Chapter 1
And said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 – It didn’t take them long to get distracted off the mission. The disciples are just standing there staring at the sky waiting for Jesus to come back down when they’re given this rebuke to stop being idle and start doing the things your were told to do. That clearly goes for us as well. We know what God has called us to do, to love Him and love people. We can fill our time and mouths with excuses as to why we haven’t got onto doing either of those things, but that doesn’t change the fact God has told us what to do and we haven’t done it yet. Today, let’s stop just looking into the clouds wasting the valuable moments God has given us and begin spending more time with Him and pouring out His love onto the people we encounter. Let’s do our mission rather than just talking about it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 630
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 – Jesus is speaking to His apostles and telling them to wait. He was about to return to Heaven, leaving them alone for a moment, and in that moment they are to wait. For what? For promise and power. Jesus has promised them His Holy Spirit would come and dwell within them, and His Spirit would empower them to do the mighty works He had called them to do. Once the Spirit had come upon these men, such marvelous works were done by them and thousands upon thousands placed their faith in Jesus. Yet, there was a moment of waiting before any of that could happen. Maybe right now you aren’t seeing the “marvelous works” or “thousands upon thousands,” but your heart is desiring to follow the Lord faithfully. Maybe then the most holy thing you can do at this time is continue waiting. Waiting for God’s Spirit to make a change and to empower your work. In that wait, continue to pray, studying scripture, and love the people around you. Don’t be stagnant, you can still be serving the Lord in the waiting. Just know that season of mighty works being done may require a period of wait from us. Trust that the Lord understands the reason behind the wait even if you don’t, and that everything will be better when we wait upon the Lord. Trust His timing, and be willing to serve Him still in the waiting. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2527
Chapter 2
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37 – How do you respond to a message that hits deeply? For the crowd that heard Peter’s message the only question they could muster up was “What shall we do?” They realized now their life wasn’t going the direction God desired for it to go. How about you? When you are made aware that your life choices have gotten you somewhere God doesn’t want or your beliefs need changing in a certain topic, does your walls of defense come up or are you open to God working and changing you? When we hear those messages that cut deeply and open our eyes to something that needs changing in our life, be sure to see that change through rather than just discarding the message as of it was just for someone else. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 631
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:36-38 – The Gospel is fully shared right here. Peter boldly proclaimed that Jesus is Lord and Christ. He shared with the people listening about how they had sinned and wronged God. The people responded heartbroken over their sin asking what they could do about it. Peter then proclaimed the good news, that they could turn from their sin and find forgiveness in Jesus over their wrongs and will be given the Holy Spirit of the Lord. My prayer today is that you who are reading this know that you too can turn from your sin and find forgiveness in Jesus. Know Jesus loves you, He died to cover your sins, and is alive again to offer you eternal life with Him. All your wrongs can be taken care of and forgiven by Jesus. Please reach out if you would like to know more about how to find such forgiveness and to follow Jesus. If today you are a follower of Jesus, please somehow make your day about the gospel. Pray for the lost in your life, speak about Jesus to someone when you’re running errands, share the truth of the Gospel over social media somehow. Let’s make the gospel the most important thing to us today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2528
Chapter 3
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:7-8 – Because of God’s healing this man was able to walk, yet, where was the first place he walked to? Into the temple. See God didn’t just give him healing, God removed the barriers that stood between this man coming and worshipping God. So has God done for you as well. While your story may not be like this man’s, God has healed you spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. He’s healed you with the purpose of given you an open path to coming back to Himself. Don’t take God’s healing for granted, use it to draw even closer to your healer. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 632
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? Acts 3:12 – It’s so tempting to take the glory and spotlight, even when you didn’t do the work. Here a lame man has been healed, he is jumping around making a loud commotion, and all eyes go to Peter and John for the work. They were the ones that spoke and they were the ones that were there, but as we see from the Peter’s word, it wasn’t their power or holiness that healed this man. It was all Jesus, and they just got to be the tool Jesus used. As we then serve and give and use our talents for the Lord, let’s seek to have this posture of the Apostles here of reflecting the glory back to God when all eyes looks to us. For without Jesus we wouldn’t be able to do or say or perform or work. If it wasn’t for Him, we would have nothing anyone would look to us in awe for. However we can, let’s give God the praise for the works He does through us. Let’s point people to Him when they are amazed at our life when Jesus is working through us. His name is the only name that needs to be lifted high, let’s do our part by reflecting all glory back to Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2529
Chapter 4
But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. Acts 4:14 – Beliefs can be argued over and disagreed with till both peoples faces turn blue. What can’t be argued with is when those beliefs are carried out into a persons life and the outcome of that is clearly seen. Like in our story, the religious leaders highly disagreed with Peter’s beliefs, but had nothing to say in opposition to him because the guy who was crippled was standing perfectly healed next to Peter. When your beliefs begin to be things you act upon, you will be changed and the people around you will change. That change is something no one can argue against. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 633
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 – Peter and John were arrested and put on trial for their speaking of Jesus and healing the lame man. Once released, they went straight to their friends and told them about what had happened. Once filled in on all that went down, the friends praised the Lord, spoke scripture over Peter and John, then prayed for them and their continued efforts of sharing the gospel. Our verse then today shows the results of such actions among the believers. God was pleased and the sharing of the gospel was able to continue with boldness. See how impactful our time and words with our brothers are. They may come to us after being heavily persecuted, exhausted, possibly ready to give up. Yet we can listen, pray for, and saturate them with God’s word in those times. Know this sort of support being given to our brothers and sisters is pleasing to the Lord. It also may be the boost they need to keep walking and keep fighting. Let us not slack on our role as a fellow follower of Jesus in each other’s lives. We are to walk with, pour into, and help up our brothers and sisters in Christ who are fighting the good fight. Be the sort of godly friend that when heavy seasons come in another believer’s life, they go to your place first. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2530
Chapter 5
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 – This is a great verse to highlight and star in your Bible, but honestly, when the pressure is on, does it go much further in your life than a highlight in your Bible? Like when your boss tells you to do something you know isn’t right but he also holds your job in his hands what do you do? When you know your reputation at school is on the line and God is telling you to do something that might mess it all up what do you do? Is this a verse you actually live out or just highlight? Be sure you make that choice now before the pressure hits because it’s too easy to just go with the flow if you haven’t preset your choice as to who you’re going to follow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 634
And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…Acts 5:14 – This type of verse has come up multiple times in the first few chapters of Acts. Whether it was the Pentecost 3000 or the amount that joined the church in Acts 4 after the apostles continued to preach, more and more people continued to place their faith in Jesus and find salvation. What’s unique about this verse though is what is follows. A serious sin had taken place within the body of the church, a sin that could have festered and caused damage to the body. Yet it was dealt with immediately and the result was a simple interruption to the gospel message being proclaimed. As a result of dealing with the sin, any hindrance to the Gospel was squashed and multitudes came to know Jesus still. Know then just because sin has raised its ugly head within your family or church family or even within your own life, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost and the gospel can no longer have an impact. What matters is how you address that sin when seen. Leave alone to fester, then a cancer will grow and life with end. Address the sin, the gospel can remain moving unhindered, and people will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If sin is present, deal with it rather than put it off. Allow anything that would hinder the gospel from going out to be destroyed. People coming to know Jesus is everything, and it’s worth the messiness that follows dealing with sin. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2531
Chapter 6
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” Acts 6:2 – So preaching is more valuable than serving tables right? That’s what this is saying? It’s easy to get that idea, but it’s actually sharing something quite different. Preaching and serving the poor at tables are of equal value and importance, but for the 12 apostles they knew what God had called them to do. While they knew every way of serving God was important, for them they knew they couldn’t set aside the task God gave them to do so they could do something that just needed to be done. For them preaching was more important because that’s what God personally called them to get done. What then has God specifically called you to do? How are you getting sidetracked off of that task and doing other good things that you weren’t called to do? Make sure you get done what you’ve been called to get done and trust God is able to take care of what He hasn’t trusted you to take care of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 635
And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15 – After being chosen to be a servant by the body of believers and commissioned by the apostles to do so, Stephen is put on trial. A group didn’t like what he was doing and saying about Jesus, and while they couldn’t legitimately bring him in for questioning for they could find no true grounds to do so, they chose to create lies about Stephen to condemn him. While Stephen was in front of the council, being lied about and condemned, the council who gazed at him during this time saw something unexpected. His face looked like that of an angel. Exactly what that meant isn’t overly clear, whether it was shining bright with God’s glory or transfigured in some way or simply one of pure peace and confidence within the Lord, what is clear is this council saw something different than they expected. They were being confronted with God’s holiness. When sinfulness is allowed to run rampant, God’s holiness stands out like a lighthouse on a darkened shoreline. We then can see this light of God’s holiness and run from it, or we can embrace this light and draw close to it. Know God has made it possible through Jesus to escape the darkness that is your sinfulness. Jesus is the light, all we need to do is turn away from our sin and turn to Him instead. If you have questions about what all that looks like or how to turn to Jesus, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2532
Chapter 7
And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him… Acts 7:9 – Here Stephen is retelling the story of the Israelites and all their past struggles. What stood out to me was how often the word “but” was used in the retelling. Meaning something bad happened, but God came through. Never forget that God is all about the changing of stories. Your story right now might be one of weakness, fear, anxiety, and doubt, but God can and will help you. Your story can become a “but God” story simply by turning to Him and following Him today. He showed us in scripture what He can do in people’s lives, allow Him to show you what He can do in your own life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 636
But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Acts 7:42-44 – Stephen is on trial before the Jewish council who is seeking to stop and condemn him for his proclaiming of Jesus. Stephen uses his time in front of them to remind them of how their heroes of history pointed to the Messiah, but also how over and over the Jewish people would reject and condemn. They would have God in front of them and with them, yet they would serve and worship false gods instead like we see in our passage. They rejected God’s plan and went after their own instead. Such a lifestyle resulted in prophets of old being killed, worship of God to stop, and even Jesus being crucified. We may look at what God tells us to do in scripture, and while it doesn’t look appealing to the eye as maybe our life of sin does, know following God and His ways is best. With passages like this, we are invited to see the bigger picture of choosing sin and rejecting God’s ways. Yes, choosing to follow God and proclaim His gospel may not always end smoothly for us, it didn’t for Stephen. God though is worthy of our wholehearted devotion, allow Him to have it today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2533
Chapter 8
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Acts 8:4 – Great persecution can open the doors for the great commission. Often we wonder why we are going through difficulties in our story. Loss of job, health issues, broken relationship. What if though we looked at those difficulties as God opening new doors and new opportunities for us to share His Word in ways we couldn’t before. A health issue might give a platform we never had before to share about His grace. Loss of a job might equal new people to talk with about Jesus at the new place of work. This mindset is looking past the sadness that comes with difficulties and looking for the reason behind it all. As with the disciples, difficulties can open paths to sharing God’s love that weren’t there before. Trust God knows what He is doing. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 637
So there was much joy in that city. Acts 8:8 – A very simple verse, but understanding the context makes it a very special verse too. Saul had begun his persecution of the church and a result of that was believers in Jesus being scattered to different places outside Jerusalem. One believer by the name of Philip went to Samaria during this scattering and preached the Gospel there. This city and people who had once such harshness toward the Jewish people now was listening carefully to the words of the Gospel and accepting Jesus. What then was the result of Philip going to Samaria, a city that is known for their hatred of Jews, and him sharing the gospel with them? Much joy was in that city because that city met Jesus. They found forgiveness of their sins and salvation for their souls. We too may be scattered from where we are comfortable and called to speak with people we have history with, but the result when God is in the mix can be “much joy.” For salvation can be found by those we speak with. We also can find reconciliation, healing, and togetherness out of such conversations. Wherever then God leads you, share the good news of Jesus with whoever you meet. You may just become the carrier of much joy into their story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2534
Chapter 9
And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,” Acts 9:11 – Don’t you wish all directions from God we’re this clear? Maybe, but know then your lack of following what God said to do also would be very clear. See maybe it’s not the clarity of God’s direction that needs to get better but our obedience. God has told us to love Him and love people. That’s pretty clear and the means of how we do that on the daily is where we need to listen and be led. But just remember the direction has been given, there is no confusion about it. Are you today going to love God and people or not? Let your life be a clear answer to that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 638
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:26-27 – God’s grace is saturating the events within this chapter. We have a man who was breathing out threats and murder against the Christians. This sort of life was the atmosphere he existed in, and the death of the followers of Jesus was the air he breathed. But God, rich in mercy and love, showed grace to such a man and forgave all his sins and chose to use him as a tool for His gospel. What we must be willing to do is show grace like God does. Clearly not all believers in Jesus accepted the truth that Saul had converted; they avoided him as if no change had been made in his life. Thankfully Barnabas was willing to embrace this new life of Saul and walk with him. Do you have people in your life who are growing in the Lord yet came from a not-so-great past? Know God is calling us to embrace the brother or sister in Christ who is seeking to live faithfully, even if they did live a life of extreme unfaithfulness in their past. Be an encourager to their growth, not someone who extinguishes their flame. We will be known as Christ followers by the way we love one another. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2535
Chapter 10
Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? Acts 10:47 – Do we ever hold back something that could help someone grow in their walk with Christ? For Peter, even though these Christians were from very different situations than him, he saw their genuineness of faith and wanted to help them keep living for God well. How about us? Sure if a little child has a question about Jesus we’ll talk with them but what about a guy who has had his whole life turned around by Jesus but needs a place to stay because he just got out of prison? Our answer to ‘will we help people grow in their walk with Christ’ gets fuzzier there huh? Let’s pray together to have God soften our heart and give us the wisdom to know how to help even in tough situations like that. Discernment is of course important, but we must also trust God is able to change people. Let’s be ready to help those different than us if that’s where God leads us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 639
So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord. Acts 10:33 – The story of Peter and Cornelius is such a transformative story for the gospel mission on who would be considered “worthy” of receiving the message of salvation. Peter had been led by the Lord and is now standing in front a group of Gentiles who are sitting patiently, waiting for him to say what he has been “commanded by the Lord” to say. What did he say? What ought we say in situation like this? What if we find ourselves led into a situation that we weren’t prepared for and we are put on the spot to speak about Jesus to someone that doesn’t know? Speak the gospel, this is what Peter and we have been commanded by the Lord to speak. That Jesus is the Savior of the world, that our sins can be forgiven by Jesus, and the Jesus can offer us eternal life with Him. If you know the Gospel, you know exactly what you need to say. Now let us be willing to follow the lead of the Spirit, like Peter did, even if the lead doesn’t make any worldly sense. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2536
Chapter 11
If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way? Acts 11:17 – What would this look like today? Maybe it would be an understanding that the Spirit inside the person who’s been in church since they were born is the very same Spirit inside the person who was a drug abuser for years but turned to Jesus recently. We have to remember people with a different backstory than us don’t have a lesser Jesus who saved them and that they are in a relationship with. Jesus saved them from their sin like He saved you from your sin. Let’s make sure in each other’s walk with Christ that we aren’t holding our past identities over each other. Maybe back then our stories were very different, but now our stories is Jesus and His love. Please remember all those who follow Jesus have the same Spirit saving them as you do and let’s treat them accordingly. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 640
If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:17-18 – A truly glorious message is being given in these chapters, the Gentiles are able to receive the gift of the salvation too. For us today that is the best message of all, for more than likely, we all who are reading this fall into that category of Gentiles. While wonderful, we see somewhat in this text, and from other texts too, not everyone may have felt so thrilled about it. Have you ever felt that way before about someone being able to be given this message of forgiveness, grace, and salvation? We too can have our issues with people and mindsets about them and find ourselves in a posture of opposition to them hearing the gospel message. Why should they be forgiven after all they’ve done? Why should they be given salvation when they’ve done all those horrible things? While these are legitimate questions, I believe we need to land where Peter did in our text. If God is giving them this gift of life and salvation, who are we to stand in the way? Let us then drop our personal feelings and beliefs concerning who ought to be given the gospel and share the gospel with all who God says to…everyone. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2537
Chapter 12
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Acts 12:5 – We need to have a consistent prayer life for those who are enslaved. Maybe it means praying for prisoners, or maybe it also means praying for those who are in bondage in other ways. Prayers need to be made for our family in Christ who are struggling with addictions. Prayers desperately need to be made for the people groups around the world who are trapped from hearing the Gospel. Why? Because we learned from the passage God is able to bring freedom. Keep praying and trust God is bringing about the means of freedom. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 641
They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. Acts 12:15-16 – The chapter tells of a story of when Peter was imprisoned yet released by an angel. During the time of Peter’s imprisonment, we have a group gathered together in a home praying. While we don’t get exact details on what was being prayed about by this group, we can assume this group would have been praying for Peter and his protection, and most likely even his release. Now here stands Peter, protected and released, yet there is a hesitation to believe it’s actually him. God has shown them already chains and prisons don’t stop Him. God already demonstrated He is the ultimate authority, not Jewish leaders or kings. Why then would there be any hesitation to believe it was Peter at the door when God had shown so clearly what He could do and who He was? We now have more stories than even these people did of God’s power, yet how often do we still hesitate to believe God can do something? If today you are in a situation where all seems hopeless and defeat is the only outcome that seems possible, take time to pour into the scriptures of when God moved like He did in this passage. Our God can part waters, our God can break prison chains, and our God can roll back the stone covering His own grave. Be sure that the God of scripture is the one you’re bringing into your hardship, for any version of God that is too powerless or weak to change things and bring light isn’t our God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2538
Chapter 13
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. Acts 13:45 – Have you ever gotten jealous of someone’s blessing that God gave them for their faithfulness? Here we have the Jews seeing the massive crowds coming to hear Paul speak and they become jealous and began speaking badly about Paul. Have you ever looked at the crowds of a big church and spoken badly about their ministry? Have you you ever seen a pastor living and serving faithfully but all you speak on is their wardrobe choices? Have you seen a fellow church member who’s been faithful and received a blessing from God and instead of joining in the gratitude you are filled with envy? Our hearts when we see God blessing and moving should be to praise Him and be an encouragement to those being faithful. Check your heart, jealously is going to slow down the blessings in your life from coming and only going to hurt the church. Be willing to thank God for the blessings, especially when they didn’t come to you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 642
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39 – Imagine someone chained to a wall their whole life. They had tried everything they could to unlock the chains, but nothing ever worked. Now you share with them that there is a key that can finally unlock their chains. While nothing else could to do this for them, the key will, and they can freely have it right now. The message Paul was proclaiming here was there is now a key, and His name is Jesus. By Him they could be freed from the chains of sin like they had tried for so long to do. Now for us today we too may have tried so many things to free us from sin. So many things to free us from the shame, the hurt, and the guilt, but nothing in this world could do it. Jesus though is the key. He can forever set you free from the sin in your story and give life everlasting to you. Give your life to Jesus and find the freedom only He can give. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2539
Chapter 14
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. Acts 14:19 – Words have power. Here we see words being used to change the minds of people who once thought Paul was a god to now trying to kill him. If words are that powerful, then never underestimate what your words of encouragement and the time you share the Gospel can do. Never think someone will always be against God, if words can do what it did in our passage, believe the right words, with the right heart behind it, can change any mind. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 643
Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts 14:1-3 – “So they remaining for a long time.” Note that in 13:51 they disciples shook the dust off their feet and left, and even later in chapter 14 eventually the disciples here did leave this place due to great opposition. Yet we see something quite special here in these first few verses. The gospel is being shared, many are coming to faith, and then there was opposition from the unbelievers. Yet, instead of just leaving the moment opposition arose, the disciples remained for a long time. They remained to continue to teach and even debate against the lies being stirred up against the gospel. Know sometimes the right move when struggle arises is to step away, but often I feel we can step away too soon from things just because its uncomfortable. If there is still open ears and hearts to the Gospel message wherever you are at, be in deep prayer before you step away. God may be calling you to remain in the uncomfortable so the Gospel can continue to be proclaimed by you there. Be willing to remain, even for a long time, in a place of opposition if God is calling you to remain. Leaving isn’t always the right call. Keep in mind this truth, you will most likely never have the sort of opportunity to share the gospel with the people you are with in this season once you leave this season. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2540
Chapter 15
And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Acts 15:31 – How often is that the case for you when you read God’s Word? Seems like often scripture can be convicting, opening up things about ourselves that we might not want opened up. We’d say that’s far from encouraging, but is it? When something in scripture convicts you, don’t let it tear you to pieces with discouragement because you feel like you haven’t done things right. See it as God gently leading you to a better life with Him because He loves you that much. While the message might be sharp, be encouraged by the love of the One who is sharing the message with you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
In Acts 15, brothers in Christ are torn apart because of a disagreement on a certain issue. One thinks one way, and one sees it in another way. This could quickly become something deadly to their relationship and this same issue can be deadly in our own Christian relationships today. So how do we figure this out? Start with love for one another. If you don’t love that other brother, you don’t care about how your words effect them and how they are feeling. You don’t care how this whole thing could mess up what you have with them. Yet if we begin with love it changes how we move forward with them. So if you have an issue with another brother/sister in Christ, begin today to love them, really love them. Then let that filter of love be present in your conversations about that issue. It will change everything. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. Acts 15:19-20 – Understand here the message is not that we shouldn’t talk with them about their sin and trouble their lives with the whole process of walking away from sinfulness. What it is saying is that we don’t need to heap on new believers the rules we have chosen to follow for ourselves. Such as circumcision in the passage. Some said the new gentile believers had to do it to be saved when that wasn’t a requirement for salvation. They choose to do it, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to. Jesus saving you from your sin and you following Him, that’s what saves you. Be careful that we don’t add things of our own doing into the process of salvation. Nothing we do adds to our salvation, it’s all Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 644
And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. Acts 15:3-4 – In our passage today we have a disagreement within the church, something far too common in church life today. Not being able to resolve the issue themselves, Paul and Barnabas pause the debate to run up to Jerusalem to get clarity and direction on what to do. While on their way to Jerusalem, they share in Phoenicia and Samaria the good news of God and what God is doing. Keep this in mind as well, they took time to still share the good news of God even while in a season of dissention and debate with brothers. How often do we though, when in our own seasons of dissention and debate within church, totally forget to share the good news of God with others? See today how possible it is to remain a joy-giving, gospel-sharing follower of Jesus even if you are in a season of tension and dissension. Seek to find unity and peace with your brother/sister as soon as possible, and bring in those more mature in the faith to help navigate if needed, but don’t neglect the gospel during this time. Remember our enemy will do anything he can to blind us to the lost around us and their need for the gospel, don’t allow him that victory in your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2541
Chapter 16
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 – Talk about having a change in mindset in your life situations. See, the reason Paul and Silas had the ear of the prisoners wasn’t because they were doing some amazing prison ministry on the weekends, it was because they were fellow prisoners right alongside them. Things weren’t going good for those two. They just got beaten, imprisoned, and all for what? Being faithful and preaching the gospel. My question to you is how often in your times of struggle is your response praising God and singing to Him? We see how this attitude of Paul and Silas had a large spiritual impact on those around Him and so will your attitude of praise. As easy as it is to be overwhelmed by the struggles, know how we live in those struggles is also a part of our witness. When others watch your life during the hard times, are they moved towards trusting in God more themselves? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Acts 16:14b – What we see here is that God was working in the life and heart of this lady, then when He opened her heart, she’s was able to truly hear the life giving message Paul was sharing. So for you within your efforts to share the Good News, don’t let yourself be caught in the spiral of exhaustion and discouragement because you’re not seeing the change happening in the lives your sharing the message to. Know God is using you and is still working in the hearts of those you’re speaking to. God is asking us to stay faithful in our efforts because He is staying faithful in His. He is working constantly within their lives and hearts to open them up to Him and He is offering us a chance to be a part of that. Don’t let discouragement keep you from all that. Keep sharing and be ready for the time when God begins opening hearts in front of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Acts 16:3 – In our freedom we have in Christ, we may let go of things to help our witness along. See Paul didn’t do this to Timothy to help in Timothy’s salvation somehow, he did this because he knew Timothy would have a better chance at teaching the Jews and having them listen to what Timothy was saying if he did. We too might have to let go of parts of our life in order to have a better witness. Maybe that means not smoking so people aren’t turned off by that or not wearing a suit and tie at church to seem more approachable. Remember, these aren’t things that are at all a part of your salvation process, but they are things we can change in order to be the best we can be and have the highest rate of success in spreading the Good News of Jesus. Remember the mission isn’t to make you look like a good Christian, but to make disciples. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 645
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them…Acts 16:25 – After freeing a young lady from a demon possession, and after being dragged into a marketplace to be falsely accused, and after being stripped and beaten with rods, and after being locked in prison, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to the Lord. What I love though so much is that last phrase, “and the prisoners were listening to them.” I have written in by Bible next to this verse this note, “Whether from a pulpit or prison, your life and witness impacts those around you.” You must realize how you live your life today is going to be witness somehow to others about Jesus. You may be speaking from a pulpit at church, you may be checking out groceries at Walmart, you may be sending an email to a coworker, or you may be on the floor playing with your kids, but if you are carrying the name of Jesus then everything you do and say is giving off some sort of message about Jesus and who He is. People need to know that Jesus is loving, powerful, good, and forgiving. Do you feel like the people around you yesterday got that understanding of Jesus from your life? If while shackled in prison Paul and Silas could be a good witness for Jesus, then wherever we find ourselves today we too can be a good witness. Set yourself a goal that people with more properly understand the God of scripture because of your life today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2542
Chapter 17
Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. Acts 17:21 – Sure sounds like they just weren’t satisfied with what they had seen and what was already in front of them. I’m all for continual learning, but as we see Paul say later in the passage, they had many idols all around and they had a great interest in hearing about gods because what they had weren’t enough. For us, if the god you you’ve heard about doesn’t satisfy and doesn’t fulfill, then you haven’t yet heard about Jesus. Maybe the “god” you know you labeled Jesus, but it’s very different than the real Jesus because your god doesn’t satisfy your heart and needs. Know that god then you’ve heard and followed isn’t Jesus. Truly following the real Jesus will bring fulfillment into your life like nothing else can. If you’re tired of searching for something to satisfy your desires, try following the real Jesus taught from scripture and find all you are looking for in Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 646
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Acts 17:32-34 – After being persecuted over and over in different cities, Paul finds himself all the way in Athens sharing the Gospel. He is sharing in the synagogue and the marketplace every day with everyone that will listen to his voice. He is even invited to speak with the Areopagus, the Athenian governing council, about this “new teaching” that they had never heard of before. He then shares with them the truth of God and the need for repentance. And what do we see? Do we see thousands of Greeks placing their faith in Jesus here? Do we see the temples of the Greek gods being converted into sanctuaries to worship Jesus? No, we see some joined Paul in believing in Jesus. That may not seem like too thrilling of a response to be recorded in scripture for its not like what took place at Pentecost when 3000 people turned to follow Jesus. But remember the truth of what scripture says here…some believed. Meaning that at least a few individuals escaped eternal death in Hell and found forgiveness and salvation through Jesus. That is something to celebrate from the mountaintops! Today, what may be happening in your church, or even in your personal walk with God, may not look like the Pentecost 3000. It may look more like “and some believed.” Never though despair in that, for even if just one life has turned to Jesus, the chorus of Heaven is rejoicing and so should we. If then your church family is actively reaching the lost and people are coming to know Jesus, celebrate the work being done there for God is moving in your midst! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2543
Chapter 18
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:9-11 – Paul was all about the journey. It’s seemed like his life was one city after another nonstop. Here though we see God having Paul put a pause to his plans and staying there for 18 months. Sometimes God will change the plans we have to accomplish His plans. As followers of God, we need to learn to humble ourselves and let His plans prevail rather than get worked up because what we want to happen doesn’t happen. We must remember we are not the point and our plans are not the ones that have to happen. We’re here for a purpose and that’s to fulfill what God is leading us to do. Sometimes our plans match right up with His yet other times our plans are drastically different. When that happens you have to ask the question who is lord in your life? You or the one you claimed as your Lord when you accepted Him into your life? Whoever you claim as lord will be the one who’s plans you follow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. Acts 18:17 – Handling things like the world handles things will not get the attention of the world. The Jews sought the attention of Gallio, a local ruler, by the action described in the verse but will no avail. Yet Jesus grabbed the attention of everyone, especially those in leadership roles. Why? Because He choose to handle things differently than the world does. Know if you are trying to stand out as a witness for Jesus you will have to begin handling things differently than the world does. You’ll have to forgive when the world would never. You’ll have to go when the world would say going is crazy. If you want to keep your faith hidden then don’t be any different than the world. Just don’t expect anyone to come to know the joy of having Jesus in their life because of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 647
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Acts 18:6-7 – Paul is trying to get the Jews in Corinth to believe the truth that Jesus was their Messiah. He came to their synagogue over and over, reasoning with them and seeking to persuade them to believe the truth of the Gospel, but as we learn from our passage, they just opposed and reviled Paul. Frustrated with the Jews, yet still passionate to preach the gospel, Paul leaves the synagogue, goes to the house next door to the synagogue, and starts preaching there instead! I love this! Paul never let the opposition stop the proclaiming of the Gospel. A move may need to have been made to where ears would listen and hearts would receive the message, but the sharing of the message continued boldly. Today, share the Gospel wherever you are at. At school, at work, at home, at Walmart…wherever. If people listen, fantastic! If not, go next door! While you can take that literally, it simply means don’t stop just because someone doesn’t receive the message. If God is calling you to share the gospel (hint…He is), then know He will provide opportunities when we are seeking to follow His call. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2544
Chapter 19
Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. Acts 19:18 – We see here people who are coming to believe in Jesus opening up and sharing their sinful ways. There wasn’t a desire to continue hiding what they’ve been doing so they could continue sinning even after they choose to believe. They shared and exposed what was hidden. Let’s check our own hearts and see if we are continuing to hide some sins. If so, why? Do we keep them hidden so we can go back to them once in awhile? Make sure that the sin that was a part of your identity before knowing Jesus isn’t a part of your life with Jesus now. Share with Him and even share with other brothers and sisters the things in the dark to settle those things are parts of your past, not your present….and won’t be a part of your future either. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 648
Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Acts 19:32-34 – Allow this passage to break your heart. There was an assembly of people together, confused, and shouting their praises to a god that doesn’t even exist. This is our world today. People are confused, not knowing why they are even here. They are championing things in life that don’t even matter and giving their lives over to falsehoods. Know if there isn’t a change in their story of beginning to follow Jesus, then their eternity is Hell. Be willing to look past the shouting and their boldness of their beliefs, and be willing to speak the truth of God’s word over them. They may not want it, they may seek to shout 2 hours straight over you, but the truth they need Jesus it a reality regardless. Choose to love them enough to share the truth. A change is needing to be made in their life and that change is turning to follow Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2545
Chapter 20
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 – Paul came to the understanding that his life was meant for something much bigger than just himself and his personal desires. As Christians, we too should see that our life is meant for so much more than our small desires and interests. Our days shouldn’t be filled with the pursuit of achieving our goals but accomplishing the mission that God has laid out in front of us. Today, let your day be focused on the mission God has given you to love Him and love people rather than the personal agendas we have. You have a bigger purpose today than you realize, let’s step into it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 649
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Acts 20:28-30 – It doesn’t take long for the truth to be twisted. Paul is speaking to those who he had poured the truths of God and the message of the Christ deeply into. He tells them that he most likely will never see them again, so hold fast to the words he had spoken. Hold fast because soon would come the “wolves,” those seeking to twist the truth of what was taught about God and the Christ. Seeking to pull the believers in Jesus away from a belief in Jesus by their lies. We too need to be aware of the “wolves” in our story. Let us pay careful attention to our brother and sisters to make sure they are not walking away from the truth of scripture. Let’s also pay careful attention to the truth of scripture for ourselves so we know what is true and what is a twisted truth. While I wish the reality for us was that no devil would come against us to lead us astray, but that’s not the world we live in. Keep a close, loving eye then on your fellow follower of Christ and be willing to draw daily into the study of God’s word. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2546
Chapter 21
Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. Acts 21:30 – We are supposed to live such a life that attracts people to a life of their own with Jesus. How attractive are those actions of the Jews we read about it our passage? While you might not be seizing people like this, understand the way you talk and act toward others should attract, not repel, people to Jesus. Let’s your speech be encouraging and your actions kind. Let your life be noticeably different in a good way so those who don’t yet know Christ will want to change that lack of knowledge. How then does your current lifestyle need to change today to attract more people to a life with Jesus? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 650
Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13 – Paul was making his way to Jerusalem to continue the teaching and preaching of the Gospel message there. While on the way, a message from the Lord was given to Paul that he would be bound and deeply persecuted if he went to Jerusalem. After hearing this message, his companions strongly urged him to cancel his trip due to the certain persecution, but instead of allowing the threat of struggle stop him, Paul replied with the verse above. How often though do we allow far less serious of reasons halt us from doing what God called us to do? For no one right now is threatening your life if you go to church or if you talk about Jesus out in the open. While certainly there are places in our world that this happens, more than likely for you no one is going to bind you with chains or beat you or seek to execute you on Sunday if you were to worship Jesus. If then we are blessed with the freedom to worship Jesus without fear of such things, let us worship Jesus zealously with an unashamed fervor. What our world needs to sees is followers of Jesus unashamed to worship Jesus in front of them. Whether under threat or within freedom, let us worship Jesus in such a way the lost world around us can’t comprehend. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2547
Chapter 22
And he said to me, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” Acts 22:21-22 – What person would you get frustrated over if you knew God was seeking to show love and grace to them? We must remember God’s offer of salvation is meant for all. So the people in prison for horrible crimes are offered His forgiveness and love. The bully that you can’t stand is offered God’s salvation. The person in this life that hurt you the worst is able to be saved by Jesus too. We though not only need to be just “fine” with the fact that they can receive God’s salvation like we have, but we need to be praying deeply that they will receive it. That may mean though we become the ones sharing the message of God’s love to the people we once thought didn’t deserve it. That’s our mission. Let not our heart be cold to certain people like the Jews in our passage, but let us be ready to share God’s love with all that God brings our way. I loves you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 651
And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said… Acts 22:2 – At the end of the last chapter, the mob was in such a violent uproar against Paul that the soldiers had to carry him out of the chaos. Yet before he is taken away, he asks if he could address the mob that was coming after him and is allowed to do so. We see that a moment ago it was shouting and violence, but when Paul spoke in their language, they became quiet. When we speak in a familiar language, we’ll get a better audience. Maybe this looks like actually speaking someone’s language who doesn’t speak English. To do so you may need to study and learn some of their language to share the truth of God’s word well with them. Maybe speaking their language looks like understanding their interest and hobbies and weaving that into your talk with them. Maybe speaking their language means learning their trauma and struggles and speaking in such a way that is aware of their triggers and fears. Maybe its speaking to them as someone who knows very little about the Bible, rather than speaking to them as if they were a biblical scholar. For if the language we speak to them they don’t understand, then our message is just static to them, and God’s gospel message should never sound like static. Seek then to know your audience and seek to speak to them in a way they will understand and listen. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2548
Chapter 23
Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Acts 23:3 – I had someone this week ask me how to talk with someone they know that has begun allowing some certain sins to be in their life. They wanted to know how to approach them and what to say to help them back on the right path. I loved the question, but my first response back to them was to check yourself first. We need to make sure that we ourselves are following Jesus well before we begin telling other people how to live. So check your life and see if any sort of sin has been allowed to stay. We are called to help those enslaved by sin see their way out. Let’s make sure though the chains were are telling others to drop we’ve dropped ourselves first. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 652
Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” Acts 23:23-24 – A plot was made to ambush and kill Paul. More than 40 men came together to murder Paul, and they even agreed no one was to eat or drink till the task was accomplished. What a scary message to hear if you’re Paul! Yet look at the response from the Roman leader over Paul when he heard about these 40+ guys in ambush. Get 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen and get Paul safety to where he needs to be. The ambush of the enemy was nothing to them, and they were able to easily take care of Paul. While that flex of power from Rome was impressive, this is nothing compared to the power our God can flex. Our enemy can threaten, accuse, ambush, and attack, but our God is not compromised by any of it. Satan can bring the whole of his evil forces against us, and our God simply can lift a finger and their forces are brought to nothing. This is why so many times in scripture we are told to fear not and to trust our God. While the enemy is present and powerful, our God is omnipresent and all-powerful. Next time the enemy begins to flex his power look up to our God who is ready to save. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2549
Chapter 24
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets… Acts 24:14 – When the pressure is on, will we still claim to be a real follower of Jesus. For Paul we see him confronted with a powerful ruler and in his presence he openly shares his faith in God. What about you? When that group at school who everyone idolizes is deciding if to let you in asks if you still do that church thing what will you say? When the company you work for is pushing in a direction that isn’t God honoring what will you do? It’s easy to open up about our faith in Jesus at a church small group or church camp, but how will you respond when the situation isn’t one that is supportive of following Jesus. Just remember a true follower of Jesus always follows Jesus, not just when following fits the situation. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 653
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 24:24 – None of this is fair of what Paul is having to go through. Being falsely accused, beaten, imprisoned, and tossed from one leader to the next to be tried. Yet, in the midst of all this unfairness, Paul is getting an opportunity to share the Gospel in fullness that most likely no one else had ever gotten before. What looks to be about a two-year span, Paul was brought often to Felix the leader and his wife to speak about faith in Jesus. Yes, so much unfairness came Paul’s way, but the result was someone hearing the gospel that needed to hear the gospel…and that made the unfairness worth it. That though is going to take a heart change from us if we want to see the unfairness that comes our way in life like this. It also is going to take us looking deeply at the life of our Savior Jesus. For Jesus sure didn’t get treated fairly, but He endured because it meant life for us. Know in life things won’t always be fair, and God will even allow such unfair things to take place in our life. Our posture then is to see how can I glorify God still in this and who can I share the gospel with in this? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2550
Chapter 25
Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” Acts 25:12 – If you’re following along with Paul’s story it just seems to be one bad case after another. Now on top of all that he is to be sent to Caesar and be examined. Yet what if all this was God’s plan? In Acts 23:11 God gives Paul a command to go to Rome and where is Caesar at? Rome. On one side it looks like Paul is being pushed around and forgotten. On the other side we see God showing how He is able to use all things to accomplish His mission. So in your story remember there is another side, a side where God is working and possibly even using things you’d never thought He’d use to accomplish His mission through you. Trust God knows what He’s doing even when you have no clue what He’s up to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 654
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Acts 25:23 – Once again we see another opportunity for Paul to speak about the Gospel. This time we have a king, the king’s sister Bernice, and an audience hall filled with military leaders and prominent men of the city. And all this was to give Festus, the leader of this area, an understanding of the charges against Paul because soon Paul was to be sent to speak with Caesar of Rome! While this was discussed and planned out by these leaders, Paul would have been most likely clueless, just waiting in his prison until they called for him again to speak, or worse, to punish him. This is where Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:15 truly stand out, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” Paul would have needed to establish in his heart that God is good and holy, even if the situation he was in wasn’t good. Paul would also need to constantly be ready to share the Gospel, to share the message of hope. For at any moment he may be called to speak to a leader, or king, or even Caesar himself about the message of Jesus. Today, like Paul, know we truly have no clue what’s ahead for the day. We don’t know who we’ll run into and what opportunities to speak about Jesus are ahead of us. Let’s then get ready now to share so when the opportunity to speak about Jesus comes, we’re good to go. – Daily DEVO 2551
Chapter 26
To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:18 – Have you ever wondered what your purpose in this life is? Asking yourself why are you here and why are we continuing to live in this messed up world? Then reread today’s passage because that is your purpose in life if you are a believer in Jesus. Your reason for living today is to open other people’s eyes to their need for Jesus and that they need to turn away from this path of following the enemy. That’s your purpose…so what about your life and plans today didn’t include that purpose as it’s driving force? Like when you got ready for work or school today was the reason you went because you had to or because you knew that was a place you could fulfill your mission? With this purpose most likely all of us will need a change in perspective on life. Let’s begin today having our purpose drive our plans. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 655
And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29 – Paul’s answer to King Arippa…yes. Yes, I would love for you for be a Christian and follow Jesus and to begin spreading the good news of the gospel! I want all those hearing today to become a believer and follower of Jesus, using their story and position to share the gospel whenever, however, and to whomever they can. As I write this devotion, its Thanksgiving Day. I’m so thankful that Paul had such a passion for Jesus. I’m so thankful that Luke had a passion to write down these events that took place in Acts. I’m so thankful that people since Paul chose to be passionate about the Gospel as well. I’m so thankful that my family embraced the Gospel message like Paul, because that opened the doors for me to hear the message of salvation. I know for many, today may not be the day you desired it to be. Maybe far from home or even the first Thanksgiving without a loved one. Today, if you are struggling to find something to be thankful for, seek to be thankful for the gospel passion people before you had for it open the doors for you to find life, grace, forgiveness, and hope in Jesus today. Let’s choose to continue this gospel passion so future generations can hear the wonderous truth of the gospel. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2552
Chapter 27
We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. Acts 27:7 – So the wind is what determined the path the ships were taking on this journey. Yet who was it that determined the direction the winds were going to blow? Who have we seen through scripture that commands the winds and the waves and they listen to Him? The presence of the wind in our story is evidence that God was with them. Even in this moment God was directing and leading Paul in how to fulfill his purpose. Remember that the wind and the waves in your story are ultimately controlled. They may seem chaotic to you, but to God they are an organized part of the plan. Always remember while you’re in the storm God is always above it and is inviting you to look towards Him in your storm. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 656
And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Acts 27:35 – Now if you were to read this verse alone, without reading any of the verses before it or after it, it wouldn’t seem to “wow” of a verse. Someone is speaking, then thanking God for some food, and then eating; likely what many of us did yesterday at our thanksgiving meals. Let me though give you the context, for that’s where the correlation to our meals yesterday break down. Paul is on a ship sailing towards Italy to appear before Caesar as a prisoner. While traveling the boat gets caught in a terrible storm. After fourteen days of continued suspense because the waves were crashing so hard against the boat and no sun had been seen due to the storm, Paul tells the men on the boat to finally take some food for they hadn’t eaten since the storm began. After the bread was given to the sailors, Paul gives thanks to God. After being beaten by a storm for two weeks straight on the open water, Paul humbly prays and give thanks to God. Let us remember that God is good and worthy to be thanked always. When the family is around the table laughing together, we thank God. When the storm has lasted for days, when you can’t remember what sunlight looks like, and when the boat you’re on is coming apart, we also can thank God there. For even in the storm God can give us our daily bread, and He has also given us a Savior who can save from any storm. Our God is good, let’s always find ourselves in a posture of gratitude toward our God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2553
Chapter 28
When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. Acts 28:3 – Should it be so surprising that as a follower of Christ was trying to warm himself up that a snake tried to interfere? Know as we grow warmer in our walk with God and as we pursue Jesus more faithfully, our enemy will begin to try and stop us. Just remember all the enemy can do is try. With Paul, he could have freaked out yet rather he just shook the snake off and kept going. We too can do the same as we lean on and use the power of God within our story. The attacks are just attacks, they are not and never will be for a Christian a finishing blow. Keep moving forward in the direction God is sending you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 657
And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. Acts 28:24 – While I wouldn’t say this verse would be the theme verse of the book of Acts, it certainly does sum up so many of the stories within Acts. We have someone, here it was Paul, sharing the good news of the Gospel to a group of people who need to hear it. The result? Some were convinced, others weren’t. Some turned to follow Jesus, others turned to persecute the followers of Jesus. Some gave their life for the Gospel after hearing it, and some, after hearing the message of the Gospel, took the lives of those who believed in the Gospel. This outcome of some believing and some not is everywhere within Acts, and even with Jesus Himself. Do not be discouraged then when some don’t believe when you share the good news. There will be many times that you courageously take hold of the opportunities God has put in front of you to speak about Jesus and the response is less that what you hoped for. Know I’ve given countless altar calls after a message and it still isn’t easy seeing no one respond. In those spots know you are doing exactly what Jesus has called you to, to go and make disciples, being a witness to the ends of the earth of what you have seen and heard of Jesus. When no response is seen, trust God is still working, and you may have just been a piece to the grander story of them coming to the faith. Know as well, as sad of a truth as it is, some just won’t believe in Jesus either. Our role though is to share to good news regardless of the response. We pray for their acceptance of the message, and we’ll pray for them when they don’t. Keep sharing the gospel. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2554
Daily DEVO 