Today’s Verse: And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; ~Acts 17:6 What comes to your mind when you hear the word chaos? When I hear this word, I think of confusion, anarchy, and things that have gone haywire. Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke were in the city of Thessalonica. Through bold preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, a city overcome with re

Today’s Verse: And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. ~Acts 15:40 Of the many friends that the Apostle Paul had, Silas was a long-term friend whom he had complete faith and trust in. Silas became a part of Paul’s missionary team on the second missionary endeavor. To some, Silas might appear as an insignificant figure, but as I study the Book of Acts, he had a very significant role as Paul’s gospel cohort. This morning, we

Today’s Verse: And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. ~Acts 20:9-10 Most hotels have a wake-up call service where you can request a telephone call at a specific time to be sure that you wake up in the

Today’s Verse: And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. ~Acts 5:42 The phrases “cease not” and “without ceasing” can mean to be nonstop. To be nonstop means to be in continuance, to have no interruptions, and without taking a stop. The Bible speaks of activities that every Christian needs to be nonstop in. This morning, we want to consider the importance of being “nonstop Christians.” We should be nonstop in our remembranc

Today’s Verse: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; ~Acts 26:16 The Apostle Paul used words and terms that had far deeper and significant meaning than the surface meaning. In 1 Corinthians 4:1, he uses a Greek word for minister that is different than the typical Greek word that is used for a se

Today’s Verse: And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. ~Acts 16:14 Some people’s names are associated with their deeds. For instance, Abraham Lincoln will always be associated with liberty and emancipation. The first woman, Eve, will always be associated with having eaten the forbidden fruit and bringing sin into the w

Today’s Verse: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; ~Acts 26:16 The law enforcement personnel of our land maintain a database of criminals who are most wanted. This list is designed for the public to be aware of the need for the capture of these people. Our devotion this morning deals with a mo

Today’s Verse: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. ~Acts 26:28 Are you someone who almost made a killing on an investment but did not take the risk? Are you someone who almost became influential, but you did not do everything that was required of you? Almost implies close, but not there. It implies the opportunity was there, but it was turned down. It implies you could have, but you did not do it. There is the delay in almost. Almost is p

Today’s Verse: And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. ~Acts 4:31 We, sometimes, use the phrase, “It’s time to shake things up!” By this, we mean that we have become too comfortable and need to get back our focus and enthusiasm for what we do. This applies to every aspect of our life. The Christian life needs to be at the point where we are al

Today’s Verse: And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. ~Acts 8:26 Philip occupies a special place in the Scriptures and in the outgrowth of the gospel in the Book of Acts. He is an encouraging reminder that any of us and all of us can and should be faithful in all seasons of our life. He is a testimony of how God blesses faithfulness. There is the reputation of

Today’s Verse: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ~Acts 3:6 Marquis de Lafayette was a French officer who provided invaluable assistance to George Washington and the struggling American army. After the war was over, he returned to France and resumed his life as a farmer of many estates. In 1783, the harvest was a terrible one, and there were many who suffered as a result. Lafa

Today’s Verse: And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. ~Acts 6:8 One of the great Christians in the New Testament is Stephen. Acts 6-7 places a holy spotlight on Stephen and the impact that he had on many lives. Stephen’s name in Greek is “stephanos,” which refers to a crown. It was a wreath woven together in the shape of a crown that was awarded to the winner of an Olympic race. This morning, we see a Christian whose life teache

Today’s Verse: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. ~Acts 14:19 Head injuries can have very serious short-term and long-term implications. A concussion can result in ongoing migraine headaches, memory loss, and other serious neurological disorders. Some football players and boxers have had their wellness of life greatly debilitated. In our passage,

Today’s Verse: I think myself happy… ~Acts 26:2 A survey released on June 16, 2020, indicated that Americans were the unhappiest they have been in 50 years. Only 14% of those surveyed said they were happy. This is down from 31% in 2018. This same survey said that no less than 29% of Americans have ever called themselves very happy in a survey. While survey results are not accurately descriptive of everyone, it does tell us that out of the sampling that was done, there are man

Today’s Verse: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: ~Acts 1:3 The word infallible means unfailing, absolutely trustworthy, foolproof, and completely accurate. Luke says that Jesus showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs. We are able to proclaim the power of the gospel message because Jesus is risen and alive. Before

Today’s Verse: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. ~Acts 26:28 Are you someone who almost made a killing on an investment but did not take a risk? Are you someone who almost became influential, but you did not do everything that was required of you? Almost implies close, but not there. It implies the opportunity was there, but it was turned down. It implies you could have, but you did not do it. There is the delay in almost. Almost is pro

Today’s Verse: But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. ~Acts 27:14 Maritime travel can be exciting and adventurous. It can also be a harrowing experience if you are in a major storm out on the open seas. The bobbing up and down of the ship combined with massive waves thrashing against it will have you on edge and wondering if “this could be it.” Paul was on a ship headed to Italy via the Mediterranean Ocean. He encountered an epic stor

Today’s Verse: For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: ~Acts 24:5 All of us like it when good things are said about us and to us. However, it pays sometimes to know what your critics have to say about you. Much of a what a critic has to say about us has a negative bias and innuendo. Since we tend to dislike criticism, we might overlook things that truthfully

Today’s Verse: And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting…. ~Acts 11:12a Whenever I travel with other people, I am a strict adherent to staying on schedule so as not to miss our transportation or be late to our event. As we approach fifteen minutes before our departure, I remind everyone traveling with me that it’s time to go! In Acts 11, Peter was rehearsing to the church leaders at Jerusalem how the Lord opened the door for Gentiles to hear the gospel and be save

Today’s Verse: These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. ~Acts 1:14 We live in a time of great division and a lack of unitedness. There are divided thoughts about how the government should be run, how money should be spent, and how to protect our country. Among Christians, there is division about how to worship God, the priority of the church, whether God has predetermined who goes to H