Tag: Saul

Morning Reading: Acts 12.20-25 NLT – Soli Deo Gloria

Reading: Acts 12.20-25 NLT

Soli Deo GloriaNow Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”

Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.

Prayer: Lord God – May I be a faithful witness – by Scripture alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, through Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. Amen.

Anthem: “Soli Deo Gloria” – Annie Moses Band
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Morning Reading: Acts 11.25-30 NLT- Christian relief

Reading: Acts 11:25-30 NLT

Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.

When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

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The Prophecy of Agabus by Louis Cheron (1660-1713)

During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.)

So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – May I bear the name “Christian” with honor and courage. Holy Spirit – Give me a teachable spirit, and open my heart to follow as you lead. Heavenly Father – All that I have is on loan from you. May I use it wisely to further your Kingdom purposes. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: “Here I am, Lord” – Fr. Daniel Schutte, SJ
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdFqzPBaDJA&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 9.19-25 NLT – powerful preaching

Reading: Acts 9:19-25 NLT

Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

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Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”

All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”

Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give your servants the courage and power to proclaim you as the Son of God, the Messiah… our Savior and Lord. In season,  or out of season,  may we be ready to give a persuasive and passionate account of the hope that we have found in you. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Come to Jesus for Salvation” – Cornerstone Church

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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