Acts: The Spread of the Gospel

This study is taken from John MacArthur's "Acts: The Spread of the Gospel." My prayer and goal for this devo is that we will learn more about how the early church laid the foundation for what we possess today, and that we would allow God to use us to turn our world upside for Him!

This will be an exciting journey, so encourage others to join you! I'm looking forward to the interaction we will have on this blog as we study the book of Acts!

The devos will differ in format from day to day, but two things are constant: 1) a daily reading, and 2) additional Scripture passages that are in bold. Be sure to read any and all of the readings/bold verses that appear so that you can see the full picture of what is taught that day.

Remember, you can access any of the previous devos that have been posted from the "Blog Archive" section on the left side of this page.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Message to the Churches, Part 1 - Part 6 - Devo for 01/10/2009

Reading
Revelation 2:1-29

Truth for Today
For many people in today's churches, the term worldliness has a quaint, old-fashioned ring to it. They associate it with prohibitions against things like dancing, going to the movies, or playing cards. Today's user-friendly, seeker-oriented, market-driven churches do not preach much against worldliness. To do so might make unbelievers (not to mention many believers) uncomfortable, and is therefore avoided as poor marketing strategy. But unlike much of the contemporary churches, the Bible does not hesitate to condemn worldliness for the serious sin that it is. Worldliness is any preoccupation with or interest in the temporal system of life that places anything perishable before that which is eternal.

Reflecting on the Text
1. How has this week of devos added to or changed your view of what a real "Christian" is?

2. What worldly attitudes or actions do you find yourself struggling with the most? What principles from Revelation 2:12-17 offer you hope for change?

3. What counsel would you give to a Christian friend who confessed that he or she had lost their "first love" for Christ?

4. Jesus urged, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says." What keeps you from hearing God's voice? Ask Him to help you slow down and learn how to hear Him, and then obey.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

1. It really encouraged me to "live" like a real christian, to preach onto others and to follow his word very closely.

2. Sometimes I put other things before God, or I ignore the basic principles that he gives us.A principle that really helps me is the fact that he will forgive us and give us a second chance if we repent.

3. I would tell him to first of all repent and then to get back to it. God is always willing to give us a second chance if we want to take it.

4. My worldly attitude and desires.

Anonymous said...

1. How has this week of devos added to or changed your view of what a real "Christian" is?

It shows a real christian is not half in and half out of the love of God and loyalty but should be ALL in in a way.

2. What worldly attitudes or actions do you find yourself struggling with the most? What principles from Revelation 2:12-17 offer you hope for change?

I distract myself and forget to meditate on His word. He will always forgive and give us another chance.

3. What counsel would you give to a Christian friend who confessed that he or she had lost their "first love" for Christ?

STORY OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!


4. Jesus urged, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says." What keeps you from hearing God's voice? Ask Him to help you slow down and learn how to hear Him, and then obey.

My own lack of wanting to hear him.

Anonymous said...

*sorry i got so behind!!*

1.it just has opend my eyes and shown me i dont need worldly things and it can be hard for a girl these days but thankfully ivechosen not to be too materialistic.

2.i can be really mean to my mom. just i kind got like the "sharp, double edged swod" as God telling me to watch what i say.

3.well i at one time last year lost my "first love" and actually thats the term we used in Bible. i would say ok its not always going to be easy and your not always gonna want to do your devos and pray and go to church, but if you dont then you'll fall so far away from God and its not worth it. i dont alway want to go to school but if i dont i wont know anything and ill forget what ive learned and that applies with God too.

4. my attitude lol