Words of Hope Daily Devotional
START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE
Get the Words of Hope Devotional and get daily encouragement to love God, read His Word, and meet with Him in prayer. Available in print and email.
START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE
Get the Words of Hope Devotional and get daily encouragement to love God, read His Word, and meet with Him in prayer. Available in print and email.
THE DEVOTIONAL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR EMAIL AND IN PRINT.
The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer.
DINNER WITH JESUS
Breakfast on the Beach
Holy Boldness
Read: Acts 4:23-31
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (v. 31)
It took courage in the days of the apostles to speak up for the sake of the gospel, and it’s no different today. Two primary sources of courage are laid bare in this remarkable passage for us today—the power of the Holy Spirit and the company of the faithful.
Under enormous stress from the religious authorities, Peter and the others prayed with tremendous faith, and as a group, they relied on the encouragement of one another. In response, the power of the Holy Spirit was so powerful that it shook the building. Believe it or not, that same power is available to us today.
So here are a couple of action steps for us to take immediately. First, turn to other followers of Jesus to pray together and encourage each other (vv. 23-24). It’s remarkable to me what can happen when we simply stop, look, and listen to someone in need. Second, tell others what Jesus Christ can do for them by first telling them what he has done for you (v. 31). There is enormous power in a humble but forthright testimony. If God has done something gracious and lovely for you, tell someone about it.
Jesus has promised he’ll use our voice and our vision to heal. Let’s put that promise to the test!
As you pray, ask God to fill you with holy boldness.
About the Author
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. First Last
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.
Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, including Why Doesn’t God Act More Like God, Christ in the Psalms, and A Gospel for the World.
Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
The Power of His Name
Read: Acts 3:11-26 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know. (v. 16) Many years ago, during my time at Western Seminary, I was blessed to have an office next to Dr.
A Beautiful Thing!
Read: Acts 3:1-10 In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk! (v. 6) There were twelve entry ways into the ancient Temple Mount in Jerusalem. One of them was called the “Beautiful Gate,” partly because of
When Heaven Breaks Loose
Read: Acts 2:1-13 Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind. (v. 2) I invite you to come with me to Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost—the ancient Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Law
Witnesses
Read: Acts 1:6-11 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. (v. 8) When Christians
Loving God
Read: Acts 1:1-5 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. (v. 1) I have a friend that I have known since college days. I was once his pastor before
Finding Our Safe Place
Read: Psalm 46 Be still, and know that I am God. (v. 10) Natural disasters are scary. Destroyed homes, loss of life, and the chaos of displacement—experiencing it ourselves is devastating, but even seeing images in the news and on