Legalist Or Loyalist

JULY 17, 2026
Daily Reading—Neh. 13 / Acts 16:1-24

WHAT GOD HAS SAID:

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN:

    Any time a church adopts procedures to help keep order, someone calls them legalists. Typically, it is the person who does not like the rule. All churches have rules. You must be a member to vote. Only members may teach Sunday School. Etc. Yet no rule says you must do them to be saved. The rules help us be loyal to the order in church, not legalists to a law for salvation.

    It is not a new phenomenon. The apostles wrestled with these issues back at the founding of the church. Their conclusion should be ours as well. God clearly says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Faith in Christ alone saves, plus nothing.

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

Can we share the Gospel without adding new rules?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this passage and today’s devotion?

Within this reading, do I find a CHALLENGE for my life?

What actions will I take today or this week to meet this CHALLENGE?

 Living In His Word Ministries

        “Getting people into the Word of God…
                …and the Word of God into people.
                                                                             Romans 10:17

Evangelist Dr. Franklin J. Senters, Th. D.
Founder and President
Hebrews 2:12

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

We Must Go On

July 16, 2026
Daily Reading—Neh. 11-12 Acts 15:28-41

WHAT GOD HAS SAID:

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN:

    I remember a phrase growing up that went, “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” This phrase has been one that haunts me whenever I want to give up. Most people want to quit when things get hard. When trials come, we just do not want to take it anymore.

    Paul went back to the frightened people of the churches that he helped to begin and told them, “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Simply put, I know it is hard, but do not give up. Even better, God says in Hebrews 13:5, “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” What joy to know that through our darkest hours and hardest trials, God is by our side

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

Will you trust God’s promise of His presence to help you go on?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this passage and today’s devotion?

Within this reading, do I find a CHALLENGE for my life?

What actions will I take today or this week to meet this CHALLENGE?

 Living In His Word Ministries

        “Getting people into the Word of God…
                …and the Word of God into people.
                                                                             Romans 10:17

Evangelist Dr. Franklin J. Senters, Th. D.
Founder and President
Hebrews 2:12

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

Believe To Receive

JULY 15, 2026
Daily Reading—Neh. 9-10 / Acts 15:1-27

WHAT GOD HAS SAID:

Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN:

    I recall from my youth a little ditty-type song that said, “Oh, you can’t go to heaven, in the preacher’s car, ’cause the preacher’s car, won’t go that far,” and “you can’t go to heaven on roller skates, ’cause you’ll roll right by those pearly gates.”  Fact is, you will not enter heaven unless you put faith in Christ as your Saviour.

    Sadly, some believe you can get into heaven by church membership, being good, or doing religious works. Paul told the people of Antioch the laws of Moses would not justify them. To receive the cleansing of our sin and to be justified before God, we must believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus alone. Through Christ alone will we gain eternal life with God.

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

Have you read Ephesians 2:8 & 9 lately?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this passage and today’s devotion?

Within this reading, do I find a CHALLENGE for my life?

What actions will I take today or this week to meet this CHALLENGE?

 Living In His Word Ministries

        “Getting people into the Word of God…
                …and the Word of God into people.
                                                                             Romans 10:17

Evangelist Dr. Franklin J. Senters, Th. D.
Founder and President
Hebrews 2:12

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

How Are You Called?

JULY 14, 2026
Daily Reading—Neh. 7-8 / Acts 14

WHAT GOD HAS SAID:

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN:

    At many missions’ conferences, I have heard the same question asked of missionaries. “How did you know you were called to that land?” Some have stories of being in the land before, going on a short-term mission trip, family ministering there in the past, etc. Yet the final answer is always the same. I knew in my heart that this was where God called me to go.

    Today’s verse says, “the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” As it was then, it is today. The Holy Spirit calls people to bring the gospel to every creature. Going as Ambassadors of God.

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

Will you pray today and thank God for all those who heard the voice
of the Holy Spirit, and said YES?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this passage and today’s devotion?

Within this reading, do I find a CHALLENGE for my life?

What actions will I take today or this week to meet this CHALLENGE?

 Living In His Word Ministries

        “Getting people into the Word of God…
                …and the Word of God into people.
                                                                             Romans 10:17

Evangelist Dr. Franklin J. Senters, Th. D.
Founder and President
Hebrews 2:12

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

Oops, I Forgot About Peter

JULY 13, 2026
Daily Reading—Neh. 4-6 / Acts 13:29-52

WHAT GOD HAS SAID:

Acts 12:13-15 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN:

    Whenever I come to this passage of scripture, I am surprised at the lack of faith. Don’t misunderstand; I am not talking only of those in the story but also many Christians today as well. Here in this passage, many Christians gathered with the purpose of praying for Peter’s release and safety. When he’s standing at the door, they don’t believe it. Rhoda, someone who does believe it, was so excited by the answer to prayer that she ran to tell the others and forgot Peter at the gate.

    Sometimes our prayers sound good as they cross our lips, but our hearts wonder, Can it possibly come true? When it does, we are so amazed by God’s answer that we forget about whom we prayed for. There should be a certain AWE in the mighty hand of God. Yet it should not surprise us; He really answers prayer.

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

What big prayer are you asking for today?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this passage and today’s devotion?

Within this reading, do I find a CHALLENGE for my life?

What actions will I take today or this week to meet this CHALLENGE?

 Living In His Word Ministries

        “Getting people into the Word of God…
                …and the Word of God into people.
                                                                             Romans 10:17

Evangelist Dr. Franklin J. Senters, Th. D.
Founder and President
Hebrews 2:12

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM