THE STORY OF JESUS: Ephesians 1-3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Ephesians 1:3) Paul can’t seem to praise God enough, he repeats himself in many ways. God is the source of every spiritual blessing, and Jesus is the means. Through Jesus we are forgiven, reconciled, restored and blessed. This blessing…
Simple faith, hope and love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 9:32-43 “Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.’” (Acts 9:40) I have prayed for a dead person to come back to life… he didn’t. How do we read this story (and others like it) today? ‘That was then, Jesus doesn’t do that anymore…’ ‘I’m doing it wrong, I need…
To kneel and to jump at the same time!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 9:19b-31 “Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 9:31) I love the combination of ideas in this verse: fear and encouragement. This is the difference that knowing Jesus makes. He shows us that God is still sovereign and holy and mighty. But He infuses us…
When suffering is for the good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 9:10-19a “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:16) When I first heard these words, they sounded like a threat. As if Jesus is saying that Paul deserves (must) suffer for his crimes. But it is not FOR His crimes that he must suffer, for “FOR…
Hearing Jesus calling!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 9:1-9 “They heard the sound but did not see anyone.” (Acts 9:7) Paul’s experience was different than his companions. The Lord works differently in each person’s life. Christians are people who have heard the Lord calling them. Those around them may sense something, but not know Who it is. Two people can…
God’s sanctuary in me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 132 “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned.” (Psalm 132:14) For the Jews before Jesus, the temple was their symbol of hope. It reminded them of God’s commitment to them – He lived among them. It reminded them of their glorious past, and David their…
Done with the churchy talk!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 4-6 “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) What do I talk the most about? Am I focused more on Jesus the His life, death and resurrection? Or is most of my talk about church, or spiritual practices, or good deeds? This is especially…
Living under Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 1-3 “Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” (Galatians 3:25) The root meaning of ‘faith’ is confidence, not doctrine or beliefs. Jesus has come, giving us confidence we are forgiven and accepted by grace. My confidence with God is not because of all the religious or…
Baptism moment!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 8:26-40 “The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” (Acts 8:29) When it comes to sharing my faith, I do not like being pushy. All my reasons are likely mere excuses, but I still hold back. But I like how the Spirit simply prompts Philip to go near…
The Spirit shows up in a special way!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 8:9-25 “Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17) To have the Spirit, and to receive the Spirit, are two sides of the same coin. The baptism of the Spirit happens to all of us when we’re baptized. This ‘baptism’ is the filling or…