From Me to You 90 Days With the Apostles

By Jackie Jacobs

"This is a very thought-provoking piece of writing from the pen of an anointed woman of God the words will be especially encouraging to those working humbly in the Lord’s vineyard. Rooted firmly in the Scriptures, it points us towards Jesus Christ who was the perfect example of conduct both in family-life and public ministry. It reminds us that He is the just rewarder of all those that seek to be true disciples."
David Miller, Overseer, Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic)

"We all need a little more strength for the journey at times. As you read the pages of this day-by-day devotional you will not only be encouraged, but also stirred to uplift those around you. Each day you will be served with a timely reminder that you can indeed move beyond a life of mediocrity and into a closer relationship with God."
Elder Nicholas Myers

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9780244497538

Book preview

From Me to You 90 Days With the Apostles

From Me to You 90 Days With the Apostles

by

Jackie Jacobs

…Jesus Christ is Lord… Philippians 2:11

Copyright

Copyright © Jackie Jacobs 2019

Category: Christianity

eBook Design by Rossendale Books: www.rossendalebooks.co.uk

eBook ISBN: 978-0-244-49753-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without prior permission of the author. The author's moral rights have been asserted.

All Scripture references

are from the King James version

By the same author:

From Me to You

From Me to You Teenagers Plus

From Me to You on Sickness and Bereavement

From Me to You 90 Days in The Psalms

From Me to You While You Are Away

Dedication

To every reader, without preference or exception, this book is for you!

Introduction

I give God thanks for another opportunity to write and share with you from my heart. I have been totally reliant upon the LORD for strength and inspiration to pen these pages.

90 Days with The Apostles is a three-month collection of daily readings where the key verse at the top of each chapter has been taken from one of the writings of the apostles, or from an account written about the apostles, e.g. from the book of Acts.

I hope that you will not rush through this devotional but rather, set some time aside daily to read the day’s lesson, and meditate upon it along with any other Bible references given in the text.

The journey through the New Testament with the apostles has been just as enjoyable for me as: 90 Days in The Psalms, albeit the literature of the apostles is very different to that of the psalmists. But it’s always a blessing studying the Scriptures.

We are reminded and challenged by what is written to be a consistent doer of the Word as defined in James 1:22. We must therefore have the Word in our heart in order to be able to do it!

Come with me and discover again and again the cleansing, the refreshing and spiritual nourishment which can only be found in God’s Word.

Blessings to you!

Jackie Jacobs

Day 1    -   Changed

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation; to everyone that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek

Romans 1:16

I doubt that there is anyone reading this page who has not at some stage during their lifetime felt ashamed of something which they said or did. You may still cringe every time that you remember, so deep is your regret.

But acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, i.e. the good news of salvation being. His birth, death and burial, and resurrection, brings with it no shame. In fact, those of us who have accepted Christ and His message can testify that receiving Him is the best thing that ever happened to us. It does not get better than Jesus!

The power of God works on us from the inside out, by the Holy Ghost, so that a life previously marred and tarnished by sin now reflects the one who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

It is especially precious to the Gentiles because salvation was first to the Jews: …for salvation is of the Jews… (St John 4:22), and then to the Gentiles because of the Jews’ rejection of Jesus: He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (St John 1:11).

None of us can possibly guess where we would be today had it not been for the miraculous ability of the gospel to effect lasting change in our lives: It took a miracle to put the stars in place, it took a miracle to hang the world in space. But when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole, it took a miracle of love and grace (It Took a Miracle -JW Peterson).

Some of us know that we are only still alive today because we answered salvation’s call, and as a result walk in the opposite direction from where we were going. We were on our way to certain destruction, but thanks be to God for His transforming power that saves (rescues), keeps (preserves) and satisfies (completely fills the hunger of the soul)!

Closing thought:

I am a new creation thanks be to the power of God unto salvation., to the Jew first, (and then also to me)!

Day 2   -   Day After Dark

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was taken away

Acts 27:20

Have you ever been in a bad situation which you thought could not get any worse, and then it did? Things were so bad that there were no words to be said.

And then sometimes, as in the Scripture today, we find ourselves in trouble because we did not listen to sound counsel, and would not easily admit that we had made a mistake although it was glaringly obvious.

Whatever the why and how, it is an awful feeling in such times to feel that all hope is gone, all is lost and everything is pointless. That is exactly how Satan wants you to feel. Certainly, your present test may have knocked you over but it does not need to knock you out! It will mature you if you let it, or it will destroy you if you let it. I’ve learned in hard times that I am much stronger than I think I am, and so are you.

Try to understand the strategy of Satan. If he can get you to believe and behave like there is no hope left, he’s got you! For why will you carry on if you truly believe that there is no hope? No stars, no sun for many days, plus a violent storm beating upon your ship. It would seem that you’ve lost and you should just surrender to the wind and waves, but you are actually about to experience a tremendous victory! Things are not always as they seem.

The psalmist of Psalm 46:5 says: God will help her and that right early, meaning there will be a turning-point at the break of day. After the process and purpose are complete, deliverance will come.

Dawn breaks after darkness. But how long is night? Well, that depends on where in the world you are or the season which you’re in. However, it is nature’s law or pattern that consistently day comes after night. But what shall I do whilst waiting for day after dark? Hold on to hope!

Closing thought:

The sun will shine again.

Day 3   -   Thank God for You

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you

Philippians 1:3

There are some people in our lives, and even who may no longer play an active part in our lives, whom we cannot think about without giving God thanks for them.

It may be for their acts of kindness, their total selflessness, their care and attention towards you, their hospitality, their correction in love, for being that shoulder to cry on, their sincerity, and so on. But whatever the reason, thoughts of them are always followed by a: Thank you, Jesus!

Equally, wouldn’t it be great for you to leave an indelible print on the life of somebody else too? It does not have to be by doing something big or giving them something that’s expensive. It’s often the small things that mean so much. A composer wrote: If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or a song, if I can show somebody how they’re travelling wrong, then my living shall not be in vain.

As I am writing this page, I can’t help thinking of a particular individual whom I always say saved my life. They did not recognise the value of what they were saying to me, but God allowed it to be so that we spoke together at the right time.

If we live our entire lifetime without making a positive impact on others, we have missed the point of our being here. Somebody should be able to reflect and say of us: I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!

Closing thought:

Every day there is at least one opportunity to make a difference and bless somebody. Don’t miss that moment!

Day 4   -   Fit to Follow

In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity

Titus 2:7

Did you know that somebody is watching you? It may not be obvious, and they may never tell you, but it is so.

Paul, in this pastoral epistle to Titus, who was a young minister and future Bishop, admonished him to live the gospel and be consistent not just in his teachings, but also in his lifestyle. Paul warned Titus that in all things he must be a pattern of good works, i.e. a model for imitation, a good example, a figure or form to copy.

As born again, regenerated believers, there are no days off from being a pattern of good works, especially when in leadership. With leadership comes responsibility; you are always in the spotlight.

Drivers, we depend on signs and symbols to follow to help to get us safely to our destination, don’t we? If just for one day, all of the road aids were removed, e.g. there were no traffic lights, no road markings to separate the traffic into lanes, how confusing that would be!

It makes sense then when Paul said to the Corinthians: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). I like that Paul demonstrates here that he is doing the same as he has instructed Titus, i.e. being a pattern of good works. Paul knew that his lifestyle was according to God’s Word and would therefore not lead anyone astray. I always say, be careful who you follow because you will end up where they are going!

Leaders are people of influence, sometimes more than they even realise, whether their influence is good or bad. You can choose not to bring disgrace upon the name of Jesus Christ by an irregular standard of living. Always be sincere, be genuine; have integrity and be sound and sober. Why? Because somebody is watching you!

Closing thought:

Am I a good example to follow?

Day 5   -   Keep on Praying

Pray Without Ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer changes things, that’s what we often say and have also heard. But before changing things, prayer must change me.

In prayer, which is a two-way communication between me and God, the Lord shows me myself. If I listen to Him and want to change, I submit my will to His and agree with whatever He says about me, and what else I must do to be more like Him.

The Gospel according to St Luke is sometimes referred to as The Gospel of Prayer. It makes many references to prayer, e.g. St Luke 5:16; 9:18; 11:1-4; 18:1; 22:39-46.

Luke also records Jesus spending the night in prayer before selecting His disciples (St Luke 6:11-16). As our model to follow, Jesus who is God in the flesh, i.e.: Emmanuel (meaning) God with us (St Matthew 1:21-23), showed by example in His humanity that we all must pray. Psalm