I love Paul’s opening words to the Romans . . . especially this verse: I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. Romans 1:7 We don’t know how the church in Rome started. None of the Apostles had been there…
When’s the last time you came to the end of a book, TV show, or movie and you were frustrated because you wanted more? You’re sure there must be a sequel but the sequel never shows up. And the story just doesn’t seem complete. That’s how many of us feel when we get to the…
How do you respond to snarky comments on social media? How do you handle harsh criticism about your faith? I’ve had several opportunities lately to think about and figure out how to deal with each of those scenarios and I pray that I have been able to be just a bit like Paul. When the…
Do you have a loved one, a friend or neighbor who is not a believer? Have you have carefully looked for openings to share your faith? Perhaps, many times . . . over many years. You wait and pray and wait some more. It would be great if a single, gentle nudge from you led…
Do you feel trapped? Stuck in your circumstances? Unsure of what to do next? Does life feel hard? Do the days seem long? Picture Paul… Two years have passed since: A group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Acts 23:12 Nothing much…
How often does you pastor preach about the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience? When I was growing up, our pastor used to preach long messages. At one point, my dad, who was a personal friend of his, teased him about the fact that they seemed to be getting even longer. Our pastor…
Do you know anyone who has been rejected by family or friends because of their faith? Maybe you’re the one who is considered “weird” or overboard because you take God at His Word and trust His promises. Do you feel forsaken Alone? Many Bible scholars believe that when Paul, a Pharisee and “Jew among Jews,”…
At the top of a list of “worst things to discuss in public” you’ll find, money, religion, sex, and politics And in our current politically correct society some would say that even mentioning those topics is argumentative and hateful. If we’re to avoid talking about religion . . . what about faith? Everyone has faith in something…
You remember Mnason, right? Okay. The truth is, I don’t remember him either. In fact, I had to look up the meaning of his name just to see how to pronounce it. So, if he’s new to you too, Mnason is pronounced (m)na-son (with a silent m), and… The following verse is the only time…
I hate “good-byes.” They can be horribly painful especially if we believe we may never see that person again. The Apostle Paul told the people in Ephesus: Now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail…
We celebrate Jesus. And we should! We pray to “our Father.” As Jesus taught us. But the Holy Spirit… I wonder if we have a harder time talking about the Spirit because we can’t picture Him. We have many images of Jesus and we can visualize entering throne room and approaching the Father of grace…
Do you ever feel discouraged . . . like evil is winning? The news and social media seem to promote a secular religion and a culture that opposes Biblical truths. Is it any wonder that many of us are starting to feel more and more isolated and alone as efforts are made to silence Christians…
We used to live near a “Berean” church. And Rev and I think it’s was one of the best names ever for a Christian church. Here’s why: The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if…
Have you ever wanted to be famous? Do you long to be “known” and popular? Have you ever been tempted to do a little “name dropping” so you could tag along on the celebrity recognition ride? Luke wrote the following near the beginning of his Gospel: Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also…
It was a clash of two completely different cultures that first presented a huge challenge to the early church. Gentiles (non-Jews) were putting their faith in Christ Jesus in large numbers. And many Jewish Christians were willing to welcome them into the church but only after the Gentiles conformed to their legalistic religious traditions and…
Have you ever wished you could perform miracles? Maybe you’ve imagined yourself having an impact on someone’s life through a healing word or touch. And dreamt those moments would convince people once and for all that Jesus truly is the Son of God. Miracles like Paul performed: While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas…
It was the first missionary journey. Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit . . . and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. Acts 13:14a,15b But just a few verses later… John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. John 13:13 The Bible doesn’t tell…
Herod Agrippa was the fourth Roman-appointed king in his family to rule in Jerusalem. He was also a smooth politician who found an opportunity to gain approval from the Jewish leaders by jumping on the Christian persecution bandwagon—ordering the death of the Apostle James and the arrest of Peter. Can you imagine how Peter must…
Rev and I reminisce often about the wonderful people who have blessed us through encouragement. There have been teachers, professors, church members, and countless others who have given us hope to carry on when we felt like failures. but one stands out specifically… He was a pastor, author, and friend who was also an amazing…
Nazis. There’s a good reason that word causes a sickening reaction. In fact, it has become even more apparent lately that if someone wants to cast an individual or group in the worst possible light . . . that’s the word label to apply. Romans. In New Testament times, the word “Roman” would have caused…
No follower of Jesus has advanced the Kingdom of God more than a Christian hating, persecuting Pharisee who was on a mission “to kill the Lord’s followers.” (Acts 9:1) What changed him from persecutor to proclaimer? He came face to face with the risen Christ Himself. As [Saul] was approaching Damascus on this mission, a…
