Freedom from our sins

​S-‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭13‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.”

O - These are Paul's words to the people of Antioch on his missionary trip.  He went to the Synagogues and preached the word of God , explaining that it was Jesus who was sacrificed on a cross and raised from the dead by His Father in heaven.  It was through this sacrifice and God's mercy that we have forgiveness of our sin when we believe in Jesus is the Christ.  

A - The application for me is to believe that Jesus is my Lord and savior.  My sins have been washed away and I stand before God holy and righteous.   I am to live thankfully for Jesus' finished work on the cross and to rejoice and be glad for the life He has given me.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray that you would know my gratefullness for the sacrifice you made for me and that you would accept my humble confession.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Being an active witness

​S-‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭5‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.”

O - These words were said as Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and told not to testify in Jesus name anymore.  They replied by asking who they should obey God or man.  They testified to Jesus being raised from the dead by God and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.  This was all done so that the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven their sins, washed clean by the blood of Christ. 

A - The application for me is to believe that Jesus paid it all , for the sins of all mankind but specifically for my sins.  As a follower of Christ I am to look at the example of the Apostles and be bold in sharing the Gospel of Christ, witnessing to what God has done through his only son Jesus. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you give me the faith and boldness of the Apostles, opening up and sharing the good news to those you put in my life.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, amen.

The good news in my life

​S-‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭2‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.””

O - These are Peters words that he spoke to a gathering of people including all those that believed in Jesus.  For those the words pierced their hearts they were affected by these words from God and Peter was asked by them what they should do.   Peter replied simply repent of your sins,  be baptized in Jesus name and your sins will be forgiven.  Not only that but the Holy Spirit would come and rest in you.   These promises were for those who heard Peters message and to their children and even those far away who were being called to God.

A - These words that Peter spoke were to the few that were there with him but also a testimony for years to come to the many that lived throughout the world.  This Gospel is a gift even to me and my family today.  The application for me is to walk in the truth that my sins are forgiven and I have been baptized in Jesus name, and have received the Holy Spirit.  I am to walk in this truth and share God's testimony of his work in my life.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you help me to walk in your Spirit and Truth.   I pray that my life would a witness to my family and those around me of the goodness you are in my life.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

​S-

““My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Rejoice in His victory

​S-‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.”

O - These are Jesus' words to his disciples just before he would be given up to be crucified.  He knew this would challenge and cause great pain and sorrow in His disciples, but he wanted to leave them with the hope that we have in Him rising from the dead and having paid for our sin and defeated death he would go before us to His Father and send the Holy Spirit to his disciples.  Their sorrow would be turned to joy as the redemption of His life for our sins would once and forever restore God's relationship with His children.

A - The application for me is to on this Easter weekend rejoice in the redemptive work that Jesus did on the cross.   I am to rejoice for Jesus has died for my sins and restored me to the Father.  I have been gifted the Holy Spirit to revive in me a hunger and passion for my lord and savior.  I am to walk in the victory that Jesus has won over sin and death. 

P -  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for todays devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you help me to walk in your spirit and truth and believe all that you have done for me.  I pray this in Jesus name,  Amen.

Connected to the vine

​S-John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

O - Jesus here is speaking again to His disciples to let them know that He is the way and the truth.  He is the vine and we are the branches that are connected to him.  If we are connected and remain in Him we may ask for anything in His name and it will be granted to us.  It is also a warning that we are to produce fruit from our branches or risk being pruned if unfruitful.

A -  The application for me is to remain in Christ , connected and fed from his vine.  I can do that by staying in His word and praying in His spirit.   I am to seek to be nurished by Christ and produce good fruit that is my relationships with those he has put in my life.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion , may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you help me stay connected to you and produce Godly fruit.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen‭‭

Pray in Jesus name

​S-‭‭Jo‬‬hn‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT

““I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”

O- Jesus spoke these words on his last night with the disciples.  He knew His time had come and He would soon put a finished stamp on his sacrifice for us once and for all.  Here he is telling His disciples they will soon be able to do the same works as he did, healing the sick and casting out demons.  They need only ask in his name and it will be done.  

A - The application for me is to remember Jesus' promise to his disciples is the same promise to us.  If I pray in His name it will be answered.  I simply need to have the holy spirit in me know what to pray for and what is in God's will so that my prayers will be truely in His name.

P- Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart. I pray that you would help me be one with you and the Father Jesus, so I might be humble and pray in your will for things to be done.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen