A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:80 Accountability is a vital part of being a good steward over the household of God. As saints, all that we have has come by way of His Hand. In this; His statutes help us to maintain a blameless heart and there is no reason for shame at His appearing.

Good Morning

The responsibility of keeping the devil out of our family life is very large. For example: When I was an unbeliever, I allowed myself to follow the lifestyle of my father and uncles. Drinking, smoking and just being classified as one of the “good Ole boys” But little did I know that this activity was opening the door for the devil to be a bed partner in my marriage and a sidekick in raising my children. He just did not go away! He was there when we exchanged our vows and he was there at the hospital as I observed our newborn children. He was there when our family drifted apart. He was the master of destruction and death. I could place the blame on him, but if you look close enough you will find that it was me who enjoyed the devils company. So many of us go down that road, arm and arm with the devil. Not caring who we hurt, not caring for the wife or husband who's heart is broken. Not even caring for our children, since everything we do is really a sacrifice to the devil. Even BELIEVERS get caught up it this. The divorce rate of people who claim to be born-again is as high these days as that of the unbeliever. How can I explain this? As people of God, we need to stop and assume the responsibility for our actions. James 4:7-10 speaks clearly to this issue. Also we must be willing to communicate with those we've hurt. The walls of pain and hurt have no doors to go through except the the door of communication. If we are not willing to communicate then it is a victory for the devil. Lives are wasted since our decision to remain silent becomes a deliberate act of the rebellious, unrepentant and harden heart. Makes no difference; believer or unbeliever, we are accountable to God for our lack of stewardship over these matters.

Acts 26

Acts 26:1-5 Have you ever had a season of time when it seems that no body understands what your all about. Since the appointment of Festus as governor of Judea, Paul has struggled with getting people to hear him. So we see in verse two of the chapter that Paul, with a little comedy says to Agrippa, “I think myself happy” and his ongoing commentary explains why. You he says; are an expert in all the customs and questions regarding the Jews. He asks Agrippa to be patient as he explains his manner of life. A life that even the Jews contending with him fully know.

Acts 26:6-11 Many of us have backgrounds of unbelief. Times when we knowingly persecuted those Christians who attempted to share the gospel with us. In the strictest sense we did many things contrary to the name of Jesus Christ. In our conversations we willingly cast votes against those Christ followers and laughed at the jokes we heard from others about the holy life of God's people. Can you not remember those days? I can... and I can remember with shame that I was a blasphemous person.

Acts 26: 12-18 But there came a day and oh what a glorious day, a day similar to that of the apostle Paul, a day that I will never forget. Living in darkness, but one morning Jesus turned the light on! How do I explain this in any other way. I was blind, but now I see. “I cannot be remiss and fail to thank you LORD.” The joy seeing Jesus. Paul was sent by Jesus to open the eyes of the blind. As the message traveled through time, it finally found me. Broken hearted, down trodden and ready for death. But instead, Jesus gave me and inheritance and forgiveness. He even sanctified me, can you believe it? If you can then you have a message just the same as that of Paul. Use it and the blind will see.