John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Movement and the author of one of my all-time favorite books, Power Evangelism, used to say that the Gospel of Luke progresses from one miracle to another. Luke records the job description of Jesus when Jesus says. . . The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he […]
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I’ve read the Book of Daniel at least once a year for 52 years. During my study of Daniel, I’ve noticed three aspects of this book: 1. Daniel is always faithful. 2. The Lord delivers those who are faithful. 3. The faithfulness of God in the end times. Daniel is always faithful. But Daniel resolved that
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Second Timothy 3:16 is the most famous verse in Scripture on Scripture: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (NIV). With the Bible breathed out from the God of the universe, the inspirational works of Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Mark Twain, and David Baldacci pale in comparison. Mere human thoughts attempt
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We overlook 2 Peter because it has a “2” instead of a “1” as in 1 Peter. We find the same problem with a “2” and even a “3” as in 2 John and 3 John. So, we might demean these epistles in favor of books with a “1.” Well, at least I memorized 1
Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21, NASB). I love to disciple others, and a significant aspect of my discipleship involves encouraging those I’m discipling to memorize Scripture. Often, I hear this push-back, “It’s difficult for me to memorize.” Before I write
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The last verse of Psalms expresses the purpose of all 150 Psalms . . . Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6, ESV) The Psalms are meant to be sung, not read, as there is something about singing the Psalms that elevates the words from the page into salve for our souls.
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Martin Luther had settled into a life as a theologian, monk, and priest when one day he read Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (ESV). At that time, he was a
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I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God (Galatians 1:6, NLT). The Apostle Paul says to the Philippians, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” With the Corinthians (though the church in Corinth had all sorts of problems), Paul writes, “May God our Father and the
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The Gospel of Mark is fast-paced. Let’s read the first two verses: This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written (Mark 1:1-2a, NLT). The Good News (gospel) is mentioned immediately, whereas the Gospel of Matthew opens with 17 verses of genealogy; the
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The Church in Colossae was started by Epaphras, one of Paul’s disciples. Paul opens the Book of Colossians with this greeting: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:3-4a, ESV). Paul is writing to the Colossians because of
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