Introduction: Years ago, just before flying overseas on a mission trip and while standing and praying in an elderly Christian lady’s home, a sign on the wall said the following:

“The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot keep you.”

Paul learned that truth in the nineteenth chapter of the book of Acts.

1. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus! (Acts 19:1-8)

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples…. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

It appears that the Holy Spirit led Paul to Ephesus. Are we being led by the Spirit?

2. Paul faced demonic activity in Ephesus! (Acts 19:14-20)

“14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

This was a good sign that God was up to a work in Ephesus. Are you facing opposition?

3. Paul faced hostility! (Acts 19:24-27)

“And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.”

Satanically driven people hated the work of the Holy Spirit; it intrudes on their domain. 

4. Paul was brought to safety! (Acts 19:35-37)

“35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.”

Did you notice how God can even use anyone to accomplish His will, in this case the town clerk?

Conclusion: When you are facing opposition, know this, that you must be in the will of God. Also be assured where the Lord guides, He provides. 

Introduction: Are you prepared for the storms of life? How can we get ready? What do we need to do? Storms are inevitable. Storms come in different seasons of life. But regardless, we can get Storm Ready.

Here’s how:

1. Build on the Right Foundation! (Matt 7:24-27)

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Jesus taught His disciples about the two different foundations which one could build upon. One is SAND. The other is ROCK. When obeyed His Word becomes a ROCK solid foundation. Are you building upon the ROCK or SAND?

2. Build with the Right Materials! (1Cor 3:11-16)

“10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

This is a description of what will take place futuristically at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We are building with the materials – whether Right or Wrong – at the present time. 

Are you making it FIREPROOF?

3. Build with the Right Forecast in mind! (Matt 24:27)

“27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

At this event, the Storm will be over!

Jesus is coming like He said!

Conclusion: Get ready for the Storms of life. They’re coming! But we can be STORM READY!

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” (Rev 22:3).

1. The Curse! (Rev 22:3)

“And there shall be no more curse.”

The word “curse” is κατάθεμα,(kat-an-ath’-em-ah), which literally means a curse, an accursed thing.

Death and disease started with the fall of man in the garden. Because of the devil’s deception and man’s disobedience, the curse came. But God had a plan from eternity past. God the Son would come to earth, live a life without sin and consequently be willing to pay the penalty for our sins.

2. The Cure! (Rev 22:3)

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it.”

The “throne” speaks of authority and majesty. Because of the Conquering King, the curse has been overcome. Jesus rules! Satan, sickness and sin loses.

3. The Conqueror! (Rev 22:4-21)

“There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.” (Isaiah 4:6)

Introduction: The lightning is flashing; the thunder roaring, while the rain is falling. A storm is overhead at the moment. This reminds us of life. Isaiah is primarily writing to lovingly warn the southern kingdom of Judah concerning the impending judgment yet to come.

The word “shade” is צֵל, which means a shadow.

The word “heat” is חֹרֶב, which means dryness, drought, heat. Can you feel the heat?

The word “shelter” is מַסְתּוֹר, which means a place of safety.

The words “place of refuge” or hiding place is מַחֲסֶה, which pictures a refuge, shelter.

God is our refuge and hiding place.

The word “storm” is (miz·ze·rem), which describes a flood of rain, rainstorm, downpour.

While this writer is doing this devotion there is a downpour, a flood.

Introduction: Read the book of Acts 2:42. Here is what Luke was inspired to write:

“42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

What were the foundational truths that were to govern the early Church? The same that should be preeminent today.

1. Doctrine (Acts 2:42)

2. Fellowship (Acts 2:42)

The word “fellowship” is κοινωνία, which portrays [2 fellows in the same ship!!]. But it also means help, participation, sharing in, spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit. Unfortunately, today we have too many “LONE RANGERS”!
We need the Lord first, but we also need each other.

3. Communion (Acts 2:42)

The word “communion” is the idea of breaking of bread. This primarily is around the Lord’s table, but also goes beyond.

Introduction: When all hope is lost, it is a bad feeling.

1. Solomon wrote the following: (Prov 13:12)

“12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”

The word “deferred” means delayed or drawn out. Have you ever felt hopeless because of a situation that was drawn out? What do you do?

2. Paul felt hopeless! (Acts 27:15-20)

“And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

What seemed hopeless became helpful because our Lord is in charge of the storms. Are you going through a storm? What do you do?

3. Hold on to your confidence in the Lord! (Heb 10:35,36)

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Have you let go of your confidence in our Lord?

1. Exercise Faith in God! (Psa 37:3)

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

2. Expect the Lord to bring about His will as we seek it. (Psa 37:4)

“4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

The word “delight” is עָנַג: (aw-nag’), which technically it means to be soft, delicate, dainty.

The word “desires” is מִשְׁאָלָה: (mish-aw-law’), which means request, or petition.

In other words, one part of this means as we delight ourselves in God’s will He puts it in our heart to please Him.

David goes on to write,

Introduction: Any parent understands the heartache of stepping back and watching your children make bad decisions and facing the consequences. 

However, a wise parent will pray and trust Jesus to bring about good even in bad situations (Rom 8:28).

Paul writes to the Ephesus believers and us today concerning the key to parenting and grand-parenting. 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4)

1. The Negative side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

In other words, don’t cause them to lose heart (“I cannot ever please my daddy/mama”).

Watch out for

* over bearing  

* under discipline 

2. The Positive side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

“Bring them up”

* Nurture – training, instructions of the Lord

* Admonition – warnings, etc 

Being balanced as a Christian parent – grand parent takes great wisdom, discernment, love and forgiveness.

Conclusion: Guess what? There are no perfect parents. And there are no perfect children! God our Father is the only perfect Parent.

Therefore, we can love and trust Him.

Introduction: Do you know what God hates? Do you want to know? Of course you do or you would not be reading this devotion.

Solomon, led by God the Holy Spirit, writes in the book filled with wisdom called Proverbs. One chapter of Proverbs a day will help keep the devil away!

By the way, there are 31 chapters for each day of the month.

Back to what God hates:

“…six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him.” (Prov 6:16)

1. Proud Look! (Prov 6:17)

“17 A proud look…”

God resists the proud because the proud resists God (1Pet 5:5)

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Pride cost Lucifer his position in heaven. 

2. A Liar (Prov 6:17)

“a lying tongue,”

Our Lord is truth. Therefore, He is against being Deceitful. 

3. Guilty criminals shedding innocent blood (Prov 6: 17)

“And hands that shed innocent blood,”

Criminals might appear to “get by” with shedding innocent blood. But our Lord has the final say so. And without real repentance, it will not end well. 

4. Evil imagination (Prov 6:18)

“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.”

Premeditated wrong will be judged by Jesus Christ, the Righteous Judge. 

5. Running to pick up dirt (Prov 6:18)

“feet that be swift in running to mischief,”

C.H. Spurgeon used to say, a lie will circulate around the world before truth puts on her boots!

6. False witness (Prov 6:19)

“A false witness that speaketh lies,”

Spreading rumors and lies is on God’s hate list. 

7. Sowing discord (Prov 6:19)

..”and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Causing disunity in the Church is looked down upon by Jesus, and will be dealt with accordingly. 

Conclusion: There we have it. Time to check it out. Are any of these six things in us?

If so, let’s confess them and Praise the Lord for His Grace!

Introduction: How many of us need to “Turn Back”? In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, this was the message…Turn Back.

“16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jer 6:16)

Why? Because his people had drifted from the God of the Bible. It was not that they were religious. They were. But the God of the Bible was not interested in His people having a form of godliness. Instead, He desires worship from the heart. He can see through the pretense and hypocrisy!

Do we need to Turn Back today?

1. Jacob Turned Back! (Gen 32)

Jacob had been a deceiver and a con artist but God changed him as he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (pre incarnate Christ). 

His name was turned into Israel – a prince that prevails!

2. Moses Turned Back! (Exo 1- Deut)

Instead of trying to kill one Egyptian at a time, he learned to do things God’s way. Howbeit, it was through the burning bush encounter whereby he was changed. 

3. Jonah Turned Back! (Jonah 1-4)

After running from God’s call, and learning that you can run but not hide, Jonah TURNED BACK to obey the Lord. Spending sleepless time in the belly of a whale should get most anybody’s attention. 

4. Peter Turned Back! (Luke 22, John 21) 

Impetuous Peter stuck his foot in his mouth like we do so often. Claiming he would never deny Jesus, he learned that phrase “NEVER say NEVER”! However, afterwards, he TURNED BACK to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We too can TURN BACK!

Conclusion: Will you TURN BACK today?