Acts 13: Are You A Man After God’s Heart?
Verse of the Day: (V22) “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
1. Hands (V1-13)
V2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
During the time of the early church there was already great teamwork in action. Though the church ordained and sent out Barnabas and Saul as missionaries to preach the Gospel of Christ to the regions beyond, yet God expected the church to support them in prayers and finance. The laying of hands was God’s way of identification that the church and their missionaries were of one heart and one mission of winning the lost to Jesus Christ.
V3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
2. Heart (V14-43)
V22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
God removed Saul and promoted David as the next king of Israel. Of all the kings of Israel and Judah, God only commended David as a man after His own heart, because he was truly a man who loved God, knew how to repent his sins, and turned to God. Hence God blessed David to be the ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
V23 “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:”
3. Hear (V44-52)
V44 “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”
The Jewish leaders persecuted Paul and Barnabas and chased them out of the city because they were preaching to the Gentiles who desired to hear the Gospel. However they were not discouraged as they went to another city to continue preaching the Gospel with joy.
V50 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a man after Your heart.
Acts 12: Will You Glorify God?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”
1. God (V1-5)
V1 “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.”
Apostle Peter was arrested and waiting to be sentenced to death, during the time of Herod, the evil and wicked king, who had commanded his army to persecute the church and the Christians. When the church heard of Peter’s arrest, they immediately prayed to God for Peter’s deliverance. Prayer is our lifeline to God. Whatever crises and challenges we are facing, let us pray to God who hears and answers our prayers according to His will.
V5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
2. Gate (V6-19)
V7 “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
God heard the prayers of the church, and sent His angel to break Peter’s chains, and opened the iron gate for him to escape from the prison. Indeed God can do the impossible. God can miraculously break the chains, open the iron gate, and best of all, He can rescue us from fiery hell to pearly heaven, if we repent our sins, and trust and believe in Him.
V10 “When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”
3. Glory (V20-25)
V22 “And the people gave a shout, saying, Is it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”
King Herod acknowledged the shout of his people that his voice was that of a god. He not only rejected God, and gave not God the glory, but he desired the people to worship him as god. Therefore, God immediately judged him, and sent worms to eat him to death.
V23 “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”’
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to glorify You as You are the true and living God.
Acts 11: Are You A Christian?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
1. Christ (V1-21)
V17 “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”
Apostle Peter explained to the Jewish Christians that God spoke to him in a dream to preach the Gospel of Christ not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. Initially the Jewish Christians had difficulty in accepting Peter’s explanation, but they soon realised that their salvation was God’s gift to them. Indeed, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that whosoever, whether Jews or Gentiles, believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V18 “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
2. Cleave (V22-24)
V22 “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.”
God convicted the church in Jerusalem to send Barnabas, a man of faith, to preach the Gospel of Christ to the Jews as well as the Gentiles in Antioch. Barnabas obeyed God and immediately went to Antioch to preach the Gospel, and many believed and trusted in God. He then taught the new disciples to grow spiritually by cleaving their hearts to God.
V23 “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
3. Christians (V25-30)
V25 “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:”
As the church in Antioch grew, Barnabas went to Tarsus to enlist Saul to help him in the preaching and teaching ministry. Saul was more than willing to serve alongside with Barnabas. They led many souls to the Lord, and many were baptized and added to the church. In fact, it was at Antioch, that the disciples of Christ were first called Christians.
V26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am a Christian by the grace of God.
Acts 10: Will You Preach To Every Nation?
Verse of the Day: (V35) “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
1. Prayed (V1-4)
V1 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,”
God sent an angel to a centurion named Cornelius who was a Gentile but praying to know more about the God of Israel. God told Cornelius to send his men to look for apostle Peter in Joppa who would tell him more about the God of Israel, the true and living God.
V2 “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.”
2. Peter (V5-33)
V5 “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”
Peter could not fully understand when he was told by God in his dream to eat the unclean animals which the Jews were forbidden to eat according to the Leviticus law. God spoke to Peter thrice before he finally understood that God commanded him to preach to the Gentiles beside the Jews. Just like God cleaned the unclean animals, God would forgive the sins of the Gentiles. Hence, when the men of Cornelius came to fetch Peter to Cornelius, Peter knew that God had already prepared him to preach to Cornelius that the Lord Jesus Christ shed His precious blood for the sins of the Jews as well as the Gentiles.
V15 “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
3. Preaching (V34-48)
V35 “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
During the Old and New Testament time, God taught the people through His preachers that anyone who would believe and trust in Him shall be saved. Even though during the Old Testament time, God chose the people of Israel, the Jews, yet He would still save the Gentiles from condemnation to fiery hell, if they would only believe and trust in Him. Today, God is extending His love to every nation and every soul that whosoever believes and trusts in Jesus Christ shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V36 “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to preach to everyone that Jesus loves, cares and saves.
Acts 9: Will You Suffer For Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
1. Slaughter (V1-9)
V1 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
Saul was hated Christ, and desired to slaughter and exterminate all of Christ’s disciples or the Christians. While on his way to Damascus to arrest the Christians, Christ through a light from heaven questioned him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It was at that moment that Saul realised that Christ was truly the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
V6 “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
2. Suffer (V10-31)
V15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”
Christ told Saul that He had chosen him to be a vessel to preach His gospel of salvation to the Gentiles, kings and the people of Israel. Christ also told Saul that he would suffer much because of doing His work and will. Indeed, Christians, let us not be surprise and sad when we suffer for Christ’s sake. Christ assured Saul and all who love and preach His gospel that we shall certainly suffer for Him as well as reign with Him one day in heaven.
V16 “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
3. Sick (V32-43)
V40 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”
During the apostles’ time, before God’s word, the Bible, was completed, God gave the apostles the sign gifts of casting out demons, healing the sick and even raising the dead, as evidence that they believed in God and were from God. Today, we do not have these sign gifts because we have the Bible with us as evidence that we believe in God and are from God. However, we can still fast and pray for God’s power, promises and miracles to cast out demons, heal the sick and even raise the dead, if it is God’s perfect will and work.
V41 “And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure suffering for Christ’s sake.
Acts 7: Is God With You?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph unto Egypt: but God was with him,”
1. God Was With Joseph (V1-19)
V9 “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,”
Stephen was fearless when the false religious leaders were about to charge him with a death sentence. Stephen reminded them that God who was with Abraham, Joseph and Moses was also with him. Though Joseph’s brothers out of envy sold him into Egypt, yet God was with him. Through all the trials and troubles, God miraculously made Joseph to become the saviour of Egypt and the world, when he correctly interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and fed the people with corns he had kept for the past seven years. Subsequently, Joseph was promoted to be the most powerful ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
V10 “And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”
2. God Was With Moses (V20-50)
V30 “And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.”
Stephen reminded the false religious leaders that God was with Moses. Moses was a Prince of Egypt, a Somebody, for 40 years, until God humbled him for 40 years to be a Nobody, before God finally used him as God’s body for the remaining 40 years of his life. Throughout Moses’ life, God was with him, because Moses had faith and trust in God.
V36 “He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”
3. God Was With Stephen (V51-60)
V59 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Stephen was stoned to death as these false leaders not only refused to believe that he was God’s servant, but they also refused to repent of their sins and unbelief. Indeed, God was with Stephen as even in his last breath, he prayed to God to forgive his murderers!
V60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are with me as I trust and obey You.
Acts 8: Will You Believe in The Son Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V37) “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
1. The Word Of God (V1-17)
V4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
In spite of the great persecution, the apostles and their disciples continued to preach the word of God until the entire city of Samaria received the word of God. Without the great persecution, there might not be a great scattering of the disciples in preaching the word of God. Indeed, without great suffering, we will not grow in great faith and trust in our God.
V14 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:”
2. The Gift Of God (V18-25)
V18 “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,”
Simon, a professing believer, offered money to the apostles thinking that he could exchange them for the gift of God. He saw the apostles’ miracles and wanted to be like them, who would lay hands on the believers so that they received the Holy Ghost. Apostle Peter rebuked Simon and told him that money could never purchase God’s gift.
V20 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
3. The Son Of God (V26-40)
V32 “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:”
God led Philip, a man of God, to approach a prominent Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the book of Isaiah. Philip explained to him that the prophet Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he wrote - He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered so that His blood was shed for the forgiveness of the sins of the world. Immediately upon seeing a pool of water, the eunuch requested Philip to baptize him as he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He knew that baptism was the first step of obedience for a new believer as it symbolised Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
V37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 6: Will You Obey God’s Word?
Verse of the Day: (V7) “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
1. Widows (V1-4)
V1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
As a result of the murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected, the 12 apostles appointed 7 men or deacons to take care of the widows’ needs. They knew that they must continue in prayers and preaching of God’s word, while the deacons took care of the widows. Today, we have pastors who will continue in prayers and preaching of God’s word, while the deacons take care of the church administration.
V4 “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
2. Word (V5-8)
V5 “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”
When the apostles appointed 7 deacons to take care of the widows’ needs, they had time to pray and preach God’s word, and many people in Jerusalem believed and received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and the church grew in spirituality and number.
V7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
3. Witnesses (V9-15)
V9 “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Though Stephen, one of the 7 deacons, obeyed God and His word, yet the false religious leaders purposely disputed with him, and even framed him. They were never for God and His word, but only for themselves. Hence when they realised that their so-called spiritual power and influence with the people had greatly declined, they plotted Stephen’s death.
V13 “And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always obey Your Word now and forever.
Verse of the Day: (V12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
1. Saved (V1-12)
V10 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”
Peter boldly declared to the false religious leaders that only Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, and whom God raised Him from the dead, could heal the impotent man. Jesus Christ not only healed the impotent man, but would one day save his soul from fiery hell to pearly heaven, because he believed that Jesus is truly the Son of God.
V12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
2. Servants (V13-33)
V29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”
Peter and John and the rest of Jesus’ servants or disciples became wise and bold, as they prayed and were filled with the Holy Ghost. They no longer feared the threats of the false religious leaders, and were determined to keep preaching God’s holy word to the people.
V31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
3. Sold (V34-37)
V34 “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,”
Jesus’ disciples were committed to loving one another, and those with properties sold them, and gave the proceeds to the apostles who distributed them to those in great need. Today, we may not sell our properties to give to the church, but we can give part of our income to those in great need, be they in our church or community, so as to be an effective witness of Jesus’ love that they may one day come to the saving grace of Jesus.
V35 “And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that only You can save me from fiery hell to pearly heaven.
Acts 5: Will You Obey God?
Verse of the Day: (V29) “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
1. The Price (V1-11)
V2 “And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Ananias and Sapphira his wife kept back part of the price of the land that they had promised to give to the church to help the poor and needy. They lied to God, and God spoke to apostle Peter who rebuked them for their lies and deceit, and both died before the church. Let us be honest and truthful, even though God may not take our lives, like the case of Ananias and Sapphira, but He shall surely discipline us for our lies and deceit.
V10 “Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.”
2. The Prison (V12-32)
V19 “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,”
After the angel of God had miraculously opened the prison doors by night, and let Peter and the apostles out, they realised that God was indeed with them, and therefore, they must choose to obey God than man, and continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
V29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
3. The Pharisee (V33-42)
V34 “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;”
God used a Pharisee named Gamaliel to refrain the people from arresting and casting Peter and the apostles into prison. Gamaliel explained to the people to let Peter and the apostles do their work in preaching God’s word, and if it was not God’s work, it would surely fail. However if it was indeed God’s work, it would be wise to leave them alone, because if they opposed their work, they were actually opposing and fighting against God.
V39 “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always be obedient to You and Your Word.
