March 11-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Acts 5:17-21, Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
Praying the Word: “Lord Jesus, your apostles were doing what they were called to do. They kept preaching, teaching, and healing. They had prayed for boldness to proclaim the good news in the midst of the threats that had been given. They refused to bow before men but kept themselves surrendered before You, Lord Jesus. We’re reminded that threats of various kinds are a reality when we serve You. However, nothing passes You by. You saw them in jail. You miraculously delivered them and told them to go back to doing what got them in trouble in the first place. They did exactly that. They didn’t waste a moment. At the earliest possible moment at the break of dawn, they were back at the temple telling others all about the new life that comes through Jesus. Re-awaken Your church. Breathe new life into us. Revive us again and give us such courage to stand up and speak up for You, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
March 12-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:17, Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
Observe what it is saying.
Because the apostles didn’t stop preaching and healing and had throngs of people coming to them, these non-believing religious leaders were jealous. Jealousy is such a powerful emotion. Once it grabs ahold, it relentlessly holds on. At its root is the fear of loss. We’re reminded how often Jesus faced similar emotions from the same brand of religious leaders. When Jesus told the priests that they had turned the temple into a den of robbers, we read, “The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.” (Mark 11:18) Later, when Paul was on a missionary journey, we read, “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.” (Acts 13:44-45) If they’d only accepted the truth, these feelings would never have been felt.
Relate it to your life.
Because jealousy is such a strong emotion, I need to make sure it’s based on fact, not fiction.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, help me to work through my emotions in a mature, truth-filled way. Amen.”
March 13-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:18, They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
Observe what it is saying.
Unchecked jealousy can lead you to commit unjust acts as the priests did to the apostles. Our emotions are a God-given outlet to express our sorrow, our fears, our anxieties, our joys, and our hopes. However, they are to be measured by truth and thoughtful thinking. Politics can be very emotional for many. Without seriously thinking through the issues for a solution, some politicians appear to operate out of fear of losing their seat in government. Some who support their favorite candidate do so with pure emotion rather than with rational thinking. As Christians, we should acknowledge and feel our emotions yet manage them by submitting those feelings to the truth of Scripture and the thoughtful application to our highly-charged situation.
Relate it to your life.
My feelings are God-given to express my emotion but must be submitted to God’s truth.
Do something.
“Jesus, take charge of my feelings and thoughts so I can be an effective witness for You. Amen.”
March 14-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:19, But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
Observe what it is saying.
Whenever we think we are in the darkest place and have no options, the Lord will come to our aid. When we are at the end of ourselves, the end of our options, and the end of our ability to control the circumstances of our lives, we can trust the Lord to provide a way out. The answer may be that His grace is sufficient for us to endure the trial. The greatest miracle offered may be the supernatural peace we have when we are faced with whatever “jail sentence” we are given. We know we never go it alone. The Lord Himself promises to stand guard over our hearts and minds. That’s no small promise or gift!
Relate it to your life.
The Lord is always ready to offer You help and give you hope.
Do something.
“Jesus, I humbly ask for Your help with this situation that is out of my control:_________ Amen.”
March 15-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:20, “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
Observe what it is saying.
The angel told them to do the very thing that got them in trouble in the first place. The very reason for which they had been taken to jail, now, they were told to go back and start doing again. How does that make sense? Have we ever been confused by life or by what God is seemingly doing or asking? From our limited earthly perspective, there are situations that occur or actions we are called to take that don’t make sense at the time, or, honestly, may never make sense. The challenge is to keep trusting in God in spite of our lack of understanding. The challenge of faith is to hold on to Jesus when the way becomes difficult, murky, and confusing.
Relate it to your life.
When I don’t understand what’s happening and continue to trust God, I reveal a genuine faith.
Do something.
“Jesus, give me such faith that remains steady and strong in times of not understanding. Amen.”
March 16-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:21, At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
Observe what it is saying.
At daybreak, at the first possible moment of light, they were up and at the temple courts doing exactly what they had been told. They did not hesitate. They were obedient to the clear instruction they had been given. They did not give any excuse of why they could not do what was asked of them. They were all in. They had prayed for boldness to keep on telling the good news of Jesus in spite of the threats and opposition, and God was answering that prayer with new opportunities. So, without fear, they went back to doing what put them in jail in the first place and what they had to think might put them in jail again. Choosing obedience, regardless of the consequences, reveals our love for Jesus and our commitment to being a disciple-maker.
Relate it to your life.
Obeying God’s clear instruction is the default setting for followers of Jesus.
Do something.
“Jesus, may there be no hesitation but total motivation to do as I have been told. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Acts 5:17-21, Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
Praying the Word: “Lord Jesus, your apostles were doing what they were called to do. They kept preaching, teaching, and healing. They had prayed for boldness to proclaim the good news in the midst of the threats that had been given. They refused to bow before men but kept themselves surrendered before You, Lord Jesus. We’re reminded that threats of various kinds are a reality when we serve You. However, nothing passes You by. You saw them in jail. You miraculously delivered them and told them to go back to doing what got them in trouble in the first place. They did exactly that. They didn’t waste a moment. At the earliest possible moment at the break of dawn, they were back at the temple telling others all about the new life that comes through Jesus. Re-awaken Your church. Breathe new life into us. Revive us again and give us such courage to stand up and speak up for You, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
March 12-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:17, Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
Observe what it is saying.
Because the apostles didn’t stop preaching and healing and had throngs of people coming to them, these non-believing religious leaders were jealous. Jealousy is such a powerful emotion. Once it grabs ahold, it relentlessly holds on. At its root is the fear of loss. We’re reminded how often Jesus faced similar emotions from the same brand of religious leaders. When Jesus told the priests that they had turned the temple into a den of robbers, we read, “The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.” (Mark 11:18) Later, when Paul was on a missionary journey, we read, “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.” (Acts 13:44-45) If they’d only accepted the truth, these feelings would never have been felt.
Relate it to your life.
Because jealousy is such a strong emotion, I need to make sure it’s based on fact, not fiction.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, help me to work through my emotions in a mature, truth-filled way. Amen.”
March 13-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:18, They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
Observe what it is saying.
Unchecked jealousy can lead you to commit unjust acts as the priests did to the apostles. Our emotions are a God-given outlet to express our sorrow, our fears, our anxieties, our joys, and our hopes. However, they are to be measured by truth and thoughtful thinking. Politics can be very emotional for many. Without seriously thinking through the issues for a solution, some politicians appear to operate out of fear of losing their seat in government. Some who support their favorite candidate do so with pure emotion rather than with rational thinking. As Christians, we should acknowledge and feel our emotions yet manage them by submitting those feelings to the truth of Scripture and the thoughtful application to our highly-charged situation.
Relate it to your life.
My feelings are God-given to express my emotion but must be submitted to God’s truth.
Do something.
“Jesus, take charge of my feelings and thoughts so I can be an effective witness for You. Amen.”
March 14-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:19, But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
Observe what it is saying.
Whenever we think we are in the darkest place and have no options, the Lord will come to our aid. When we are at the end of ourselves, the end of our options, and the end of our ability to control the circumstances of our lives, we can trust the Lord to provide a way out. The answer may be that His grace is sufficient for us to endure the trial. The greatest miracle offered may be the supernatural peace we have when we are faced with whatever “jail sentence” we are given. We know we never go it alone. The Lord Himself promises to stand guard over our hearts and minds. That’s no small promise or gift!
Relate it to your life.
The Lord is always ready to offer You help and give you hope.
Do something.
“Jesus, I humbly ask for Your help with this situation that is out of my control:_________ Amen.”
March 15-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:20, “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
Observe what it is saying.
The angel told them to do the very thing that got them in trouble in the first place. The very reason for which they had been taken to jail, now, they were told to go back and start doing again. How does that make sense? Have we ever been confused by life or by what God is seemingly doing or asking? From our limited earthly perspective, there are situations that occur or actions we are called to take that don’t make sense at the time, or, honestly, may never make sense. The challenge is to keep trusting in God in spite of our lack of understanding. The challenge of faith is to hold on to Jesus when the way becomes difficult, murky, and confusing.
Relate it to your life.
When I don’t understand what’s happening and continue to trust God, I reveal a genuine faith.
Do something.
“Jesus, give me such faith that remains steady and strong in times of not understanding. Amen.”
March 16-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:21, At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
Observe what it is saying.
At daybreak, at the first possible moment of light, they were up and at the temple courts doing exactly what they had been told. They did not hesitate. They were obedient to the clear instruction they had been given. They did not give any excuse of why they could not do what was asked of them. They were all in. They had prayed for boldness to keep on telling the good news of Jesus in spite of the threats and opposition, and God was answering that prayer with new opportunities. So, without fear, they went back to doing what put them in jail in the first place and what they had to think might put them in jail again. Choosing obedience, regardless of the consequences, reveals our love for Jesus and our commitment to being a disciple-maker.
Relate it to your life.
Obeying God’s clear instruction is the default setting for followers of Jesus.
Do something.
“Jesus, may there be no hesitation but total motivation to do as I have been told. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals