July 23 Devotion

Read Acts 19:1-20

A great work of God was taking place through the bold ministry of Paul.  This passage says that the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many believed, confessed, and made public their changed lives.  Where Jesus and the Kingdom of God were preached, people were healed, evil was overturned, and people were saved.

The word of the Lord spread and grew in power.  Like a wild fire, when the good news is spreading it sweeps through the land quickly and cannot be contained. Imagine this fire sweeping our world today. With power and speed sweeping the globe with the wonders and changed lives.

July 22 Devotion

Read Genesis 23

Buying a burial plot is never a joyous occasion.  This would be the first parcel of land the Abraham and his family would call their own.  Bought from the Hittites, this small stretch of land and the caves would be the resting place for Sarah, and one day he would be buried himself. 

Abraham would not allow this plot of land to be gift.  He wanted to buy it at full price for his wife.  A final act of love and devotion.

July 21 Devotion

Read Acts 18

Aquila and Pricilla was a tent-making couple who made a real difference in spreading the Gospel.  Imagine being forced to leave Rome simply because you were of the wrong nationality.  Then in Corinth that come across a vibrant Jewish missionary preacher who is proclaiming the Jesus as the Messiah. They worked together with Paul in making tents and reaching Jews and Greeks with the Gospel.

When Paul leaves for Corinth, they travel with him.  Paul left them in Ephesus to serve the church there.  When Apollos, a brilliant and talented preacher and leader came through Ephesus, Pricilla and Aquila invited him into their home with hospitality and taught him more about Jesus.  This wonderful had been a real help to Paul and now served to quietly teach a dynamic missionary preacher.  All the while they quietly went about their business of making and mending tents. Instead of growing bitter about being kicked out Rome, they discovered a better life awaited them in furthering the mission of God.

July 20 Devotion

Read Proverbs 18:2

The wise really want to grow, stretch, and humble themselves.  There is a relentless pursuit to learn.  On the other hand, the fool already has his opinions set.  He has a lot them and doesn't mind spewing them all.

Best pathway in life is choosing to be teachable, persuadable by wisdom.  A more popular but foolish path is choosing to assert opinion against others without really hearing, learning, and understanding.

July 19 Devotion

Psalm 62

Our only hope in the troubles of life is found in God alone, our rock, fortress, and refuge.

We really are vulnerable and prone to attack.  We are easily injured.

Refuse to put trust in these more than God: your relationships, money, and strategies.

Preset your heart to trust Him alone. 

Declare these truths: The Lord is strong, loving, and enough.  He is all we need.

Devotion July 18

Read Genesis 22

One of the hardest chapters in the Bible to read.  This strange testing of Abraham.  The ultimate test you might say. Do you fear/worship/trust God enough to withhold nothing from Him, even you only son?

It reminds me of the words of Jesus in which he said unless you hate your father and mother, you cannot be my disciple. Unless you give it all away, you cannot be my disciple. 

Devotion and worship of God is to be such a high priority over all other loves and priorities that they look like hate in comparison.

I am always so relieved every time I read this chapter that God provided a ram.  I feel my heartbeat in my throat each time I imagine Abraham drawing back the knife to sacrifice his son. God never would have allowed Isaac to be sacrificed, but through this strange story we see that Abraham truly trusted God enough to obey him no matter how extravagant the directions might be. And God said, "Now I know." Could this very same mountain be the place where Jesus died in place?  I like to think that it might be the very same place. The LORD will provide.

July 17 Devotion

Read Acts 17

We see something of the mission methodology of Paul and his team in this chapter.  In Thessalonica and Berea, Paul went to the Synagogue where he already had a common starting ground for understanding among the people.  In the Synagogue he started with Old Testament Scripture which they already believed and reasoned for placing faith in Jesus as the Christ. In Athens, he spoke with the philosophers and thinkers by quoting one of their own philosophers and referring to an altar to an UNKNOWN GOD as he reasoned for them to place their faith in Jesus as the Christ.

The results? A few became Christ followers, some were merely interested, some took the matter seriously, some dismissed the message, and others were angered. We can expect the same spectrum of results when we seek to persuade others about the truth and importance of the Gospel of Christ.  If we follow Paul's methodology, we look first for people who may be interested.  All need to hear.  Some are more ready to hear and respond than others.  Use references, languages, examples, and symbols that are common to those we are trying to communicate.  Start where they are. Build bridges that connect to Jesus.  Keep checking to verify that they are following along and understand.  Some will be dismissive or angry, but some will be ready to respond.

July 16 Devotion

Read Genesis 21

According to the promises of God, Sarah brought Isaac into the world as Abraham was 100 years old.

Hagar and Ishmael were cared for by the Lord's promise as well as they left the clan of Abraham.

Abraham and Abimelech agreed to maintain peace between their people. As Abraham saw his son growing he watched the promises of God coming true. God's timing is very different from ours.  God is faithful and true. Our faith and patience are often put to the test as we wrestle with the temptation to give up too soon. Without complaint, will trust and rejoice in the waiting.  There will be sweet rejoicing when the day of refreshing finally comes.

July 15 Devotion

Read Acts 16:16-40

A few thoughts to consider for this day:

·         Predicting the future is possible, but the spiritual beings that operate in this realm should not be dabbled or played with.

·         All spirits are subject to the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who came in the flesh.

·         Setting people free from the bondage of evil spirits is not always well received by industries built on their existence.  You may want to go back and read that statement again.

·         When you find yourself stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison for doing something good and godly to help others, simply pray and praise the Lord through song.  Others will take notice.  And God will come to your aid. Your persecutors can become believers in a matter of moments when the power and glory of God is revealed to them.

·         If you are set free by a wondrous turn of events, make sure it does not happen quietly.  Make sure all see and that God receives the glory for the victory. No accidents. The beatings and the freedom are part of his greater plan.  Will we praise and glorify Him in both circumstances? 

Devotion July 14

Read Genesis 20

Out of fear, Abraham for the second time told a half-truth about his wife being his sister (the first occurrence that we know about was in Egypt). His plan in doing this was to protect his own skin from Abimelech.  Through God's intervention in a dream the full truth was revealed and Abraham and Sarah were blessed despite their lack of trust in relying on the truth. They were given livestock, money, and allowed to live anywhere in the land in freedom.  And God brought healing and restoration to all of Abimelech's household.

Lies and half truths have consequences far beyond what can be predicted.  It is always safer to rely on the truth than to meddle with twisting and bending truth into lies. Truth sets us free.