Jesus, please help our actions not to participate in the deeds of wicked people.  Guide us with Your truth and protect us from the evil one.

  Acts 2:22 Jesus performed miracles, signs and wonders in front of His fellow Israelites and Peter says He did this by the power of God working in and through Him.  Is there any doubt of this? Outside of scripture Josephus writes in Antiquities 18:63 About this time lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was the achiever of extraordinary deeds and was a teacher of those who accept the truth gladly.