How We Learn Is as Important as What We Learn The internet is a vast source of information. We can learn much from it. Not all of it, however, is good information. Too much is misleading, and some is outright wrong. If we’re using the internet as our source of information about God, we need […]
God’s Spirit Is in Us Although the terminology and even the timing vary between the various Christian traditions and perspectives, a generality is that first, someone decides to follow Jesus and then the Holy Spirit is given to guide and direct them. While each stream of Christian thought assigns different terms to these events and […]
We Must Align Our Plans With God’s Will If We Expect His Blessing King David desires to bring the Ark of the Covenant home, restore it to its rightful status, and put it in its proper place. He envisions a major celebration, one for all the people (1 Chronicles 15:28). Yet he seeks to build […]
People Try to Kill Jesus Today’s passage: Luke 4:14–30 Focus verse:All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. (Luke 4:28) After the devil strikes out in his attempt to stop Jesus before he can even start his ministry, the Holy Spirit sends Jesus to Galilee. There he instructs the people in […]
Jesus Must Return to Heaven before the Holy Spirit Can Come Ascension Day occurs forty days after Resurrection Sunday (more commonly called Easter). Here is some background. Jesus Comes to Earth Jesus comes to earth as a man to save us. He dies on the cross as a sacrificial sin offering, dying in our place. […]
Coming Soon Today’s passage: Revelation 22:17–21 Focus verse: He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:20) After Jesus finishes his last teaching, the Holy Spirit weighs in as well. But it’s not just him. It’s also the bride (not the bridegroom). This means you and me, all whose names appear in […]
We Must Honor God with Our Bodies Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This confirms that the Holy Spirit lives in each one of us. It’s a joint cohabitation, a partnership with the Holy Spirit—with God. We are God’s temple. In this way, we don’t belong […]
Mary Receives Shocking News An angel visits Mary, a teenage girl engaged to be married. The angel celebrates her as one highly favored by God. Perplexed, she wonders about the angel’s shocking greeting. Then he further stuns her by saying she will become pregnant, and her child will save her people. “How,” Mary asks? “I’m […]
Offer Ongoing Adoration to Our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer The book of Revelation tells of John’s spirit being whisked into heaven. Four living creatures spend all their time—day and night—praising God. They chant, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8, NIV). The threefold repetition […]
Elizabeth’s Unborn Child Leaps for Joy at the Sound of Mary’s Voice Today’s Passage: Luke 1:39–45 Focus Verse: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45) Not only will Mary have a baby, but her much older relative Elizabeth will have one too. Mary sets off […]