Your Faith Journey 137
The Your Faith Journey daily devotional for this week includes verses describing Paul’s ministry and the work of the Holy Spirit within the lives of the earliest believers that are recorded in the book of Acts from the New Testament. Within the stories there are clashes of cultures including the Jews clashing with the Christians, the message of Christ clashing with other beliefs, as well as the clash between the two cultures of the Jews and Gentiles who had converted to Christianity and were seeking to live together as God’s people within the Church.
Monday (7/12)
Read Psalm 44:1-8 to focus your heart and mind upon the Lord.
Read Acts 14:1-7.
What do the verses reveal about God?
What do the verses reveal about humanity?
What do the verses reveal about the earliest believers?
How should you respond to what you read?
Pray for…
– those who are closest to you, including family members and friends
– people who point us towards God
– leaders
– the vulnerable and those in need
– yourself
Tuesday (7/13)
Read part of the hymn lyrics from “Open My Eyes, That I May See” (UMH 454) by Clara H. Scott as a centering prayer:
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that is specifically for you for today, then read Acts 14:8-20.
Pray using the following guide:
Adoration for God (praise the Lord)
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication (lift up the needs of others & yourself)
Wednesday (7/14)
Read Psalm 44:1-8 as a prayer.
Ask the Lord to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that is a message to you for today, then read Acts 14:21-28.
Pray for…
– those who are closest to you, including family members and friends
– people who point us towards God
– leaders
– the vulnerable and those in need
– yourself
Thursday (7/15)
Read part of the hymn lyrics from “Open My Eyes, That I May See” (UMH 454) by Clara H. Scott as a centering prayer:
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wave-notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Read Acts 15:1-21.
What do the verses reveal about God?
What do the verses reveal about humanity?
What do the verses reveal about the earliest believers?
How should you respond to what you read?
Pray using the following guide:
Adoration for God (praise the Lord)
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication (lift up the needs of others & yourself)
Friday (7/16)
Read Psalm 44:1-8 as a prayer.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase or verses that is specifically for you for today, then read Acts 15:22-35.
Pray for…
– those who are closest to you, including family members and friends
– people who point us towards God
– leaders
– the vulnerable and those in need
– yourself
Saturday (7/17)
Read part of the hymn lyrics from “Open My Eyes, That I May See” (UMH 454) by Clara H. Scott as a centering prayer:
Silently now I wait for thee, ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Ask God to reveal a word, phrase or verses that is specifically for you for today, then read Acts 15:36-41.
Pray in response to the Lord and how he worked in your life, the life of those you know, or within the world this past week.
Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:
How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?
Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?
*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com
to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online on a com