(A devotional for Palm Sunday) We will take a break from the book of Acts for Palm Sunday and Easter. This devotional will look only at events in the book of John, giving attention to some events that revealed the kind of Messiah Jesus came to be. The first event we note is Palm Sunday…

(Acts 13:13-52) We read Paul’s first recorded sermon, delivered at Pisidian Antioch. God gave Paul some insight concerning King David. He quotes God as saying, “I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will” (13:22). Why did God reveal to Paul that David was a…

(Acts 13:1-12) The Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them” (v. 2). We find the missionary adventures of Paul in the second half of the book of Acts. It is at this point that Saul becomes Paul: “Saul, who was also called Paul”…

(Acts 13; all quotes are from the NIV. Today’s lesson is a review and a transition to Paul’s ministry as seen in Acts). Our study in Acts began with a Great Promise and a Great Commission: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in…

(This page is repeated from yesterday, since it did not go to those who receive the email). Acts 12 is a wonderful chapter, filled with action, amazement, and humor. “So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God intensely by the church” (v. 5). Herod had executed James,…

Here is an outline of Acts 10-11 that we will follow in the lesson this Sunday, February 26. [1] We are all seekers, looking for answers. Cornelius was a good man, “a devout man who feared God,” but he needed help to find truth. Fortunately, “he prayed constantly,” and God sent him a vision. We…

As we observe the Holy Spirit-filled activity of the early Christian leaders, it is clear that the Holy Spirit was leading them to imitate Christ in their ministries. We saw how Stephen asked for forgiveness for those who were stoning him, even as Jesus forgave those who were crucifying Him. In the text for this…

Devotional on Acts 9 (NIV). Saul had witnessed the death of Stephen and his prayer of forgiveness for those who were stoning him. Perhaps even then his heart was sensitized to the reality of who Jesus was. But he fought against that reality by “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (9:1).…

Devotional on Acts 8 (NIV). We have seen the sad yet triumphant story of Stephen. The only other one of the seven (Ac. 6:5) that we read about is Philip. After the death of Stephen, there was great persecution, and the new church in Jerusalem was scattered. Saul had witnessed and approved the death of…