God’s Word Says…. 

Acts 13:2-4 (GNT)

2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”
3 They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.
4 Having been sent by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went to Seleucia and sailed from there to the island of Cyprus.

My Thoughts: 

In this passage we see where prophets and teachers were serving the church at Antioch, and while serving and fasting (going without food for the sole purpose of seeking God above everything else and seeking a more intimate relationship with Him) this group received a word from the Holy Spirit, that two of their own, Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart (taken from other cares that might hinder them) to do the work that the Holy Spirit has in store for them. Christ’s ministers are to be employed in Christ’s work, and, under the Spirit’s guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. This requires 100% dedication, with no distractions or known devices that might cause them to stumble or not be totally emptied of self and this world. For it is only when the Spirit has total control, will a servant be totally led and directed by Him. We will see more of the evidence of this as we read on in Acts.

Challenge: 

So how does this apply to those of us who are not ‘ministers/preachers/pastors’, right? I’m glad that you asked, friend! Throughout the New Testament we are taught to ‘go out into the world and preach the gospel’, many of you meditating with me on this have taken on teaching jobs in Sunday/Sabbath School. Are you not sharing the Word of God with your students? Should we not be emptied of self and this world, so that we might be filled with God’s Holy Spirit, who will lead us into all truth and therefore teach more wisely and Godly? Is it really just our ministers/preachers/pastors affected by this call, or is it any child of God that shares the name of Jesus? I would dare say that God would have each of us so filled with His Holy Spirit that we would be totally led by Him in word and deed, so that the world may be dumbfounded, and therefore surrender to the call of the Father on their lives. Please pray for your church leader today, but let us also pray that God might be able to better use us (a much larger army), by emptying ourselves of this world, and then seeking a fresh filling of God’s Holy Spirit so that we may do a more dynamic work for our Lord and Savior.

Prayer: 

Father, too often we stand in front of folk, or perhaps sit to counsel a friend in a ‘Godly’ manner, yet we are so filled with self desires and worldly practices, Please forgive us for mixing Your divine, holy will for our lives, with the sin and mockery of this world. I am reminded that this is an image of trying to mix oil and water – it just doesn’t happen. Please forgive me. Please begin a new work in me of what it truly means to totally filter my input, so that my output might be nothing but Jesus. I believe that this is the only way we will impact this world, so please begin with me. Touch the hearts of all who might read this devotional, and are ready to commit themselves to being a more impactful witness. Please especially touch the hearts of my pastors, elders, deacons, teachers and workers of my church, and also church leaders in other parts of my city and county, that they too might humble themselves, seek Your face and diligently and sincerely pray, so that You might work in our midst to win our townships to the Lord. For this is our greatest mission. All this I ask in Your most holy and loving name, AMEN!

God’s Word Says: 

Acts 12:12–15 (GNB)

Aware of his situation, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outside door, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer it. She recognized Peter’s voice and was so happy that she ran back in without opening the door, and announced that Peter was standing outside. “You are mad!” they told her. But she insisted that it was true. So they answered, “It is his angel.”

My Thoughts: 

At the home of Mary, many people were gathered and were praying. Now, although not said, I am convinced that at the top of their prayer list was, that their friend and co-worker in the Lord, Peter might be released from prison. I believe that is very logical to assume that. In the following verses we read about the unbelief and astonishment by the group when Peter shows up at the door. Unfortunately this is how many of us pray, and this is very indicative of what we might do if our prayers were answered immediately. As mentioned in an earlier devotional, we are to ‘cry out’ or pray in earnest, or pray in desperation for the item(s) that is at the top of our prayer list, or heaviest on our minds. Give it our top priority.

Challenge: 

Consider what your immediate response would be if you got up off your knees, praying as I indicated/recommended, and standing in front of you was the answer to your prayer? If you faint, that would be a natural reaction to shock, but friend, we must have enough faith in our prayers that we would quickly break out in praise and worship to our Lord, the very One to whom we were praying for the very matter that was corrected. “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1). So friends, let us pray believing and convinced that God listens to His children praying; He was the power to “Do ALL Things”; and that He will answer our prayers, if it is His will, or if He determines that answering our prayer would bring glory to Himself and not harm us. Let’s be anxiously watching for the answer to our prayers and be totally ready for a time of praise because of the answers! Even as Christians, we are undeserving of such love and blessings, so let us always be careful to praise God for His miraculous touch and response to our prayers.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, You have carefully placed in Your Word example after example of how You miraculously answered prayer. I know that You are still God, You are the same today as You were yesterday and throughout the Bible accounts, so please strengthen my faith so that when I pray, I will always pray expecting, so much so that when I pray I will be thinking about the glorious praise and worship service to follow! Lord you are so amazing, and so good to me and Your children. Thank You, thank You, thank You, for loving us enough to hear our prayers and fulfill our expectant hearts. We ask so much, but praise to Your wonderful name, You give even more than we ask or deserve! I love You Lord, for it is in Your most precious and wonderful name that I pray! Amen!

God’s Word: 

Nehemiah 1:4–5 (GNB)

When I heard all this, I sat down and wept. For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God, “LORD God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command

My Thoughts: 

Nehemiah, although comfortable and content where he was at in the king’s castle, yet he was very concerned, deeply distressed, and wanted desperately for God to relieve the distress that his fellow citizens were encountering – as he heard from brothers who had just returned from Judah. Most important of all, he was not just willing to feel sorry about he fellow citizens, instead he did a lot more – His heart was so impacted by the news he received that he went several days without food, mourning and constantly praying to God out of deep concern for the people that he dearly loved.

Challenge: 

Friends, today we have much deeper, and way more personal concerns that are affecting our families, our churches, our cities. When last have we done like Nehemiah?  When last have we inquired about the state of our church – the needs, concerns and issues that are impacting the ministry? And your family, when last have you been concerned enough about the physical and spiritual needs of each family member that you ‘cried out’ to Jesus for a divine touch, and healing of the bitterness, pride, selfishness and anger that separate so many families? Just yesterday I heard from two friends about deep wounds within families that have placed a wedge between father and son, and in another case between two brothers. Think about this friends, these are not just acquaintances, or fellow citizens, these are close, blood relatives! Within each of our own personal families we have members who are just like these two cases mentioned. If you don’t, please pray for my family or another friend’s family that you know fit this description. Friends, we will not see God work through these kinds of messes – this kind of selfish ‘SIN’. We must drop down these walls and bare ourselves of these offenses, so that God’s Holy Spirit will have the liberty to work through us to reach other family members who might also be struggling, or perhaps a friend who desperately needs our help and prayers over their family’s separation from God. I am convinced that God will not use us when we have so much to clear up with Him ourselves. He is a holy and righteous God and He will not work through vessels that are burdened with sin and discord. Our family members are dying and going to Hell, while we sit back in our pride and allow Satan to work out his evil plans in our lives. How can we possibly witness to a fellow worker, or friend, when God is not invited to cleanse our own hearts? It just can’t happen friend, they will see straight through your pretense.

Prayer: 

Father, through the desperation of my own heart and on behalf of my own family, I ‘cry out’ to you for peace, harmony, love and reconciliation in the lives of family members who are deliberately separated from each other. Lord Jesus, I pray that our families will individually converse with You, and seek Your forgiveness for the sin that separate them from You. I thank You, through the assurance of Your Word, for receiving them back into Your arms as they ask for it. I believe that You will use these sad situations for which Satan has laughed and celebrated victory for so many years, to now witness through these members to others in their family, and in those within their realm of influence, that need a touch from You to also unify and love their families. Lord You are awesome, and all powerful. I know that You can do all things, and I place my trust in You today for Your powerful work in my family this day! For it is in the all powerful, all loving and awesome hands of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that I ask and plead for these things, and look forward to celebrating answered prayer very soon! Amen, and amen!

Gods Word: 

Acts 12:4–5 (GNB)

After his arrest Peter was put in jail, where he was handed over to be guarded by four groups of four soldiers each. Herod planned to put him on trial in public after Passover. So Peter was kept in jail, but the people of the church were praying earnestly to God for him.

My Thoughts:

As we meditate on these verses, it appears like the end had come for Peter – because he was placed in the custody of 16 soldiers by King Herod. They even slept chained together with Peter to make sure that he could not escape from them. Now let’s get the picture: Peter was head of the church at that time. Herod, the king, was in charge over the land and doing everything possible to flaunt his power. Herod knew that the Jews were opposed to this new line of preaching that Peter brought, as it opposed their views. So we see where we have Peter (God’s man) on one side, and we have Herod (being egged on by the Jews) on the opposing side. Herod is doing everything to show his power – just in verse 2 we are told how he put James, the brother of John to death. Now in these verses we are told of his intentions with Peter. But friends, pay attention to the fact that in the middle of all this we are told that ‘The Church’ was earnestly praying to God for Peter! I can assure you Brother, that there is nothing more satisfying and calming than to know that fellow Christians are praying for you! Sisters are great at chatting with each other, but there is nothing more comforting to a Sister, than when she knows that her support group, her fellow Christian sisters are taking her needs, in love, before the God of this universe! He is our hope friends! No matter the circumstances and no matter how grim the next moment may appear, there is hope for the Christian!

Challenge: 

Do you know this Jesus of mine, friend? Without a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus, you are absent of this ‘HOPE’. On whom will you call when you have reached the ‘end of your rope’ and need help? Please contact me today and allow me to introduce you to my Lord? He is the only ‘Hope’ that we have for our every need, including our eternal future when we leave this old world! I have that ‘Hope’ and I would love for you to have the same! Why not speak with a Bible-teaching pastor today that you may know, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@Outlook.Com. This could be a day of ‘Hope’ for you that you will never forget!

Prayer:

Precious Lord, thank You for the ‘Hope’ given to those that love You and have accepted the gift of salvation available to ALL from you! Please touch the hearts and souls of those that may meditate on this devotional today, and impress upon them the importance of accepting You as Lord. Show them Your love in multiple ways today and confirm through various sources the need to make this decision while they are still able to do so. Thank You for this marvelous ‘Hope’ that I have in knowing that You are with me at all times and through every situation, and that at the end of this life here on earth I will be eternally in Your presence in Heaven – my final destination!! Praise be to God for the wonderful ‘Hope’ that I have!

God’s Word

Ezra 9:2–7 (GNB)

2Jewish men were marrying foreign women, and so God’s holy people had become contaminated. The leaders and officials were the chief offenders. 3When I heard this, I tore my clothes in despair, tore my hair and my beard, and sat down crushed with grief. 4I sat there grieving until the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered, and people began to gather round me—all those who were frightened because of what the God of Israel had said about the sins of those who had returned from exile.
5 When the time came for the evening sacrifice, I got up from where I had been grieving, and still wearing my torn clothes, I knelt in prayer and stretched out my hands to the Lord my God. 6I said, “O God, I am too ashamed to raise my head in your presence. Our sins pile up, high above our heads; they reach as high as the heavens. 7From the days of our ancestors until now, we, your people, have sinned greatly. Because of our sins we,…..

My Thoughts:

In earlier chapters of Ezra, he (Ezra) had prayed for him and his people, and had been convinced that God was blessing, because of answers that he saw to their prayers. In these highlighted verses, Ezra agonized over the leaders of his people (including the priests), ‘God’s holy people’ – as referenced in vs 2; that they had become contaminated because of their association with neighboring non-believers. In vs 3 and following, we can see where Ezra took a very personal stake in this whole problem, and our eyes are opened to what it really looks like when we sincerely ‘cry out to Jesus’ over a need that concerns us.

Our Challenge:

Way too often, we seem to pray about needs so casually and superficially. I wonder how much more effective our prayers would be if we always prayed with the urgency in which we pray when something is seriously wrong with a very close, loved one? Do you remember ever ‘crying out to Jesus‘ when things looked very desperate, like you would lose someone very near and important to you? What if you prayed with that sincerity every time you bowed before our God with a special request? Additionally, when you pray for family, church, community, state, country or world needs, do you place yourself in the middle of the reason for the problems, or do you distance yourself and pray for everyone else that may have impacted the problem? Ezra tore his clothes in agony over the problem. In vs 6 he placed himself in the middle of the fault, because he acknowledged that “our sins pile up” and “we, your people, have sinned greatly”. Friends, think about this: if you smoke, and your child winds up with cancer because of smoking, can you truly pray for the habit, or sin, of that child without taking responsibility for your promotion of that habit, or sin? Likewise, when you pray for your spiritual leaders, can you honestly pray for them without taking blame for certain spiritual responsibilities that you have faltered in, like supporting them continuously through prayer, encouragement and moral support? Ezra took full responsibility, along with his people for what was occurring around them. I believe that it is only when we place ourselves in middle of what is happening around us, and stop pointing fingers at every one else that we feel may be at fault, that God will truly bless us and our land. Will you join me in becoming more focused on the problem, so that we can be more earnest in our prayer life?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we have become a people of blame and pointing fingers at others. Please forgive me. Please forgive us, Your people, for not taking full responsibility for our actions. and lack thereof. Please humble us to recognize our own part in the problems that surround us and impact us each day, so that we may deal with self more than any blame we might attempt to put on others. You are the perfect One, please help us to recognize our lack thereof while still on planet earth around imperfect people. Please help us to align ourselves with You and Your perfect plan for us, and not with any earthly being or plan. We want Your likeness to shine through us, albeit in an imperfect world in which we live. For it is in the precious, loving and holy name of the only ‘perfect’ One, Jesus my Lord, that I pray, amen!

God’s Word Says…

Acts 11:18 (GNB)

When they heard this, they stopped their criticism and praised God, saying, “Then God has given to the Gentiles also the opportunity to repent and live!”

My Thoughts…

Oh that we may learn to ask, listen, and try to discern how God is using people and situations for His glory before we criticize and judge! Fortunately the Jews listened to the end of Peter’s explanation, and then they were able to glorify God for something they had already started to ridicule Peter.

Challenge…

We do it all the time friends. Ashamedly I must admit that I do this all too often.

Prayer….

Lord Jesus, please soften our hearts so that we will understand that Your ways are not our ways, and that You will work in ways that we may never dream of, so we should therefore put self aside and listen to what a believer may be sharing with us before we ridicule. Thank You for being more forgiving than we are, for working in ways completely differently than we would, and for reaching folk that we tend to stay away from because of the lack of hope that we see with our self-centered eyes.

God’s Word Says…

Ezra 8:21–23 (GNB)

21 There by the Ahava Canal I gave orders for us all to fast and humble ourselves before our God and to ask him to lead us on our journey and protect us and our children and all our possessions. 22I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for a troop of cavalry to guard us from any enemies during our journey, because I had told him that our God blesses everyone who trusts him, but that he is displeased with and punishes anyone who turns away from him. 23So we fasted and prayed for God to protect us, and he answered our prayers.

My Thoughts:

God is so good! Here in this remote book of the Old Testament (Ezra) He has shown us the importance of making God an important part of our everyday decisions and activities. Ezra shared how ashamed he would have been to ask for help from the emperor (for a cavalry to guard his group as they travelled) knowing that he hadn’t done everything to protect the provision being asked for. So before he and his group began their journey, he gave an order for them all to fast and pray leadership by God and for protection of themselves, their children and their possessions. Does it not seem like today we tend to wait until we have exhausted all of our efforts, before we humble ourselves and pray?

Challenge:

Friends, we are being taught to make this our top priority before we make a step. I have a relative who practiced this every time she got into a vehicle! Will you join me in making this a priority each time we jump behind the wheel or board a flight or other means of transportation?

Prayer:

Father, I pray that You may infill me with Your divine presence and to not assume safety on any trip that I make, but to seek Your face and ask You to build a hedge of protection around me as I travel. I’m Yours, and I believe that You will protect Your own, especially when I humble myself and ask.

God’s Word

Acts 11:1–3 (The Message)

The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish “outsiders” were now “in.” When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet: “What do you think you’re doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?”

My Thoughts:

Unfortunately I believe that today, more of us than we care to imagine, feel the same way as the Jews felt in this discourse with Peter. Now, before you start to throw imaginary stones at me, let me explain! I believe that we have become so comfortable in our church buildings, that we have satisfied ourselves in thinking that our service to God has been completed when we walk outside the doors of the church to return home. Furthermore, I challenge you to imagine for a moment that, in preparation for a church organized visitation (something seldom practiced anymore) you have gone to your church for your assignment. Because of recent sermons on the church reaching the WHOLE world (communities) around us, you are given an assignment to visit an ex-convict living in an area of town that you seldom drive through, will you take the assignment, pray over it with your visitation partner, then hit the road to make it happen? I would dare to say that many of you will: 1). Not be present, because that’s your family time, or that’s the job of the church’s hired staff, or you’ve already been to church twice that week, and you will not return receive yet another commitment; 2). Never be a part of the visitation team, because you are afraid that you may be asked a biblical question that you may not be able to answer; 3). You would hand that assignment back to the leader and ask for a safer, more comfortable assignment near your home, or near the church – you know, someone like you!

Our Challenge:

Friends, let’s be reminded that we are the church. We are Christ’s ambassadors to carry the gospel wherever and whenever we go somewhere. Are you doing your part to extend the gospel to ALL parts of the earth, to every person in every location? Our mission field begins when we exit the doors of our church. We are more than conquerors through Him that strengthens us. Let us not be afraid, but carry the gospel to everyone through our actions, words and our love for one another, God being our helper!

Prayer:

Lord God, please forgive me, and forgive my church family for becoming so lax in spreading your gospel to all peoples in all parts of our communities. That we continue to support missionaries as they do the same in parts of the world where they have heard your calling. Please help us to be Your loyal ambassadors wherever we go, so that Your name may be lifted up and praised by all people. Please help us to be bolder in our witness for You, knowing that You’re by our side. For it is in Your precious and most powerful name that I pray, amen!

Gods Word

Acts 10:44–46 (The Message)

No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.

My Thoughts:

Two things about this story that needs our attention: 1). The Jews were astonished that God had poured out His Holy Spirit on even the Gentiles. In my devotional yesterday I shared how I was reminded that God is no respecter of persons. This is yet another example. The Jews looked down on the Gentiles, considering them so much less than themselves, yet God chose to bless them with the gift of His Holy Spirit. 2). The Gentiles didn’t go and hide in an effort to keep silent about their gift, for the Jews knew they had been blessed with a gift from God, because of their speaking in tongues, unknown to them, and their exuberant praise and worship service that broke out.

Our Challenge:

What gift has God blessed us with individually? Were we ever deserving of a gift from God Almighty? When last have you acknowledged that special gift from God? Do you often praise God for it? Most of us feel like taking a gift back if it appears like the recipient didn’t appreciate it.I believe that if we were less self-centered, and if we never consider anyone in any condition, from any part of town, less than ourselves; and if we will learn to praise God for His mercies and His gift(s) to us, we will see more unsaved people wanting to know the Lord whom we adore and worship. Friends, the unsaved have to see something exciting in us, to believe that what we have is worth the worldly sacrifice most of them will need to leave behind.

Prayer:

I pray that God will be merciful to us and allow us another opportunity today, this week, this year to glorify Him, thank Him, and show our appreciation by using that gift, given to us by Him, for His glory.

God’s Word

Acts 10:34–35 (Good News Bible)

Peter began to speak: “I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. Those who worship him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.

My Thoughts:

Peter was basically confirming in verse 34 that the whole idea of God not ever showing favoritism to any particular race or sect, was just proven to him as he had just met with Cornelius (a Gentile) who truly was a man of God. I believe that way too often Satan whispers in the hearts and minds of the unsaved that God would never love them – perhaps because of their race ( if he knows that they struggle with prejudices); or perhaps because of their nationality ( if he knows that the individual has an inferiority complex because of their nationality); or perhaps because of their financial standing, because unfortunately we spend a lot of money to impress God with our large church buildings and/or make ourselves very comfortable while at church, but it could very easily give a lost person the impression that a particular church is way out of their league, and they would never be accepted socially in that church.

Our Challenge:

Friends, all of these earthly things that we do to supposedly enhance the kingdom of God and help us better minister for His glory, could actually stand in the way or hinder the sinner’s decision to seek and accept Christ. Peter had it proven to him that God shows no favoritism. We need to closely examine ourselves and our churches to make sure that there is nothing we are doing, saying or practicing that would keep a sinner from entering into our space of ministry opportunity, whether it is our personal space, or that of our churches. Important Questions: Can a sinner walk away from our presence, or from our churches, feeling reassured that God is not a God of favoritism, and that they too are accepted and loved by God because of how they were treated while with us? Cornelius acted in a way that proved this to Peter. Will you join me in seeking God’s help so that we can be this kind of witness also?

Prayer:

Father, I am ashamed at being reminded of things that I might do, or say, or be a part of, that may be a stumbling block to the sinner friend that You are working on. Please open my eyes to these things and give me wisdom to correct my decisions, my words and my actions. Please tender the hearts of my fellow believers who may meditate on this devotional today to do the same, for we need more men and women like Cornelius in our world today. Thank You Lord Jesus for hearing my prayer, for I ask this in Your powerful and mighty name! Amen.