You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 139 (Monday, August 24 – Sunday August 30)
Eager to testify?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:6-11 “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) I’m not sure that I find this message very encouraging. Better if God had said, “Take courage, I am with you!” Or “Take courage, I will get you out of this!” If testifying in Jerusalem…
I vote for Jesus!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146 “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” (Psalm 146:3) Which political system is best for establishing world peace and blessing? Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, Democracy? Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats? Every politician believes their plan will bring about the best results. And yet year after year, term after term, decade…
Living the good life!
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 2-3 “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?” (2 Peter 3:11) Peter started his letter by reminding us that we have everything we need to succeed for God. He then describes the people who devoted their lives to immorality (ch.2), and the coming judgment (ch.3). God is…
Put some muscle into it
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness…” (2 Peter 1:5) Through Jesus, we participate in the divine nature (the Holy Spirit) (v.4). Through the Spirit, we have everything we need to live godly lives (v.3). “For this reason…” grow your faith into lives overflowing with goodness, etc. This is…
Do not be disrespectful!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 22:30-23:5 “For it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” (Acts 23:5) Jesus followers should not be disrespectful, they should speak the truth in love. If Paul was disrespectful for calling the high priest a ‘whitewashed wall’, what about Jesus? “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you…
Kingdom citizenship for all!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 22:22-29 “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” (Acts 22:25) Paul is a Roman citizen; I am a Canadian citizen. In this world, citizenship has its perks and pitfalls. Right now I would not want to be a Greek citizen. Paul claims the advantages of being…
Witness to grace
SCRIPTURE: Acts 22:12-21 “You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:15) My experience of Jesus is changing me, and I am not afraid to admit it. In fact, I want others to know that they can experience this life change as well. Knowing Jesus is not making me…
Reading the Bible with Jesus: Psalm 103
You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 103 (Monday, August 17 – Sunday August 23)
Blinded by the Light!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 21:37-22:11 “I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 22:7) Prior to conversion, Paul was a mean religious guy, zealously harassing others for God! Many religious people are like pre-conversion Paul – mean in the Name of God! With hate protests, suicide bombs…