Scripture: Acts 17.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Acts 17:11-12 (NLT)

11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Many would naturally say that in going to church they expect to hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, because if there is one place where they should expect to receive the unadulterated Word of God, is the church. Generally, this is the truth friend, but as children of God we have an obligation to be deep in the Word ourselves so that as it is explained we can truly follow what God is saying to us. Proving what the preacher is saying is very much in order. Following in the Word helps us to stay focused on what is being taught, and it helps us to understand how to study our Bibles. I heard a preacher say one time that he was questioned by a saint who persistently followed in her Bible. He found where he had not given the full and accurate intent of the passage to the people and that correction was necessary. The next Sunday he re-preached the same sermon, but this time with the corrections in place. Jesus is the only perfect One there ever was, and since He is not the one delivering the sermon, we must pray for, and test the spoken Word to support and make sure that it is delivered in accordance with the Bible. Make it a point to take your tools with you when you go to worship – take your favorite Bible. Open it when the pastor is ready to deliver his sermon and follow along while all the verses are being referred to. Chat with the pastor about anything you didn’t understand or couldn’t follow. This will encourage him to know that you care enough to follow, and want to learn. This will help your pastor to feel accountable to not only God, but to his flock, because he knows that they are following along and helping him make sure that he gets it right. Verse 12 says that as a result of the people truly understanding the Word of God, many were saved. Praise be to God!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord, Your Word is very plain and often You repeat the important things that You want us to learn. Please help me to always have a desire for studying Your Word, for it contains truth and direction and wisdom to help me in my daily walk. Please help me to be consistent in following along as Your Word is taught and/or preached and help me to understand all the truths being proclaimed. Thank You for Paul and Silas, and thank You for the preachers and teachers that I am blessed to sit under. Please continue to bless Your servants that proclaim Your Word. May it never fall on deaf ears, but rather have an eternal impact on those that hear, believe, accept and are obedient to its truths.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
ß