Category: 260 Devotional

¹ But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”² And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. ³ So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.⁴ When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. ⁵ But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. ⁷After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? ¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”  ¹²The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. ¹³When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. ¹⁵The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, ……

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

 

Meditation

1. The Jerusalem council is a good model of handling conflicts within a church: to face the problem, listen to all sides, try to show no partiality, appoint spiritually mature leaders to lead the discussion, to make wise decision, and when the decision is made that the community will obey.
2. In your church’s history, has there been any problem or conflict?  How was it handled?  Compare it with the Jerusalem Council, what can you learn from them?
3. Is there any problem in your cell?  What should you do or how to handle it?

 

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What is the meaning of GRACE?  Give some examples in your daily life that would explain what grace is.  Then, explain v11 “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved”.   Are you saved?  Help anyone who is not sure of his/her salvation.

If anyone makes the decision today, write it in the Family Devotional Journal.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 13:22-25

²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.  ²³ The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.  ²⁴ Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.  ²⁵ The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

 

¹⁹ But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

²⁴ Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, ²⁶ and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. ²⁷ And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he hadopened a door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they remained no little time with the disciples.

 

Meditation

1. Paul believed that the purpose of ministry was to “strengthen believers’ souls” (v22) and “equip the saints” (Eph 4:12-13).  We are commanded by Jesus not only to make disciples, but also to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded.  This is the “Great Omission from the Great Commission” in many churches.
2. How much do you know of the various Equipping opportunities at your church?  What have you been committed in?
3. Recalling your own Christian journey, how much equipping have you received?  Are you willing to receive training for spiritual growth and ministry preparation?
4. This “260 Appointments with God” is an Equipping opportunity.  Thank the Lord for this exercise, and pray that God will help you persevere to the finish line.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Saul has changed his name to Paul.  Look up a Bible dictionary to find out the meaning of Saul, and Paul.  Do the two meanings match who Saul and Paul were before and after he met Jesus?  What’s the meaning of your name?  Pass the Family Devotional Journal for each to write or draw meaning of their names. Pray that God will help them to live up to their namesake.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:19-21

¹⁹ A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.  ²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.  ²¹ Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.

 

¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

⁴ So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵ When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of Godin the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John toassist them. ⁶ When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certainmagician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. ⁷ He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. ………

¹³ Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, ¹⁴ but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. ¹⁵ After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” ¹⁶ So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:  “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.

 

Meditation

1. In this passage, worship, prayer and fasting are integrated into the selection and installation of Barnabas and Saul as missionaries.  Today worship and prayer are common in the ordination of pastors and installation of missionaries, but fasting is not.  Why has fasting been dropped from the preparation for these times of consecration?  How possible would it be to suggest that fasting be part of the next ordination or installation service in our church?  Or for the next church-wide meeting regarding future planning?
2. Read carefully the definition of these three elements to gain a better understanding.  Find ways to implement one of these this week.  (Spiritual Formation Bible)

Fasting: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal function – most often eating – for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Other examples include websurfing, TV, favourite food, sports, etc .

Prayer: Interactive conversation with God about what we and God are thinking and doing together. Therefore, there is talking and also the silently listening.

Worship: Expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supernatural reality of the glory, of God.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What is in a Worship service?  Discuss each item as children name them.  Plan a Worship service at home.  Record your plan in the Family Devotional Journal for your family’s weekly or monthly Worship at Home.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 13:15-18

¹⁵ Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.  ¹⁶ In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.  ¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.  ¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

¹ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. ² He killed James the brother of John with the sword, ³ and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

⁶ Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. ¹¹ When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴ Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. ¹⁷ But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

 

Meditation

1. What does the church’s response to James’s death and Peter being in prison (vv. 2, 5) demonstrate about prayer?  Why do you think the praying Christians reacted as they did to Peter’s return?
2. The earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of the events of this chapter. How is your motivation to pray influenced by this truth?  How have you seen God respond to a group of people who were earnestly praying?
3. Recall a time when God answered one of your prayers. Thank him for the joy and encouragement you received from his gracious blessing upon you.

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)
God did a miracle in getting Peter out of the prison.  What has God done to you and your family?  Encourage everyone to share.  Pass the Family Devotional Journal for each to write or draw the sharing. Thank God for His goodness and care.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:12-14
 ¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.  ¹³ Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.  ¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

¹⁹Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. ²⁰Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  ²²News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.  ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Meditation

1. Barnabas appears as a minor character taking a backseat to Paul.  His name means “son of encouragement.”  He brought the money, having sold a field, to the apostles for charity use (4:37).  Later he encouraged the believers to accept Paul(9:27).  Paul and Barnabas began an itinerary ministry, teaching, caring and evangelizing.  Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith”.  Though Barnabas enters and disappears in Acts quietly, we hear echoes of Jesus: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26).
2. Who in your life has impacted you most deeply?  Who was like Barnabas that has believed in you, supported you when you sorely needed it? Who, as Barnabas did, “strengthened (your) souls… and encouraged (you) to continue in the faith”?
3. Barnabas could be characterized as a giver – he gave of his money, time, energy, and position.  Which of these types of giving is most difficult for you?  In what way might God be asking you to give right now?
4. How can you imitate Barnabas as an encourager of others, seeing their potential, and spurring them on in proclaiming the good news of Jesus?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Barnabas is an Encourager and a cheerful Giver.  Do you like to give away things to people who need it?  What have you given to people?  Discuss ways and things your family can give to a needy family or a person.  Decide when and how to accomplish it.  Record your plan in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:8-11

⁸ The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.  ⁹ The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.  ¹⁰ By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.  ¹¹ Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

⁹About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹²It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  ¹⁴“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  ¹⁵The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  ¹⁶This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  ¹⁷While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

 

Meditation

1. The Jews did not want to interact with the Gentiles, they don’t go into their homes, or touch their things, or eat at their table, etc.  This is mainly because the Gentiles eat what was forbidden by Jewish laws, they are ceremonially unclean, and interacting with the Gentiles would make the Jewish people unclean.
2. However, while Cornelius’ messengers were on their way to Peter, God used the vision to change Peter’s view toward the Gentiles.
3. Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, interests) that have limited or prohibited you of true fellowship or reaching out to others?
4. Reflect on you prayer experiences.  In what areas have you experienced God’s guidance in prayer?
5. What are some of the social and cultural barriers that you need to break through as you seek to reach out to your friends for the gospel?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Which friend of yours comes from a different background than yours?  What are the differences and similarities between the two of you?  Thank God for the many people in the world.  Put a photo of you & your friend in your Family Devotional Journal. Lead the family sing “Jesus loves the little children”.  Since Jesus loves all the children of the world, so shall we.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 13:5-7

⁵ The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.  ⁶ Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.  ⁷ One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

 

 

 

¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  ⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

 

Meditation

1. This is the beginning of Saul’s new life in Christ.  The focus of this marvelous experience is Jesus Christ.  Saul not only saw a vision, he personally met the risen Christ (vv4-5). He recognized that Jesus was the Son of God and changed the direction of his life. True repentance came through a personal encounter with Jesus, when a relationship with Jesus was established and new life began.
2. Recall your encounter with Jesus: how you acknowledged Jesus as your Lord, repent your sin, gave your life to Jesus, determined to live an obedient life, established a personal relationship with Jesus and began a new life.
3. Thank God for your conversion experience.  And dedicate yourself to God once again to live an obedient life for God.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What did Saul see?  How will you feel if you were Saul?  Who was talking to Saul?  What did Saul do before Jesus talked to him?  Do you think Saul changed after this?  Why?  Have you met God?  Share.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:1-4

¹  A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.  ² From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.  ³ Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.  ⁴ The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. ²⁷ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  ³⁰Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.  ³¹“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  ³²The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,  so he did not open his mouth. ³³In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?      For his life was taken from the earth.”

³⁴The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Meditation

1. After Stephen was martyred, persecution of the Church increased and Christians scattered.  The Spirit led Philip to the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch.  The eunuch believed quickly and wanted to be baptized.
2. Philip’s experience reminds us that when we share the gospel with other, we come in the love of the Holy Spirit to those who honestly seek God, trusting that the Spirit began the work before we did and will carry it on after us.
3. Who, among your closely acquainted, can you begin to pray for his/her salvation?  Is there anyone around you who has been asking “spiritual” questions—questions about life’s meaning, belief, purpose, etc.?  Write the name down and pray regularly, taking note of the Holy Spirit’s work and asking for wisdom to share the gospel with him/her.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Philip was a missionary who went to different places to preach the gospel.  Who are the missionaries that our church is praying for and supporting?  What places are they in?  Pray for these missionaries.  Can you be a missionary?  Write in your Family Devotional Journal the missionaries and include their photos, too.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:25-28

²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.  ²⁶ One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.  ²⁷ Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.  ²⁸ In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

⁵¹“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵²Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

⁵⁴When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  ⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  ⁵⁹While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Meditation

1. Do you think that Stephen’s boldness was a mistake which cost his life?  In fact, just like the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen’s martyrdom was part of God’s plan for saving His people. God usually would turn “bad” things into unexpected good outcome.
2. Have you had any experience that was terrible, disappointing, unfair…, but in the end, there was an unexpected good result?  How does this help you understand God’s will?
3. Are you willing to be like Stephen and, as Paul says in Philippians 1, have the attitude that “to live is Christ and to die is gain”?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What happened to Stephen?  Why?  Why didn’t God save Stephen?  Parents, recall one difficult incident you or the family experienced.  Share how God blessed the incident and caused beautiful consequences from it.  Ask a child to write to draw the incident in your Family Devotional Journal.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:21-24

²¹ No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.  ²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.  ²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.  ²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  ⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

 

Meditation

1. The life of Early Church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship.  How wonderful it would have been to be a member of this “Perfect” church.  In fact, the Early Church also had problems just like today.  There is no perfect church until the coming of Christ in union with believers.
2. If you have been frustrated with your church, are you willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for your church and pastors?
3. Spend a few minutes to pray for your church, pastors, ministries and other believers.

 

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Name all the deacons in your church.  Allow everyone a chance to introduce one deacon to the rest of the family.  End it by praying for each deacon.  You may ask children to write the names of each deacon in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:17-20

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.  ¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  ¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.  ²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.

 

¹Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ²With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.  ³Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”  ⁵When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  ⁷About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”  ⁹Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”  ¹⁰At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Meditation

1. The sin that Ananias and Sapphira committed wasn’t that they’ve kept some money for themselves.  After all, the sale of the property and the amount to donate were their decisions.  They sinned in deceiving God and His people.  They were severely punished for deception for greed will corrupt the church and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It seems Ananias and Sapphira were bound by their desire for approval or acclaim.  They couldn’t give freely and honestly as led by the Holy Spirit, but rather needed to use their giving to increase their reputation.  God could not allow such motives to pollute the powerful work of his Spirit in this first body of Christians.
2. Satan will use your weaknesses to come into your heart and influence your decisions.  In what ways should you be alert in guarding your actions and thoughts?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Discuss the story: What did Ananias and Sapphira do wrong?  Why did God punish Ananias and Sapphira so harshly?  How did Satan cause them to sin?  How would Satan cause you to sin?  What should you do?  End with a prayer for each family member to obey God and not Satan. Jot down the prayer for each one in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:14-16

¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.  ¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.  ¹⁶ The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

 

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”  ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, ¹⁰then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹He is   ”‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ ¹²Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

¹³When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. ²⁰For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

Meditation

1. Peter and John were arrested for healing a cripple in Jesus’ name at the gate of the temple.  They were interrogated by priests and officials, and threatened not to speak in Jesus’ name again.  Peter and John boldly replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”(vv19-20)
2. Do you have a message that you “cannot help but speaking” (v20)?  Is your message the same as Peter’s –that there is “no other name by which we must be saved”? (v12)
3. Pray that God will grant you the same zeal and passion to share with others what God has done in your life.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Sing “Because He Lives”.  Encourage each to share his/her salvation experience.  Help those who are not clear to understand v12 and make the decision if appropriate.  Close with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for Jesus Christ.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:11-13

¹¹ Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.  ¹² Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.  ¹³ An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.

 

¹One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ²Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  ⁶Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰they 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.  ¹¹While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹²When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Meditation

1. The crippled man was begging for some change, but Peter gave him something much better – the full recovery of his legs.  Similarly, I may wish that God would solve some of my problems, but His plan is much bigger as he desires to give me new life and help resolve the real problem.  When I ask Him for help, He may say, “I’ve prepared something better for you.”
2. Have you ever prayed to God for certain things but the result was totally different?  What was your response?  Surprised or disappointed?
3. Tell God your feelings, and continue to listen to God’s words for you today.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Watch this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFZJFXvuv0A and sing the song together: “Peter and John”. Record the link in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:8-10

⁸ A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.  ⁹ Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.  ¹⁰ Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

³⁷When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

³⁹The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

 

Meditation

1. Those that heard Peter’s Spirit-filled message were moved.  They asked, “What shall we do?”  This is the basic question every new believer will ask.  It’s not enough to feel sorry for the sins we have committed; we need to ask for God’s forgiveness.  When we repent, God will not only wipe away our sins, He will renew us spiritually so that we may live out the forgiven new life.
2. Recall a time when God reminded you of your wrongs.  What was your response?  Are you living a new life now?  The Bible tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What did the early church do when they get together?  What will be included in your gathering that will be just like the early church?  Discuss and make specific plan.  Record your plan in the Family Devotional Journal.  Hopefully your plan includes singing praises, praying, reading the Bible, fellowshipping and enjoying each other, having fun!

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:4-7

⁴ An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.  ⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.  ⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

⁶So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  ⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  ⁹After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  ¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

 

Meditation:

1. During the days between his resurrection and ascension, Jesus demonstrated and spoke truth about himself in order to prepare his disciples for a clearly defined task.  Jesus instructed His disciples to witness to the world, but they must first wait for the Holy Spirit.  Similarly, when God entrusts us with a task, we need to first depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Do you like to get ahead of God and try to depend on your own abilities and enthusiasm, not knowing that WAITING is also part of God’s plan?
3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you specific areas where you are “impatient to wait” and have gone ahead of God with your own ideas of what is good.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Acts tells how the gospel gets spread.  Jesus wants us to share the gospel to others.  List ways you can share the gospel in your neighbourhood, your city, your province, your country and overseas.  Write the names of people who need to hear the gospel.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:1-3

¹ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.  ² A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.  ³ No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?”and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Meditation

1. Silence – Read/Listen – Meditate – Pray – Contemplate
2. Read it slowly as if I were Peter and the Lord was asking me three times, “Do you love me? ”  Follow Peter’s answers and imagine his mood, emotion and thoughts going through his whole person.  Repeat it several times paying extra attention to what the Lord is saying to Peter.  Is He speaking to you, too?
3. Continue to be quiet before the Lord, listen, wait, listen, and wait…..
4. If you have heard what the Lord is telling you, thank Him.  If you haven’t, thank Him, too.  Continue to wait and listen to the whispering voice of the Holy Spirit after this time with God.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: If you were asked the same question that Jesus asked Peter three times, how would you respond?  (1. yes, all the time;  2. yes, most of the time; 3. Yes, some of the time; d. huh?  e. ask me tomorrow.)  Ask each to explain his/her answers.  Lead a prayer of commitment to love God always.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:28-31

²⁸ Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.  ²⁹ Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.  ³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.  ³¹ If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them,“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Meditation:

1. Thomas reminds us that skeptic is not rejected by God – that doubts and uncertainty do not disqualify us for a place in God’s kingdom.  He also reminds us that Jesus willingly comes to us, to show us His hands and side, that we might believe.
2. Read the passage once more.  Look around Jesus’ disciples, those believing ones; and then Thomas.  Judging from where you actually are in your relationship with Jesus right now, which group will you be?  As you hear Jesus speak to you, respond to him from your heart.  Let him engage you in conversation.
3. Thank God for the faith he has given you no matter if you were a Thomas or like the other disciple.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have you said, “Unless I see it, I will not believe it”?  If so, you were a “Doubting Thomas”.  Thomas would not believe Jesus was alive unless he saw and touched Him.  Encourage family members to share times when they doubted Jesus.  Acknowledge that we all have those times.  What can we do to strengthen our faith in Christ?  List some practical actions and decide when and how to accomplish the suggested actions.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:24-27

²⁴ One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.  ²⁵ Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.  ²⁶ The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.  ²⁷ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

¹ Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. ² And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. ³ They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. ⁴ Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” ⁵ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” ⁶ When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” ⁷ The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” ⁸ When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. ⁹ He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” ¹¹ Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

¹² From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” ¹³ So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.¹⁴ Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” ¹⁵ They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” ¹⁶ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

Meditation:

1. Read this passage slowly.  If it’s possible, read the whole chapter.  Try to see and hear the story.
2. Sing or read this hymn.  What are your thought and your feeling?  Talk to God about it.  Wait for His response.  Were You There  By: Negro spiritual

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?(2X)
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Did Pilate believe Jesus was guilty or innocent?  Pilate had the authority to release Jesus.  Why did Pilate not let Jesus go?  Discuss some ways Jesus is put on trial today.  Encourage family members to share specific examples out of their day-to-day experiences.  How can we “defend” Jesus?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:21-23

²¹ Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.  ²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.  ²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

⁴ Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them,“Whom do you seek?” ⁵ They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. ⁶ When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.⁷ So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” ⁹ This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” ¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) ¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” ²⁶ One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” ²⁷ Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Meditation:

1. Peter seemed brave to take up a sword and attack the mob that approached Jesus.  He was rebuked by Jesus.   Have you also attempted at times to “help God out” in your own strength and wisdom?  Then later, when Pete was threatened, he realized his vulnerability and, in fear, disowned his Lord.
2. How does the story of Peter both humble and encourage you?  When have you felt competent and righteous but become weak and fallen like Peter?
3. Talk to God about this.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work to heal and to mold you slowly and surely.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask family members to share a time when they denied being followers of Christ.  The denial may not have been as blatant as Peter’s denial in v25.  Nevertheless, either verbally or through actions, you denied knowing Jesus.  Discuss your feelings.  How did you get right with God again after your denial?  Be sensitive to confession needs during this time.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:18-20

¹⁸ The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.  ¹⁹ Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.  ²⁰ Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.

²⁰ “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,²³ I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. ²⁴ Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Meditation:

1.  Read the passage slowly, knowing that this is Jesus praying for you (“those who will believe in me”). Read it again, substitute your name when it comes to them or they.  Read it one more time.
2. What are you most excited about Jesus praying for you or saying about you?  Why?
3. Thank Jesus for praying for you.  Talk to him about the prayer phrases you found most meaningful.  Pray Jesus’ prayer for his followers today in the world.
4. Walk around today with the sense that Jesus is in you and that this was always his plan – to be in you.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask:  Who is in the life of each believer in v26?  Ask family members to pray thanking God the Father for Jesus.  Thank the Holy Spirit let you know God and experience God’s love.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:14-17

¹⁴ Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.  ¹⁵ Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.  ¹⁶ A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.  ¹⁷ A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

⁴ But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵ But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;¹⁰ concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹ concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

 

Meditation

1. Jesus’ disciples were filled with grief at the thought of losing Jesus.  Jesus explained that His departure was for their benefit.  Christ left, but sent the Holy Spirit, who is a living presence within every believer.
2. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to guide believers into “all truth”.  His mission is to help us experience reality: to know Jesus as He is, to live a life in accord with true holiness, and to build relationships rooted in real love.  When we are eager to know Jesus and please Him, the Holy Spirit will surely guide us nearer and nearer to our Lord.  We will know God’s truth, and our experience of that truth will set us free.(8:32)
3. Prayer:  Thank the Holy Spirit for guiding you to live out the Christ-like life daily.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask your family, why would Jesus say to His disciples, “It is for your good that I am going away?”  Who is coming after Jesus’ gone?  What do you know about the Holy Spirit?  Encourage everyone to share and discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:11-13

¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.  ¹² Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.  ¹³ Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that youbear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Meditation

1. Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in Him, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.
3. Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for you to be fruitful.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have ready an indoor plant or go to the backyard to view a living plant/tree.  Discuss how a plant can grow and the importance for branches to be connected with the main trunk. In what ways are Christians like the branches?  What does Jesus teach about this?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:8-10

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.  ⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.  ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

 ¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that youbear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Meditation

1.        Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in Him, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

2.        For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.

3.        Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for you to be fruitful.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time:Have ready an indoor plant or go to the backyard to view a living plant/tree.  Discuss how a plant can grow and the importance for branches to be connected with the main trunk. In what ways are Christians like the branches?  What does Jesus teach about this?  

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:8-10

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.  ⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.  ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.²⁰ In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” ²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” ²³ Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Meditation:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance for today’s devotion.  Make the reading a prayer in itself.
2. The Holy Spirit is the most neglected personhood of God.  Yet Jesus promises to leave His disciples (and us as his followers) with this important Friend.  What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in vv 16-17, and 25-27?
3. What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit in you and guiding you throughout your day, as this passage says: “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you”?  Is it comforting? Discomforting? Frustrating?  Hard to understand?  Awesome?  How can you grow today in the awareness that the Friend lives in you?
4. As you drive, walk, work, study, and interact with others today, call on your Friend for his guidance with your thoughts, your words, and the decisions you make.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Refer to the Meditation questions for today’s family devotion.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:5-7

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.  ⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.  ⁷ When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

¹ Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Meditation

1. In the Last supper, Jesus acted out a lesson in servitude. Jesus also shows us the spirit he expects in those who follow him. Greatness in Christ’s eyes does not come from having many servants but from being the servant of many.
2. In your early spiritual life, who was one of the people that demonstrated to you what it means to “wash feet”?
3. How will you put Jesus’ teaching into practice in at least one relationship this week at home, work, or church?
4. Ask God to give you a humble spirit.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: In some Christian traditions literal foot-washing is practiced.  Have a “foot-washing” party at home today.  After everyone has washed and been washed, come back to share the experience.  What’s your feeling when you wash or being washed?  Why did Jesus do it?  What was he trying to teach his disciples?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:1-4

¹ A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.  ² When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.  ³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.  ⁴ Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

²⁰ Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. ²¹ So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” ²² Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³ And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Meditation:

1. What does Jesus mean when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and reproducing itself?  Every spring, many of us would bury seeds in our gardens and in a few weeks enjoy the bloom of flowers and the nourishment of vegetables.  Jesus is teaching us that instead of grasping more tightly to whatever we value, we are to hold it more loosely, letting it fall from our hands into the ground.  Then, “if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.”(v24, The Message Bible)
2. Wait for Jesus to show an area of your life – a relationship, a decision to be made, and so on, – in which you are holding on to the status quo, and not allowing God to bring growth or change.  In what way might this be destructive or suffocating?
3. Sit a little longer.  Hold hands in tight fists.  Then relax them, open them, and turn palms upward and talk with Jesus about what a life of open hands would look like.  Ask him to show me what it means to be where he is(26).
4. Think again about the tightly held part of your life.  Try to let go just a little bit, with Jesus’ help.  Serve Jesus and follow him today.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Prepare some seed packages beforehand.  Go to your garden or prepare some pots and plant some of the seeds.  Remember to mark them with names on sticks.  Sit together and talk about this experience.  Have a discussion about how plants grow.  And discuss what Jesus means when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and reproducing itself.  What does that mean to each one?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:29-32

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.  ³⁰ The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.  ³¹ The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.  ³² The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

¹⁷ Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, ¹⁹ and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. ²⁰ So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. ²¹ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”²⁴ Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”²⁷ She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

²⁸ When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” ²⁹ And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. ³² Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. ³⁴ And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”³⁵ Jesus wept.

Meditation:

1. What stands out and draws your attention in this passage? The deep love of the two sisters for their brother?  Their grief?  Jesus’ weeping?
2. Mary said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here…”. Have you also had similar thought?  What was your complaint or accusation of the Lord?
3. Have you felt lonely and burdened lately?  Sing or read the words as your prayer:
   WHEN I CRY by Marshall Hall and Ben Gaither: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0JFFJ1NU

Makin’ a list of all of the good things You’ve done for me
Lord, I’ve never been one to complain
But right now I’m lost and I can’t find my way
My world’s come apart and it’s breakin’ my heart
But it helps to know Your heart is breakin’ too

When I cry, You cry; When I hurt, You hurt
When I’ve lost someone, It takes a piece of You, too
And when I fall on my face,  You fill me with grace
‘Cause nothin’ breaks Your heart, Or tears You apart, Like when I cry

Alone in the dark, face in my hands, crying out to You
Lord, there’s never been a time in my life
There’s so much at stake, there’s so much to lose
But I trust it to You
You’ll bring me through
And it helps me to know that I’m not alone

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: (The 7^th sign of Jesus in John’s Gospel is recorded in this chapter) Listen and learn this song “When I Cry” together.  Talk about feelings each have after listening or singing this song and what comfort and encouragement we can draw from God.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:26-28

²⁶ Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.  ²⁷ The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.  ²⁸ The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

¹“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³ He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Meditation

1. Silence – Read/Listen – Meditate – Pray – Contemplate
2. Jesus uses the scene of a shepherd enclosing his sheep in a sheepfold to explain our salvation and security in Christ.  If you’ve ever doubted the love of Christ, read these words of Jesus aloud slowly as if he were explaining this to you personally.  Notice that the repeated word know.  Jesus knows his sheep; they know Jesus.  The Father knows Jesus; Jesus knows the Father.
3. What usually prompts you to have doubts about your salvation or your walk with Christ? —Your own sin? Feelings of unworthiness? Personal failures? Talk honestly with Christ about your doubts.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Watch this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coq_grSFlNs  and talk about how sheep respond to shepherd’s calling.  Read today’s passage and discuss how each person can respond to Jesus as the sheep do to the shepherd.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:22-25

²² The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.  ²³ Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.  ²⁴ What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.  ²⁵ When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

¹³ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. ¹⁴ Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. ¹⁵ So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” ¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. ¹⁷ So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

¹⁸ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight ¹⁹ and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” ²⁰ His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. ²¹ But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”²² (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) ²³ Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

²⁴ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

 Meditation

1. The Pharisees could say whatever they wanted about Jesus.  But they had to face the fact that He gave sight to a man born blind.  Today, people can pass any judgment on Jesus.  But if they are honest they have to face the fact that millions testify to Jesus’ transforming work in their lives.  John Newton, once a slave trader, experienced a transformation expressed and wrote this hymn:
   “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,  That saved a wretch like me….
   I once was lost but now am found,  Was blind, but now, I see.
   T’was Grace that taught…  my heart to fear.  And Grace, my fears relieved.
   How precious did that Grace appear…  the hour I first believed.
2. Sing softly this hymn and reflect on your life before and after encountering God’s grace.  Use this hymn as your thanksgiving to God for His wonderful transforming “work in progress” in you.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: (This is the 6^th signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John.)  Refer to today’s meditation.  Read the lyrics of Amazing Grace by John Newton.  Discuss, “Why did John Newton write: ‘I once was lost but am found, was blind, but now, I see.’?”   Sing this song a few times encouraging everyone to sing it as his/her own prayer to God.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:18-21

¹⁸ The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.  ¹⁹ When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.  ²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.  ²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. ³ The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst ⁴ they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ⁶ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. ⁷ And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. ¹⁰ Jesus stood up and said to her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Meditation:

1. Imagine yourself in the crowd that day.  Picture the embarrassed and shamed expression on the woman’s face.  Hear the condescending voices of the religious leaders.  Feel the dirt blowing against me as Jesus bends down and writes something in it.
2. Come honestly before God and ask the Spirit to reveal to you the sins you’ve engaged in recently.  Then imagine yourself in the same situation as this woman.  You’re caught in this sin, exposed.  Imagine you and Jesus having the same conversation: “Does no one condemn you?”  “No one, Master.”  He looks you in the eye.  “Neither do I.  Go on your way.  From now on don’t sin.”  What are you feeling?  Thinking?

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have you ever been caught doing something you are not supposed to do?  How did you feel then?  Why?  Read this passage.  What was this woman’s feeling when she was brought to Jesus?  What did she expect to happen to her?  What did Jesus do? Imagine how this woman must have felt compare with her feelings when first brought to Jesus.  What do you learn about Jesus from this story?  Close with a thanksgiving prayer of God forgiving our sins.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:15-17

¹⁵ A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.  ¹⁶ The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.  ¹⁷ Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

³⁷ On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”³⁹ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

⁴⁰ When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” ⁴¹ Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? ⁴² Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” ⁴³ So there wasa division among the people over him. ⁴⁴ Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

⁴⁵ The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”⁴⁶ The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” ⁴⁷ The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? ⁴⁸ Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” ⁵⁰ Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,⁵¹ “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” ⁵² They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Meditation:

1. The temple guards impressed with Jesus’ teaching didn’t arrest Jesus.  Nicodemus, the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night (ch 3) had apparently became a believer, despite the overwhelming hatred of Jesus from his fellowmen.  He risked his reputation and defended for Jesus.  He attacked them for breaking their own rules and exposed their hypocritical motive.
2. How do you respond when you hear people around you (relatives or strangers) criticizing or blaspheming Jesus?
3. Sit quietly before the Lord.  Try to imagine what Jesus encountered, vicious attack and murder threat.  What feelings are stirred up in you?  Talk to Jesus and listen to His response.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Bring pencil and paper as your family gathers for a time of discussion about how people respond to Jesus.  Based on experiences and observations, encourage family members to give examples of ways people either accept or reject Christ.  Make a list of responses.  What role can we as Christians play to help them have a better understanding of Jesus?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:11-14

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.  ¹² Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.  ¹³ On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.  ¹⁴ The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.