Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Romans 5

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! v9

I have recently learned and understand that Christ came to save us on many counts, including to save us from God's wrath.  Until Christ, we continued to sin and there was nothing we could do to be reconciled in God's eyes. He HAD to send His son to die for us so that we could be reconciled to Him - the Old Testament is full of God's wrath and we are all deserving of such wrath for the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

My Prayer: God You are great...You have saved me from being slave to sin and also from God's wrath...I am deeply humbled and thankful that You know everything about me...sin and all...yet chose me, then suffered and died for me so that I could be saved and of course have eternity in heaven with You.  How great You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing...not by a long shot!  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, selfish, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from these sins and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  I love You.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. v3-4

Jesus is always available to us through the Holy Spirit:


....because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. v5

James speaks of this as well:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

My Prayer: Indeed Lord, You are able to redeem all for Your glory and our good.  You know everything that we need and what is good for us.  You love us and look out for us as the perfect Father You are.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, impatient, prideful, arrogant, and harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...just to name a few of my sins.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus...and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

Romans 2

No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. v29

Closeness to Christ is developed through the heart and by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  Close to Christ is the same as renewing of the mind through the spiritual disciplines of bible study, reflection, prayer, worship, acts of service, etc.:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are pure, perfect and holy and You are all of the fruits of the spirit.  I greatly desire to be more like You.  Yet my mind and body continue to sin.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help understand Your message for me today, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day. I love You. 

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 2

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. v6-7

I have often read and heard that we are to live with the end in mind...that God's timing for our life is not known to us and we must be prepared....for we will meet our maker  - Jesus Christ - and He will judge us.

I am mindful of the following scripture:

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut."  Matthew 25:10

...

“Show me, LORD, my life’s end
   and the number of my days;
   let me know how fleeting my life is." Psalm 39:4

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You ARE ever powerful, all knowing, pure, perfect, and blameless.  That You came to earth to endure all that I endure and then to willingly die on the cross...choosing to save me...is AMAZING!  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus.  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. v20

I have often thought to myself that there is no excuse to follow and obey God for all things...none.  Here is scriptural backing for my claim. 

As the same time, that we have any faith whatsoever is a miracle. 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so full of love, patience, joy, etc. (fruits of Spirit)...and You make these fruits available to me through faith...as a gift.  How amazing You are - thank You for choosing me Jesus!  What an amazing gift.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing Jesus.  I am impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus from such sin and help me turn from these sins and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Romans 1

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. v25

Lord You are indeed a great God and worthy of praise every moment of every day...however, I know there are many moments when I worship created things vs You...I know I am instead to focus and fix my eyes on You...the author and perfecter of my faith, and to:

....to offer [my]bod[y] as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1-2

Help me Jesus...focus and fix my eyes on You vs the created.  Help me offer my body and life as a living sacrifice to You.

My Prayer:  Lord, You came to earth, and willingly laid down Your life...specifically for me.  This is a gift for which I am not deserving...I know.  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, etc....my sin is so much more!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 1

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. v16

Paul is not ashamed in any way about his faith or about any aspect of the faith, Jesus Christ, the gospel, the Holy Spirit, etc.  He is living in a way that is fearlessly faithful...see also my post yesterday.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...Ephesians 3:20

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God through Him all things are possible and You are able do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...how great You are!  I am not worth the love that You have for me Jesus.  I can't fully appreciate Your love for me.  I am not worth it...I sin...I am impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, prideful, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and every day...help me be obedient to and apply Your message.

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Acts 28

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! v31

Paul served as God intended Him to serve - as I have often said he "left nothing on the table" in terms of giving his life away to Jesus and working on earth keeping in mind He had a heavenly master.

I am mindful of other verses:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

 ...

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Ephesians 6:5

 ...

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Colossians 3:22

We all have gifts given to us by God to use for His glory and we are to use them to the best of our ability in conjunction with others in the church to glorify Him.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

My Prayer: What a great God You are that You design and created a perfect world where You provide gifts and abilities that all work together for Your glory!  Your creation - in all of its forms - is and always will be a miracle...how great You are!  I am not worthy of such love and blessing to be part of Your design and glory...I am selfish, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, etc. ...the list is too long to list.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and instead towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. I love You Lord.

 

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Acts 27

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. v35-36

As Paul's ship sailed to Rome, it encountered stormy seas which endangered all on board.  God came to Paul in a vision and told Him that he and the others would be OK.  God's message to Paul is no different from the gospels or any other good news we are to deliver from God.  Use any and all opportunities to proclaim the greatness and goodness of Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed both great and good.  And these words of course do not do justice to how great and good You are!  Your word is great - it is all I need because it is You and it is always available to me.  I am not worth such love and blessing as You provide.  I am selfish, lazy, greedy, quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and help me be obedient and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

"Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 26

"Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  v29

Paul is under the custody of the Roman government and accused of crimes by many of the Jewish leaders...yet he continues to pray that his jailers and his accusers hear and accept Jesus as their savior.  Nothing should stop our testimony to others...not fear for our own life nor other fears or worries.  I desire to have such courage...

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

My Prayer: Lord what a great God You are...You have unlimited strength and power and I have seen and read about Your power personally in my life and in the lives of others.  I know that You have provided this same power to me through the Holy Spirit.  I am not deserving of such power...I sin...daily.  I am impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...and I worry...far too much.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’

Acts 23

'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’ v5

I am often guilty of speaking harshly of those I disagree with - particularly politics.  This is wrong and sinful.  Words should be used to build people up not tear people down.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  James 3:9-13

We are also commanded not to gossip or provide "false witness" (Exodus 20).

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and You are full of power and certainly in a position to be critical of others but You are Just and You use words for Your glory and our good.  Your motives are pure and perfect.  What a great God You are.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I am selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, apply, and be obedient to Your message today and every day.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. v24

Jesus stresses that humility is key for us to gain the power of Christ.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

We must admit that we need saving before we can even be saved. We must deny ourselves.


“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
....

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Matthew 19:30

My Prayer:  Lord You are indeed great - You love me and bless me.  You protect me, heal me, teach me, and You provide - every day....all my needs.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry...I am impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...and my sin is so much more!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me to today...help me be obedient to this message and apply this message.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Acts 18

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. v26

God desires us to grow in our faith.  He places people in our lives to encourage and disciple us.  He expects us to grow and mature in our faith to more significant roles of service and mission for His glory.  

In verse 27-28 we see the fruits of discipling Apollos:

When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah

Additional scriptural references that reinforce God's desire for us to disciple others and to grow in our faith:

And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Genesis 9:5

...

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

...

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...1 Thessalonians 5:11 

...

 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity...Hebrews 6:1

My Prayer:  Lord, You are a great God...You have provided many examples of Christians who discipled to me and built me up in my maturity and I am deeply thankful for these people and the blessings they have been to me.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing Jesus for I am sinful...I am lazy, disobedient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, impatient, quick to anger and slow to listen, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and help me be obedient to and apply Your message.

 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Acts 16

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. v25

We are to "give thanks in all circumstances":

[G]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This means of course in good times and in bad times and even in those times where you feel "so-so" or are in a rut in your life, whether that is in your workplace, in your marriage, in your family life, spiritual life, etc.  Give thanks.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, there is MUCH to be thankful for - for You created the heavens and the earth and everything in between.  You created me and bless me beyond what I deserve.  You give me second chances all the time - far too often.  You are full of grace, mercy, kindness, etc.  I am certainly not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today - help me be obedient and faithfully apply this message.

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Acts 16

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. v7

I have previously posted here how God is unstoppable - if He really wants something to happen He would make it happen, regardless of what we do...similarly, if He really does NOT want something to happen He would be able stop something from happening.

God IS in control.

Jonah tried to stop God's plans but was thwarted...see here.

Isaiah noted how God is in control:

For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
    His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27

 

That does not mean we must sit idly back...we may fall prey to Satan.  Jesus told His disciples:

"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away." John 16:1

 

Satan is real and we must be careful to not fall away.  We will fall away if we are not focused on Jesus...near Jesus...and working actively to honor and please Jesus.

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed THE great God...the only God for me.  The Name Above All Names...King of Kings.  You chose me and I am indeed blessing by Your love...by Your sacrifice.  I am not worth such love and sacrifice.  I am lazy and not in action working for You.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from and overcome such sin...help me turn instead towards You.  Help me understand Your message for me today.  Help me apply and be obedient to Your message.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

 

 

 

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Acts 16

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. v3

We are commanded by Jesus to grow God's Kingdom - see Matthew 28:19-20:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Key to the Great Commission is to build up and encourage disciple-makers such as Paul did with Timothy.  Encourage those with gifts and passion to develop those gifts and passions for the glory of God.  As a more mature (relatively speaking) Christian I am to develop younger less mature Christians along their journey.

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and You have blessed me with Your guidance through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and through older Christian men who have helped me, and I know You want me to play that role for others...I know however that I am selfish with my time or I worry about my abilities to play this role.  I know You love me anyway so thank You Jesus but please forgive me for my sin of worry and selfishness.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me, apply this message and be obedient to this message.

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. v39-40

Although Barnabas and Paul had a sharp disagreement, it did not stop them from moving forward with their mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Eventually, Barnabas and Paul reconcile - see 1 Corinthians 9:6.*  Another lesson* to be gleaned here is that believers should submit to those in higher authority in the church.

This is consistent with scripture elsewhere: 

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 1 Peter 2:18

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God and You have provided many people in my life that have led me, coached me, pastored to me, mentored me, etc.  I know You have put these people in my life.  I am deeply grateful for Your guidance through these people Jesus.  Yet sometimes I am not grateful and I reject Your guidance.  I am sorry Lord.  Help me overcome such sin and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today.  Help me be obedient and apply this message.

*MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 48518-48520). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.

Acts 14

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. v20

Faith is a race...a long race...and we are to be persistent and we are to have endurance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2.

Elsewhere in scripture we are admonished for trying to be first...by focusing on our own status but here we are encouraged to focus on glorifying Jesus with a zeal to win FOR CHRIST.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

My Prayer:  Lord, You are indeed an awesome God...creator and capable of all things....all knowing and full of love for me and all humanity.  Even though we sin...You see me and everyone else as perfect and deserving of grace.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love, blessing and kindness...I am selfish, lazy, prideful, quick to anger, slow to listen, full of envy, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus...help me turn from my sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith...help me be obedient to apply Your message for me today.

So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.

Acts 13

So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. v51

It is clear that believers are to set apart from the rest of the world...just as the Israelites were God's chosen people and commanded to live a certain way so to be "set apart".  Jesus wants His followers to be a light...clear to those who see them:  

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14

Paul and Barnabas wanted no part of the Jews' who witnessed the works of Jesus and heard heard his words and teachings yet failed to believe.  Their response according to John McArthur "is clear that they considered the Jews at Antioch no better than heathen. There could have been no stronger condemnation."*  We are to be set apart...and Paul tells us how in Romans 12:2:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your will and Your ways are Truth and "no word of [Yours] will ever fail".  You have never failed me and You never will.  I trust You Jesus and I love You...yet I still struggle with sin and I desperately need You in my life.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, prideful, and harsh with my words and action.  My list of sin is ever longer...I am deeply sorry Lord - Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply and be obedient to Your message for me today. 

*MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Location 48398). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  

Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

Acts 13

Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. v39

As Paul begins his missionary journeys - sent by the Holy Spirit - he proclaims the above key point..."everyone who believes".  This is key because for us to be obedient to Jesus two greatest commandments as stated in Matthew 22:37-40, we must truly believe in who Jesus is, what He has done for all of us, what He continues to do for all of us, and what He WILL do for us.  This is all very important.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - everything about You is great - Your love, Your will, Your design, Your power, etc.  Great cannot even begin to describe You.  I know my worship of You is but filthy rags but I feel compelled to worship You anyway because I truly love You and want to follow You.  Yet I continue to sin - I am impatient, I am quick to anger and slow to listen, I am prideful and arrogant, I worry way too much, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me truly believe in WHO You are!

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

Acts 12

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. v24

Much was happening during the early days of the church as chronicled here in Acts and in particular you will see many efforts by the Romans and the Jews alike to quell growth of the church.  Herod had Peter arrested but this did not stop God...

As indicated in my post here, God is unstoppable.  

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

My Prayer: Lord You are indeed great and Your design is great...I have seen it so many times in my life how You have orchestrated events and circumstances for Your glory and my good.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus as I am selfish, impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my words and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and help me be obedient and apply Your message in my life.

"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 10

"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” v43

In this chapter of Acts, Peter has a vision from the Lord that he speak of and offer salvation through Jesus Christ to all - Jews and Gentiles alike.  Keeping in mind that this message is directed not just at Peter but to any believer, myself included, the implication is that we are not in a position to deny speaking about Jesus to anyone....regardless of any explanation we may come up with about why we don't.  We must love others as Jesus does (Matthew 22:39).

My  Prayer: Lord, what a great God You are that You are able to love anyone and everyone..and of course suffer and die for all who believe in You.  You offer an amazing gift...and ask only in return that we believe and love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  How cool are You!  I am not worth such a God as You.  I selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, lazy, selfish, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply Your message for me today.  Help me spread the news of Jesus Christ as much as I possibly can.

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”....I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

Acts 10

“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” v15....I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. v34-35.

If only I could see and love others as Jesus sees them.  I am commanded to in Matthew 22:37-40 yet I know I fall short.  The key is of course is fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and focusing on a renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord You are awesome!  What a beautiful fall day it is and what a beautiful place You created here in Raleigh, NC.  The fall colors are amazing!  I know You created this for me to enjoy but I am not worth such love and blessing...I fall short as all do.  I am selfish, I steal, I am harsh with my words and actions, I am quick to anger and slow to listen...there is of course more!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help grow in my faith.  Help me apply today's message You have for me.  Help me fix my eyes on You and renew my mind.

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Acts 9

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. v31

We must live in reverence (awe) of the Lord AND be encouraged by the fact that Jesus is WITH us all the time through the Holy Spirit.  Reverence of the Lord is commanded by God and the Holy Spirit supports our efforts to love and revere God because God is just and He loves us...he chose us and then died on the cross for us.  He continues to be available to us anywhere and anytime...why would we not revere and love such a God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - indeed You are a great God!  I marvel in how You create the seasons and the beauty of nature.  You do this for me!  How great and kind You are.  I am not worth such love and blessing. I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my words and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be always in awe and in love with You.

"This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel."

Acts 9

"This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." v15

Amazing that Jesus CHOSE us...knowing everything about us, including our sin.  God DOES have a plan for us all...and it is a great plan. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...it is amazing how You can redeem imperfect beings like me and use me for Your perfect will and glory!  You are truly amazing!  I am not worth the sacrifice You made on my behalf, nor for the many blessings You have provided and continue to provide today (and tomorrow, etc.).  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my words and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply Your message for me today...Help me understand how You chose me and You have great plans for me!

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Acts 8

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. v1

After the stoning of Stephen (see post yesterday), it would be understandable if the apostles also scattered but interestingly they did not.   Note that all, except the apostles, were scattered...even the NKJV uses the word except.  

Will I stand my ground in the face of opposition to my faith...whatever form of opposition that might be.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  Your hand, designs, will, might, grace, mercy, etc. are all perfect...everything about You is perfect.  You even see me as perfect....You provide second chances when I don't deserve them...I am not worth such blessing. I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient and harsh with others, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  In the face of opposition, help me stand my ground with my faith.

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. v60.

As Stephen was being stoned to death by the Sanhedrin, he clung to Jesus to the end.  The way Luke writes this verse it is if these WERE his last words.  THIS is love...in the face of anger, hate, AND mortal physical harm, Stephen instead responds with love.

Two of the greatest commands have to do with love:

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

Loving to this extent REQUIRES a renewing of the mind:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord, You are love...everything You do defines love...love of Your children...even though we sin and fall short of Your glory.  You love us and see us as perfect in Your eyes.  Amazing!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I take Your name in vain, I am quick to anger, slow to listen, prideful, arrogant, selfish, etc.  Thank you that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith and help me apply Your teachings in my life.  Help me love. 

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. v15

This story demonstrates the power of Satan, hate, and how a hardened heart leads to sin.  The Jewish leaders KNEW that Stephen was innocent AND that He was set apart in ways that God wanted the Jews to be set apart.  Yet despite this, the Jewish leaders hardened hearts led them to kill Stephen.

We must fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great beyond description.  I have personally seen Your might in my life and in the life of others.  Just recently You brought my mom to belief in You.  This is ONLY something You could have done.  Amazing.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my words, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith and help me avoid a hardening of my heart - help me fix my eyes on You and the renewing of my mind.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 5

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. v41-42

What's amazing is that Peter and John had just been thrown in jail and flogged and then their response was to keep praising Jesus and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The question and challenge for me of course is: to what extent am I thankful for the blessings I have received and as confident as Peter and John?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - Your name is great, Your ways are great, Your acts are great...You are perfect beyond description and while I grumble about my life...I should be thankful that I have YOU!  You are all I need.  Thank You Jesus that You adopted ME into YOUR family.  I am not worth such an act of love.  I am selfish, I grumble constantly...I worry...etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me stand FIRM in my faith as Peter and John do.

"For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 5

"For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” v38-39

For believers this is a powerful reminder that God's will is unstoppable - period.  An equally important message is that plans that are of "human origin" (as noted by Gamaliel) will fail...we must seek guidance and validation that our plans are in line with God's purpose and will.  

How can we validate that our plans are in line with God's will for our lives?
- Read the Bible; it is God and it is God's word for us
- Pray
- Seek wise counsel (Exodus 18:13-27)
- Ask yourself if you are at peace; peace is an indicator of the extent to which You are following God (Galatians 5:22)
- Seek confirming circumstances (God is unstoppable and His will should be clear to the extent that you are getting "positive" results).

To be clear, you should probably use ALL five methods to validate God's will for your life as for many of us, myself included, we can can easily use one method or another to validate that our own plans are God's will.

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed great and Your design and will is perfect.  I have seen Your hand in my life and in the life of others.  Perfect!  I know You have a plan for me and it is not to harm me but to prosper me as You say in Jeremiah.  Thank You Jesus that You love me so much despite my sin.  I am weak, selfish, impatient, I worry too much, I am quick to anger, slow to listen, etc.  Please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as Your do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me know and follow Your will for my life.

Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Acts 5

Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. v11

Ananias and his wife Sapphira knew that they held back in their giving to the church and they paid the ultimate price for their sin. Yet at the same time, all of us hold back from God in some form or another...whether it is $$ of some other aspect of our life.  It is in our nature to want to control...we don't want to fully surrender all aspects of our life to Jesus.  This is sinful - we are to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38).  At the same time, we don't truly believe that we will pay any price for our sin...unfortunately we will and the timing and the form of our price is entirely at the mercy of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.

We know this:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

...and this:

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] Ecclesiastes 3:1

Healthy fear and respect for the Lord is a critical component of our love for Him.

My Prayer: Lord, You are great and Your design and will are also great.  You have designed my life and while I grumble (sinfully so) about it...I do recognize that it is perfect in Your eyes and You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve.  I not only grumble way too much...but I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my words, impatient, etc.  Thank You for the many blessings You have provided and for loving me no less - despite my sin.  Please forgive me for my grumbling and my other sin...help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me have fear and respect for You Jesus.

For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Acts 4

For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. v34-35

I am blessed with resources well beyond what I need and I am convicted to be generous with my resources with the church and others in need.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7

My Prayer: Lord, You have indeed blessed me well beyond what I need and provide for all of my needs - spiritual, emotional, physical, etc.  You protect, heal, encourage, and teach me, just to name a few among the infinite number of ways You bless me.  You suffered a gruesome death...willingly...for me.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my words, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be cheerful giver.

They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

Acts 4

They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. v21-22

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and John spoke powerfully and healed the lame beggar.  It was undeniable to all, including the Jewish leaders, that there was something very powerful within Peter and John.  Several challenges come to mind, including:

• do I request and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me?
• what is my response when I witness the Holy Spirit at work - do I deny it or do I submit?

 Scripture here and below comes to mind:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

In all my ways...this is key.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are great indeed.  That You are able to redeem my sin and use it for Your glory is incredible. I know I deserve to die yet You chose me and then redeemed me through Your death on the cross.  I am not worth such love, blessing, and sacrifice.  I am quick to anger, harsh with my words, selfish, prideful, slow to listen, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."

Acts 3

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see." v16

Building on my post from yesterday, there is no doubt that Peter is a changed man.  Transformed of course by the Power of the Holy Spirit:

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Contrast Peter's words above that reflect a focus on God versus a focus on himself in the scriptures below:

But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. Matthew 26:35 (prideful Peter)

...

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. Luke 22:31 (arrogant Peter)

Clearly, Peter is transformed via Christ and the Holy Spirit and his focus on God first and himself second.  Humility is key to growth in Christ - we are to be Christ-focused, then "others" focused.

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed great as I have personally seen my mind, heart, and life transformed by the Power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Thank You Jesus for such love and blessing!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing - I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, prideful, arrogant, selfish, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 3

 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. v9-10

The Holy Spirit has power and all believers have access to the Holy Spirit.  We must recognize this power.  Peter certainly did here.  I should have trust and faith in God that the Holy Spirit is with me always.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, that You died, rose again, and left us with Your Holy Spirit as a helper, an Advocate (as You called it), is an amazing gift that has no parallel.  I am not deserving of such a gift...that is of course what it is.  I am selfish, lazy, impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, prideful, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me such sin and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” v36

Acts 2

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” v36

Wow...Peter is "on fire"!  Surely, one cannot read Peter's message to those who witnessed the events of Acts 2 and walk away thinking this was the Peter "himself".  It is the Peter whom God promised to all His children: the God who will always be there, and who will always work and speak through us.  Just as God gave Moses words, Jesus gives Peter words.  Here is God talking to Moses:

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

 

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.  He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. Exodus 4:13-16

I know I have access to the power of Christ when I speak but I often rely on myself and speak harshly as a result.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10

My Prayer:  Lord You are indeed great and Your words have power...all the power I will ever need.  Through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, I know I have access to the all the power I need...yet I am not deserving to have such power.  I sin often and misuse my words by being harsh.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say."

Acts 2

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say." v14

While it is typical of Peter to sometimes be impulsive and act without thought (see Matthew 26:33-35, John 18:10).  Peter's impulsiveness here seems...well...less impulsive.  Peter (and all the apostles) has previously been called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, but now he has the Holy Spirit to guide him. 

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth." John 16:13

This time, he is rooted in Truth and backed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Somehow, in my view, this is either not at all, or certainly less impulsive.

Question is...ARE you less impulsive if you act quickly but you are rooted in faith and confident in the leading of the Holy Spirit?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great not only of course because You know everything about me yet You chose me then suffered and died for me.  You are great also because You sent the Holy Spirit to help me and to give me power.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am impatient, arrogant, selfish, prideful, quick to anger, slow to listen, and harsh with my words.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help grow in my faith.  Help me fully appreciate, understand, and use the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen o take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Acts 1

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen o take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.  V24-26

God wants us to come to Him in prayer for everything - big and small - we are to be dependent on Him for all things...wisdom in daily decisions included.  We cannot assume that a detail of life is too small to concern Jesus...not true.  While the choice of a new apostle to replace Judas is certainly deserving of Christ's wisdom through prayer, I often make many consequential decisions without going to the Lord in prayer.

Similarly, we cannot assume that anyone is inconsequential to Him....we all matter:

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
    though lofty, he sees them from afar. Psalm 138:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, though You are the Name above all Names, the Lord Most High, You love me even though You know everything about me, including all of my sin...how great You are!  I am not worth Your love and blessing Jesus.  I am lazy, selfish, harsh with my words, impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 21

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. v25

We all want more evidence that Jesus is real, particularly in times of distress.  What is true however, in my view, is that we are more likely to build our faith in Jesus when times are good.  We must be aware of the blessings that we do have, remain humble that they are not of our hand, and believe instead that they are of God's hand.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and I am unbelievably blessed...unbelievable to the extent that I KNOW it is not my hand but Yours.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am lazy, selfish, disobedient, impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, and harsh.  Thank You that You love me anyway, but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.

 
  

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

John 19

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. v15

What is interesting here is that the Jews very often accepted and even wanted a king.  

“You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 1 Samuel 8:5

The chief priests just did not want Jesus as their King.  The question of course becomes: do I reject Jesus?  No and Yes.  Not explicitly but implicitly through sin and disobedience.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  You know everything about me...including my sin, even sin I have yet to commit...yet You love me anyway and You even died for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I am full of anger, selfishness, impatience, etc. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. 

"In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth."

John 18

"In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth." v37

We all know that Jesus came to earth to die for our sins so that we would no longer be slaves to our sins.  Jesus says this another way in this verse above...He stands for truth.   Truth for many is a threat...a threat to control over people, status, etc.  Pilate and the Jewish leaders know this so they have no problem killing Jesus. 

We must examine the extent to which we are threatened by Truth.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and Your word is great.  The Word is truth and it is God and I have seen my heart and life transformed by the Word and by God.  I am grateful indeed, even more so because I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I lack patience, compassion, kindness...and instead am harsh, quick to anger and slow to listen.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me...help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.

It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

John 18

 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. v18

I did not read far enough yesterday to catch this but fear and desire to stay in one's comfort zone work hand in hand.  Peter perhaps was led to say "Yes, I am" but fear for his life - justifiably so - kept him in his comfort zone.  For him, he had an option to stay comfortable...literally he kept comfortable warming himself on a cold night. 

We are no different from Peter.  When led to take a step in a direction that is fearful for us, when provided an option to remain in our comfort zone...we very often stay in our comfort zone...I know I do.

One thing for us to consider is that Jesus provides comfort, while at the same time He calls us to step out to perform His work. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You provide comfort and refuge during fearful times.  Yet You call us out to do Your work at the same time. I have witnessed the comfort that comes from staying near to You when stepping out.  Your plans and Your design is perfect.  You are always there.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth the love, blessing, refuge, protection, comfort You provide...too often I am cowardly, lacking in trust/faith, lazy, etc.  Please forgive me...help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.