Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”) (Acts 4:36, NIV). Joseph, also called Barnabas, is a prominent person in the Bible. He is mentioned at least 15 times in the New Testament, and in Acts 4, we learn that the apostles had nicknamed him “son of encouragement.” Name […]
The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith” (Luke 17:5, NLT). I go to the gym often, and I’ve noticed some participants walking around with a trainer. The trainees huff and puff while the trainer gives instructions. I’ve never hired a personal trainer as I don’t want to spend the
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One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul (Acts 16:14, ESV). People have said to me when I’ve asked them to receive Jesus as their Lord
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Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14, ESV). The Bible has a special place for children. This is an amazing aspect of scriptural teaching that wasn’t generally reflected by other cultures in Biblical times. Nations surrounding Israel in Old Testament
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Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (v. 8, NLT). Psalm 124 is about sudden attacks from our adversaries. Satan — and other enemies — do not give advance warning of attacks. We are challenged by the Bible to practice Ephesians 6:18 . . . Pray in the Spirit at all times
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Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19, NLT). When someone asks why I travel on short-term mission trips, I have two answers — God and my wife. With this team paired up, how could I resist? My wife, Barbara, first went on a mission trip to Romania in the early 1990s
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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV). Through the years, I’ve recognized three things that prove to me the inspiration of the Bible. I don’t hear other writers, preachers, or social media pundits discuss the three “need-to-knows,” —
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The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all (Psalm 103:19, NASB1995). Fact from the Bible: God, who created heaven and earth, has the right to do what He wants!!! As Psalm 103 states, “His sovereignty rules over all!” With Israel the focus of the world now, we watch politicians, pundits, and
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6, NLT). Timothy lacked courage as the pastor of the church of
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4, NASB1995). At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught what has become known as The Beatitudes. In the second beatitude, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn.” The word “mourn” was a word in the first century used to describe actions
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