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Read Acts 13:26-33
“But God raised him from the dead” (v. 30).
An interesting history surrounds the grave of Abraham Lincoln. In 1876 thieves exhumed the casket in an attempt to steal his body for ransom. The plot was foiled when the thieves were unable to manage the 500 pound, lead-lined cedar coffin. Later in 1901 it was exhumed again to be moved into the reconstructed Lincoln Tomb. Under the supervision of Robert Todd Lincoln, re-interment took place as twenty-three people observed. Those present were afraid the rumors of the theft of Lincoln’s body might be true. It was decided that the coffin should be opened to assure that he was still present. Fleetwood Lindley (1887-1963), a young boy of fourteen who was present, was interviewed shortly before his death. He confirmed that Lincoln was perfectly recognizable more than thirty years after his death.
There were rumors surrounding the death of Jesus Christ as well. These rumors were shattered as people witnessed that they had seen Jesus. Individual accounts could be discarded, but when groups of people, and even more than 500 on one occasion, stated that they had seen him, skeptics had to wrestle with the possibility of the resurrection of our Lord. Lincoln was still in his grave. He can no longer make a proclamation to free people from slavery. Our Lord, however, continues to free people from the slavery of sin every day, because He lives! (Gayle Woods)
Because He is alive, our Lord continues to free people from the slavery of sin every day!
This week’s featured devotional is the Monday, April 14, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "Abraham Lincoln memorial" by Gage Skidmore used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (v. 9).
Here is hope for the discouraged Sunday school teacher, the pastor questioning his calling, the weary and disillusioned missionary. There is encouragement and, yes, strength for the believer struggling to faithfully share his faith and live a Spirit-controlled life in the home, on the job, and in the neighborhood.
It is a glorious privilege to labor together with God while He is at work both in us and through us. We are enabled to share His truth with those we could never reach in our own efforts; using ways we could not accomplish except for Him. To work with God we must lay aside the “I’ll do this my way” attitude. There is no room for self-exaltation, promotion, or a spirit of independence, nor for putting forth minimal effort or doing less than our best. Exhaustion and frustration come quickly when we work for God rather than with Him. Paul exemplified this delicate balance in his life and ministry. Paul gave all of himself to God’s work but did not minister in his own strength or wisdom, nor put undue emphasis on his unworthiness and thorn in the flesh. Paul allowed the sovereign God to orchestrate the timing, places, means, and results of his ministry. (LeeAnn Davison, Free-lance writer, Norwood, Ohio)
God uses man; we do not work alone!
This week's featured devotional is the Wednesday, April 9, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo Credit: "Sunrise in Geneva" by Patrick Nouhailler used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.

Read 1 Kings 8:22-30
“And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart” (v. 23).
The story is told of a traveler who came upon the great Mississippi River one winter evening. He saw that it was frozen over and wondered if it might be able to hold him. He crept carefully to the edge of the river and then proceeded cautiously on his hands and knees hoping he could slowly make his way to the other side. As he inched along, he was startled by the sound of a horse-drawn sleigh barreling across the ice with a load of coal. No doubt the man flushed with embarrassment as he realized his fear of breaking through was unfounded.
Sometimes we are guilty of looking at the promises of God like this man viewed the solid ice. We are reluctant to trust Him fully with our problems, cares, and uncertainties. When we look back at the history of the Christian faith, we clearly see that the heavy loads our forefathers endured have proven time and time again that our God is enough. (Daniel Edwards)
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
— Louisa M. R. Stead

This week's featured devotional is the Wednesday, April 2, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo Credit: "Frozen River Halladale, Melvich" by jack_spellingbacon used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.