Acts 8:27-40 Video Devotional

“And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”

And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:27-40)

In times like this I hear a lot from people looking for justice, and they don’t always like when I respond with the idea that such an evil will work out for good. It can feel trite to say something like that and come across almost like it was good that what happened happened. I have this attitude because I believe and trust in our Savior who is turning all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). That means I know that whatever happens, it is an act of mercy and grace, working to draw the many to Himself. The questions to Christians is: how can we look at injustice with this kind of positive attitude?

As Philip quoted the passage in Isaiah and preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, we see clearly that our Savior suffered the greatest injustice of all. As the completely perfect, sinless God-man, Jesus could not be convicted of any wrong doing. He is the only one in history completely and truly innocent. Yet He suffered greatly for our sins that were cast upon Him. And Jesus did it with a quiet grace and deep love for us. Three days later, the worst injustice in history was turned into the greatest victory by Him rising from the dead and giving those who believe eternal life. Injustice can be turned around and used for good.

That injustice brought salvation to the Ethiopian eunuch. That injustice led to millions across the world and across time being given eternity in Heaven. It led to an evil murderer putting down his hatred and picking up love. It even led to teleportation! (ok, so this is a bit of fun, but try to wrap your head around what happens to Philip in v39-40 – that was about a 30 mile trek to Azotus!) God is a brilliant “turn-around” artist. He is able to take the evil things and turn them around. Joseph realized this when he met his brothers after becoming the second in command in Egypt. Philip realized this when he, on the road because of the great persecution and Dispersion, got the opportunity to bring salvation to another.

Evil’s power is destroyed at the hands of God and turned into good. I pray that you let Him use the evils and injustices in our world to change you for good and use you as an instrument of love towards others.



Acts 4:13-18 Video Devotional

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.” (Acts 4:13-18)

The Holy Spirit is in full swing, going about His work. Though the timing is probably pretty shortly after Pentecost (we don’t know exactly how long), Peter and John are leading a team of powerhouse evangelists powered by the Holy Spirit, as if this was how they were doing things since day 1. They spoke with conviction, intensity, and influence. So much so, that the religious leaders were upset. The guys end up in front of the Jewish Council because their time at Solomon’s portico brought around 5,000 people to faith in Christ (including a miraculous healing).

To say their teaching was cramping the Pharisees and Saducees’ styles would be an understatement. Whether they were preaching the truth of God’s grace or the resurrection of the dead; or Jesus Christ Himself, everything was an insult flying in the face of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. There was a problem though – to a certain extent the Jewish leaders didn’t know what they could do, as the amount of influence and leadership the apostles held (especially in regards to the quickly growing crowd of believers) was quite powerful.

They threw Peter and John in jail overnight, but when the trial came, they were put to shame with Peter’s response. After all, there is nothing bad to say about the gospel. It is truly and fully a blessing and a benefit to humans. How mad can the elders get over a man being healed? I guess pretty mad – especially when it is starting to become clear that their understanding of God is different than Jesus.

The Pharisees and Saducees were the ones fighting to get Jesus arrested and crucified. They weren’t likely to take the apostles’ message very well; it was an insult to them in every way. And that is the problem – if someone isn’t for Jesus, then they are in conflict with Him. Either a person submits humbly to the grace of Christ or they become an adversary. The name of Jesus is polarizing; something Peter and John learned quickly.

We do not need to be so bold and direct as Peter and John (unless the Holy Spirit calls for it in a certain situation), but if we are preaching the name of Jesus, we will come into contact with opposition; human or otherwise. The enemy does not want the name of Jesus proclaimed and will try to stop us. So, friends, if you are facing opposition in some way because of your efforts to share the gospel, take a look at the apostles of the early church. There will be earthly consequences, but there will also be heavenly rewards. And the realization that nothing happens that our God does not allow to happen. We are and will be the victors – so do not be afraid, be bold and fearless in Christ!



Acts 1:6-11 Video Devotional

“So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11)

What must if have felt like to watch Jesus rise up into Heaven? I bet it looked cool, but at the same time, devastating. The disciples were still trying to figure this out as they go along – after all, they survived the cross and then scored this huge victory by seeing Jesus rise from the dead – only to end up at the ascension, watching Him leave again. This time was much better than the first, but I imagine it still being quite painful.

And it is at this time Jesus lays down the action plan moving forward. We WILL be His witnesses – is that a command, or a declaration? Without going too much into semantics, it appears that this is more of a declaration that actually speaks louder than one might expect. This is what He lays down to His disciples – His goal is that the gospel would expand outward from Jerusalem and become something that would reach across the whole world. For that to happen, Rome would be a great place to see that explosion take place.

Thus, as we read through the book of Acts, we see the gospel first in Jerusalem, then moving outward all the way until we end up in Rome, with Paul on house arrest, having all sorts of people come in to talk with him and hear the gospel. It sounds like Jesus’ declaration came to fruition – at least the beginning stage of it. And that’s where the church comes in.

The title of the Book is officially “Acts of the Apostles”, though I do not think that is the best option for the title. The book launches us with the declaration and ends with the catalyst of Paul being in Rome and the gospel fully taking off around the world; but that was just the beginning – it hadn’t reached the ends of the earth yet – in fact, it still hasn’t, which means that declaration is meant to include us as well. He is using us to be His witnesses as well.

And then we have the true power behind the book. Over and over we will see as we work our way through Acts that the Holy Spirit is the One making everything happen – at one point, Peter’s shadow is performing miracles! That shows us it is actually the Holy Spirit doing the work – thus I suggest calling it “Acts of the Holy Spirit” and that title holding true today. This is His work and we are along for the ride. Enjoy this, my friends! We are along for the ride in the river of God – which He graciously allows us to participate in!



Leviticus 17:10-12 Video Devotional

“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.” (Leviticus 17:10-12)

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head.” (Numbers 1:1-2)

Following up from yesterday’s post, we see that there was something keeping Moses out of the direct presence of God – sin. Moses was not able to come into the tent of meeting because His sins were not atoned for. However, by the time we get to the beginning of Numbers (see above), that problem has been dealt with and God speaks to Moses inside the tent of meeting. This is a key development, and the fact that these verses surround the book of Leviticus tells us the book contains a key understanding to the ability to be in the presence of God.

Leviticus foreshadows Jesus on Calvary. During this book, God sets up the rules for the day of atonement (among other things) and how His people are to handle sins. Blood, which is the life of the animal, is required for the atonement sacrifice. Someone (or something) must die to pay for sins – it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. However, we know now (thanks again to hindsight) that animals’ blood does not work for humans. It has to be the blood of a human.

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ[a] came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.” (Hebrews 10:4-6)

Jesus, as the perfect God-man, is able to make the sacrifice because of His righteous life, but also because He is human – and as a human can be a representative for the human race. As the Old Testament shows us, atonement is necessary for direct access to God (Moses being a great example). But we know that the only acceptable sacrifice for our atonement was Jesus. He is truly our only way, our only truth, and our only life.



Exodus 40:34-38 Video Devotional

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” (Exodus 40:34-38)

“The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.”” (Leviticus 1:1-2)

Moses was definitely an important guy, but he was still a guy – sinful, fearful and prone to anger. He needed to be saved (just like us), but wasn’t able to look back at Jesus and the cross and know salvation like we do. He had to look forward towards a veiled promise that God would take care of everything. But Moses is saved through Christ, just like us; so God gives us that visual and shows us through Moses’ journey how that worked.

Tomorrow we will get into more of this, but with today’s passage above we see that there was a time, even after Moses had been used in incredible ways by God, where Moses was not allowed in the direct presence of God. We know he got there (after all, God talked with Moses face to face), but the power of this story is when and how.

At the end of Exodus and beginning of Leviticus, God speaks to Moses (after His glory filled the tabernacle) from outside the tent of meeting. God is inside, but Moses can’t come in. So Moses stood outside to hear the Lord. Then God starts talking about offerings and such. Interesting. This is a clear setup to what the book of Leviticus is about. We will discuss that more tomorrow, but today let us together celebrate the fact that Moses, a flawed character, yet faithful and loyal in his relationship with God was no better than you or me. He needed saved by grace through faith just like we do now, and we know that Moses does reach the direct, intimate relationship status with God – which with the ripping of the curtain of the Holy of Holies during the crucifixion, we can also have direct access to God and cry out to him intimately “daddy!”

Let us enjoy God’s gift to us of hindsight and the ability to see how intricately and powerfully He laid out the plan of salvation and the promise of Jesus. Blessings to you!



Genesis 49:8-12 Video Devotional

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you.

Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up.He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes.

His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:8-12)

In previous devotionals, we have already discussed the undeserved nature of Judah’s blessing and promise. He certainly did not earn his opportunity to be in the line of kings. That said, He was the patriarch of the tribe of Judah, and that tribe is blessed in some serious ways.

What we see in this passage is basically a direct line to Jesus. Again, friends, Jesus is the blessing! He is the culmination of and the reason for all of the blessings of the Old Testament. The whole point is to get to Jesus. While this blessing incorporates more than just Jesus (Judah’s line of kings encompasses more than the King of kings), it clearly references Him. The peaceful kingdom full of plenty [hinting at the final kingdom full of peace and plenty – heaven]; the eternal kingship and reference to obedience of the peoples (referring to more than one people group); the hints at wine and grapes [His sacrifice] – these all foreshadow the Savior. 

Jesus is clearly the One who was prophesied about throughout Genesis and the rest of the Old Testament. Jesus is the blessing. Jesus is the gospel. The good news isn’t just about Jesus, it IS Jesus! He didn’t bring the message of God, He IS the message of God. The good news of our salvation is the life Jesus lived. We are blessed because of Jesus! Praise Him who gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)!



Genesis 37:5-8 Video Devotional

“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” (Genesis 37:5-8)

Isn’t it interesting that scripture doesn’t really tell us much in the way of negative things about Joseph? You could infer that he may have been a bit prideful, what with him being the favorite of Jacob and all, and with his dreams, but that is speculation. With the vast majority of characters we read about in the Bible, there are glaring negative flaws in their character. For example, Abraham trying to pass Sarah off as his sister (twice) and getting Hagar pregnant instead of waiting on God. You can also see Peter’s glaring flaws, such as sinking in the water, getting in Jesus’ way, and denying him before the rooster crowed. These are people who become good because God chose them and worked in them, but they are clearly human and sinful.

Joseph is just like that. We know for sure that he is sinful because he isn’t Jesus. He was, however, a foreshadowing of the rescuer. The plot of Joseph’s story in Genesis is clear – he was exiled and mistreated, only to end up in Egypt as the head administrator for Pharaoh. His actions, honesty and trustworthiness lead to everyone in that part of the world being saved from the severe famine. Joseph was the rescuer.

What makes this more than just a rescue story is that other references and hints show this connects more than just as a similar story. First of all is the example of Joseph’s righteous life. Like Melchidezek before him, Joseph’s example in scripture is one of a righteous life. Regardless of the trails he is put through, he shined as the example. Him becoming the rescuer fits right in line as not just an example of a savior-type story, but also as the righteous example that is similar to Jesus. He was a good fit for his role because of his righteous life, not just because that was the role he was given by God.

Second, we bring in the verse from above. Joseph was not in the line of kings from Abraham to Jesus. So we know that his dream is limited to him and not prophetic generationally. That said, this is again an example of foreshadowing. They will bow down to Joseph as the rescuer – and we all bow down to Jesus, our rescuer. While I admit there is some speculation in my connections, it is common to see Joseph as the foreshadowing example of Jesus; thus, seeing how these connections are made don’t seem to be far off that road.

The point is this – God is clearly trying to get the point across that His plan for Jesus to be our savior is fully fleshed out in numerous and and examples, each covering different aspects of the plan. Enjoy reading and discovering some on your own. If you find any references or foreshadow examples, comment or let me know!



Genesis 35:9-15 Video Devotional

“God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.” (Genesis 35:9-15)

God’s promises follow through all the way to completion. That is true with these verses as well, where God promises Israel that kings will come from his body. That is obvious in David and Solomon, etc…, but it is also shown in Jesus, of whose kingdom we belong. But this promise is not fulfilled completely yet. Jesus is our Coming King. His bodily return is promised, meaning there is still a King to come to reign on this earth from Israel’s body.

We long for the days when all will be made right and justice will truly be justice. Those are His days – days that are promised to come when every tear shall be wiped away and we are fully in the presence of our King. No pandemics, natural disasters, or evils will befall His kingdom. “So, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” (Hebrews 12:2). He’s got this – this isn’t the end, because He hasn’t returned yet.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow and Jesus who died and LIVES for us!



Genesis 29:31-35 Video Devotional

“When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.” (Genesis 29:31-35)

Though often times missed or forgotten for the sake of the larger story, this passage holds some incredible truths about the promise of our Savior. This proclamation over Judah shows us that God has something special planned for him, regardless of who he is or what he does with his life (he definitely makes some questionable choices). While Judah does at times show himself to be a natural leader, this has no bearing on these words spoken over him at his birth. Judah was just a man – but he was a man given a promise from God. And kept keeps His promises – no matter what.

In this story, what he see is that with the birth of Judah, Leah finally turns to praise the Lord. Her actions have no bearing on the plan God laid out before creation, but is a glimpse, showing all who read this that, despite the three children born previously, it is shown that praising the Lord comes with the birth of Judah. Why? Because of the promise of our Savior!

While there is nothing special about Judah himself, he is the herald (ancestor) to Jesus, who is the One who makes it possible for us to praise the Lord. We see here the first mention that through Judah we will be able to praise the Lord. We know this now to be because of Jesus. Again, friends, even in these small, one-liners, we see how intricately woven God’s rescue plan truly is.

Want to know more about Jesus? Please comment or send me a message – I would be happy to talk with you anytime!



Genesis 27:26-29 Video Devotional

“Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,

See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed! May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” (Genesis 27:26-29)

This blessing is a truly undeserved blessing. Jacob was not a worthy recipient, nor did he achieve it honestly. He stole it from His brother. Yet, what is the gospel if not undeserved favor? The reality is, none of us are any better (or worse) than Jacob. As human, we just are. We are sinful. Nothing we can do will earn us the merit bestowed freely by God through Christ. And I think that was the point of this part of the story. If Jacob, in any way, deserved this blessing than Ephesians 2:8-9 would become meaningless.

Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. It is another example showing that there is nothing we can do to deserve or earn salvation. The gospel is a gift and only a gift. Enjoy that gift tonight and share it with someone you know. Blessings to you!



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