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 […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 15 Today’s passage: Luke 7:18–35 Focus verse: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard.” (Luke 7:22) John the Baptist appears three times in Luke’s biography of Jesus. First, Luke writes about John’s birth and the events that lead up to it. Next, Luke records John’s baptism […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 7 Today’s passage: Luke 3:21–38 Focus verse:“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) When the people ask John if he’s the Messiah, whom the Old Testament prophets foretold, he tells them he’s not, but he’s indirect about it. By way of an answer, […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 6 Today’s passage: Luke 3:1–20 Focus verse: “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” (Luke 3:11) Our timeline jumps forward eighteen years, and we pick up the story with John the Baptist—John for short. This is […]
Luke Bible Study, Day 2 Today’s passage: Luke 1:5–25 Focus verse: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God. (Luke 1:6) Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth have no kids. They’re old. Seriously old. Their chance to have a baby has passed. From a human perspective it’s ridiculous, yet they pray for the improbable. They’re […]
Consider What Scripture Says about the Unborn Some say life begins at birth. Others point to conception. Yet too many look at the continuum of pregnancy and try to determine a point along that path where not-life becomes life. But this looms as a never-ending quest with an ever-moving answer. What does the Bible say […]
Today’s passage: Matthew 21:23–27, Mark 11:27–33, and Luke 20:1–8 Focus verse: “By what authority are you doing these things?” [the religious leaders] asked. “And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23) Let’s recap what Jesus has done in the past few hours. First, he rides into Jerusalem like a victorious king, with the people shouting […]
Childless, Elizabeth and husband Zechariah are getting old; their chance for kids is slim. Still they pray for the improbable. Despite not receiving what they yearn for, their faith remains strong. They are a righteous couple who honor God. One day at work, an angel shows up and tells Zechariah that he and his barren […]
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 […]
The Angel Gabriel Has Some Shocking News for Young Mary Today’s Passage: Luke 1:26–30 Focus Verse: “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” (Luke 1:28) Back to Luke’s narrative, our story switches from foretelling the birth of John the Baptist to foretelling the birth of Jesus. Just as the angel Gabriel gave exciting news to Zechariah […]