And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race […]
Read More Acts Actually: 20 – A Man Driven By The GospelWhen Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:26) Ananias to Paul. Paul to Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla to Apollos. Paul may have had his Damascus Road experience, but Ananias was a pivotal part in his own development. […]
Read More Acts Actually: 18 – Passing The Mission AlongWhile Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. (Acts 17:16, 17) There are different […]
Read More Acts Actually: 17 – Representing In A Strange LandThe jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought […]
Read More Acts Actually: 16 – Sensitive to the Spirit’s LeadingThen Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring […]
Read More Acts Actually: 13 – Adventures on the MissionPart of the story in the book of Acts is the unstoppable spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Religious rulers tried to at first to shut up the disciples by warning them. This failed. They then imprisoned them. This failed too. Internal disputes and iniquities threatened the community. This failed as well. They killed a […]
Read More Acts Actually: 9 – Gospel UnstoppablePhilip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (Acts 8:40) The juice does not emerge unless the fruit is put under pressure. The Holy Spirit inspired Stephen to give the speech that would allow the pressure to be applied and now the news that had some […]
Read More Acts Actually: 8 – Philip and the Spread Under PressureThen Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6) The interesting thing about money and the pursuit of it is that it’s not really about the money. It’s always about what the money will get […]
Read More Acts Actually: 3 – Giving What You’ve GotChapter 9 is one of my favourite episodes in scripture. I absolutely love how the man who was born blind stands up to the religious rulers of the day. A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is […]
Read More The Word In John: 9 – If You See What He MeansThe encounter of Jesus with the Jews in this chapter is fascinating. In a way it’s a bit like children bickering – the Jews accuse Jesus of being demon possessed, Jesus responds by calling them children of the devil. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will […]
Read More The Word In John: 8 – The Light and the Son? Who Do You Think You Are?
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