Devotionals for November 1, 2024
Dont Forget: Night of Encouragement this Sunday at 6pm! CLICK HERE to sign up for childcare.
READ
Acts 16:35-40
35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”
38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Philippians 1:1-3
1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”
38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Philippians 1:1-3
1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
REFLECT
Paul and Silas were found innocent, received an apology and were freed. The church in Philippi was special and brought Paul great joy. It was a church that had diverse membership that included wealthy merchants, slaves, and hard workers. They built a beautiful, joy-inducing church where different economics, different sin backgrounds, and different experiences came together to be the bride of Christ here on earth. Something we can all aspire to become as citizens of God’s kingdom!
APPLY
Q: What did Paul and Silas do after they left Philippi?
Q: Do you embrace the different personalities and lives in our church? Are you serving with and for others?
Q: How can you pray for the church? Make an effort to meet someone new this week at church.
Q: Do you embrace the different personalities and lives in our church? Are you serving with and for others?
Q: How can you pray for the church? Make an effort to meet someone new this week at church.
SING
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
God, You are the Lord and Savior of the world. You created a beautiful patchwork of people in our lives. The best part is that the Gospel is for us all. May our church bring You great joy, God!
God, You are the Lord and Savior of the world. You created a beautiful patchwork of people in our lives. The best part is that the Gospel is for us all. May our church bring You great joy, God!