April 26th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

NEVER TIRING

Acts 5:41-42 “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” 

When Jesus gave His great commission to “make disciples of all nations, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-29, you will note the word “until” is not a part of what Jesus said we, His followers are to do. We never retire from Christian discipleship. A person is either Jesus’ disciple or he/she is not. If a disciple of Jesus, then a person will witness the good news of God’s love and forgiveness to family, friend, and foe. 

In today’s devotional verses you will note that after all the apostles had endured at the hands of the Jewish leaders, all the difficulties they had experienced, the persecution with which they were afflicted, Luke wrote, “they rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Obviously “the Name” is in reference to Jesus. They suffered all, even death, for the privilege of spreading His name throughout the world. 

Luke wrote, “ . . . they (the apostles) never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” They told the good news of salvation in public places like the temple courts, but also “from house to house.” Their example is one for you and all your fellow believers. Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)   

The Word of God is to be heard in a stadium filled by people to hear the gospel from the lips of a world-renowned evangelist or received in the quiet reading and discussing of the message of the Bible by two or three in the living room of a home. In either setting it will do its work. (Isaiah 55:11) 

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to be confident in sharing the gospel in all the settings of my life for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Lord of all nations, grant me grace  
To love all people, ev’ry race;  
And in each person may I see  
My kindred, loved, redeemed by Thee. 

Break down the wall that would divide  
Thy children, Lord, on ev’ry side.  
My neighbor’s good let me pursue;  
Let Christian love bind warm and true. 

Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred  
By loveless act and thoughtless word.  
Make me to see the wrong I do  
Will grieve my wounded Lord anew. 

Give me Thy courage Lord, to speak  
Whenever strong oppress the weak.  
Should I myself the victim be,  
Help me forgive, rememb’ring Thee. 

Lord of All Nations Grant Me Grace // LSB 844

Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House // Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198