On Purpose
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3, NIV) This verse literally begins […]
Be Alert!
Once Claudius learned about the plot against Paul, he sent the Apostle to Caesarea – to the Governor Felix. Paul told his story again… 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.” 26 […]
Conspiracy Theory
12 When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse: neither to eat nor to drink until they had killed Paul.13 There were more than 40 who had formed this plot. (Acts 23:12-13, HCSB) The internet has really changed things. Before the web, hearing a conspiracy theory was somewhat […]
Kicking the Dog
Acts 18:12-17 (NLT) 12 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment.13 They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”14 But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to […]
The Bible and Disaster
Like you, I am heartbroken in prayer for our neighbors in Moore – perhaps intensified by the close call we had in North Texas yesterday. As I had a conversation with my son about the tornado, I realized that we (the American church) have some pretty shallow thinking and poor theology when it comes to […]
God’s Word for You
Acts 18:7-11 (HCSB) 7 So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed the Lord, along with his whole household; and many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed […]
Ignorance is bliss
Acts 17:30-31 (NIV) 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the […]
Mobs, riots, and the Truth
Acts 17:5-9 (NIV) 5 But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not […]
Open Season on Christians
Acts 16:35-39 (NIV) 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly […]
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 […]
Election Sermon
“Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” (Acts 14:21-22, NIV) Paul and Barnabas were now headed into three new cities – new fields of ministry. The first […]
