Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. I think the order of the words, “faith and power” is important here. You see, the fact that faith was required means that the power was not Stephen’s, but that it was from God. It reminds us that… Read More »
The Savior or Your Savior?
Acts 7:37 “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’” Stephen is being tried by the Sanhedrin on the charges of blasphemy, not against God but against the Temple. His defense is… Read More »
On Grace
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” It does seem to me that the grace of God is quite remarkable. It’s like a flood of water that seeks to saturate every nook and cranny, cutting off… Read More »
That Bites
Acts 28:5-6 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a… Read More »
Spiritual Report Card
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that nyour faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. A mother asked her boy, “Why aren’t you doing very well in history?” He replied, “Because the teacher keeps asking about things that happened before I was born!” When we were in… Read More »
Surviving Storms
Luke 6:46-49 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the… Read More »
What Now, God?
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. Faith often requires us to go against what our eyes are telling us. Think, Daniel in the Lions Den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the flaming furnace or Israel crossing the Red Sea. We often seek God’s will for us… with questions like, “Where… Read More »
Disciple Indeed
John 8:30-32 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Verse 30 says that many believed in Him, and it is to… Read More »
Refuge
Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” In verse 2 of Psalm 91, as if in response to himself, Moses says that given the wonderful knowledge of his safety in God, he will then make the Lord his refuge …… Read More »