And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars” (Revelation 3:1, ESV). Sardis is the fifth of seven churches to receive a letter from the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. As noted on this map, the churches form […]
Saturday’s Revelations on Revelation #14 Read More »
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God (Romans 1:1, ESV). In the book “Trustworthy,” the author Benjamin Shaw writes… It is an incredible fact that within the New Testament, we have the writings of someone who persecuted the church. His name is Paul, and he aggressively and violently
Reason #4 for the Reliability of the New Testament Read More »
Since we have such a hope, we are very bold (2 Corinthians 3:12, ESV). Be completely humble and gentle (Ephesians 4:2a, NIV). Paul writes in 2 Corinthians about being “bold” and in Galatians about the need for “humility.” Years back, while eating breakfast at my hotel in Russia, Alexander, my interpreter, sat down across the table
He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out (Proverbs 10:9, NASB1995). In 50 years of ministry, as a pastor of a local church and in national and international ministry, I’ve been involved with dozens of people who have been impacted by the moral failure of leaders. The comment
A well-known Christian ministry wanted to know the top 10 Bible verses in the world. They had AI bots study “searched verses” in major search engines, and they came up with the following results. Okay, let’s make this more interesting. I will give you the verses without the references (but with them listed below). Let’s
Top 10 (or 13) Bible Verses in the World Read More »
The Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5, ESV). I’ve asked God to “increase my faith” many times, and God always answers, often in unexpected ways. We find two words in New Testament Greek used for “increasing.” These words, used 41 times in the New Testament, can be translated the same. “Increase
Jesus Wants Us to Increase Our Faith: How? Read More »
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (Revelation 2:18, ESV). This is the fourth of seven letters to individual churches in the Book of Revelation. Note “Thyatira” on the postal route
Saturday’s Revelations on Revelation #13 Read More »
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1). The teachings, actions, and miracles of Christ defy our fleshly imagination. Hearing of someone turning water into wine, walking on water, healing the blind, and finally a resurrection sounds more like mythology than history. The
Reason #3 For the Reliability of the New Testament Read More »
I’ve experienced loss financially, relationally, personally, and professionally. We all have! If we don’t leave the past, then we won’t move forward. It’s difficult to move forward as our flesh wants to luxuriate in the bitterness, anger, and resentment of our past; it’s easier to feel sorry for ourselves than to start over. Let’s consider
Leaving the Past, Moving Forward, and Throwing Punches Read More »
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 ESV What can we expect in our relationship with Jesus, not our
Legitimate Expectations from Following Jesus Read More »