As he was saying his morning prayers, little Ben surprised his parents by praying, “Good morning, God. What can I do for You today?”

Often our prayers are focused on what we want God to do for us rather than us asking God what He wants us to do for Him.

Could it be that we have shaped God into the image of a bellhop that we would find in a hotel? We dial a number, place an order and then wait at the door for someone to appear with our requests on a tray. Do we see prayer as the ultimate in heavenly room service?

One day Paul heard a voice saying, “Get up and go…and you will be told what to do!”

Our Lord sees a world full of people who need His love and salvation, grace and hope. And He has given us, His children, the responsibility to bring those who need Him, to Him. When we pray, we must first be willing to “get up and go” to serve Him before we “dial and wait” for what we want.

Prayer: Lord, when we pray, let us first hear what You want from us and then make our requests. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 9:6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The famous entertainer, W. C. Fields, was an agnostic. One day, a friend came to visit him and found him reading the Bible.

“Bill,” he exclaimed, “it’s so good to see that you are reading the Bible. When did you change and become a Christian?”

“I haven’t,” he replied quickly. “I’m looking for loopholes.”

No matter how hard he might search, he will never discover a loophole in God’s Word.

There are many who do the same thing. They do not study God’s Word to learn of His salvation and grace. They read it looking for errors and omissions.

Others have difficulty in accepting God’s Word as the one final authority for truth. They do not want to believe that there is no other name besides the name of Jesus that they can call upon for salvation. This fact did not come from the church or any religious movement. It is a promise of God found in His Word.

God designated Jesus to be the only Redeemer and Savior. There never has been nor ever will be any other name for people to call upon for salvation. While there are some problems that may have more than one solution, when it comes to being forgiven of our sin, there is only One. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your Son Jesus, in whose name and through His work we find salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Two elderly ladies were sitting on the porch rocking and talking the day away. Said one to the other, “Sally, do you ever think of the hereafter?”

“All the time,” came the reply. “Every time I go into a different room I look around and say to myself, ‘What did I come here after?’”

An amusing little story that we can use to remind ourselves of one of life’s most important realities: while we live in this world, we must prepare for the next. Many live as though this life will never end or that the next one will never begin. There is a tombstone that reads: “I lived all of my life expecting to die – but not this soon.”

We all marvel at the persistence and power, the determination and drive that the Apostle Paul had in presenting the message of salvation. His audience would change, his location would change, and his conditions would change. But one thing never changed: “The necessity of turning from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus.”

This message is not only for the unsaved, but for the saved as well. There is that one moment in life when we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But there must be many other moments when we confess our sins and prepare to meet the Lord our God! He is coming again!

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for our salvation. Help us, we pray, to live life knowing we may soon meet You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 20:21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

During an inspection of his soldiers prior to a parade, Alexander the Great said to one of them, “Your name is Alexander. My name is Alexander. Either change your name or change your way of living!”

Another leader spoke of a Name and the honor it deserved. King David wrote, “He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name.”

Names are important for many reasons. In Scripture the word name or words that have the same meaning as name occur nearly 1,100 times. Slightly half of that number refer to the name of God or God’s Son. But the use of the word name in the Bible always carries with it one’s identity or reputation.

Luke writes, “It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called ‘Christians’” or Christ-ones – emphasizing the fact there was something very different, yet something very similar, about those who were believers in Christ. This young church in Antioch included a mixture of Jews and Gentiles whose languages were Greek and Aramaic. And though their languages were different they had one thing in common: Christ. Yet together they lived Christlike lives that reflected His unending, always obvious love. Their lives were so different because of Christ that they had to be given a new name.

Question: Do you qualify to be called Christian?

Prayer: Lord, we often falter and fail in our lives that bear the name of Your Son. Forgive us for those times when our lives do not reflect Your love and Your life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Lucy and Linus were talking to their coach, Charlie Brown, at home plate. Kicking the dirt in disgust, Charlie Brown said, “Our team is no good. We have lost every game. There is nothing good about our team!”

“But,” protested Lucy, “Schroder almost hit a home run. And we almost won a couple of games. Once we almost made a double play. Don’t forget that you almost made it to first base before the ball, once.”

“If it’s any consolation, Charlie Brown,” interrupted Linus, “we did lead the league in almosts.”

“Almosts” are part of everyone’s life. Some “almosts” work to our advantage. For example, there are times when we almost slipped and fell. Or, we almost had an accident while driving home after a difficult day at work. Then there might have been occasions when we almost got that promotion at work. “Almost” is “very nearly” but “not quite.” So the almosts are the same as if it never really happened at all.

On one occasion Paul was witnessing to King Agrippa. He appealed to the facts of Scripture in his conversation with the king and said, “I know these facts are not hidden from you and that you do believe them!”

But sadly the king replied, “Paul, you almost persuaded me to become a Christian.”

Prayer: We pray today, Father, for those who might almost be convinced to become a Christian. We ask for Your grace to work in them through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Read more...)

A television producer in Great Britain was in the process of developing a series on Heaven and Hell. He wanted to make certain that his facts were right so he decided to call the office of the Archbishop.

“How can I be certain that the position of the Roman Catholic Church on Heaven and Hell is correct and that what you are teaching is true?”

Back came the answer, “Die.”

Perhaps the best, shortest, simplest and most complete summary of the Good News comes from Paul and Silas while in prison. When the jailer asked them what he needed to do to be saved they answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” There is nothing more and certainly nothing less for anyone to do to be born again and be assured of life everlasting.

But they did not stop with a message that was for the jailer only. They wanted him to know that his family was also included in the invitation. So they said, “Along with your entire family!” - which also included the jailer’s servants.

We must always remember that it was not the jailer’s faith that brought salvation to his household. Each of them had to come to Jesus in faith believing that He alone was the One who brought them eternal life.

It is indeed a wonderful example of what God can do within a family when the father honors Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that every father everywhere will come to know You as their Savior and by the way they live bring their family to Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 16:31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Pat Kelly was an infielder who played for several major league baseball teams in the 90s. Once, while having a conversation with his manager he said, “Aren't you glad that I walk with the Lord?”

“I certainly am,” came the reply. “But I'd much rather you walked with the bases loaded.”

Sometimes Christians think that the most important thing that they can do is to “be good.” But that is not enough. Christians must do good. It is not enough that we strive to be holy, we must also be helpful. More important than simply wanting to be grateful, we must also be generous.
We read in Acts that “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Jesus not only lived a perfect life but lived the life of a servant. His sermons were powerful and transformed the lives of individuals everywhere He went. But He also fed the hungry, comforted the grieving, consoled the brokenhearted, gave water to the thirsty and food to the hungry. He did simple things for simple people having simple needs. But He did not stop there.

When He saw a need He met the need. And after He met their physical needs He always reached out and met their spiritual needs. What a great example for us!

Prayer: Lord, trouble our hearts with the things that troubled Your heart. May we never be so comfortable with what we have that we fail to see the needs of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

A farmer had been suffering from a rash on his leg and finally decided to visit a dermatologist to determine the cause. After a number of tests, the doctor was able to determine the cause. He called the farmer into his office and said, “Sir, after all of the tests and examinations, the results show that you are allergic to your dog. You will have to get rid of him.”

“No, sir,” replied the farmer emphatically. “It’s easier to get another doctor than another good bird dog. I’d rather get some other opinions and wait until I find someone who says I can keep my dog.”

There are many people who will not accept the fact that “There is salvation in no one else,” as Peter declared. This is not something that came from Peter or the other disciples; it came from Jesus Himself.

It was God’s decision to designate Jesus to be the Savior of the world. He has no equal and no one or no thing can take His place. It is important to be open-minded on many things, seeking information from many sources before making a decision. But God’s Word says: “There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call upon to save them.”

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for that name which is above every name, the name of Jesus, who can save us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

As he was saying his morning prayers, little Ben surprised his parents by praying, “Good morning, God. What can I do for you today?"

Often our prayers are focused on what we want God to do for us rather than us asking God what we can do for Him.

Could it be that we have shaped God into the image of a bellhop that we would find in a hotel? We dial a number, place an order and then wait at the door for someone to appear with our requests on a tray. Do we see prayer as the ultimate in heavenly room service?

One day Paul heard a voice saying, "Get up and go…and you will be told what to do!"

Our Lord sees a world full of people who need His love and salvation, grace and hope. And He has given us, His children, the responsibility to bring those who need Him, to Him. When we pray we must first be willing to "get up and go" to serve Him before we "dial and wait " for what we want.

Prayer: Lord, when we pray, let us first hear what You want from us and then make our requests. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Acts 9:6

While managing the Washington Senators, Gil Hodges learned that four of his players had violated the team curfew. Calling the team together he said, “I know that four of you have violated the team curfew, and I know who you are. Now, I don’t want to make this an issue, but you know the penalty for doing that. So I am going to leave a box on my desk and you guilty ones put your hundred dollars in the box and we’ll drop the matter. I want to see $400 in that box in the morning!” The next morning there were eight one-hundred dollar bills in the box.

Our conscience is one of God’s greatest gifts. If we live according to His Word, it enables us to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, the sacred from the secular.

Paul said that he took “pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” He lived his life in constant awareness that one day there would be a resurrection followed by a judgment of both the just and unjust. He refused to be found doing anything that would dishonor His Lord and Savior.

There are many instances in the writings of Paul where he talked about his final accounting before God. He lived his life constantly reminding himself and others of that fact. Perhaps we would do well to do the same.

Prayer: Father, may we live life in light of eternity, always realizing that You will judge us all on that day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

The famous entertainer, W.C. Fields, was an agnostic. One day, a friend came to visit him and found him reading the Bible.

“Bill,” he exclaimed, “it’s good to see that you are reading the Bible. When did you change and become a Christian?”

“I haven’t changed,” he replied quickly. “I’m looking for some loopholes.”

No matter how hard he might search, he will never discover a loophole in God’s Word.

There are many who do the same thing. They do not study God’s Word to learn of His salvation and grace. They read it looking for errors and omissions.

Others have difficulty in accepting God’s Word as the one final authority for truth. They do not want to believe that there is no other name besides the name of Jesus that they can call upon for salvation. This fact did not come from the church or any religious movement. It is a promise of God found in His Word.

God designated Jesus to be the only Redeemer and Savior. There never has been nor ever will be any other name for people to call upon for salvation. While there are some problems that may have more than one solution, when it comes to being forgiven of sin, there is only One. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.

Prayer: Thank You Father, for Your Son Jesus, in whose name and through His work we find salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.