April 20th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

DISTRIBUTED TO ANYONE IN NEED  

Acts 4:33-35 “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”    

What happened in the early Christian church and still happens today, is Christians both through their congregations and individually give generously to those in need. When a tornado strikes a community, quite often the first to organize and arrive to render service to those who have lost homes and even life are members of Christian churches. They arrive with chain saws, tractors, and other necessary tools to clean up and repair. They also arrive with food, clothing, medical supplies, and the like.  

Christian congregations send “care” teams to disadvantaged communities nearby and throughout the world. Such efforts include building and/or repairing homes, digging wells to provide clean, sanitary water drinking water. Others establish clinics and staffing for them to provide health care. Farmers go into areas that have no benefit of modern farming technology to help farmers in these poor regions of the world produce larger amounts of nutritious foods. They bring supplies and also attempt to educate residents to enable them to learn to help themselves.  

These efforts are self-funded. Though all the members are unable to go or have the skills needed, the entire congregation participates in the funding and prays to God for His blessings upon the efforts of those actually going to render air and service.    

“”Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15-17) “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)  

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill my heart and the hearts of my fellow believers to have compassion for those who are in need. Move us to not only pray for those who are in need but to contribute toward their relief. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

O God of mercy, God of might,   
In love and pity infinite,  
Teach us, as ever in Thy sight,   
To live our lives in Thee. 

And Thou, who cam’st on earth to die   
That our lost world might live thereby,  
O hear us; for to Thee we cry,   
In hope, O Lord, to Thee. 

Teach us the lesson Thou hast taught;  
To feel for those Thy blood hath bought,   
That ev’ry word and deed and thought  
May work a work for thee. 

All are redeemed, both far and wide,  
Since Thou, O Lord, for all hast died.  
Grant us the will and grace provide  
To love them all in Thee! 

In sickness, sorrow, want, or care,  
May we each other’s burdens share;  
May we, where help is needed, there  
Give help as unto Thee! 

And may Thy Holy Spirit move   
All those who live to live in love  
Till Thou shalt greet in heav’n above  
All those who live in Thee.  

O God of Mercy, God of Might // LSB 852

Public Domain // Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198