Tag: Lord Jesus

Morning Reading: Acts 16:25-40 NLT – what must I do to be saved

Reading: Acts 16:25-40 NLT

chainsAround midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.  He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”

When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give us a spirit of worship in every circumstance and show us your power. Set us free from the chains that bind us and the prisons that hold us captive. Make known the power of your name throughout the world… that all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. To you be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “There is power in the name of Jesus” – Jesus Culture

Morning Reading: Acts 9.1-9 NLT – paradigm shift

Reading: Acts 9:1-9 NLT

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.

So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

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As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind.

So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – What would it take for you change the direction of my life… especially when I thought I was doing your will in the first place? Holy Spirit – Mold me, make me, use me in whatever way you choose. Give me a willing spirit to change what I’m doing, if that’s what you want for me. Heavenly Father – May I honor you and your family in all that I do. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Lead me Lord, I will follow” – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
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Holy Communion Sunday: 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 NLT – my body / my blood

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 NLT

holy_eucharistFor I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said,“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people — an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.”

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I am not worthy to receive you under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Examine my heart… scrutinize my thoughts and actions… and cleanse me from my wicked ways. So that, as I eat the bread and drink from the cup of the new covenant, I may declare your death for me… until you come again… to take me home. Amen.

Communion Hymn: “Bread of the World in Mercy Broken” – Reginald Heber (1827)

Bread of the world in mercy broken, wine of the soul, in mercy shed, by whom the words of life were spoken, and in whose death our sins are dead… and in whose death our sins are dead.

Look on the heart by sorrow broken, look on the tears by sinners shed; and be your feast to us the token that by your grace our souls are fed… that by your grace our souls are fed.