This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Let Easter Change you: Godly Habits! (WATCH HERE)
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The Holy Spirit had just worked faith in 3000 people, leading them to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and believe in his saving work for their eternal life. These individuals recognized the sin of their rejection of Jesus and believed the promise of forgiveness in baptism and they and their children were baptized.
Now what?
What would this new group of believers do to stay connected to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and nurture the new faith that they had been given?
Acts 2:42 relates exactly what they did. They made a strong commitment to the things that would nurture, strengthen and develop their faith – the Word of God, the Community of God, the Supper of God and prayer to God.
Do these things matter today? What would happen in your life if you, by God’s power, rededicate yourself to these things as well? Do you think anything would change? I believe it would.
Remember the quote from yesterday:
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.
Do you, like these Pentecost believers, want to grow in your identity as a forgiven, loved, child of God whose hope in life and death is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?
Let me assume that you do.
Then we need habits that move us incrementally to the identity God has given to us.
First habit: Connect regularly to the Word of God.
The fact you are reading this devotion tells me this habit is important to you. Perhaps this devotion is your daily infusion in the Word of God. That’s great…maybe you have another habit for the Word of God…a daily verse…a reading plan…etc.
But why? Why take the time and energy to ensure regular time with the Word of God. Why be “devoted” to it?
Perhaps the same reason that the Apostle Paul told Timothy to stay in the word of God:
2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Scriptures keep us grounded in Jesus and the wisdom and truth that communicates grace and salvation to our hearts. We don’t just need this once, we need it often! The Scriptures are the very Words of God! Want to hear God speak to you daily? Open the Word of God and listen to his voice! Want wisdom and guidance for life and the decisions you have to make? God’s Word is useful for the practical realities of life as we use it to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness. Want to feel adequate for living a God-honoring life? The Scriptures are there to thoroughly equip you for every good work God has planned for you!
Regularly connect to the Word of God…and see what God does in your heart and life!
Apply: What might you do to start or strengthen your habit of being in God’s Word on a daily basis?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for preserving your word for my soul to benefit from today. Guide me into all truth that I might live each moment to your glory! AMEN.