SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:25-40 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.” (Acts 16:25) This is mind-blowing, singing when they are in shackles and chains. They do not run away when the earthquake opens a doors. The jailer and his family are converted because of this radical faith. There is a lot going on…
Reading the Bible with Jesus: Psalm 27
You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 27 (Monday, July 13 – Sunday July 19)
Psalm 13 – Coming to life
Talia Biel is a member at Crossroads Church. She is a sincere Jesus follower with a gift for connecting her faith to real life, and for sharing that through her writing. Check out her blog “Holding On To Faith. NOTE: Talia is participating in our “Summer In The Psalms” bible reading initiative. This story shows how…
Pursue justice!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 140 “I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” (Psalm 140:12) This is a victim’s prayer, their pain and fear overflowing in desperation. Their prayer is for justice, for God to take up their cause. When I hear of ongoing suffering and misery in the world,…
Breathe in me, Breath of God
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:14-4:22 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) We were made to be good like God, to do good, to add to the ‘very goodness’ of creation. But sinful desires, false…
The issue of gossiping
Talia Biel is a member at Crossroads Church. She is a sincere Jesus follower with a gift for connecting her faith to real life, and for sharing that through her writing. Check out her blog “Holding On To Faith. I had a friend recently ask me to write on the issue of “gossiping” and as a…
The strength of our anchor
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1:1-2:13 “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) Paul urges Timothy to stay loyal – unlike Phygelus and Hermogenes, like Onesiphorus. It can’t have been easy for Paul, to have supporters turn from God and from…
That scheming devil
SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:16-24 “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” (Acts 16:17) I am curious as to why this spirit of prediction would say this? Spirits also spoke truth to Jesus – “You are the holy one of God!” (Mark 1:24). He silenced the spirits from speaking…
Team players
SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:11-15 “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” (Acts 16:14) This line can be either a copout, or an encouragement. As a copout, I can blame no conversions in my witnessing on the Lord. He didn’t open anyone’s hearts to my message, so no one believed. As an encouragement, it’s good to…
Butterfly fly away
Talia Biel is a member at Crossroads Church. She is a sincere Jesus follower with a gift for connecting her faith to real life, and for sharing that through her writing. Check out her blog “Holding On To Faith. Please note: I have parental permission to use this child’s name and photo for this particular post* …