Acts 24-25
Ready to dig deeper into your faith? Our weekly 5-day devotionals are like a guided conversation with the sermon. We'll ask questions, share Bible verses, and help you uncover amazing things about God and yourself! There is a new set posted each Sunday after the service.
Monday
Life is often unfair, and the World isn't afraid to single out anyone for special treatment who lives contrary to their ways. Paul was falsely accused and held in prison for years, remaining unreleased even by the Roman ruler who believed he was innocent. But Paul was following in the footsteps of Jesus, as should we, for Jesus was mistreated and hated before we were. Anything thrown at us isn't ours alone to bear; Christ bears it with us and understands our troubles.
Scripture: John 15:18-19 (ESV) - “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
Question for Reflection:
When I'm singled out and mistreated for following Jesus, is my instinct to feel alone or to feel closer to Jesus?
Prayer: Jesus, I know that You suffered more than I have or will, and I know that You have compassion for me when I'm mistreated. Reform my mind that I might run to You first instead of trying to get by on my own. Amen.
Tuesday
Humans are complex. God created us that way. When we're in conflict for one thing, it's common for us to focus on another thing and misplace our efforts and worries. But treating the cause is always better than being distracted by the symptoms. Paul masterfully cleared his name of criminal wrongdoing and pointed to the real reason he had been arrested: His faith in Jesus as the risen Messiah. We can't be distracted by things of this world when we're under fire for our faith, or else we'll lose sight of the source of our strength when we truly need Him.
Scripture: Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) - "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Question for Reflection
Do I usually focus on the root cause in conflict or do I get easily distracted by surface-level issues and waste my energies on non-issues?
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for being a God of clarity and focus. When in conflict, I pray for Your Spirit to clarify for me what really needs to be addressed so I can glorify You in resolving disputes in a healthy way.
Wednesday
One danger we humans often fall prey to is doing only what we believe is necessary. That leads to lazy workers, inexpressive spouses, and many more troubling relationships. It is true that strictly speaking, we're only obligated to honor God. But Paul notes that he desires to give people no excuse to accuse him of wrongdoing in any fashion, so he goes above and beyond the strictly-required and does what's necessary to grease the wheels of his witness. If we follow Paul's example, we will find our opportunities to share our faith greatly increased and far more effective.
Scripture: Acts 24:16 (ESV) - “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man."
Question for Reflection
Do I take shortcuts and only do the bare minimum in my life? Do I go beyond hat is required and make the most of my opportunities to serve others?
Prayer: Lord, You created us for so much more than the bare minimum. You promised full lives for Your followers, not meager existance. My prayer today is that You remind me every day to take advantage of every moment and serve others well, particularly when it means I can show others that my faith makes a real difference in my life.
Thursday
The instinct to protect yourself from harm is given to you by God. It is good. But good is not God. When good displaces God, our priorities need realignment. Defending your faith is not the same as defending yourself. Paul was in a dangerous position with his life on the line, but he didn't merely seek to save himself. If he had, he would have bribed Felix to get out of prison. Instead, he carried on defending the name of Jesus before each new ruler because that was his calling. It is likewie our calling to highlight the worthiness of God rather than our own safety or comfort. The defense of our faith ought to always bring glory to God, whatever that may mean for us.
Scripture: Psalm 145:3-4 (ESV) - "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts."
Question for Reflection
Have I ever experienced tension between my own safety or comfort and the glory of God? Did I default to protecting the glory of God or myself?
Prayer: Jesus, it can be so hard sometimes to deny myself and carry my cross on the road behind You. I pray that you would give me the strength and courage You showed on the way to Your death and help me also disregard concern for myself when there's a bigger plan moving. May I always be motivated by Your glory and not by my self-preservation.
Friday
"Identity" is a buzzword in today's world, and it's commonly used to highlight one or several things about you and categorize and define you. Paul was known as a Jew and as a Roman citizen, but neither ultimately defined him. As a Jewish preacher to Gentiles, he underscored just how little anything matters outside of our relationship with God. As followers of Christ, the only thing that should ever have the privilege of categorizing and defining us should be our life in Christ. It is that which carries our true identity, and it is that which will carry us through the most vigorous attacks on us. Jesus alone is strong enough to see us through challenges to our faith like Paul saw time and time again.
Scripture: Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Question for Reflection
Have I placed my identity in anything but Jesus? If someone asked me who I am, would they walk away from my answer knowing that the most critical defining aspect of my life is that my life belongs to Christ?
Prayer: Lord, I trust in Your faithfulness to give me what I truly need. I trust that You alone know what's best for me. I repent of all the times I've defined myself by anything but You, and I thank You for Your grace to draw me closer to You with each passing day, that I might more instinctively understand that my identity is in You alone.
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