AnActsDevotional

  Acts 4:13 The leaders of the temple/church noticed the courage of Peter and John and noted they had been with Jesus.   Lord Jesus, may our courage be a testimony of Your goodness in our lives.  Give us the faith and courage we require to obey the next little thing You tell us to do.  Amen.

  Acts 4:11-12   Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected,      which has become the cornerstone.’  Psalm 118:22 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” ============================================================== These are words to meditate on.  Sometimes we are rejected for standing up for what we believe is right, so it's good to be remind that so was Jesus.  He understands.  It also begs the question, do we still reject Him?   Lord Jesus, please help us to remember salvation is found in no one else.  Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and thanks for forgiving us.

  Acts 4:5-10 First of all note Peter and John's attitude after spending a night in prison!  They came out strong, because they had the Holy Spirit within them and they stayed Jesus focused. This is Peter's testimony " It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,  whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,  that this man stands before you healed. 

  Acts 4:1-4 Lay people are teaching; and they're teaching something that doesn't sit well with the church leaders; Jesus rose from the dead!  So what does the leadership do?  They arrest Peter and John!  Yet, many came to know Jesus that day.  This is the challenge of applied faith.  What are we willing to do to stay on the course of truth? What are we willing to do to see others comes to know Christ? Lord Jesus, please guide us and direct us in the ways of Your truth and then give us the courage to obey the next little thing You tell us to do.

  Acts 3:25-26 It is true; Jesus is a Jew!  He was talked about by their prophets and His ancestors are Jewish.  He also appeared to the Jews first after He was resurrected.  Yet this Jewish blessing was meant to be shared as it says in Genesis 22:18 and 26:4 ,  ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Jewish blessing of Your son.  Help us to respect the Jewish people for their contribution to this world and help us to value their prophets; especially Jesus as Messiah. In Jesus name.

  Acts 3:24 Here are some thoughts to meditate on.  Discussions in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the new 44 Prophecies about Jesus Some of these statements Jesus could have read about and determined to fulfill them but the truth is He didn't have any control over His birth and the events surrounding His birth.  Think about the odds of all of these prophecies being fulfilled by one person! Yes, Jesus is the long awaited for Messiah. Lord Jesus, please open the eyes of those around us to see the truth of You being the Jewish Messiah.  Also be with the persecuted church just now.  Watch over the leadership discussion over Afghanistan today and may the Christians there shine in such away that people in the Taliban turn to You.  Bring revival Lord Jesus we pray.

  Acts 3:19-23 Peter is speaking to a crowd who he assumes was responsible for having Jesus killed and he tells them to repent, (to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing) and turn to God.  Peter is convinced Jesus is the prophet Moses talked about and that people need to listen to Him. So what about us?  Are our sins re-crucifying Jesus?  I'm currently thinking of socially acceptable sins like unbelief, gluttony, pride...  Lord Jesus, help us to turn to You and listen to You.  Amen