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.
Acts 6:9-10 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen as it was called—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
God’s Word is more powerful than any human argument. Lord, may You use me as Your servant to speak to others. Give me wisdom as I interact with others.
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
Grace and gospel can so easily be twisted and altered that even believers can have a distorted view of God’s truth. Lord, may I maintain a correct biblical perspective.