Daily Devo | Separated by Prejudice & Preference (New Testament in a Year, Acts 10:1-24)

Daily Devo | Separated by Prejudice & Preference (New Testament in a Year, Acts 10:1-24)

The next step in God's plan involves bringing together two very different men: a Roman centurion named Cornelius and a Jewish apostle named Peter. Both receive visions from God that push them to cross many miles and the even more significant barriers of culture, ethnicity, status, and political divides. After all, the Jewish people were living under Roman occupation. The Holy Spirit leads and both men obey, leading to one of the most significant and powerful encounters in the entire story of the book of Acts. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] For Reflection: - Why might God have chosen Cornelius? - Why do you imagine that Peter said "no" at first? What barriers did God need to work on in Peter? - People can be separated by location, culture, gender, politics, social and economic status, even just different tastes or preferences. What barriers tend to impede your spiritual connections with others? - Prayer: Lord, help me recognize and follow your leading, setting aside any prejudices or preferences that stand in the way.

Daily Devo | Only Love Can Change an Enemy (New Testament in a Year, Acts 9:23-43)

After his dramatic encounter with Jesus, Saul grows increasingly bold in proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah. As opposition against him intensifies, some of his enemies plot to kill him, forcing him to escape the city with the help of fellow believers. When Saul arrives in Jerusalem, many disciples are understandably hesitant to trust him because of his former persecution of Christians. However, Barnabas steps forward to testify about Saul's genuine conversion and ministry. Anger and pride might help to destroy an enemy, but love can turn enemies into friends, and even family! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] For Reflection: - What do you learn about God through Saul's journey? - What do you learn from Barnabas' intervention in Saul's situation? - Have you ever struggled to believe that God could truly change someone, including yourself? - In what ways might God want you to help encourage and strengthen other believers? - Prayer: Lord, thank you for your transforming grace! Help me believe in the Spirit's power to truly change lives, including my own.

Sermon | Only Way? (Acts 4)

Many of us have someone we deeply love - someone kind, generous, and sincere who doesn't follow Jesus. So how do we make sense of Jesus' claim to be "the only way" without losing sight of God's love? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons [https://www.highrock.org/sermons-services?type=sermons] 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals [https://www.highrock.org/dailydevotionals]

Daily Devo | God on the Move in Africa (Flashback Friday, Acts 8:26-40)

In this flashback to May 25, 2021, we see Philip encounter a high official of the extensive and powerful kingdom of Ethiopia. This official just so happened to be reading from Isaiah, a passage we know as Isaiah 53 — a passage that predicts the suffering and sacrifice of the Messiah. This miraculous encounter ends with the baptism of the first Gentile into this new community, acting as a preview of what is to come — that God was about to extend the invitation into God's family to the ends of the earth and to all people. Will we, like Philip, be ready to respond to the opportunities that God provides? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/]

Daily Devo | The Gift That Can Never Be Bought (New Testament in a Year, Acts 8:1-25)

After hearing that many people in Samaria have received the gospel, the apostles send Peter and John to visit the new believers. When Peter and John pray for them and lay hands upon them, they receive the Spirit in the same way as the Jewish believers had during Pentecost. When Simon the sorcerer sees the Spirit being given through the apostles' ministry, he offers them money in an attempt to purchase this spiritual power. Peter rejects his offer and warns him that God's gifts cannot be bought or controlled for personal gain. God cannot be bought or controlled but when we surrender to God, God may choose to do seemingly impossible things in and through us, such as transforming historical enemies into sisters and brothers. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] For Reflection: - Why do you think it is important to recognize that God's gifts cannot be earned or purchased? - How have you seen people, perhaps even yourself, pursue Jesus for personal advantage rather than for a relationship with him? - How might the Spirit be inviting you to examine your own motives for serving God? (see Psalm 139:23-24) - Prayer: Lord, give me a sincere heart that seeks you for who you are, and help me receive your gifts with humility, gratitude, and faith.