Elymas the Sorcerer

On the isle of Cyprus, missionaries Paul and Barnabas found the governor to be an intelligent man, open to their teaching. But they were opposed by Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer who tried to turn the governor from Christianity.

For his opposition to them, Elymas was struck temporarily with blindness, a miracle that led the governor to accept the faith (Acts 13:4–12).

Praise unites us also with one another. Here is “the only potential bond between the extremes of mankind: joyful preoccupation with God.” Praise the Lord!

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Praise that Unites All

Timothy Keller

Praise Those Unites. We see extremes brought together in praise: wild animals and kings, old and young. Young men and maids, old men and babes. How can humans be brought into the music? He has raised up for his people a horn, a strong deliverer.

All of nature sings God’s glory; we alone are out of tune. The question is this: How can we be brought back into the great music?

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Praise Resounds Throughout Creation

Timothy Keller

The Praise Of Creation. Praise comes to God from all he has made. It begins in the highest heaven (verses 1–4). It comes from the sun and moon and stars (verse 3), from the clouds and rain (verse 4).

Christians are saved by faith, not by obeying the law, but the law shows us how to please, love, and resemble the one who saved us by grace.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

True Worship that Pleases the Lord

Timothy Keller

A little boy left his toys out and went in to practice the piano, using hymns for his lesson. When his mother called him to pick up his toys, he said, “I ca n’t eat; “I’m singing praise to Jesus.” His mother responded: “There's no use singing God's praises when you're being disobedient.”

Psalm 19 tells us that, unless you repress it, you can still hear the stars singing about their maker.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

From Heavenly Greatness to Inexhaustible Love

Timothy Keller

The number of stars is still uncountable by human science, yet God knows them by name (verse 4; cf. Isaiah 40:26). Job speaks of the creation, when “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7).

This Christmas season, let’s remember to thank Him for His most precious gift to us: Himself.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Gift of Himself

David Jeremiah

Long ago, there ruled a wise and good king in Persia who loved his people and often dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar so he could visit the poor and learn about their hardships.

Elymas the Sorcerer

The Praise that Unites All

Praise Resounds Throughout Creation

True Worship that Pleases the Lord

From Heavenly Greatness to Inexhaustible Love

The Gift of Himself

Avoid Anxiety For Riches

Sham Generosity

“A Poor Rich Man.”

Danger of Riches

Adversity a Blessing Sometimes

Heaven a Place of Reward

Reward of Goodness Sometimes Immediate

The Brightest Honors of Heaven