Tag: Word of God

Morning Reading: Acts 18:9-17 NLT – many people belong to me

Reading: Acts 18:9-17 NLT

Belfast from Black Mountain
Belfast from Black Mountain

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.

The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – You have already prepared the hearts of your own… to hear your voice and welcome your word of Life. Give us your mind to understand… your words to speak… and your heart which burns with compassion for those who are lost… to guide them gently into your fold… and to feed and care for them as they discover your eternal purpose for their lives. And protect your people from all harm… whether in the fold or outside. For your name’s sake I ask it. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “You Alone Can Rescue” – Matt Redman

Indonesian Tribe receives Bible for the First Time (YouTube)

Indonesia BiblePeanut Gallery: The Bible gathering dust on our shelves… is received with great joy as God’s personal gift to this Indonesian tribe. May God accomplish His purpose in and through them.

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV) – “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
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Morning Reading: Luke 21:5-6, 33-38 NLT – watch out / be strong

Reading: Luke 21:5-6, 33-38 NLT

Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
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reading-the-word-of-godHeaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Place your Word on my heart and mind… when I go to bed, when I wake up, in all my comings and goings throughout the day. And make me a doer of your Word and not a hearer only… that I may be alert and find strength to meet the challenges of the day. To the glory of God alone. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Word of God Speak” – Bart Millard and Pete Kipley

Morning Reading: Luke 8.4-15 NLT – Kingdom secrets

Reading: Luke 8.4-15 NLT

sowing seedsOne day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

‘When they look, they won’t really see.
When they hear, they won’t understand.’

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

Prayer: Word of God – Speak to me today… lead me not into temptation and deliver me from evil; refocus my heart and mind on Your Kingdom purposes; take root in me and produce a rich harvest of Life – abundant and eternal. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Word of God Speak” – Mercy Me (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 4:1-2, 13 ESV – temptation

Reading: Luke 4:1-2, 13 ESV

temptation of christ
“Temptation of Christ” – 2011
by Eric Armusik

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil…..

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.”

Reading: Hebrews 4.14-16 NLT

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me… a sinner. Write your Word on my heart today. And lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. Amen.