SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:17-22 “It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” (Acts 28:20) The people of Israel were a people of hope. From their origins as oppressed slaves, they hoped for freedom, land, peace and prosperity. They had moments they were close, but again and again it slipped from their…
To see Jesus in others
SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:11-16 “At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” (Acts 28:15) Paul’s mission was to spread the message of Jesus to Rome and beyond. Here he sees a group of believers, and is encouraged. It is a confirmation from God that his work is not in vain. He may be about…
The story of Jesus: Mark 1
This weeks reading is Mark 1. Our goal is to read through the gospels of Mark and Luke this year. You can find the weekly schedule here. Join us at Crossroads this Sunday as we get to know Jesus better together. Share your thoughts about Jesus below…
It’s all about Jesus!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:1-10 “Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.” (Acts 28:8) Been there, done that… well most of that anyway. I’ve gone in to see sick people, prayed and laid my hands on them. But to the best of my knowledge, there were no miracles of…
Praise the Lord!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 150 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6) Are you getting the point? Who should praise the Lord – everyone that breathes! Why should we praise the Lord – His surpassing greatness and acts of power! Where should we praise the Lord – in the sanctuary and in the vast reaches of…
“But they refused…”
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 15-16 “But they refused to repent and glorify him… but they refused to repent of what they had done. (Revelation 15:9,11) John’s vision continues to pick up images from the OT, here the plagues against Pharoah and Egypt. These plagues are not final judgments, but invitations of tough love for hardened sinners. ‘Can’t you see,…
The serpent will be crushed!
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 12-14 “I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” (Revelation 14:14) The signs here come from Genesis 3:15, the battle between the offspring of the woman and…
God’s hand behind it all!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:39-44 “But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan.” (Acts 27:43) I love the layers in this chapter of the story. On the surface, we have the soldiers preparing to kill the prisoners, including Paul. We have the centurion wanting to spare Paul’s life – for some…
Where is your focus?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:27-38 “After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all.” (Acts 27:35) When is the last time you gave thanks in the middle of a crisis? During that crisis, were you calm, trusting in God, leaving things in His hands? Which do you think is more…
Ripples of grace
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:13-26 “God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” (Acts 27:24) God has always intended to bless others through us, and vice versa. Just as sin affects those beyond the sinner, so does grace… and grace is greater than sin! As servants of God and followers of Jesus, we are…