Tag: Samaria

Morning Reading: Acts 15:1-3 NLT – council delegates

Reading: Acts 15:1-3 NLT

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While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers : “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently.

Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – all I need is you… your love, your mercy,  and your grace. You’ve done it all, on my behalf, on the cross. Set me free from any rules or regulations that I might add in to all sufficient grace. And give me a welcoming spirit towards all whom you have called to yourself.  To you be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “In Christ Alone” – Newsboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4U5PgQgCdI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Morning Reading: Acts 9.26-31 NLT – believers grow in numbers

Reading: Acts 9:26-31 NLT

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!

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Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him.

When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.

The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Encourage believers in Jesus Christ all around the world. Heavenly Father – Drive out our fears with an overwhelming sense of your perfect love for us. Lord Jesus – Give us your heart… a heart of service and sacrifice. In all things, may we honor you. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “This Is Our God” – Hillsong
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Morning Reading: Acts 8.4-25 NLT – power evangelism

Reading: Acts 8:4-25 NLT

But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

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When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.

Prayer: Heavenly Father- Search my heart and cleanse me from my evil thoughts. Free me from captivity to sins of commission and omission. Fill me with your Spirit so that I might boldly tell others about the Good News of Jesus. And may your Kingdom purposes be advanced in me and through me. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Change my heart O God” – Eddie Espinosa, Vineyard
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Morning Reading: Acts 8.1-3 NLT – persecution

Reading: Acts 8.1-3 NLT

persecuted christiansSaul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)

But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Protect your church throughout the world… every size, shape, language and custom. Hold your people close to your heart. Holy Spirit – Come alongside of every Christian imprisoned, or persecuted, for their faith in Jesus Christ… comfort them, defend them, strengthen them, release them. Lord Jesus – Be their Shepherd, their Savior, their Rock… and send your guardian angels to fight in their defense. And may you be glorified in the suffering of all those who have placed their trust in you. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “O Lord Hear My Prayer” – Jacques Berthier

Morning Reading: Acts 1.6-11 NLT – he will return

Reading: Acts 1.6-11 NLT

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

The Ascension John Singleton Copley, 1775 Boston Museum of Fine Arts
The Ascension
John Singleton Copley, 1775
Boston Museum of Fine Arts

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – You reign as High King of heaven… and yet, you are personally active and engaged in my life here on earth. Give me the confidence and courage to live boldly as your faithful servant… knowing that my labors for you are not in vain. Comfort and hearten all who live with pain and suffering… all  who cry out to you today. Welcome them into your presence, intercede for them, and grant them the desires of their hearts… according to your mercy and grace. Thank you for the blessed hope of a glorious future when you return as Judge and King… no more injustice, suffering, or death. Your Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom of truth, righteousness and love. And best of all, I will live with you there, my King… forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: “Crown Him – Majesty” – Chris Tomlin w/ Kari Jobe