Author Archives: Dino Evangelista

2014 Day 106 – Acts 27

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

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Today we read about Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner. The story is one of the most suspenseful and interesting in the book of Acts. The use of the pronoun “we” in the first verse of the chapter stood out to me. This indicates Luke, the author of Acts, accompanied Paul on this journey and had a firsthand account of the events described in this chapter. The main theme to me in this chapter was Paul’s leadership. Even though he was a prisoner, he was still a leader in many ways. For starters he was able to warn the centurion who was able to keep the sailors from escaping in the middle of the storm. He was also an encourager to the men on the boat and reassured each of them of their survival. Ultimately, Paul showed us that we can be leaders and influencers even if we are in a position of weakness. As a prisoner, Paul’s status was among the lowest on the ship, but he was still able to lead and influence the positive outcome for everyone on the ship. No matter what our circumstances may be, God can use us for His glory if we simply trust and obey Him in all we do.

2014 Day 105 – Acts 26

15 Tuesday Apr 2014

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No matter what the timing, Paul’s ultimate goal was to bring people to the saving knowledge of Christ. Paul was not sneaky or coy about it, he simply told the facts and even King Agrippa realized how direct Paul was being. He took every opportunity to preach the gospel no matter what the circumstances may be. Acts 26:29 says, Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Paul knew exactly what he was called to do and he did it at any cost.

2014 Day 104 – Acts 25

14 Monday Apr 2014

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Today we continue to read about Paul and the Jewish leader’s false accusations to the Roman authorities. While they could not prove any wrongdoing, they were able to create lots of distraction around the truth. This is an example of how the truth gets distorted today. While the truth around the gospel cannot be disproved, distractions around different beliefs and individual sins tend to take us away from what really matters; that God loves us and there is nothing more we can do to deserve His forgiveness than what Christ has already done for us on the cross.

2014 Day 103 – Unsung Hero

13 Sunday Apr 2014

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I came across this video a few days ago and thought it would be a good reflection post. The story has no direct spiritual message (in fact, it is a life insurance commercial for a company in Thailand), but it shows the power of selfless service to others. While the Thai man in the video is most likely Buddhist, his actions are good example of Christ and how we should show His love to others. I hope you enjoy the video and maybe makes you think.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2014 Day 102 – Acts 24

12 Saturday Apr 2014

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In Acts 24 we read about Paul’s defense to the Roman governor Felix in regard to the false accusations made by the Jewish leaders. While Paul was unsuccessful in securing a timely release from prison, he was still fully used by God by sharing truths with the Governor during his detainment. Being in those circumstances must have felt daunting at times, but Paul still seized the opportunity to serve God’s purpose. For us, there are times where we feel as though we are in prison because of our circumstances, but these are the times when God has the ability to use us the most if we allow ourselves the be open to His leading in our lives. We must never discount the circumstances that lead us to an opportunity to serve God where we are if we are simply open to His call in our lives.

2014 Day 101 – Acts 23

11 Friday Apr 2014

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In today’s reading we see how much protection God provided to Paul. Even though there was a secret plot to kill him, God provided a way to spare Paul’s life. While we may not always understand God’s plan, as we’ve said many time before, His plan is perfect. Go was not yet finished with Paul’s ministry and He knew there was more to be done. We must always trust in God’s sovereign plan, because He wants us to be a part of it. We just need to trust and obey His leading.

2014 Day 100 – Acts 22

10 Thursday Apr 2014

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In today’s reading Paul is given the opportunity to give his testimony to the people who want him dead. And while it is a beautiful recollection of how God transformed him from a persecutor of believers to a follower and preacher of Christ, in the end, the people still wanted him dead. The lesson for us is this: We are not here to be loved by people, but to be obedient and loved by God. It is not our job to be make ourselves pretty in the eyes of the world. It is our job to speak and live according to the truth of the gospel of Christ. God, the creator of the universe, is more than capable of changing hearts and mind about who He is and He will do so according to His timing and will.

2014 Day 99 – Acts 21

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

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Today we are back in the book of Acts and so much is going on with Paul in this chapter. The Jews are very unhappy with Paul because he is challenging their belief in the Law as the absolute solution to a righteous life. Paul is unwavering and courageous in preaching the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, but pays for it dearly as they beat him and try to take his life. The key learning today for me is knowing that sometimes doing what is expected by God may lead to doing things that are against what others believe. We are not to go around picking fights, but there are things which even the modern church calls “holy” which should be questioned and shouldn’t be part of our doctrine as believers in the saving grace of Christ’s blood. We must remember to only make holy things holy and the rest needs to be discarded as nothing more than distractions that keep us from a authentic relationship with Jesus.

2014 Day 98 – Romans 16

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

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We end the book of Romans with Paul sending out greetings and some final instructions. While Paul is an obvious authority to the audience of this letter, he is very deliberate in giving God all of the glory. In the final verse of the book, Paul says in Romans 16:27, to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. There was never any doubt to Paul or the readers of this letter as to who deserved the glory. Let us use this example in how we conduct our lives; to give God the glory for everything we do and everything we have.

2014 Day 97 – Romans 15

07 Monday Apr 2014

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Joy, Hope, and Peace are all things God wants for us. They are not always easy to have in our lives depending on our circumstances, but through the Holy Spirit we are capable of not only having enough for us, but to overflow to others. Romans 15:13 says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has power which is sufficient to sustain us and to overflow through us to others. Let us all strive to be a vessel that is filled with Joy and Peace that gives hope to others through Him.