Acts 3 - 12.30.22
Scripture
Acts 3:9-10
When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Observation – What does it say?
God had just healed a crippled beggar through Peter and John. The result? Well, aside from this man’s life being completely changed, people took notice. This man begged daily at the same busy place and everyone knew and recognized him. And when they saw him walking, jumping and praising God their jaws dropped and the crowds came running to see what happened.
This provided an opportunity for Peter to explain and share the gospel with them, resulting in the salvation of many.
Understanding – What does it mean?
God uses miracles as tools to save many.
The same thing happened in the previous chapter. A crowd gathers because of this strange miracle where God enabled his followers to declare His praises in languages they didn’t know. The response of the crowd observing the miracle:
Acts 2:12
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Two passages in a row God performs a miracle, a crowd forms to investigate, Peter explained what was happening and presented the gospel, many put their faith in Jesus and were saved. If this was God’s method of saving many then, recorded in scripture for us, why wouldn’t we pray for him to use the same methods today through us?
Life Application
Pray!
God, please reveal yourself in ways that cause crowds to gather and hearts to be open to the gospel. Fill us with faith to ask you for the impossible, and when you answer may we be bold in sharing Jesus with those who ask about the miracles. We ask for multitudes to come to faith in Jesus, and we ask you to choose to use us to partner with you in reaching them. Amen.
Habakkuk 3:2
Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.
-Levi Thompson
Psalm 146- 12.29.22
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146: 3-4 NIV
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”
OBSERVATION:
Psalm 146 begins a series of “The Five Final Psalms-known as the Hallelujah Psalms”. We don’t know who wrote this psalm—but whoever penned it—God was the author. There are “Life-Giving” words here that I have lived by for many years. Today in my Soul Journal I am sharing a few Takeaways.
UNDERSTANDING:
First, Hallelujah—Praise the Lord.
It’s funny but I was a believer for awhile before I knew the meaning of certain words—and then it reaches that awkward stage—where you don’t want to ask. (haha) Hallelujah was one of those words back in the day. “Praise the Lord”. The first half of the word, from the word hillel, means praise, and its used hundreds of times in the Bible. “jah” is a shortened form of the 4-letter Hebrew name for the LORD, YHWH, pronounced Yahweh. God is Worthy of our Praise.
Let Everything in my Soul—stop—surrender—in complete praise and thanksgiving—to my Creator—the lover of my soul—deep calls unto deep. Selah.
Today, the first few verses of this Psalm caught my attention because it said “human beings cannot save”. How true this statement is. There is much unrest in the world today. The news is unsettling to say the least. Where is my trust? Is my reliance placed in a person OR God? God IS in Control. Humans are mere mortals—there is no salvation in them. Salvation comes from God, ALONE—a Free Gift waiting to be Received-
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)
God cares SO deeply and personally for HIS Creation. Selah. May I pause and remember how often God has personally demonstrated His LOVE for me. When I was a new believer and did not know the Bible—I was struggling with the fact that my Father was in and out of my life. At that time God spoke a personal word to me, “Don’t you know I’ll always be your Father”. That day His spoken word blessed me so deeply. I held it in my heart and began praying specifically to my “Daddy” God. Several years later I came across Psalm 146 and read these words—and saw God’s spoken word to me confirmed.
“The Lord protects the strangers; He supports (upholds, cares for) the fatherless...” (Psalm 146:9a NASB)
LIFE APPLICATION:
May I encourage you to read Psalm 146 Today—especially verses 5-9—as they are FILLED with God’s promises. This Psalm shares that God is faithful, HE will open eyes (Spiritually and physically), HE is your provider, HE sets prisoners FREE (Emotionally, spiritually, whatever is holding you-Jesus is able), HE is your advocate and will exact Justice—HE cares for and upholds the Fatherless, and the widows, the brokenhearted, He cares for those who are displaced—HE knows our needs. HE KNOWS—Cares, and Loves you deeply—
Selah…My God reigns!
Thank you, Daddy God, for your Love, for your Sovereign Protection. For knowing every need BEFORE it happens. For your provision. I want to Know You more and more. Like Mary..to sit at your feet. Help me to let go of everything that hinders me so that I may receive everything you have for me. I am yours.
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)
Tina L Kudelka
Psalm 145-12.28.22
Scripture
Psalm 145:1-2
1I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Observation-What does it say?
Here is a breakdown of this chapter according to Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary on christianity.com:
In verses 1-9, David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of the Lord. In verses 10-21, he talks about the glory of God's kingdom, and his care of those that love him.
Understanding-What does it mean?
King David chooses to praise the Lord every day because of His character and great deeds!
He celebrates God’s goodness, righteousness, grace, compassion, love, that He is slow to anger, mighty, Creator, trustworthy, faithful, near and our defender. What else did I miss?
Life Application
Meditate on God’s wonderful works and tell of His great deeds! (Verses 5 and 6)
Dear Lord, I desire to be a true worshipper every day just like King David was. May Your Holy Spirit always guide my mouth to speak in praise of You and my life and words always point others to Your greatness. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi