If “all things happen for a reason,” one might ask why is all this happening to the Apostle Paul? Despite any worldly philosophy, the Spirit of God is at work. ◊ We’ve all heard the common refrain from people, even with… Read More ›
Suffering
The Trial in ACTS 24
In ACTS chapter 24, Paul is put on trial before Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. Here is a Biblical example of cruel and indecisive leadership. ◊ Recall in ACTS chapter 23, Paul is protected and escorted by Roman soldiers to… Read More ›
The Rescue in ACTS 23
From a Biblical perspective, some are chosen, hand-picked by God to carry out a sequence of events and circumstances purposed by God. Does this really happen to normal people? ◊ Does God intervene in the affairs of man? Absolutely. Though beyond… Read More ›
The Defense in ACTS 22
Fellow citizens can become so angrily opposed to one another. Beyond politics and health policies, religious faith can also cause major divisions. Sometimes even the best oral arguments don’t hold up. ◊ If you’re human, you’ve had disagreement with other… Read More ›
“Last Days” Understanding Revisited
Do “Last Days” references in the Bible always mean the future, like our own 21st century? Good question. Confusion over this matter occurred with 1st century Jews and with many Christ-followers today. ◊ A group of friends was studying the… Read More ›
The Super Bowl, Olympics and the Blessed
Whether the Super Bowl or the Olympics, this week we are watching wins and losses on large public stages. The Christian life, while not a game, is also full of wins and losses. Can one be happy in losing? ◊… Read More ›
Redeeming Love – the Movie
A movie called Redeeming Love, inspired by the story of the Biblical prophet Hosea, was released last week in movie theaters. Like the God-inspired book by Francine Rivers, this too brought me to tears. ◊ I can only recall… Read More ›
The Larger Story of Christmas
Christmas is only the beginning of the climax of a larger story that goes back hundreds of years before the time of Jesus. Even after 400 years of silence. ◊ We are all familiar with the Christmas Story of the birth of… Read More ›
The Tale of Three Trees
A morality tale that fits the season and provides a thoughtful lesson for those of us who have big dreams, great disappointments, or long periods of waiting and longing. ◊ This past week my wife had the chance to read… Read More ›
The Confusion in ACTS 14
The cultural and spiritual divide facing the early Christians was profound. As seen in ACTS chapter 14, there was confusion and even violence. Given human nature, this is actually not altogether surprising. ◊ I heard George Barna, the renowned cultural… Read More ›
ACTS and the Book of REVELATION
Many do not connect ACTS with the Book of REVELATION. They should. The entire Book of ACTS leads right up to the great judgment described in Revelation and which occurred in AD 70. ◊ What most people know about the… Read More ›