Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Read 2 Timothy 4:1–2
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus,who will someday judge the living and the deadwhen he comes to set up his Kingdom:Preach the word of God.Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not.Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourageyour people with good teaching.(2 Timothy 4:1–2)
Read 2 Timothy 4:3–4
For a time is coming when people will no longer listento sound and wholesome teaching.They will follow their own desiresand will look for teachers who will tell themwhatever their itching ears want to hear.They will reject the truth and chase after myths.(2 Timothy 4:3–4)
Read 2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.(2 Corinthians 10:5)
Read 1 Peter 2:13–17
Read Acts 5:29
We must obey God rather than any human authority.(Acts 5:29)
Read Acts 2:41
Those who believed what Peter saidwere baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.(Acts 2:41)
Sometimes we idealize the first church on record as a model of perfection. Perhaps the setting was more ideal, but it certainly wasn’t idyllic. It was more pristine, but not perfect. They had challenges, just as we do. However, some of their struggles were far greater than ours.
Read Ephesians 1:22–23
God has put all things under the authority of Christand has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ,who fills all things everywhere with himself.(Ephesians 1:22–23)
Read Acts 2:46–47
Day by Day continuing with one mind in the temple,and breaking bread from house to house,they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,praising God and having favor with all the people.And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.(Acts 2:46–47)
Read Acts 2:42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teachingand to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.(Acts 2:42)
When the first body of believers gathered together, they devoted themselves to four essentials: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This verse is not only descriptive of what the early church did; it is also prescriptive of what all churches must do.
Read Matthew 16:15–18
He asked them, “But who do you say I am?”Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.You did not learn this from any human being.Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and uponthis rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”(Matthew 16:15–18)
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