Daily Devotional for December 23, 2015
Acts 11
Scripture:
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea
Observation:
Mike, a new Sunday school teacher, watched James in awe. James captured his students’ attention from the moment he entered the classroom. He was engaging, inspiring, thought-provoking, and, most of all, effective. Each student extended his or her arm, eager to gain his attention, answer his questions, or be involved in the discussion. Mike wondered if he could ever be as effective.
The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea (Acts 11:29).
God has equipped everyone with unique talents and abilities. Whether people are teachers, pastors, or have gifts of service or hospitality, everyone is called to exercise the gifts they have. One gift is no greater than another in God’s eyes. He gave each according to the personalities He created. He knew ahead of time what people’s positions, professions, and dispositions would be.
God wants His children to use their abilities, much like the disciples, to “provide help” for neighbors, coworkers, and strangers.
Application:
- Personal Application: As Spirit-empowered men we should be willing to use our unique abilities to help someone in need.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that the we should use the unique gifts that God has blessed with to help others and to advance God’s Kingdom. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for opportunities to use the gifts He has given you to bless others.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will identify the gifts God blessed them with and will, in turn, bless others with those gifts.
Three-Year Reading Plan for Sunday, December 20 – Sunday, December 27:
- Sunday, December 20: Acts 8
- Monday, December 21: Acts 9
- Tuesday, December 22: Acts 10
- Wednesday, December 23: Acts 11
- Thursday, December 24: Acts 12
- Friday, December 25: Acts 13
- Saturday, December 26: Acts 14
- Sunday, December 27: Acts 15
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
Portions of this devotional are adapted from God’s Word for Today, November 20, 2014.
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