Powerful Daily Devotional

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022

TEXT: Acts 15:12-29

12. Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

13. After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me!

14. Simeon had reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people of His name.

15. And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

16. After these things I will return and will rebuild David’s tent, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins and will set it up again,

17. so that those who are left of mankind may seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things,

18. which have been known from long ago.

19. Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those who turn to God from among the Gentiles,

20. but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

21. For since ancient times, Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, and he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”

22. Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.

23. They wrote this letter t be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, TO the brothers from among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24. Because we have heard that some to whom we gave no authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,

25. we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26. who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.

28. For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision- and ours- to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

29. that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.

(Holmans CS Holy Bible)

TOPIC: DON’T MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT FOR OTHERS

Some people see themselves as lords and look down on others as inferior beings. At their commands, everybody must bow in strict obedience, whether it’s convenient or not.

Many of the people under such leaders go through ordeals that are anything but suitable. The apostles frowned at those putting stumbling blocks on the ways of those willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Instead of making things difficult for them, they should be told to avoid meat offered to idols, consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals and sexual immorality.

We should always make it easy for others to come to Christ wherever we are.

QUESTION: Do you make life difficult for others?

PRAYER: Help me, dear Father, to make life easy and suitable for others, in Jesus name, Amen.