Read: Acts 3:1-5:42
Peter and John were just going about their normal schedule when they saw a man they had seen every time they came to the temple, but this time they saw him differently. This time, the Holy Spirit prompted them to see the man’s potential instead of his infirmity. They boldly told him to walk in the name of Jesus then took him by the hand and stood him to his feet. As they were standing him up the man’s feeling came into his feet and he was healed. This took such boldness to act on faith. The man who was healed caused a scene as he jumped and leaped and praised God in the Temple. As the crowd grew, Peter saw his opportunity and started preaching about Jesus. He began with Samuel and went through every prophecy about Jesus explaining how Jesus fulfilled them and how he was raised from the dead. The priests and the captain of the Temple guard and some of the Sadducees were very upset that he was preaching that Jesus rose from the dead especially since the Sadducees didn’t even believe in resurrection. They arrested Peter and John but not before about 2,000 more people came to believe in Jesus.
What the religious people thought they had stopped with Jesus’ death had now multiplied into an even greater threat. Now ordinary men were doing miracles and preaching from the Torah! They had Peter and John brought before the Sanhedrin and Peter was able to preach to them the power of Jesus’ name. When they told Peter and John to stop preaching, they refused saying they had to obey God…not them. They had no option but to let them go because of the people.
The disciples continued to preach and do miracles in Jesus name making the religious leaders even more jealous and angry. They finally put them in jail and had them flogged. This only made the disciples more dangerous because they were honored to be persecuted for Jesus.
This is the power that we are to be walking in. The devil and his political threats are just a smoke screen. All we have to do is open our spiritual eyes and walk in the spirit and not what our natural eyes are telling us. The spiritual realm is much more real and exciting. It is the place God works and moves in.
Lord, open our spiritual eyes and give us boldness to move in the Holy Spirit and not in fear.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Sun.’s Devo - Pentecost
Read: Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:1-2:47
Jesus appeared to his disciples off and on for 40 days between Passover and Pentecost. Then he arose to heaven and took his place at God’s right hand on his throne.
Jesus had told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. After they received the power of the Holy Spirit, then they were to go to the ends of the earth telling people about him. During their wait they also chose a man to replace Judas. His name was Matthias which means “gift of Jehovah”. His name meant exactly what God was about to give them.
On Pentecost, God gave his gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost stood for the 50 seeds they would count everyday. On the first Pentecost, God gave them the law on Mt. Sinai. It was evidenced by thunderings and smoke coming from a mountain that was on fire. A trumpet sounded louder and louder. The law was given and it was to bless a people that were to become like the sand of the sea in number. It had started with Abraham and Sarah and had grown to about a million people by then.
This New Testament Pentecost was the fulfillment of that time. Now the people were the mountain of God’s presence and the fire and smoke was on their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. Their mouths became the trumpets that proclaimed the gospel so that everyone there could hear it in their language.
In the Old Testament, when Moses brought the law down to the people, three thousand were killed for worshipping the golden calf. In the New Testament the hearing of the word brought in three thousand new believers. The true meaning of Pentecost was fulfilled. The seed spread throughout the world and brought forth a harvest of souls.
Lord, thank you that we can still be baptized in the Holy Spirit and have power to be your witnesses. Help the seed we plant to grow and bring a harvest.
Jesus appeared to his disciples off and on for 40 days between Passover and Pentecost. Then he arose to heaven and took his place at God’s right hand on his throne.
Jesus had told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. After they received the power of the Holy Spirit, then they were to go to the ends of the earth telling people about him. During their wait they also chose a man to replace Judas. His name was Matthias which means “gift of Jehovah”. His name meant exactly what God was about to give them.
On Pentecost, God gave his gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost stood for the 50 seeds they would count everyday. On the first Pentecost, God gave them the law on Mt. Sinai. It was evidenced by thunderings and smoke coming from a mountain that was on fire. A trumpet sounded louder and louder. The law was given and it was to bless a people that were to become like the sand of the sea in number. It had started with Abraham and Sarah and had grown to about a million people by then.
This New Testament Pentecost was the fulfillment of that time. Now the people were the mountain of God’s presence and the fire and smoke was on their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. Their mouths became the trumpets that proclaimed the gospel so that everyone there could hear it in their language.
In the Old Testament, when Moses brought the law down to the people, three thousand were killed for worshipping the golden calf. In the New Testament the hearing of the word brought in three thousand new believers. The true meaning of Pentecost was fulfilled. The seed spread throughout the world and brought forth a harvest of souls.
Lord, thank you that we can still be baptized in the Holy Spirit and have power to be your witnesses. Help the seed we plant to grow and bring a harvest.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Sat.’s Devo - Earnest Longing
Read: Luke 24:13-49; Mark 16:12-18; John 20:19-21:25
If I could go back to any time during the Bible and be present it would be on the road to Emmaus. I would love to hear Jesus explain all the signs and prophecies about his first coming. The word Emmaus means “in earnest longing”. These men were in earnest longing of some understanding and Jesus came and brought it to them. They had walked seven miles that day with Jesus explaining scripture to them. When they perceived that it was Jesus they had been talking to they immediately got back on the road and walked the seven miles back to Jerusalem. I bet they ran some of it because they were so excited. They said, “didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked?” That is the feeling we get when we receive revelation knowledge straight from the Holy Spirit.
As they were telling the disciples, Jesus appeared again in the midst of them. How daunting! He told them to receive the Holy Spirit even though he hadn’t come yet. He was giving them a foretaste.
Later, Peter decided to go fishing. If you look back to Luke 5 you will read how Peter was doing the same thing when Jesus first met him and used his boat to preach in. When he had finished teaching he told Peter to cast his net out again. When he did he pulled in so many fish it broke the nets and filled up both boat to over capacity. Peter was so astonished he left everything and followed Jesus. Once again, Peter had reverted to what he knew before Jesus. Jesus did the same sign and Peter instantly knew it was Jesus. Peter was so excited, he jumped into the water and left the men to haul in the fish. After Jesus fed them he called Peter once again to leave his job and become an evangelist for Him.
How many times do we feel confused at what God has called us to do and revert back to what is comfortable to us. God didn’t condemn Peter for going back to fishing. He just found him where he was and gave him a new commission. Some of us need that new commission. Jesus’ disciples all had an earnest longing to understand what was going on and what their place was just as we do. Everything is shifting in the heavens and on earth to usher us into this new kingdom age. We all have an earnest longing to know how to enter in.
Lord, let us know the next step in walking in your kingdom age.
If I could go back to any time during the Bible and be present it would be on the road to Emmaus. I would love to hear Jesus explain all the signs and prophecies about his first coming. The word Emmaus means “in earnest longing”. These men were in earnest longing of some understanding and Jesus came and brought it to them. They had walked seven miles that day with Jesus explaining scripture to them. When they perceived that it was Jesus they had been talking to they immediately got back on the road and walked the seven miles back to Jerusalem. I bet they ran some of it because they were so excited. They said, “didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked?” That is the feeling we get when we receive revelation knowledge straight from the Holy Spirit.
As they were telling the disciples, Jesus appeared again in the midst of them. How daunting! He told them to receive the Holy Spirit even though he hadn’t come yet. He was giving them a foretaste.
Later, Peter decided to go fishing. If you look back to Luke 5 you will read how Peter was doing the same thing when Jesus first met him and used his boat to preach in. When he had finished teaching he told Peter to cast his net out again. When he did he pulled in so many fish it broke the nets and filled up both boat to over capacity. Peter was so astonished he left everything and followed Jesus. Once again, Peter had reverted to what he knew before Jesus. Jesus did the same sign and Peter instantly knew it was Jesus. Peter was so excited, he jumped into the water and left the men to haul in the fish. After Jesus fed them he called Peter once again to leave his job and become an evangelist for Him.
How many times do we feel confused at what God has called us to do and revert back to what is comfortable to us. God didn’t condemn Peter for going back to fishing. He just found him where he was and gave him a new commission. Some of us need that new commission. Jesus’ disciples all had an earnest longing to understand what was going on and what their place was just as we do. Everything is shifting in the heavens and on earth to usher us into this new kingdom age. We all have an earnest longing to know how to enter in.
Lord, let us know the next step in walking in your kingdom age.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Fri.’s Devo - At the Tomb
Read: Mark 15:42-16:11; Matthew 27:57-28:15; Luke 23:50-24:12; John 19:38-20:18
The first two people to visit the tomb were wealthy Pharisees who were secret followers. The first was Joseph of Arimathea. He was an honored member of the high council. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate couldn’t believe Jesus was dead yet but when he found out he was, he agreed to let Joseph have it. He took Jesus body from the cross and wrapped him in new linen cloth and laid him in his own tomb that he had paid royally for. How sweet that a man with his father’s name got to do what Joseph would have wanted to do if he was still alive. That was what Isaiah 53:9 was referring to when it says that “He made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death…” John tells us that Nicodemus, who was a leader of the Pharisees, came with Joseph to help. He brought 75 pounds of perfume made of myrrh and aloes. Together they rolled a big stone in front of his tomb. Mary and the other women watched from afar which is why they knew where he was buried.
What humors me is that the lawful Pharisees went to Pilate ON THE SABBATH to ask for him to secure the stone so his disciples couldn’t steal the body and say he rose from the dead. Not only was this the Sabbath but it was Passover which was one of their most sacred holy days.
It didn’t matter because when the stone blew off its entrance, no soldier or bulldozer could stop it. Even the guards saw it. They allowed the Sanhedrin to bribe them from telling the truth. Such hardness of heart!
The women were the first to see the empty tomb and to talk to the angels. They were also the first to see Jesus with their own eyes. They were at the right place at the right time.
Lord, we want to have encounters with you. We want to be at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing.
The first two people to visit the tomb were wealthy Pharisees who were secret followers. The first was Joseph of Arimathea. He was an honored member of the high council. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate couldn’t believe Jesus was dead yet but when he found out he was, he agreed to let Joseph have it. He took Jesus body from the cross and wrapped him in new linen cloth and laid him in his own tomb that he had paid royally for. How sweet that a man with his father’s name got to do what Joseph would have wanted to do if he was still alive. That was what Isaiah 53:9 was referring to when it says that “He made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death…” John tells us that Nicodemus, who was a leader of the Pharisees, came with Joseph to help. He brought 75 pounds of perfume made of myrrh and aloes. Together they rolled a big stone in front of his tomb. Mary and the other women watched from afar which is why they knew where he was buried.
What humors me is that the lawful Pharisees went to Pilate ON THE SABBATH to ask for him to secure the stone so his disciples couldn’t steal the body and say he rose from the dead. Not only was this the Sabbath but it was Passover which was one of their most sacred holy days.
It didn’t matter because when the stone blew off its entrance, no soldier or bulldozer could stop it. Even the guards saw it. They allowed the Sanhedrin to bribe them from telling the truth. Such hardness of heart!
The women were the first to see the empty tomb and to talk to the angels. They were also the first to see Jesus with their own eyes. They were at the right place at the right time.
Lord, we want to have encounters with you. We want to be at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Thurs.’s Devo - The Crucifixion
Read: Mark 15:21-41; Matthew 27:32-56; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-39
It is thought-provoking to see how the different gospel writers tell what they saw. All but John tell about the man, Simon, who carried the cross for Jesus. John completely leaves him out and writes, “He, bearing his cross, went to the place called the place of the skull.” When I went to Israel I saw the rock they call Golgotha and it resembles a skull.
Jesus was crucified at nine in the morning which was the time when the priests began sacrificing the people’s Passover lambs. Amid much railing and angry accusations, Jesus looked out over the people and said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they are dong.” Next we have the conversation between the men crucified with him. One of them mocks Jesus and the other cries out for mercy. They represent the two types of people on the earth. When confronted with the Good News of the gospel, some mock it because they don’t understand it and can only see with natural eyes. Others don’t understand it but embrace it by faith and repent. One will be condemned eternally and the other will be rewarded eternally.
Four hours from when he had been nailed to the cross, darkness covered the earth for four hours. When the light came on Jesus cried out to the Lord, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Jesus was referring to Psalms 22. In Jesus’ day, Psalms were named by the first line of the Psalms. If you read the whole Psalm you will see the picture of the cross. Jesus was not saying God had abandoned him, he was telling them to read that Psalm because it talked about this very moment. God never turned from Jesus because he became sin. God looks at sin every day. God would never abandon Jesus! He promises never to leave us or forsake us and he would never do that to his beloved son. If you want to know what happened in that darkness, read Psalms 18 and 2 Samuel 22.
Every prophecy about Jesus death was fulfilled and just like the passover lamb, his bones were not broken and they looked upon the one that they themselves pierced. It says in Luke that the people that were there went home in deep sorrow after watching the signs and wonders God brought that day.
Lord, help us not to miss what you are doing. We don’t want to look back in sorrow because we didn’t understand, we want to participate with joy in what you are doing no matter how bad it looks like at the time.
It is thought-provoking to see how the different gospel writers tell what they saw. All but John tell about the man, Simon, who carried the cross for Jesus. John completely leaves him out and writes, “He, bearing his cross, went to the place called the place of the skull.” When I went to Israel I saw the rock they call Golgotha and it resembles a skull.
Jesus was crucified at nine in the morning which was the time when the priests began sacrificing the people’s Passover lambs. Amid much railing and angry accusations, Jesus looked out over the people and said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they are dong.” Next we have the conversation between the men crucified with him. One of them mocks Jesus and the other cries out for mercy. They represent the two types of people on the earth. When confronted with the Good News of the gospel, some mock it because they don’t understand it and can only see with natural eyes. Others don’t understand it but embrace it by faith and repent. One will be condemned eternally and the other will be rewarded eternally.
Four hours from when he had been nailed to the cross, darkness covered the earth for four hours. When the light came on Jesus cried out to the Lord, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Jesus was referring to Psalms 22. In Jesus’ day, Psalms were named by the first line of the Psalms. If you read the whole Psalm you will see the picture of the cross. Jesus was not saying God had abandoned him, he was telling them to read that Psalm because it talked about this very moment. God never turned from Jesus because he became sin. God looks at sin every day. God would never abandon Jesus! He promises never to leave us or forsake us and he would never do that to his beloved son. If you want to know what happened in that darkness, read Psalms 18 and 2 Samuel 22.
Every prophecy about Jesus death was fulfilled and just like the passover lamb, his bones were not broken and they looked upon the one that they themselves pierced. It says in Luke that the people that were there went home in deep sorrow after watching the signs and wonders God brought that day.
Lord, help us not to miss what you are doing. We don’t want to look back in sorrow because we didn’t understand, we want to participate with joy in what you are doing no matter how bad it looks like at the time.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Wed.’s Devo - The World Examines Jesus
Read: Mark 15:2-20; Matthew 27:11-31; Luke 23:1-25; 22:27-65; John 18:28-19:16
The jealousy of the priests and religious leaders was so great they could think of nothing but killing Jesus. Since their law didn’t allow them to execute anyone, they had to get the Romans to do it. They accused Jesus of causing riots by his teaching wherever he went. Jesus didn’t cause riots, he just drew crowds that they couldn’t draw. To build their case, they told Pilate that Jesus told the people not to pay taxes to the Roman government because he claimed to be their Messiah. This was such a lie since Jesus paid taxes and told the people to pay to Caesar what they owed him and God what they owed Him.
But, it was time for the Lamb of God to be examined by the worldly rulers. Pilate and Herod both met with Jesus and questioned him. John gives us the best account of his meeting with Pilate. When Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews, Jesus turned the question back on him. He asked him if he really wanted to know for himself or was he merely repeating what he had heard. Pilate let him know that he wasn’t a Jew so he didn’t understand why Jesus’ own people had brought him to trial. He wanted Jesus to explain what his crime was. Jesus, instead talked about Pilate’s real concern - his kingdom. Pilate wanted to know if Jesus was going to try to take over the Roman government to set up his kingdom. I wonder if he was thinking back to stories of the wise men who had come looking for the King of the Jews that was born 33 years ago. Jesus assured him that his kingdom was not on the earth but in heaven. Pilate was relieved and tried to do everything he could to release Jesus. He picked the most ruthless criminal in the jail assuming they would choose to have Jesus set free rather than him. Pilate didn’t know the power of hatred and envy. The crowd picked Barabbas. Both Pilate and Herod found no spot or blemish on the Lamb of God. The crowd screamed, “Crucify Him!” while Pilate’s wife was begging Pilate to set him free. Pilate brought out a bowl of water and washed his hands in front of the Jews to show them that he was washing his hands of this crime against an innocent man. How ironic that Pilate would use a Jewish ritual of hand washing to show them their sin.
Lord, open our eyes to see the truth and not be deceived by envy or sin.
The jealousy of the priests and religious leaders was so great they could think of nothing but killing Jesus. Since their law didn’t allow them to execute anyone, they had to get the Romans to do it. They accused Jesus of causing riots by his teaching wherever he went. Jesus didn’t cause riots, he just drew crowds that they couldn’t draw. To build their case, they told Pilate that Jesus told the people not to pay taxes to the Roman government because he claimed to be their Messiah. This was such a lie since Jesus paid taxes and told the people to pay to Caesar what they owed him and God what they owed Him.
But, it was time for the Lamb of God to be examined by the worldly rulers. Pilate and Herod both met with Jesus and questioned him. John gives us the best account of his meeting with Pilate. When Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews, Jesus turned the question back on him. He asked him if he really wanted to know for himself or was he merely repeating what he had heard. Pilate let him know that he wasn’t a Jew so he didn’t understand why Jesus’ own people had brought him to trial. He wanted Jesus to explain what his crime was. Jesus, instead talked about Pilate’s real concern - his kingdom. Pilate wanted to know if Jesus was going to try to take over the Roman government to set up his kingdom. I wonder if he was thinking back to stories of the wise men who had come looking for the King of the Jews that was born 33 years ago. Jesus assured him that his kingdom was not on the earth but in heaven. Pilate was relieved and tried to do everything he could to release Jesus. He picked the most ruthless criminal in the jail assuming they would choose to have Jesus set free rather than him. Pilate didn’t know the power of hatred and envy. The crowd picked Barabbas. Both Pilate and Herod found no spot or blemish on the Lamb of God. The crowd screamed, “Crucify Him!” while Pilate’s wife was begging Pilate to set him free. Pilate brought out a bowl of water and washed his hands in front of the Jews to show them that he was washing his hands of this crime against an innocent man. How ironic that Pilate would use a Jewish ritual of hand washing to show them their sin.
Lord, open our eyes to see the truth and not be deceived by envy or sin.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Tues.’s Devo - Jesus is Examined
Read: Mark 14:53-72; Matthew 26:57-27:10; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:25-27
During the Passover of Moses time they were to select a young lamb and bring it into their house so they could examine it for 10 days to make sure it was spotless. If it had a blemish it could not be their passover lamb. Jesus was the Passover Lamb of God and from the time he entered into Jerusalem for the feast, he was being examined first by the religious leaders. He was finally brought into the home of the High Priest so he and his leaders could examine him. Since they couldn’t find any sin or fault in him they hired false witnesses, but they couldn’t get their story straight. Finally the High Priest asked him point blank if he was the Messiah. He answered, I AM and they pronounced him guilty of blasphemy and began to beat and spit on him.
Peter had followed Jesus and was listening from the courtyard of the High Priest’s house when the priest’s servant recognized him as Jesus’ follower. He denied it. She pointed him out again in front of people and he denied it again. Once more he denied knowing who Jesus was and the rooster crowed. Poor Peter! He was a picture of a Christian without the power of the Holy Spirit. He became a totally different person on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon him and he spoke boldly before a crowd of thousands of people. What a lesson to us. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be a witness of Christ.
Lord, fill us anew with your Holy Spirit today. Empower us to be a witness everywhere we go.
During the Passover of Moses time they were to select a young lamb and bring it into their house so they could examine it for 10 days to make sure it was spotless. If it had a blemish it could not be their passover lamb. Jesus was the Passover Lamb of God and from the time he entered into Jerusalem for the feast, he was being examined first by the religious leaders. He was finally brought into the home of the High Priest so he and his leaders could examine him. Since they couldn’t find any sin or fault in him they hired false witnesses, but they couldn’t get their story straight. Finally the High Priest asked him point blank if he was the Messiah. He answered, I AM and they pronounced him guilty of blasphemy and began to beat and spit on him.
Peter had followed Jesus and was listening from the courtyard of the High Priest’s house when the priest’s servant recognized him as Jesus’ follower. He denied it. She pointed him out again in front of people and he denied it again. Once more he denied knowing who Jesus was and the rooster crowed. Poor Peter! He was a picture of a Christian without the power of the Holy Spirit. He became a totally different person on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon him and he spoke boldly before a crowd of thousands of people. What a lesson to us. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be a witness of Christ.
Lord, fill us anew with your Holy Spirit today. Empower us to be a witness everywhere we go.
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