Are You Dedicated

This passage is a reminder of what it means to follow Christ. Many Christians think of following Christ as getting the good job, getting the nice house and car, having the nice family, and many other superficial material things. That’s not what it means to follow Christ. 

Following Christ well takes a level of dedication that most people are not willing to accept. They read John 16:33 but do not understand that Jesus did not say what types of trouble we will have. So when things happen that don’t seem like a loving God would allow to happen, they fall away. They justify their decision using human wisdom to discount an all knowing God. Think about that!

Are you dedicated? Are you in the trenches of this spiritual warfare or are you on the sideline watching and waiting for things to get easier?

NEWS FU LASH: It ain’t gonna!!

Notice Paul’s words. Meditate on what he says is waiting for him in every city. Then realize that he gladly went. He was honored to go. Is that your attitude? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 20:22-24

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 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.”

Today’s Readings:

Acts 20:1-38; Proverbs 18:6-7

Who Are You

I remember the first time I noticed this passage. I paused and thought about how easy it is for people to act like a Christian. These men learned the hard way that which we should learn the easy way; you cannot fake being a believer.

In the US, all you have to do is say, “I’m a Christian,” and people take you at your word no matter what your lived life looks like.

Meditate on this passage in Acts. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the potential consequence of trying to fake being a Christian. You do not want to end up like the men in this passage. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 19:13-16

13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 19:13-41; Proverbs 18:4-5

Get Understanding

There’s a subtle message in this passage. Notice Apollo is accurately sharing the word of God. Yet Pricilla and Aquila help him so that he can teach more adequately. 

This is a reminder that no matter how much you think you know, God can provide you with people in your life who can help you understand better. 

Be discerning so you’re ready when God sends someone into your life. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 18:24-26

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 18:23-19:12; Proverbs 18:2-3

What About Us

This section in Acts is important for the believer. It should inspire us to trust the Holy Spirit. God tells Paul not to be silent about speaking in the name of Jesus. He assures Paul that He is with him. 

What about us?

That same promise to Paul is God’s promise to us. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says that He is always with us, even to the end of the age. 

We also learned in the book of Genesis that God was with Joseph in all situations. He does not have favorites. If He was with Paul and Joseph, He’s going to be with us. 

If you need more comfort, read Psalms 91. The enemy used part of this Psalm to tempt Jesus. It is a reminder about the promise of the presence of God in your life. Just like Paul was safe to speak freely in Jesus name, so are we. However, understand that “safe” in Christ does not mean without harm. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 18:9-11

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 18:1-22; Proverbs 18:1

Lessons From The Bereans

Acts 17 is a chapter showing the diversity of man. In these three places, Paul encounters three different ways the word was received. 

The Bereans give us the best way to receive the word; they studied the scriptures AFTER they heard it so they could learn it for themselves. This is what we must do. 

Far too often, well meaning Christians merely read their Bible out of obligation or, worse, solely rely on the Pastor to teach them without ever reading for themselves. This is not good. We must read the Bible to get to know God. His Word shows us how to have a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Study the scriptures to learn more about God and how to have a good relationship with Him. This is the only correct thing to do. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 17:10-12

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 17:1-34; Proverbs 17:27-28

The Midnight Hour

This passage in Acts is one of my favorite. It takes me back to my time coaching tennis in South Korea. 

I woke up one morning of our conference tournament and went outside to pray and read my Bible. As I read Acts 16:25, the Holy Spirit filled me and I began to worship God. He is faithful so why should I not be. 

As I praised Him, He shared with me that as long as I remained faithful to Him, I would experience His love in this way. He has remained true to His word. 

When I have fallen short, I experienced the consequences of my disobedience. And as I have sought to remain faithful, I see the difference. 

Seek God! Remain obedient. He will always be there, even in the midnight hour. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 16:22-25

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 

23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

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

Today’s Readings:

Acts 16:16-40; Proverbs 17:26

One With The Holy Spirit

I like this passage. It’s a reminder of how we must be one with the Holy Spirit. Because Paul diligently listened to the Holy Spirit, he and his companions were able to go where God guided them. 

Unfortunately, for me, I sometimes find myself in the wrong place for the “right” reason. Does that happen to you? You mean well, but you ultimately realize that your fleshly desires overruled what the Holy Spirit was telling you to do. This is something we must all put away. 

Our desires do not matter. God’s desires are the only ones that matter. 

Think of it like this. When you read “God will give you the desires of your heart,” read that as God will tell you what you should desire. We read that as, “whatever you desire, God will give it to you.” That’s a bad idea. 

Notice in this reading that Paul and his companions were wanting to go other places, but the Holy Spirit stopped them and guided them a different way. 

Let Him do that for your life as well. Be so closely connected with the Holy Spirit that everywhere you go is where He’s guiding you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 16:6-10

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 15:36-16:15; Proverbs 17:24-25

Miss Florida Week

This morning I wanted to ask you to be in prayer for over 70 young ladies who are competing for the titles of Miss Florida and Miss Florida’s Teen. They will compete in five phases of competition: Private Interview, On Stage Question, Fitness, Talent, and Red Carpet/Evening Gown. 

Please join me as I pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with these ladies. Several of them receive this text daily. All of them would love to have the title, but only two will have it. Thank you! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 3:5

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 15:1-35; Proverbs 17:23

Real Life

This is one of the most interesting passages in scripture to me. Note that Paul was stoned and left for dead. After the believers gathered around him, presumably to pray, he got up and went BACK into the city.

He went back to the place where the people attempted to take his life. In Christ, living in fear of what people will do to you or say about you will hinder your walk. Before leaving His earthly ministry, Jesus said that we will have troubles in this world. 

Trouble is real life in Christ!

What are you dealing with because of your faith? Seek the Lord through His word, prayer, and His people. God will never leave you to do His work alone. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 14:19-20

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 14:8-28; Proverbs 17:22

Kick Off The Dust

Getting people to turn away from God is easy. All you must do is appeal to their ego, make them feel special, and they will come to the conclusion that they don’t need God. This is a huge mistake many people make, daily. 

The number of people who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is much higher than you may realize. That’s why ministries like ours are so adamant about praying for people and making disciples. If Christians don’t do it, who will. 

But here’s the thing. There may come a time when people will refuse to believe. They will reject Christ and you for trying to share Him. In those moments, with love and a humble heart, you must kick the dust of their area off your feet and move to the next place. God will deal with them. Please pray that He will be merciful. 

This is difficult, but it’s how we have been instructed to behave by Jesus. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 13:49-52

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the discipleswere filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 13:42-14:7; Proverbs 17:19-21

Do You Know The Story

Throughout the book of Acts, we read about the story of Jesus. We learn how He was prophesied about, how His life fulfilled these prophecies, then how His death brought us salvation. Reading the Bible is important to walking right with God. 

Do you read your Bible daily? If not, why? 

I encourage you to take full advantage of receiving these daily passages. They are not random. By reading these passages daily you are reading the entire Bible contextually. This will help you in your walk with God. Then, if you’re asked to tell it, you will know the story of Jesus. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 13:26-31

26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.”

Today’s Readings:

Acts 13:16-41; Proverbs 17:17-18

Don’t Play With God

I want to make two quick points, then send you back to your day. 

1. God did not change Saul’s name to Paul. As a Hebrew and a Roman citizen, he had two names, Saul was his Hebrew name and Paul was his Roman/Greek name. I pray that’s cleared up for you now. 

2. The most important point of this passage is, don’t play with God. Too many people say and do things that challenge God. They have no idea what they’re doing. It’s the biggest mistake a person can make. 

Think about your life. Are you taking your relationship with God seriously? Are you seeking Him in all you do? Is your obedience immediate or do you try to negotiate? Trust me, I know all those feelings. I’ve been there and done that. It has never worked for my good, or the good of anyone, if I’m being honest. 

As a friend of mine once said, “Take your relationship with God seriously. It’s not a side hustle. It should be the center of everything you do!” Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 13:9-12

9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 13:1-15; Proverbs 17:16

Don’t Worry, Pray

Before my mother passed away, she used to always say, “ if you’re going to worry, then don’t pray. But, if you’re going to pray, then don’t worry.”

As I read this passage, those words came to my mind. How often do we look at a situation, and begin to worry about the possible negative outcome? Just as the people prayed for Peter in his time of need, we also must pray in our time of need.

However, let me take it one step further. We should pray continuously. By remaining in constant prayer, we remain in constant communication with God. Thus, ensuring that we will have an outcome that works for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. And that is always a good thing! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.

Acts 12:5

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him

Today’s Readings:

Acts 12; Proverbs 17:14-15

Get A Partner

Doing ministry alone sounds like a great idea to many Christians. They love striking out on their own to do the will of God. And that’s okay for a short season, a very short season. 

As you read the Bible, you rarely see people serving God alone. Even Jesus selected twelve men to walk with Him, then narrowed that number to three who would walk real close with Him. 

If Jesus chose to have ministry support, why are trying to do ministry alone. I encourage you to get a partner. Someone who will pray with you, go into “battle” with you, and sit with you during those troubled times Jesus promised in John 16:33. You won’t regret it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 11:22-26

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 11:1-30; Proverbs 17:12-13

Who’s Acceptable

My daughter and I like a movie in which one of the characters, at a critical point in the movie, says, “Ahhhh, she’s acceptable.” It has become an inside joke for us. 

As I read this passage, I thought about that. Prior to God’s intervention in Peter’s thought life, reference Jews and Gentiles, Peter believed that the two people groups were not to interact. However, God put that to rest. 

But here’s the clarification. It’s not that God accepts everyone equally. He accepts those who believe in Him, equally. Many well meaning Christians mess that up. 

If you’re a person who thinks everyone is going to heaven because God is love and, “why would a loving God send someone to hell,” I encourage you to read Matthew 25. Allow the parables in that chapter to penetrate your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom to understand what Jesus was teaching us. 

Faith is not a game. Jesus is the King of kings. He’s not Burger King; you don’t get Him your way. You must surrender to Him without qualification. Then you will be acceptable to Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 10:27-29

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 

28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 

29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Today’s Readings:

Acts 10:24-48; Proverbs 17:9-11

God’s Audible Voice

Has God ever spoken to you in an audible voice? That’s what we read in this passage. Peter is having a full on conversation with the Lord. How?

That’s a question I hear often. “How can I hear the voice of God?” The answer is shockingly simple, yet complex at the same time. 

God is real! He can talk to you any way He wants. The key is your relationship with Him. God may call you by name, but if you don’t know Him, you will not recognize His voice (read 1 Samuel 3 for a good reference).

In this section of Acts, we see two men who were devout believers. They spent time with the Lord, thus they knew Him and could recognize His voice whether audible or spoken from within. They readily did what God told them to do because of their relational history with Him. 

If you want to recognize the audible voice of God, step one is to get to know Him through Jesus Christ, His Son. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 10:19-20

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

Today’s Readings:

Acts 10:1-23; Proverbs 17:7-8

No Lone Rangers

This passage is a reminder that in Christ you’re never going to be effective as a Lone Ranger. Before Saul, also called Paul, could begin his good work, he needed someone to vouch for the change of heart Christ had done in him. 

The idea that your walk with Christ is only about you and Him is not Biblical. Jesus said go and make disciples. You cannot effectively do that by yourself. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two. We need to pay attention to that. Solomon writes that two are better than one, as he explains the importance of not trying to live life alone. 

I know people who think they can live well with Christ alone. I have news for them and anyone else who believes all they need is Jesus to do what Christ has called us to do; you’re wrong! You need fellow believers in Christ. 

If you’re a person who believes you do not need community, I urge you to spend time in your word and in prayer. Ask God to help you understand the necessity of community. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 9:26-28

26 When (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 9:26-43; Proverbs 17:6

How It’s Done

I hear so many well meaning people saying how they “argue” with God. They talk about the back and forth they have. Although I understand that it’s how they think they live well with Him, that style pales in comparison to what we learn in the interaction between God and Ananias. 

Notice the concern Ananias expresses. Once he does, he then trusts God and does what He wants. Notice the boldness of Ananias when he encounters Saul. 

That’s how it’s done. 

Going back and forth with God to make your case supposes that what you think is right is actually right compared to what God thinks. How arrogant do you have to be to think that your thought on something should supersede the thought of God. Read Isaiah 55:8-9. Also checkout James 4:6

Take time today to talk to God about how you interact with Him. Listen and make necessary changes. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 9:13-19

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 9:1-25; Proverbs 17:4-5

Good Intentions Bad Judgement 

When I was in the Army, there was a phrase frequently used when people tried to do a good thing but the way they went about it was wrong. In that moment, a leader would tell them, “good intentions, bad judgement.”

This meant that the leader understood that your intentions were noble. You were trying to do the right thing, however, the decisions you made and the way you went about accomplishing the task was wrong. 

This is what we see with Simon in this passage. As a new believer, his thinking was skewed. He did not understand the free gift of Christ. He had good intentions, he simply used poor judgement. 

What about you? Do you find yourself having good intentions, yet making bad decisions because of poor judgement? Seek the Lord and get into a strong Christian community filled with mature believers. Together, you will be able to overcome your poor judgement. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 8:18-24

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Today’s Readings:

Acts 8:14-40; Proverbs 17:2-3

How Will He Do It

In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples to wait until the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Then they would have power. He said that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and through all nations on the earth. This is a great work. 

How will He do it?

The answer is interesting. This work started with great persecution. When persecution broke out, the believers scattered to Judea and Samaria. Thus, the real work had begun. 

When difficult times come because of your beliefs, don’t stress. God may be moving you to a place where He wants you to share the gospel. This new place could be a new job, new neighborhood, or a new city, state, or country. The key is to use discernment and go!

Sometimes, in our comfort, we refuse to go to a place that’s outside our comfort zone. Therefore God removes the option. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Acts 8:1b-3

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Today’s Readings:

Acts 7:51-8:13; Proverbs 17:1