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
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 its exquisite ornamentation and partly because of the extraordinary healings that happened there. It was there that Peter and John were stopped by a man lame from birth. When he saw Peter and John, he seized his chance and cried for help. He received so much more than he could have ever hoped for—complete healing in the name of Jesus.
I’ve never been blessed to participate in a healing of this nature. But I’ve been blessed more than once to see the results of healing in the lives of people that I’ve loved and served as a pastor. I’ve witnessed firsthand the weight of guilt and shame being lifted from a broken heart, and of strength being renewed in a weary soul who presses on through their weariness. I’ve seen clarity of thought given to a person helplessly confused by their circumstances. These are healings too. Jesus Christ healed then and Jesus Christ heals now.
The marvelous healing in today’s Bible reading is preceded by Peter looking intently at the lame man. And this is an action step for us. Begin to look more intently at people and you may be surprised by how much pain you see, and correspondingly how much help you can offer in the name of Jesus.
As you pray, thank God for his healing power. Ask him to enlist you in his healing ministry.
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.
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
Lifted Up
Read: Psalm 30 I shall never be moved. (v. 6) Do you remember climbing the first hill on your first rollercoaster ride? You got to the top, and for a moment the world stopped—the ground was a distant memory, and
Staying the Course
Read: Psalm 18:27-42 You equipped me with strength for the battle. (v. 39) For me, long distance running didn’t come easy. I started by walking, and I wasn’t fast. Over time, through many months and years of training, I racked