Daily Devotional for December 14, 2015
Acts 2
Scripture:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Observation:
After the resurrection of Christ the disciples were all together in prayer waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and filled all who were in that place. The Church began to multiply as believers walked in the power of the Holy Spirit and in obedience.
The believers were devoted to daily prayer, fellowship, and the teachings of Christ while they sought the will and ways of the Lord. They also shared everything they had and cared for each other’s needs. What followed was an outward manifestation of the Spirit of God in the form of miraculous signs and wonders.
Christians who want or need a fresh touch from the Spirit of God, and who want to be used by God to impact this generation with His message of love and power should follow the example of the Early Church.
Application:
- Personal Application: Devote every area of your life to God. Look for opportunities to connect, grow, serve, go, and worship throughout each day.
- 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 remembering that as disciples we live devoted to God and to one another. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for more of His presence in your life. Ask God to help you live your life connected to other believers.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that they will always be connected to a group of believers that will encourage them to live devoted to God.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, December 13 – Sunday, December 20:
- Sunday, December 13: Acts 1
- Monday, December 14: Acts 2
- Tuesday, December 15: Acts 3
- Wednesday, December 16: Acts 4
- Thursday, December 17: Acts 5
- Friday, December 18: Acts 6
- Saturday, December 19: Acts 7
- Sunday, December 20: Acts 8
—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 16, 2014.
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