Part 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 UnstoppableThis morning I was reading Acts 8 and noticing what came out of the followers of Christ when the pressure bore down. It’s always apt when the things you study in scripture have a bearing on what you will subsequently experience. The test is always there to determine what is in each of us. When […]
Read More What Comes OutPhilip, 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 PressureAs a follower of Jesus what do you live for, the cross or the crown? It’s a question that occurred to me this evening. The symbol of the cross is a prominent one in the faith. Paul mentions the cross on a number of occasions in his letters and Peter mentions it once in his. […]
Read More Cross or Crown“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have […]
Read More Acts Actually: 7 – Stephen, The Spirit and Trouble Part 2This evening, my friend Oenca Fontaine had a book launch for her new book My God In A Time Like Now. Oenca has a lot of strings to her bow, she is an incredibly talented trainer, communicator and networker. Her book launch was a brilliant expression of that. The event had people from a variety […]
Read More Abundant LifeNow Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not […]
Read More Acts Actually: 6 – Stephen, The Spirit and Trouble Part 1This morning my wife informed me that a red T-shirt I owned had run its course and was good for nothing other than being disposed of. That’s one of the reasons why I love my wife, she’ll be aware of things before me to stop me going way beyond the time. I am really like […]
Read More ThankfulnessPeter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What […]
Read More Acts Actually: 5 – Who Fills Your Heart?Some people have a problem with heroes. I don’t have a problem with it. This morning whilst minding my own business – honest – I came across information that apparently earlier this year Batman celebrated 75 years of existence. Growing up my brother and I loved super heroes. We collected some of the comic books, […]
Read More Having Heroes
Life With CD 