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. 

The light of the world

​S-‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.””

O- Jesus is speaking these words to the pharisee Nicodemus.  He is speaking that he is the light brought into the world by God.  For those that believe in Him he offers salvation and those that don't there is judgement.  The light of the world shines the light on our sins and those that acknowledge this light and their own sins, are forgiven when they accept the son as their Lord and saviour. 

A - The application for me is to recognize Jesus is the light of th world,  I need to believe in Him and allow his light to shine on and expose my sins.   I repent and turn away from these sins and seek to walk in the light and direction that Jesus is showing me.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank your for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would help me to expose all my sin and repent and turn away from my sinful ways.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Confessing Jesus is Lord

 S - Romans 10:9-10 NIV

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved

O - Paul is explaining the way we are to be made right by God.  In particular he is focused on the Israelites who tried to make right by following strictly the law of Moses.  But now that Christ has came there is a new and plentiful way of being reconciled with God and living a saved life.  First you must declare Jesus is Lord with your mouth and in your heart believe God raised him from the dead and you will be saved.  The true sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross is once and forever for those who believe in Him.   If in your heart you believe and with your tongue you confess then God's mercy is over you.

A - The application for me is to remember I have confessed with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and believe in my heart he was raised from the dead, and now I walk in God's mercy.   My sins have been atoned for by Christ and I now stand reconciled and loved by a Holy Father.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would help me to walk by faith the promises of your redemption of my soul.  I pray you help me walk by faith and not by sight.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,  Amen. 

The Gospel for everyone

​S- Acts 10:34-36 NIV

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 

O- Here is where Peter is called to go and speak to the Centurion in Caesarea soon after he received the vision of all the animals that the Lord was telling him was clean.   The message was intended to open Peters heart and mind to speaking God's truth to any who are willing to receive.   God accepts anyone who fears him and does what is right. 

A - The application for me is to recognize that God is the one who has made the message of his salvation even to a sinner like me.  I only need to have a repentant heart and a willing ear and I may receive his salvation.  I am also now that I have received be encouraged to share the Gospel to all those who God has made ready for his truth.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart .  I pray Lord you help me know who I am to share the Gospel with.  Help me to know who you have called to hear your Gospel that I might deliver the message of salvation.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Love well

​S-Galatians5:  13-15 NIV

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

O- Paul's epistle to the church in Galatia was written to teach and lift up the Galatians who likely had some internal strife within the church.   Their humanity was not meant to condemn them but rather Paul wrote to help them avoid heading down and path that would lead to the destruction of the church.  Paul reminds them they were called to be free, but that freedom wasn't meant to indulge themselves but rather to serve one another , humbly with love.   Paul echoes the commandment that fullfill's the law that Jesus once answered the Pharisee's when question.  To love your neighbor as yourself will leave you on the right side with others and with God. 

A -  The application for me is to acknowledge the freedom I have in Christ, and use this fact to humbly love those around me.   I am to avoid biterness and backstabbing to those around me.  By learning to love my neighbor as myself I will keep focused on those in need around me and not focused on myself. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would help me love others well.  Help me to turn my focus away from my needs and wants and to place it on those around me who need to know your love through me.  I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Great commission

​S-Mark 16:15-18 NIV

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

O - Jesus after his resurrection came to see his disciples before his ascention to heaven.  He gives them his great commission, to go into all the world and preach the gospel.  Just as it was with him, people will be healed and saved if they believe in the gospel and are baptized.   Many signs will accompany those disciples who are bringing the good news to the unsaved: they will drive out demons, speak in new tongues, and pick up snakes, and drink poison without being hurt.  They will lay hands on the sick and they will get well. 

A - The application for me is to have faith in the same great commission and accompanying power is available to me.  I have been saved and baptized and am no longer condemned but saved by grace.  I am to to walk by faith sharing the good news  of what Christ has done for me.   I am to pray for those who do not yet know him and share with them God's unending grace. 

P - Dear heavenly father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I thank you for your amazing grace, and ask that you show me where and when I am to bring the gospel to those around me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Proclaim boldly the Gospel

​S-Acts 9:28-30 NIV

28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him.30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

O - Saul's early ministry was in Jerusalem where before his conversion he had great reputation and authority.   After his conversion in Damascus he returns to Jerusalem to speak at the synagoges to the Jews.  He had the reputation as a Pharisee but now was preaching in favor of Jesus being the messiah.  His knowledge of scripture was likely used to speak to the Hellinstics Jews explain how scripture revealed the coming of Christ and Jesus came and fullfilled the scripture as he was laid down as a sacrfice for the forgiveness of sin.  This Gospel didn't sit well with the Hellenistic Jews and like their reaction to Jesus , they sought to kill Saul.

A -  The application for me is to be encouraged by  the boldness of Saul who preached the gospel without fear of repurcusions.  He knew the likeihood of push back even to the point of death was a possiblity because he once persucuted Christians to the same end. I am to walk and talk with the same boldness as Paul did, to proclaim the truth of who Jesus Christ is and the truth of the Gospel.   

P -  Dear heavenly Father , thank you for today's lesson may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would restore my boldness for you and give me your words I am to proclaim.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

The Light of the world

​S-John 12:44-47 NIV

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

⁴⁷ “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

O- Jesus is speaking to the Pharisee's who came to see about Jesus.  They saw the many signs and miracles and heard His teaching and yet were afraid to believe because they might get kicked out of their synagogues.  Jesus warns them that whoever believes in him believes in God who had sent him.  He proclaims to be the light of the world, and whoever believes in Him will stay in the light. 

A - The application for me is to put my faith in Jesus, who came to save the lost and bring light into the world.   I must believe Jesus was fully man and fully God.  He can emphathize with me and my struggle as he was fully man.  His spirit and his actions show He is fully God for everything He said and did was to glorify the father and reconcile the lost.  

P -Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you help me to fully believe in the Truth of who you are.   I pray that you help me overcome whatever doubts remain in me that prevents me from believing in all that you are.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Son of God's testimony

​S-John 5:24-27 NIV

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal lifeand will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

O- These are Jesus' words to the Jewish leaders who were upset that he was healing on the sabbath and that he was calling himself the son of God.  They were doubters mixed amongst the people so Jesus' testified as to who He truly was and for what purpose He was sent.  He was sent to rescue His people from their sins and give them eternal life in Heaven with God the Father.  He testified that all will be given a chance to hear from Jesus,  this includes those who have already died.  

A - The application for me is to hear and belief that Jesus is my Lord and savior and proclaim that I belong to Him.  I am to hear all the words of Jesus as proclaimed in the gospel books in the bible and believe in Him about whom they are written.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  Jesus I belong to you and accept your grace and salvation.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Celebrating the Holy sacriment of Communion

 S -  Mark 14 :22-31     (NASB)

22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and [k]after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many. 25 Truly I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again, until that day when I drink it, new, in the kingdom of God.”

26 And after singing a [l]hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus *said to them, “You will all [m]fall away, because it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all [n]fall away, yet I will not!” 30 And Jesus *said to him, “Truly I say to you, that [o]this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” 31 But [p]Peter repeatedly said insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well.

O - My observation is that Jesus has fulfilled the new covenant by allow his body to be broken for us and his blood sacrificed for our sins.   His sacrifice was Holy and pleasing to God and once and for all atoned for our sins. I am to take broken bread and drink wine in remembrance of Him.   I am to sing Hymn's in remembrance of Him.    As His disciples were scattered, so I will be a sheep scattered when the wolves come.  But I am not to scatter long, because the good shepherd call me, and I know His voice. 

A - The application for me is to practice communion in remembrance of Him.  His broken body and blood poured out for our sins.  I am to do it periodically so that I might not forget the new covenant He forged.   I was a sinner in need of a savior and he welcomed the chance to lay down His life for my sins.   Now I need to be cleansed in the blood of Jesus, that I might walk in His everlasting ways.   

p - Dear heavenly Father I pray in your name that this truth would be sealed to my heart.  That I would share the good news of His Holy and pleasing sacrifice once and for all of our sins.  I pray that this good news would change me from the inside out to follow God and His commandments to love Him and to love others.     I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen. 

New convenant in new wineskins

 S - Mark 2: 21-22 (NASB)

21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, [k]the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

O -  This passage Jesus speaks to his followers following a meal that He eats with a bunch of Tax Collectors , likely at Matthew's (Levi) house.  The Pharisee's were grumbling that He was eating dinner with tax collectors , when Jesus said to them I came for the the sick , not the healthy, and that this new covenant message would be poured into new followers the same way new wine is poured into new wineskins which are made of new skin that can stretch and expand.  If you put new wine into old wineskins they would burst.  And if you tried to put a new patch on an old leaky wineskin the patch will pull away from the old leaving a bigger hole.  

A - The application for me is recognize I am new wineskin and the Lord has poured out His message of salvation into me.    Now I am to allow it ferment and expand inside of me and allow it to be poured out onto those who have not received His message of grace and salvation. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would seal this message to my heart.  That my heart would be filled with your Holy Spirit and that the fullness of my heart would be shared with those that you have put before me .  I pray all this in Jesus' name,  Amen. 

Reconciled through Christ

 S - Psalm 22;1-5, 15-18 (NASB)

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Far from my [b]help are the words of my [c]groaning.
2 My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer;
And by night, but [d]I have no rest.
3 Yet You are holy,
You who [e]are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
4 In You our fathers trusted;
They trusted and You rescued them.
5 To You they cried out and they fled to safety;
In You they trusted and were not [f]disappointed.

...

My strength is dried up like a piece of pottery,
And my tongue clings to my jaws;
And You lay me [m]in the dust of death.
16 For dogs have surrounded me;
[n]A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
[o]They pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones.
They look, they stare at me;
18 They divide my garments among them,
And they cast lots for my clothing.

O - This psalm is a revelation of the coming savior Jesus, who had been persecuted by the people of Israel,  captured and beaten He was sentenced to death on a cross.  While hanging on the cross, he paid the price for all of humanities sin.  It was while he was on the cross his captures cast lots for His clothing.   

A - The application for me is to remember the cross and the salvation it bought for me.   For while I was alone in my sin,  Jesus died for me, so that I might be reconciled with the Father.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for the words of this psalm written to prophesy the life of Jesus , whom you sent from heaven to reconcile us all with you.   I pray that you would help me draw from this knowledge and walk in reconciliation to you.  I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.  

Turn from the ways of this world

S - Proverbs 14:12 (NASB)

 There is a way which seems right to a person,

But its end is the way of death.

O - Matthew Henry: "We have here an account of the way and end of a great many self-deluded souls.

• 1. Their way is seemingly fair: It seems right to themselves; they please themselves with a fancy that they are as they should be, that their opinions and practices are good, and such as will bear them out. The way of ignorance and carelessness, the way of worldliness and earthly-mindedness, the way of sensuality and flesh-pleasing, seem right to those that walk in them, much more the way of hypocrisy in religion, external performances, partial reformations, and blind zeal; this they imagine will bring them to heaven; they flatter themselves in their own eyes that all will be well at last.
• 2. Their end is really fearful, and the more so for their mistake: It is the ways of death, eternal death; their iniquity will certainly be their ruin, and they will perish with a lie in their right hand. Self-deceivers will prove in the end self-destroyers. "  

A - The way of the world for many of us is what we grew up with.   Seeking celebrity, success, and wealth in the world.   We worship ourselves when circumstances find us favoring what we have earned by the works of our hands and thoughts of our mind.  In the end though, things we desire and pursue in this world end in death. For those who are shackled to earthly things shall be buried in the dirt and those who vask in the light of the world, Jesus, and repent , turning away from their sin and turning toward God will be saved and not just saved, but freed from their bondage.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

The good shepherd

S - Acts 20: 29-25 (NASB)  29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands served my own needs and the men who were with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

O - My observation is that Paul was a good shepherd who will soon leave his flock.  But with his departure will come the wolves and cause his flock to disperse.   He reminded them he worked not for them but that his and his disciples who require nothing from those that received the Gospel.   He coveted nothing, no even the gold and silver ,  instead focused more on what he could give than that which he received.

A - The application for me is to continue on the path of Paul recognizing the spiritual warfare that will occur amongst those who are the front line.   Paul reminds them who their strength comes from, it comes from the Lord.

P - Dear heavenly Father,  thank you for today's word, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you continue to direct me in my vocation so that I won't miss the opportunities you are providing.   I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Sermon on Mars Hill

 S - Acts 17:22-31 (NASB)

Sermon on Mars Hill

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the [t]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and [u]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His descendants.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the descendants of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought. 30 So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent, 31 because He has set a day on which He will judge [v]the world in righteousness [w]through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people [x]by raising Him from the dead.”

O-My observations is that Paul's sermon on Mars Hill, is a sermon to us today.  For many believe in God or a spiritual being that looks over us , but they do not know His name.  So here Paul explains this is the God who created heaven and earth, and does not live in temples built on earth or resemble statues of hammered gold, but rather dwells in the hearts of the believers, and lives in the heavens, overlooking us, His creation.

A -  The application for me is remember Paul's sermon on Mars Hill when I find myself in front of non Christians who appear spiritual but do not know the God to whom they pray.  I am to share the good news that the God that is unknown to them is knowable.  That He sent His only son to die for our sins, that we might know Him. 

P -  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this lesson this morning.  It is a reminder to preach the Gospel daily, even to myself.   Lord I rejoice in you love for me, that you reconciled me to you through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus.    I pray for forgiveness for having succumb to the temptations of this world, even though you have made a way out from it.  Lord I pray that you would cast out all the demons that torment me and tempt me to give in to pornography.  I pray that you would send them fleeing, and would declare none would fill their place.   I pray this in Jesus Christ' name, Amen.

Preaching the Gospel

 S - Acts  9:19-22  (NASB)

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, [j]saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the [k]Christ.

O - Saul after arrival in Damascus and his conversion immediately began seeking out the disciples in Damascus and began preaching the Gospel at the Synagogues.  Paul learned of the good news directly from Jesus.   Now he was preaching it to the Jews in the synagogue.    They said isn't this the Paul that we heard was punishing the the followers of Christ?  Because of this Paul continued increasing in his strength.

A - The application for me is to remember that I too have had my own Damascus moment and not that the Lord has lifted the blinders from my eyes,  I am compelled to share the Gospel at first to myself, daily, and then to God's people so they may understand and believe the truth of the resurrected Christ, and lastly to all nations.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may the life of Paul continue to be a guide and light unto the world through me (if neccessary).  I pray all this in Jesus' Christ name, Amen.

Persecuted for preaching the Gospel

 S - Act 5:33-42    (NASB)

33 But when they heard this, they became infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36 For, some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. [z]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or [aa]movement is men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

40 They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to [ab]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [ac]Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and [ad]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the [ae]Christ.

O- This was Peter and John's second time being called before the counsel and warned not to preach the name of Jesus.  This time they escaped custody and went right to the temple and continued to spread the good new of Jesus Christ.  When captured again the Pharisee wanted to execute them, but a member of the council warned the leaders that it best to leave these alone.  If they are not from God then God will take care of them and then those following them will disperse.  But if these men are from God then you will not be able to overthrow them.

A - The application for me is to first off be sure I don't become like the pharisee who can't recognize God working around me.  It is better for me if I see something I am not sure of is from God, to not confront it but rather pray that the Lord would bless what is from Him and remove what is not.   Second,   when faced with those who doubt I am a follower of Christ, I am to continue to preach the Gospel and work the ministry God has laid before me. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for this lesson this morning.  I pray that you would make clear my calling and my ministry.  I also pray that you help me to daily preach the Gospel to myself and then to those whom you are drawing toward you.

Revelation of the Risen Christ

 S - Luke 24: 45-49  (TPT)

45 He supernaturally unlocked their understanding to receive the revelation of the Scriptures, 46 then said to them, “Everything that has happened fulfills what was prophesied of me. Christ, the Messiah, was destined to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 Now you must go into all the nations and preach repentance[l] and forgiveness of sins so that they will turn to me. Start right here in Jerusalem. 48 For you are my witnesses and have seen for yourselves all that has transpired. 49 And I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise[m] to you. So stay here in the city until the mighty power of heaven falls upon you and wraps around you.”

O - Jesus here after His resurrection, returns to the disciples so that there faith in the God's plan for Jesus could be understood.  He revealed the scriptures to them so they would understand that this was God's plan from the beginning.  That he would offer his son as the atoning sin offering (just like Abraham with Isaac).  That he would be crucified and spend three days buried (just like Jonah).   When he rose on the Third day he rolled open the stone and walked away defeating death.   He gave the disciples their great commission to go forth into all the nations and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins and that they are to turn towards Jesus.   He also reminded them the Holy Spirit will come and dwell with them being their guide. 

A  -   The application for me is to realize it is finished.  Jesus perfect work on earth was completed when He died and resurrected defeating death, and reconciling us all with the Father.   Having received this promise of salvation and the spirt of God with me,  I am to be a light to this world and to preach the Gospel in the area where he has called me to.   I should start with my family , and my community and then seek were else God would have me go.   I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.