We Can Control How We React The prophet Jeremiah is in Jerusalem. He writes a letter to the exiles in Babylon. Let’s not rush past the word exiles. These exiles suffered much. Exiled First, Babylon conquered the nation of Judah. Then it captured the people. Next it forcibly relocated most of them to a distant […]
Standing Before God’s Judgment Seat When you die, will you stand before God’s judgment seat to give an account of your life? Yes. Paul says we’ll all stand before our Lord to give an account of what we did (Romans 14:10-12). God’s Judgment Seat Does this idea of appearing before our Creator fill you with […]
Exploring Eros, Storge, Phileo, and Agape Love is a complicated word, meaning array of things from a slight preference to a complete devotion. As such, we overuse and misuse the word love. To show how confusing love is, dictionaries give up to eighteen various definitions. I t’s no wonder we’re confused when we read about […]
Psalm 183 from Beyond Psalm 150 As we move through the book of Isaiah, the prophet offers a future glimpse of Jesus reaching out to embrace people of all nations, not just Israel. In response to this, Isaiah envisions a future people joining to sing this psalm of praise to God: I will give thanks to […]
Celebrating Holy Spirit Power We’ve talked about the four main Christian holidays. These celebrate that Jesus came to earth (Christmas), died so we could live (Good Friday), overcame death to prove his mastery of it (Easter), and having completed his mission, he gave us a gift (Pentecost). Pentecost is the conclusion of the Easter story. […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 9 Today’s passage: Acts 5:12–42 Focus verse: The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41) In Acts 3:1–4:4 we learn how, when Peter miraculously heals the lame man, the opportunity opens for him to tell others about Jesus. We often […]
Today’s passage: Acts 1:9, along with Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:50–52 Focus verse: He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:9) After Jesus gives his parting instructions to his disciples and commissions them to be his witnesses throughout the entire world, he has completed all […]
The Promised Gift of the Holy Spirit Today’s passage: Acts 1:4–5, along with Luke 24:49 Focus verse: “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5) After Luke concludes his introduction to the book of Acts, straightaway he shares a story about Jesus and his […]
Missionaries for Jesus Today’s passage: John 20:21–23 Focus verse: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) Jesus again says, “Peace be with you!” He’s already said this twice (Luke 24:36 and John 20:19). And he’ll say it a fourth time to Thomas in one week (John 20:26). Jesus says this […]
Anticipating Jesus Today’s passage: Luke 24:25–27 Focus verse: Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) After hearing the two men tell Jesus about himself, the Savior responds. He begins with some harsh criticism. He calls them foolish and slow to […]