“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 

You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Lord God my father,

Thank you for your design, continue your work in me and help me to focus more on your work than mine.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

Lord God my Father,

I ask you to lead me away from my sinful nature and into your will. Produce in me your fruit and free me from all desire that is not from you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 

Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”31The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers9:13 Greek God’s holy people; also in 9:32, 41. in Jerusalem! 14And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

Lord God my Father,

Protect your people, bring us back to you, soften our hearts to your authority, make us obedient to your desire.

“You stubborn people! You are heathen7:51 Greek uncircumcised. at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

Lord God my Father,

Continue to soften my stubborn way and make me stubborn for your cause.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

“O Lord, you know every heart.

They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.13But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away2:39 Or and to people far in the future, or and to the Gentiles.—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Lord God my Father,

Help me to move as you desire and not stand still. Continue your work in me and turn me to your task.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16But God kept them from recognizing him.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30As they sat down to eat,24:30 Or As they reclined. he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

“Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”28“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.29Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

 “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Lord God my Father,

Keep my eyes open to see you, Help me to know you are walking with me always. Give me a faith that needs no proof, help me to surrender to your authority completely.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus.

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.

Lord God my Father,

Protect me from the excitement of this world, Help me to surrender to you plan under your protection, Give me courage to do your will above my fears and rely on you only.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

Lord God my Father,

You are my peace, I struggle to keep my eyes on you, I ask you to make me strong in this world to stay with your Truth. Give me your Peace to overwhelm my fear and trust you completely.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

“Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 

Lord God my Father,

Build my heart into your desire, give me courage to carry you out loud and release your truth and love in my life.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen