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This is a video post. For my e-mail subscribers who can’t see the video, click here.

We had a little fun with today’s video. Enjoy!

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This is a video post, for my e-mail subscribers who can’t see the video, click here.

Continue Reading »

Acts 27-28 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 27:1-28:31.

“And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him” (Acts 28:16).

From one capital to another. The gospel started in Jerusalem, the capital of a backwater district of malcontents that were always causing the Romans problems. By the end of Acts it is in Rome. By the time Paul got there, Christ had already arrived. There were brethren there to visit him and uplift him.

I can’t help but think if God could do that with the gospel in the Middle East and Europe, He can do that with the Gospel here in Brownsburg, Indiana. He can do that with the gospel wherever you are. Why did this happen? Sure, Paul was a great preacher and a world traveler. But the real power behind this success was God.

Today, I need to remember that the Gospel can have success, not because I’m the messenger. The Gospel can have success because God is the power behind it. I need to rely on Him today and let Him be the leader that gets the Gospel spread where I live. I’m just His servant, doing what He says, going where He sends.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 23-24 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 23:1-24:27.

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:14-15).

Paul believed the Law and the Prophets. Because he believed, he had hope in the resurrection. Because he had hope in the resurrection, he worshiped. Why do I worship? Is it a checklist item? Is it to impress God? Is it because I think it is commanded? Or is it because I have faith and hope?

God is bringing a resurrection. This life is not just about this life, but about the next. God is preparing a way for us to enter to the next with Him. For that, we honor and praise and worship Him. Praise God for His plan.

Why do you worship God?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 21-22 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 21:1-22:30.

“Then Paul answered ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God’” (Acts 21:13).

There’s a challenge for us. Are we ready to die for Jesus? Are we ready to carry the message of the gospel to someone and they kill us for it? I like to think yes. But then I have to ask, am I ready to be hated, disliked, rejected for Jesus? Am I ready to be thought a fool for Jesus? Am I ready to be made fun of for Jesus? Am I ready to be given sidelong glances for Jesus? Am I ready to be given the cold-shoulder for Jesus? Am I ready to be avoided for Jesus?

Am I ready to put forth the time, effort, and money it takes to go to others with the gospel of the grace of God? Am I ready to give up a night with my family? Am I ready to give up my favorite tv show? Am I ready to give up the football game? Am I ready to give up some of my gadgets? Am I ready to give up some of my retirement investments?

Hmmm. Maybe I need to think a little harder before I think I’m ready to be imprisoned or die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 19-20 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 19:1-20:38.

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

I have to be in God’s word today. Why? Not because it is my Christian homework assignment. Not because I have to read 5 chapters or 30 minutes per day to go to heaven. Not because my mother told me to. I need to be in God’s word today because I need to be built up. I want the inheritance. I want to be sanctified. I want to know Jesus. The Bible is where I meet Him.

When Bible reading becomes a checklist homework assignment, it doesn’t help me at all. While it remains my lifeline to God, I grow. That is why what we do here at giveattentiontoreading.com is so important. This time in the word, the discussion, the help, the encouragement is all about getting into the word of God’s grace. It is about getting closer to Him and letting Him fill us with His grace and strength.

That’s why I always end these posts by saying,

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking here.

Acts 17-18 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 17:1-18:28.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24-25).

Why should I serve God today? I don’t need to serve God today as if He needs whatever it is I can offer. He made me. What can I possibly give to Him that He can’t do for Himself. No. I need to serve God today because I need what He has to offer me through that service. I need to serve Him today because He deserves that service because of what He has already given me. I’m breathing today because of Him. I’m living today because of Him. Every blessing comes from Him.

On the days that I grasp that, my service is real and my connection to Him deep. When I’m trying to impress Him with my service or compete with others as if I’m giving Him more, then the connection starts to sever. God doesn’t need me. I need Him. So, today, I’m going to serve Him.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 11-12 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 11:1-12:25.

“And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 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. 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!’ But peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed” (Acts 12:13-16).

I don’t think, as some do, that these people lacked faith in God’s ability to grant their requests for Peter’s freedom. Rather, I believe they simply placed God in a box. If He would release Peter, it would be by something like getting Herod to change his mind and deciding to set him free. It simply didn’t occur to them that God would defy natural order and let Peter walk through locked gates and walls to escape under the very nose of Herod.

The point then is not to pray with faith, though that is necessary. The point is to never assume God will say, “Yes,” the way we expect. Don’t put God in a box. Take your requests to Him and let Him answer the way He wants. He will amaze you.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Acts 9-10 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 9:1-10:48.

“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the lord said to him, ‘Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying…’” (Acts 9:10-11).

Jesus could have saved Paul on the road to Damascus all by Himself. He could have either simply declared Paul saved if he wanted or could have told Paul what He wanted him to do to be saved. He didn’t need Ananias to do this. But, Jesus wanted to use Ananias.

While Jesus could do all of His work all by Himself, He has chosen to use us. He wants you and me to be part of His plan. He wants us as a working part of the team. That means Jesus thinks we can accomplish something worthwhile. He has faith in us. He simply wants us to step up to the plate.

I need to do that today. What work can I do for Jesus today? He wants me on His team. He wants to put me up at bat. That is amazing.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.