Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. —James 1:22-25 He looked in the mirror and there was dirt all over his face. At that moment something made a loud crash outside and he looked…

But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” —Acts 10:26 They bowed down to him and kissed his ring. Others have kissed the toe on a statute of a Christian leader of the past so much that it has deteriorated. People worshipping other people ought not to be. When Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet in reverence Peter told him to get up because he himself is only a man. Men are not to be revered and worshipped. In Revelation 19:10 we read that John “fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a…

“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” —Acts 9:15-16 There are those in this world who do evil to the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times it is those who are of a “religious” group who will do the persecuting. This has been true down through the ages. Wicked, evil and barbaric practices toward those who love Jesus have taken place. These malicious people invent ways of practicing evil on God’s people. After the stoning execution…

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” If you believe with all your heart, you may.” —Acts 8:36-37 If you believe with all your heart that the walking bridge will hold you, then you will cross the bridge. If you believe with all your heart that the plane will safely carry you, then you will fly on that plane. If you believe with all your heart that the car will get you from one place to another, then you will ride in that car. If you believe with…

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. —Acts 7:59-60 What would your response be or most people’s response be if someone was doing something mean and cruel to you or them? Would the response be kind words? How about a prayer for them? Is that the response that would be forthcoming from most people being harmed in some way? Highly unlikely. Most people’s response would be retaliation of some sort. Jesus told us to love and pray for those who…

We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. —Acts 5:28 Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. —Acts 5:40 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. —Acts 5:41 We were told not to talk about Jesus to the men anymore by our Chief Petty Officer. How could we stop? We continued to do so. It was not long after that incident that some of us who had trusted Jesus were shipped off to a new assignment hundreds of miles…

“ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:11-12 Wherever the cornerstone of a building was set that determined the location of the rest of that building. Everything was to be aligned with that cornerstone— everything plumbed and leveled from it. If a person tried to plumb and level each stone by itself and not work off the cornerstone then the building would not turn out to be like it should. Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives. If lives are not “built—plumbed…

…you killed the Author of life… —Acts 4:15 The author sat at the table during his book signing. People were excited to have a copy of his new book signed. His works of creation in book form were in high demand. All of his works were original. Jesus, the Author of life. He is the creator and sustainer of all life (John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-18: Hebrews 1:1-2). You killed Him! I killed Him! The Jews and Romans were there at the time to actually put Him to death, but it was for your sin, my sin, the Jew’s sin, the Roman’s sin, the world’s sin that He died. The gospel,…

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. —Acts 2:42 Some areas where people may be devoted to are their spouse, family, work, other relationships, a sport and there are so many other possibilities. You can tell what a person is devoted to because that is where they spend their time, talent and treasure. As followers of Jesus are we devoted to hearing, learning and applying His Word? Are you able to disciple a person who has just come to the Lord by relaying to them what the Lord has taught you through the experiencing of His Word? Do…