Acts 11:24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
When others see faith and the Holy Spirit in us, we can be God’s tool to bring others to Christ. Lord, make me full of faith and continue to fill me with the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor. 12:8, 9
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Sometimes God answers my prayers by providing more grace rather than changing my circumstances. May I lean upon His sufficiency!
Acts 10:37-38 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
People can be under the power of the devil, but the devil can never prevail over the power of God.
2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
Persistence in prayer is crucial… but the answer is up to God. Give me faith to accept “no” answers.
Acts 9:5-9 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Sometimes the Lord must take everything from us, including our health, so that we will focus only on Him.
2 Corinthians 12:7 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
God uses Satan to accomplish His eternal purposes. Teach me, Lord.
Acts 8:1-3 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
If God can change a man like Saul, it is possible for Him to change anyone, including me.
2 Corinthians 12:2-3
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows.
There are some things we know and other things we don’t know. We shouldn’t insist on demanding to “know” all the whys, how’s, and when’s. The important thing is that God knows.
Acts 7:59-60 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
With God, forgiveness of everyone, including those who want to murder us for our faith, is possible. Lord, make me as merciful as You.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Father, grant me wisdom to be able to discern the devil’s deceptions.