“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Jesus encountered a man who said that. But it could have been any of us. Every one of us has at times felt a disconnect between our faith and our life. In the section of Acts before us today, a man demonstrates that disconnection. He's outside the kingdom of God. Then through the Spirit's gift of faith, he's inside the kingdom of God. But that's when things get interesting. Read about Simon the Sorcerer, Acts 8:9-25, and ask the Spirit to bless his Word to you today.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 8:9-25 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
“There was great joy…” What brings you great joy? Throughout this season, perhaps joy has been a challenge to find. Perhaps it, like Charlie Brown's football, seems to always elude you. We could say it is our circumstances, all that is happening, but the words above are written at a time of great displacement and persecution and yet great joy. Today we will see how God crosses cultural boundaries and brings his great joy.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 8:4-8 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Who is the greatest baseball player who ever lived? Dimaggio? Robinson? Oliva? Rodrigez? Or substitute for "baseball player" the greatest runner, the greatest author, the greatest president, or whatever your hobby is. Who is the greatest? In the slice of first century history called The Book of Acts, we encounter a man we might call the greatest in many ways. Study Acts 8:1-3 with us this weekend and meet him. Let God speak to you through his Word in our worship services, in the Sunday night Growth Group, and in daily devotions. It won't make any of us the greatest, but we will better appreciate how God works in today's world . . . and in your world.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 8:1-3 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Have you ever wondered how your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents weathered the hardships of the Great Depression? Their stories of suffering are harrowing to most of us. In our more reflective moments, maybe more likely these days, we might ask, "How would I handle that?" God has an answer for you. He delivers it through his servant Stephen. Find Acts 7:54-60 and join us to receive God’s answer in our online worship. Let Stephen show you how your suffering, whatever it is, will lead to glory.
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 7:54-60 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.
Though we won't be able to pet sheep this weekend, we have the wonderful privilege of seeing Jesus, our Good Shepherd, one more time. Stephen, as he preaches his first and last sermon, his funeral testimony, he recounts for us the tremendous love of God, the Good Shepherd, for his people throughout history. We will see his love and grace transcend nations, locations, isolation, time, and even rejection by his stiff-necked sheep. This is our loving Good Shepherd!
To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 7:1-53 this week, Monday – Friday,
go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.