08 Saturday Aug 2015
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Having a pure life requires constant care. In 1 Timothy 4:16 Paul warns Timothy, Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. We must be constantly on guard to watch against sin that can ultimately destroy us. We must also watch what we believe just as carefully and not allow society to dictate what is right versus wrong. When we look to God as our compass, He will never lead us down the wrong path.
03 Monday Aug 2015
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Do you ever look back on your life and wonder what you have really accomplished? I know we have accomplished a lot in each of our lives, but how much of it was spent accomplishing things that really matter? In Philippians 3:8 Paul explains how he feels about his past accomplishments. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Unless we accomplish things that matter for the Kingdom, it will never truly satisfy us.
01 Saturday Aug 2015
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Doing the right thing is not always easy and most of the time it is thankless and lacks recognition from others for the effort. But in Philippians 2:14 Paul calls us to Do everything without complaining or arguing. Christ, once again, is our perfect example of this. In all the suffering and pain He ultimately experienced, He never complained. Nothing we experience in this life can compare to the suffering Christ experienced and we should be able to follow Paul’s instruction to do everything without complaining or arguing, with no exception.
28 Tuesday Jul 2015
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We have the privilege of being God’s representatives here on earth. We should count ourselves worthy of this privilege. In Ephesians 4:1 Paul says, As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Paul is challenging us to be worthy of being called one of Christ’s own.
20 Monday Jul 2015
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Paul knew the sacrifices he was making for the Kingdom of God were worth it. He knew it didn’t matter what was needed, he was willing to do it and he hoped that others would feel the same, though he hoped for a day when the suffering would not be necessary. Acts 26:29says, Paul replied, Short or long – I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Paul wants other believers to experience victory at any cost, but he hopes it does not cost suffering. Paul’s true heart is revealed in this statement.
18 Saturday Jul 2015
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In today’s reading we see Paul is continuing to be held in prison for over two year. He refused to allow the Jews to manipulate the situation against him. In the end, Paul knew the accusations against him were wrong on both the civil and spiritual level. He was not afraid to stand before Caesar for the trumped up charges. Paul also knew all of these situations would be used for God’s glory. As an instrument being used by God, we can be very powerful if we align ourselves with God’s will.
17 Friday Jul 2015
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There is no situation God cannot use for His glory and to reach people. Even when we find ourselves in a bad situation, God can make the most of it. In today’s reading, what looks like a bad situation where Paul is in custody for two years, God used Paul to speak about Him and the “Way” on a regular basis with Governor Felix. When we think we are in a hopeless situation, remember God can use you right where you are. It is all about God and His glory.
14 Tuesday Jul 2015
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As a reminder, this year we are reading the New Testament in Chronological order based on the date of events recorded along with when certain books were written. The book of Acts covers most of the New Testament time period. As we read certain books we come back to the book of Acts to tie the books together. Paul is the main character through most of the letters in the New Testament, but he is not the only one.
In today’s reading we see what happened to Paul when he returned to Jerusalem. While he tried to be respectful of the Jews and maintain the laws of purification, they still falsely accused him of stirring up trouble and even bringing Gentiles into the temple, which would have been a desecration of the temple..
One of the great lessons here is this: While Paul tried to do the right thing, he still suffered. We cannot assume because we do the right things we will be saved from suffering in this life. When we live our lives in such a way that is honoring to God, evil will still be present and most likely very active, but that should not deter us from doing what is right and honoring to God. Our reward is in eternity and in the relationship we are blessed to have with God.
09 Thursday Jul 2015
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If we spend all our time trying to be more like Jesus, there is little time to think about much of anything else. In Romans 13:14 Paul says, Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. This is easier said than done, and we will not be perfect at it, but if we don’t try then we are destined to fail.
04 Saturday Jul 2015
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God’s mercy, along with His plan and will, are perfect. When He decides to have mercy it is for His purpose and for His glory, not ours. In Romans 9:18 Paul reiterates his quot of Exodus 9:16 in Romans 9:14, Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. It is God’s will that matters, not our understanding of why He chooses to do anything. We are to be thankful He has chosen us to be in His will and to be used for His service. Our ability to comprehend the full picture of God’s plan is not possible. We must trust, obey, and have faith in His love and perfect plan for us.
Daily Devotion 