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Daily Devotions

A paralytic named Aeneas and a seamstress named Tabitha experience the healing power of Jesus Christ. In the early church these miracles served as signs to confirm the Word of Christ being proclaimed by the apostles.

  BibleGateway: Acts 9:32-43 ESV Text: Acts 9:32-43 Acts 9:32–43 (Listen) The Healing of Aeneas 32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all,… Read More »A paralytic named Aeneas and a seamstress named Tabitha experience the healing power of Jesus Christ. In the early church these miracles served as signs to confirm the Word of Christ being proclaimed by the apostles.

A murder conspiracy is thwarted when Saul’s friends sneak him out of Damascus. Barnabas stands up for Saul when no one else will. Others help Saul escape by sea from another death threat. Had Saul ever before experienced that kind of love?

  BibleGateway: Acts 9:19b-31 ESV Text: Acts 9:19b-31 Acts 9:19–31 (Listen) 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues For some days… Read More »A murder conspiracy is thwarted when Saul’s friends sneak him out of Damascus. Barnabas stands up for Saul when no one else will. Others help Saul escape by sea from another death threat. Had Saul ever before experienced that kind of love?

Who of us would ever peg Saul, nemesis of the early Church, as God’s choice to be an apostle of Christ? But isn’t it just as astonishing that sinful wretches like us are now God’s forgiven saints and ambassadors?

  BibleGateway: Acts 9:1-19a ESV Text: Acts 9:1-19a Acts 9:1–19 (Listen) The Conversion of Saul 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples… Read More »Who of us would ever peg Saul, nemesis of the early Church, as God’s choice to be an apostle of Christ? But isn’t it just as astonishing that sinful wretches like us are now God’s forgiven saints and ambassadors?

The Word continues to march forward, as Philip tells an Ethiopian the good news of Jesus. One wonders how many souls were reached for Jesus when the Ethiopian arrived back home with God’s soul-saving truth!

  BibleGateway: Acts 8:26-40 ESV Text: Acts 8:26-40 Acts 8:26–40 (Listen) Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip,… Read More »The Word continues to march forward, as Philip tells an Ethiopian the good news of Jesus. One wonders how many souls were reached for Jesus when the Ethiopian arrived back home with God’s soul-saving truth!

Through the witness of the evangelist Philip, the Word reaches into Samaria. However, problems arise when Simon tries to buy the Holy Spirit. The solution to sinful attitudes is always repentance and forgiveness.

  BibleGateway: Acts 8:9-25 ESV Text: Acts 8:9-25 Acts 8:9–25 (Listen) Simon the Magician Believes 9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously… Read More »Through the witness of the evangelist Philip, the Word reaches into Samaria. However, problems arise when Simon tries to buy the Holy Spirit. The solution to sinful attitudes is always repentance and forgiveness.

With a Christ-like spirit, Stephen asks forgiveness for his enemies. In the next chapter, with persecutor Saul, we see his prayer amazingly answered. In this chapter God uses Saul’s persecution to spread the Gospel!

  BibleGateway: Acts 8:1-8 ESV Text: Acts 8:1-8 Acts 8:1–8 (Listen) Saul Ravages the Church 8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on… Read More »With a Christ-like spirit, Stephen asks forgiveness for his enemies. In the next chapter, with persecutor Saul, we see his prayer amazingly answered. In this chapter God uses Saul’s persecution to spread the Gospel!

“Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.”

  BibleGateway: Acts 7:54-59 ESV Text: Acts 7:54-59 Acts 7:54–59 (Listen) The Stoning of Stephen 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and… Read More »“Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.”

Stephen’s account turns sad, as he narrates the rebellious response on the part of Israel to God’s faithful love. Then the point of the entire sermon: “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”

  BibleGateway: Acts 7:39-53 ESV Text: Acts 7:39-53 Acts 7:39–53 (Listen) 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts… Read More »Stephen’s account turns sad, as he narrates the rebellious response on the part of Israel to God’s faithful love. Then the point of the entire sermon: “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”

As Stephen continues his Old Testament review, he turns our attention to God’s gift of the prophet Moses to His people. God raised up Moses, through whom He would perform mighty signs in setting His people free.

  BibleGateway: Acts 7:20-38 ESV Text: Acts 7:20-38 Acts 7:20–38 (Listen) 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And… Read More »As Stephen continues his Old Testament review, he turns our attention to God’s gift of the prophet Moses to His people. God raised up Moses, through whom He would perform mighty signs in setting His people free.

Stephen takes the Sanhedrin through a history lesson on God’s faithful love. For example, the Lord made good on all the great things He promised He would do for Abraham.

  BibleGateway: Acts 7:1-19 ESV Text: Acts 7:1-19 Acts 7:1–19 (Listen) Stephen’s Speech 7:1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said:… Read More »Stephen takes the Sanhedrin through a history lesson on God’s faithful love. For example, the Lord made good on all the great things He promised He would do for Abraham.

The Church learns that apostles (and pastors) can’t do everything. Men full of the Spirit and wisdom are chosen to help carry the load. Thank God for faithful lay people willing to use their gifts in service to Christ.

  BibleGateway: Acts 6:1-15 ESV Text: Acts 6:1-15 Acts 6 (Listen) Seven Chosen to Serve 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in… Read More »The Church learns that apostles (and pastors) can’t do everything. Men full of the Spirit and wisdom are chosen to help carry the load. Thank God for faithful lay people willing to use their gifts in service to Christ.

Set free from prison, the apostles continue to tell “the full message of this new life.” Why did the apostles keep preaching Jesus after the authorities ordered them to stop? Because we must obey God rather than men!

  BibleGateway: Acts 5:17-42 ESV Text: Acts 5:17-42 Acts 5:17–42 (Listen) The Apostles Arrested and Freed 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who… Read More »Set free from prison, the apostles continue to tell “the full message of this new life.” Why did the apostles keep preaching Jesus after the authorities ordered them to stop? Because we must obey God rather than men!