Acts 17 - 4.29.25
SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:24-28a "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being."
OBSERVATION: The men of Athens were educated, and very religious, but they didn't know the One true God. Paul had walked around and looked carefully at their objects of worship, and he found an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Realizing they were ignorant of the very thing they worshiped, he proclaimed Who God is, and what He had done for all mankind through His Son, Jesus. He preached about Jesus' resurrection, and the importance of putting their faith in Him. Paul also explained concepts such as the resurrection of the dead and salvation.
Paul was a rabbi who had been taught by the finest scholar of his day. He was well prepared to communicate what he had learned because he had spent much of his life reading and studying the Scriptures. He emphasized that God is not a distant deity but the One who intimately interacts with His creation. Paul conveyed that we only live because of God, and that we were created by the works of His own hands. After Paul spoke, there was a number of people who became followers of him.
APPLICATION: Paul was an excellent example of someone who took the time to prepare to share the gospel, and because he had spent so much of his life thinking and reasoning through the Scriptures, he was well equipped to answer their questions and arguments truthfully and constructively. He had been allowed to speak on three successive Sabbaths, which indicates that he was well respected, and possibly eloquent in speech. (I desire to have both of those attributes).
PRAYER: Lord, You are the One true God. I worship You for Who You are and for all You have done. In You I live and move and have my being. I pray as Your offspring that I will continually allow Your Word to shape me, mold me, instruct me, motivate me, challenge me, and give me wise council. I pray, like Paul, that I will allow Your Word to fill me and use me as I share it boldly with others. Your Word is inspired and trustworthy, and I thank You that it is being used to equip me to live for you. I pray Your Holy Spirit will help me to read, study, and memorize Your Word so that I am able to share it wisely, timely, and effectively.
- Robin Orefice
2 Chronicles 20 - 4.28.25
Scripture
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
“He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Observation
The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against King Jehoshaphat. King Jehoshaphat was feeling a bit overwhelmed and terrified over this planned attack. So what was King Jehoshaphat’s first plan of action?..He begged God for guidance and called on the people to fast and pray (verses 3 & 4). Then while the people of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered together seeking God, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel. And through Jahaziel, God spoke to the people. He told them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Application
Is something in your life troubling you and you don’t know what to do? Seek God’s help!
I love how King Jehoshaphat’s first response after feeling threatened and terrified was to seek God’s help. He called the people to fast and pray. He could have easily panicked and tried to form alliances with other kingdoms so he could fight his enemies or he could have cowardly surrendered to his foes in defeat. But, King Jehoshaphat remembered God’s faithfulness. He remembered God’s covenant with the people of Israel. He remembered that his God was mighty and powerful! Once he realized that, God answered his prayers. King Jehoshaphat found comfort knowing that the battle was not his to fight, it was God’s.
We could all learn from King Jehoshaphat here. If trouble comes our way and we feel our problems closing in on us, seek God first! We can tend to forget that sometimes. We could seek other avenues for help and refuge from these world’s problems, but we need to remember that we have God on our side. He is mighty 💪🏽 and He is awesome! Trust in Him and allow Him to fight our battles for us.
“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” -Exodus 14:14
“For the Lord your God will fight for you.’” -Deuteronomy 3:22b
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for always being on my side. Thank You for Your faithfulness and goodness. You are always watching over Your children, keeping them safe and out of harms way. May I always be reminded of that. May You be the first One I seek when times are rough. May You be the first One I seek when times are good. You oh Lord, are with me through it all and I praise You. Be my place of refuge and source of strength today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Psalm 84 - 4.25.25
Scripture: Psalm 84:10-12
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Observation
The sons of Korah are singing a song celebrating the joy of fellowship with God, our Creator, the maker of the heavens and the earth. The Living God who loves and adores us. The God that our soul longs to be close to. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Our God who provides and protects us. The psalmist expresses their deep desire for God’s presence and service, that even a humble position in God’s house is better than worldly riches and luxury.
Application
Psalms like these are reminders to us of the things that really matter in our lives. What is value to you? Where do you want to be? With whom would you wish to spend your life with? Even a moment in the presence of God is far greater than a lifetime spent apart from Him. How small we are and how Great is our God. I would rather serve God in a lowly position, feel His love and presence in my life than hangout with people who are Godless and evil. When you seek Him with all our heart and walk in His ways, He will open the windows of heaven to bless you. He blesses us with ALL good things. The one who trusts in Him is greatly blessed. We can walk with Him knowing that He is in us and that He will never leave or forsake us. A moment with Him is better than an eternity without Him.
This psalm is a powerful statement about the importance of seeking God’s presence and prioritizing spiritual values over worldly attractions.
Prayer
Dear Lord, our soul longs to be in your presence! Help us to remember that one day in your presence is so much more than time spent in the world. Help us to prioritize our time so we are able to spend time with you everyday dwelling in your presence. Help us to remember that our strength comes from you and the more we lean into you, the stronger we become. All the blessings in our life comes from you. There is nothing better in life than being in the presence of God and dwelling under the shadow of Your wings. I love you Lord with all my heart and soul!
- Michelle Craig