SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:1-12 “Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.” (Acts 27:3) Paul is a prisoner, being taken to face charges before Caesar in Rome. This centurion is a servant of Rome, loyal to Caesar, yet he is not evil. The fruit of kindness is…
May the humble rejoice in hope!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 149 “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” (Psalm 149:4) The people of Israel represent all the ‘underdogs’ of history. God takes this weak, oppressed, slave nation, and organizes them to restore God’s justice and peace. This is who God means Israel to be, though they do not…
How sweet the Name!
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 9-11 “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” The sweet message of Jesus has been given to us to share with others. But sharing it will turn our stomachs sour, because of how we are treated for it. Like…
We shall overcome!
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 6-8 “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord… (Revelation 6:9-10) These revelations were to encourage persecuted believers. However you read these visions, don’t miss this main…
A faith that demonstrates
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:19-32 “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” (Acts 26:20) We were made to live with, like and for God, as His God-like rulers. Sin is turning away from God, from His character, from His purpose. The kingdom of light has become a dominion of…
Our mission from God
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:12-23 “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17-18) This is Paul’s mission, and yet it…
Jesus in disguise?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:9-15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.” (Acts 26:15) Jesus is at the right hand of God, ruling creation from outside of time and space. Yet Jesus is present with us, and all creation, through His Spirit in the world. And Jesus is with…
Jesus, hope of the nations!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:23-26:8 “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.” (Acts 26:6) I am not Jewish, yet my hope is the same as theirs. The deep-rooted longing of the Jews, is the same deep-rooted longing in my heart. And every Christians heart… every…
A concert of praise!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Psalm 148:13) Let everything and everyone, everywhere and always, praise the Lord. This is a creation psalm, it ties everything together in and around God. “For since the creation of the…
The Lion is a Lamb
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 4-5 “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5) A lion, the king of the beasts; Jesus is the Lion King Who has triumphed over Satan, sin and death. “Then I saw a…