July 11
1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 19:1-3
We wrap up the Book of Acts today with Paul's arrival in Rome. Before making it to Rome, a shipwreck led Paul to Malta where he is initially considered a murderer because a snake bit him but then considered a god when he doesn't die. This quick vacillation by the people of Malta from one extreme to the other is often true of us as well. We can swing from one extreme to another: from dieting to gorging, over-exercise to slothfulness, from spending to hoarding, from a commitment to God to spiritual apathy. Acts ends with a cliffhanger--Paul is ministering in Rome while under house arrest, but we don't get the end of his story. Church history tells us that Paul was killed for his faith, but Acts ends with his faithful commitment to God.
In our own lives, we must decide what we are going to commit to. Are we going to perpetually switch allegiances like the people of Malta or commit like Paul? A commitment involves a choice. It is a decision not to allow our feelings or our circumstances to dictate our lives but to allow our commitment to determine our trajectory. As Joshua said, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15).
God, my Father, thank you that you are worth living for. Thank you for being King over everything and as such worthy of my service and my life. Help me to live for you today and to commit to bringing you glory in all I do. Amen.
Question of the day: If you have committed your life to God, in what ways is this revealed to others? If you have not committed to God, what is keeping you from doing so?
We wrap up the Book of Acts today with Paul's arrival in Rome. Before making it to Rome, a shipwreck led Paul to Malta where he is initially considered a murderer because a snake bit him but then considered a god when he doesn't die. This quick vacillation by the people of Malta from one extreme to the other is often true of us as well. We can swing from one extreme to another: from dieting to gorging, over-exercise to slothfulness, from spending to hoarding, from a commitment to God to spiritual apathy. Acts ends with a cliffhanger--Paul is ministering in Rome while under house arrest, but we don't get the end of his story. Church history tells us that Paul was killed for his faith, but Acts ends with his faithful commitment to God.
In our own lives, we must decide what we are going to commit to. Are we going to perpetually switch allegiances like the people of Malta or commit like Paul? A commitment involves a choice. It is a decision not to allow our feelings or our circumstances to dictate our lives but to allow our commitment to determine our trajectory. As Joshua said, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15).
God, my Father, thank you that you are worth living for. Thank you for being King over everything and as such worthy of my service and my life. Help me to live for you today and to commit to bringing you glory in all I do. Amen.
Question of the day: If you have committed your life to God, in what ways is this revealed to others? If you have not committed to God, what is keeping you from doing so?
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Derek - I want to thank you so much for these daily messages and guidance through the Bible. It has really helped me better understand many passages in a more concrete way. It has also helped me in trying to deal with many life struggles and situation's on a daily basis. Thank you and have a blessed day
Derek: I try to read your devotions every day and if I miss one I always go back and catch up. I want to sincerely thank you for your writings, they help me to be connected with our church family and understand the Bible better. Thank you so very much ðŸ™