Daily Worship (April 20)
Devotional 1: The God Who Made Everything
Isaiah 45:18 (NIV)
“For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’”
Devotional Thought
When Paul stood in front of the people in Athens, he noticed they were very religious—but they didn’t know the true God. They had idols everywhere, even one “To an Unknown God.” Paul didn’t start by quoting Bible verses they didn’t know. He started by telling them who God is. He said that God made the world and everything in it. He gives life and breath to all people. He isn’t far away. And most importantly, He wants us to seek Him and know Him.
This is exactly what Isaiah 45:18 says. God didn’t make the earth to be empty or forgotten. He made it to be full of people who would know Him and love Him. He is the Creator, and there is no other. This truth is still important today. Some people don’t believe in God, and others believe in the wrong things. But the Bible reminds us that there is only one God, and He wants a relationship with us. He made the world with purpose, and He made you with purpose too.
Wherever you go—school, work, or home—you can remember this: the world belongs to God, and every person is someone He wants to know Him. That includes you.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
God, You made the world and everything in it. You made me too, and I thank You that You want me to know You. Help me to see You as the Creator and to tell others about You like Paul did. Remind me that I belong to You and that I can find my purpose in You. Amen.
“For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’”
Devotional Thought
When Paul stood in front of the people in Athens, he noticed they were very religious—but they didn’t know the true God. They had idols everywhere, even one “To an Unknown God.” Paul didn’t start by quoting Bible verses they didn’t know. He started by telling them who God is. He said that God made the world and everything in it. He gives life and breath to all people. He isn’t far away. And most importantly, He wants us to seek Him and know Him.
This is exactly what Isaiah 45:18 says. God didn’t make the earth to be empty or forgotten. He made it to be full of people who would know Him and love Him. He is the Creator, and there is no other. This truth is still important today. Some people don’t believe in God, and others believe in the wrong things. But the Bible reminds us that there is only one God, and He wants a relationship with us. He made the world with purpose, and He made you with purpose too.
Wherever you go—school, work, or home—you can remember this: the world belongs to God, and every person is someone He wants to know Him. That includes you.
COMMA Questions
- Context: What do the verses before and after this one in Isaiah say about God’s power and purpose?
- Observation: What words in this verse show that God is the one true Creator?
- Meaning: What does it mean that God “formed [the world] to be inhabited”?
- Main Idea: How does this verse help you answer: Who is the God Paul was talking about in Acts 17?
- Application: How can you live with purpose, knowing you were created by God to know Him?
Prayer
God, You made the world and everything in it. You made me too, and I thank You that You want me to know You. Help me to see You as the Creator and to tell others about You like Paul did. Remind me that I belong to You and that I can find my purpose in You. Amen.
Devotional 2: Turn Around
Ezekiel 18:30–31 (NIV)
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?”
Devotional Thought
In Acts 17, Paul told the people of Athens that God “now commands all people everywhere to repent.” That’s a big statement. God isn’t just giving advice—He’s commanding something important. The word repent means to turn around. It’s like realizing you’re heading in the wrong direction and making a U-turn back toward God.
Ezekiel 18 says the same thing. God pleads with His people to turn away from their sins. He doesn't want anyone to be destroyed by sin. He wants people to live! He even offers a “new heart and a new spirit.” This shows us that repentance is more than just saying, “I’m sorry.” It’s about leaving sin behind and letting God change us from the inside out.
We all have things we need to turn from—bad attitudes, selfishness, dishonesty, pride. But God isn’t waiting to crush us. He’s calling us back to life. That’s the good news Paul preached: that Jesus came, died, and rose again so we could be forgiven and live with new hearts. Don’t wait—turn around today. Repent, believe, and receive God’s grace.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling me to turn away from sin. I know You don’t want me to be trapped or lost—you want me to live. Help me to take repentance seriously. Change my heart, and give me a new spirit that loves what You love. Amen.
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?”
Devotional Thought
In Acts 17, Paul told the people of Athens that God “now commands all people everywhere to repent.” That’s a big statement. God isn’t just giving advice—He’s commanding something important. The word repent means to turn around. It’s like realizing you’re heading in the wrong direction and making a U-turn back toward God.
Ezekiel 18 says the same thing. God pleads with His people to turn away from their sins. He doesn't want anyone to be destroyed by sin. He wants people to live! He even offers a “new heart and a new spirit.” This shows us that repentance is more than just saying, “I’m sorry.” It’s about leaving sin behind and letting God change us from the inside out.
We all have things we need to turn from—bad attitudes, selfishness, dishonesty, pride. But God isn’t waiting to crush us. He’s calling us back to life. That’s the good news Paul preached: that Jesus came, died, and rose again so we could be forgiven and live with new hearts. Don’t wait—turn around today. Repent, believe, and receive God’s grace.
COMMA Questions
- Context: How does Ezekiel 18 describe God’s heart toward people who sin?
- Observation: What repeated words or phrases show urgency in these verses?
- Meaning: What does it mean to “get a new heart and a new spirit”?
- Main Idea: Why do you think Paul says God commands everyone to repent in Acts 17?
- Application: What’s one area of your life where you need to “turn around” and seek God’s help?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling me to turn away from sin. I know You don’t want me to be trapped or lost—you want me to live. Help me to take repentance seriously. Change my heart, and give me a new spirit that loves what You love. Amen.
Devotional 3: Proof of Life
Romans 1:3–4 (NIV)
“…regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Devotional Thought
When Paul preached in Athens, he ended his message with something bold: God raised Jesus from the dead, and that is the proof that Jesus is the Savior and Judge of the world. Some people laughed, but others leaned in and believed. The resurrection is not just a nice story—it’s God’s way of shouting to the world, “This is My Son! Believe in Him!”
Romans 1 tells us the same thing. Jesus had a real human life—He was born into David’s family, lived among us, and died on a cross. But that’s not the end of His story. God raised Him from the dead, showing the world that Jesus is not just a man—He is the powerful Son of God, the Lord of all. The resurrection is proof that Jesus is who He said He is. It’s also proof that His death worked—that our sins are forgiven—and that death doesn’t have the final word.
If Jesus is alive, then you can know Him, trust Him, and follow Him. And if He defeated death, He can give you life that lasts forever. That’s what Paul wanted the Athenians to know—and it’s what God wants you to know, too.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Jesus, You are alive—and that changes everything. Thank You for dying for my sins and rising again to give me new life. Help me trust You, follow You, and share the good news that You are the risen Lord. Amen.
“…regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Devotional Thought
When Paul preached in Athens, he ended his message with something bold: God raised Jesus from the dead, and that is the proof that Jesus is the Savior and Judge of the world. Some people laughed, but others leaned in and believed. The resurrection is not just a nice story—it’s God’s way of shouting to the world, “This is My Son! Believe in Him!”
Romans 1 tells us the same thing. Jesus had a real human life—He was born into David’s family, lived among us, and died on a cross. But that’s not the end of His story. God raised Him from the dead, showing the world that Jesus is not just a man—He is the powerful Son of God, the Lord of all. The resurrection is proof that Jesus is who He said He is. It’s also proof that His death worked—that our sins are forgiven—and that death doesn’t have the final word.
If Jesus is alive, then you can know Him, trust Him, and follow Him. And if He defeated death, He can give you life that lasts forever. That’s what Paul wanted the Athenians to know—and it’s what God wants you to know, too.
COMMA Questions
- Context: What does Romans 1 say about Jesus’ human life and His divine power?
- Observation: What words in this verse show that Jesus’ resurrection proved something?
- Meaning: What does it mean that Jesus was “appointed the Son of God in power”?
- Main Idea: How does this verse connect to Paul’s message about the resurrection in Acts 17?
- Application: What difference does it make in your life that Jesus is alive today?
Prayer
Jesus, You are alive—and that changes everything. Thank You for dying for my sins and rising again to give me new life. Help me trust You, follow You, and share the good news that You are the risen Lord. Amen.
Categories
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
2024
September