“But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Ananias’ hesitation regarding God’s instruction to go to Saul was well-founded; Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and take them back to Jerusalem to answer to the high priest on charges of blasphemy. A devout follower of Judaism who was sure Christ was an imposter for the real Messiah yet to come, Saul no doubt had a promising future in Judaism. Why would God want Ananias to talk to a zealot like Saul? Like so many of us, this disciple pre-judged who would follow Christ and who would not. When sharing the gospel with others let us not be fooled by reputation, status or outward appearance. God instructs us to reach out to everyone.🚦

#DoNotPrejudge #GodsChosenInstrument #SaulOnTheRoadToDamascus #Ananias #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:30-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many people long to understand the Bible but feel confused and ill-equipped. You and I need only be 1-2 steps ahead of another to be able to come alongside and help. With the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can help someone else see the next few steps ahead, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Who do you already know who would love to have someone offer explanation? Perhaps you need to pray to ask God to show you the opportunity He is creating for you right now.🚦

#ComeAlongSide #ReachOut #DivineAppointments #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Simon used the power of evil spirits to cast harmful spells on people but was referred to as “The Great Power of God” by his followers. Nothing could be further from the truth! Simon sought to gain more power for himself by any means necessary, going so far as to offer money to Peter and John in what he hoped would be an exchange for the same Holy Spirit power possessed by the apostles. Believers, be on guard for those using Christianity to promote selfish ambition.

“Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬🚦

##selfishambition #snakebite #evilpractice #demonic #Devotionals #stoplightdevotionals

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.””

Acts 1:4-5 NIV

Long before the credit card company created their famous slogan, “Don’t leave home without it,” Jesus gave this instruction to his disciples regarding the Holy Spirit. He would no longer be with them but would send the Spirit as a comforter, guide and teacher. He gives this to all who repent and receive Him as their Lord and Savior. Have you received this marvelous gift? Don’t leave home without Him!🚦

#Don’tLeaveHomeWithoutHim #HolySpirit #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit…”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:13‬ a NIV‬‬

May we always invite the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and words. Once the words are out, we cannot take them back. Both the brain and the heart are bigger than the mouth for a reason! Happy Saturday, friends.🚦

Silver Boxes, by Michael Bright

My words were harsh and hasty and they came without a thought.

Then I saw the pain and anguish that my bitter words had brought.

Bitter words that I had spoken made me think back through the past;

Of how many times I’d uttered biting words whose pain would last.

Then I wondered of the people I had hurt by things I’d said;

all the ones I had discouraged when I didn’t use my head.

Then I thought about my own life. Of painful words I’ve heard;

and of the times I’d been discouraged by a sharp and cruel word.

And now clearly I remember all the things I might have done;

but, by a word I was discouraged and they never were begun.

Lord, help my words be silver boxes.

Neatly wrapped up with a bow; that I give to all so freely, as through each day I gladly go.

Silver boxes full of treasure, precious gifts from God above;

that all the people I encounter might have a box of God’s own love.

#WordsAsGifts #SilverBoxes #ThinkBeforeYouSpeak #YouCantTakeItBack #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

Jeremiah 6:13, 15a

From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain,

Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.

Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?

No, they have no shame at all.

They do not even know how to blush.

Even before Jesus’ birth there were false teachers trying to make a buck off of unsuspecting devotees who were looking for someone to tickle their ears and make them feel good about themselves. The gospel of “Just Be a Good Person” will always come up empty because God created our hearts to long for truth, no matter how unpleasant it may be to hear that we are sinners, unable to rescue ourselves, no matter how “good” we are or try to be. Have you been sweeping your wrongdoing under the rug, comforting yourself by saying, “At least I’m not as bad as so-and-so” then trying to compensate with a good deed or two? Why are you trying to earn what has already been bought? Jesus beckons you, ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬🚦

#FalseProphets #Liars #TickleTheirEars #GetRightWithGod #YouCannotEarnWhatHeAlreadyBought #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our world lauds those who blaze their own trail, but God calls us to something different. He instructs us to instead look not to a new way of doing things, but instead to seek the spiritual paths of Moses, Noah, Abraham and others who obeyed God even when they could not understand why God was telling them to do a particular thing. These heroes of the faith went against culture to serve and follow the Lord wherever He led them. Will we listen and obey as they did, or will we rebel against God as the Jews did, ultimately to the destruction of Jerusalem?🚦

#CrossRoads #Counterculture #WhichWayWillYouGo #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

David emphasizes his recognition of the depth of his sin through repetition in these verses, making it clear he is deeply grieved by how he has disappointed God and desires forgiveness. Repentance is not a quickie confession of wrong-doing and assumption of God’s forgiveness. True repentance involves serious self-examination and turning away from error and toward the cross of Christ. Do you feel this same sense of agony over your own sin, with it weighing heavily on your heart? It’s time to take that burden to Him.🚦

#CleanseMeFromMySin #HaveMercyOnMe #AccordingToYourUnfailingLove #CreateInMeACleanHeart #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:‭7 NIV‬‬

“If God walked into the room, would you be afraid?” The question posed by pastor/author Dr. David Jeremiah was raised to get people thinking about what it means to fear God. Lacking an appropriate view of Father God—one of reverential awe, worshipful submission and obedient respect to the creator, covenant-keeping God—we arrogantly cast aside the instructions He has given in the Bible because we think our own way is superior. This wrong thinking leads to demise: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

(Prov 14:12‬) isn’t it time we listen intently to Him?🚦

#FearOfTheLord #FoolsDespiseWisdom #Proverbs #DoYouFearGod #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Most of my life I’ve heard preachers talk about what Christ came to release me FROM- sin, eternity in hell, separation from God, slavery to self and emotions. Rarely, until Church on Sunday, have I heard anyone talk about what He released me TO… God created me (and you) to work! He released us to create and to be productive. When you and I embrace this purpose as a gift, viewing work as a blessing rather than as a curse, we are freed up to find fulfillment in glorifying God through whatever work we do.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬🚦

#CreatedToCreate #WorkIsGood #SavedFromSinCreatedToCreate #MadeToThrive #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals