God Goes Before You
The LORD is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, HCSB) We talk a lot about how God is always with us…but we don’t talk often about how God “goes before us.” I was […]
Home on the Range
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3:18-21, NIV) This is one of those household passages for […]
Grace-Filled Homes
We asked our daughter recently what she thought the biggest need was in homes of her friends. She answered without hesitation: Grace. “I want all my friends’ parents to have more grace with their kids. I want them to support them in what they are doing and what they are involved in by showing up […]
Location, Location, Location
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:9-10, NIV). As we roll out of verse 8 into verse 9, you might recall that Paul was discouraging the church from following the […]
Ministry and Money
As part of Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian Elders, the Apostle feels the need to give a financial accounting of his ministry. Luke records his words: 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.34 You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs, and for those who were with […]
Zoom Out
Acts 16:22-25 (NIV) 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the […]
Strengthening Your Core
Acts 15:41 (NIV) 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. After the important church council of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas head in different ministry directions. Luke follows Paul through Syria and Cilicia. Paul’s purpose: strengthening the church. I had a coach in college that insisted you were only as strong […]
Good News / Bad News
When Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra and Derbe, a man who had been crippled since birth was healed. Amazed, the people jumped to the conclusion that these apostles were gods: Zeus and Hermes. One of the priests of Zeus even began preparations for sacrificing bulls to Paul and Barnabas. The apostles urged them to […]
