The Scars that Lead to Faith John 20:24-29 We are all very familiar with this story and we give Ole’ Thomas a bad rap. However, the reality is that there is a very teachable moment in this text. Thomas struggled to believe that Jesus was alive, and it wasn’t until he saw the scars that … [Read more…]
The term lather, rinse, and repeat was developed by Proctor & Gamble to be placed as directions for how one was to clean their hair using their product. Interestingly enough, the reason for this wasn’t because they were concerned you needed clean hair but rather you would return more frequently to purchase your next bottle. Washing your hair every day actually can damage your hair.
How many of us exercise our bodies? What happens to our body when we exercise less and less? While God does make people of different shapes and sizes, there is definitely a difference between “being the way God made you” and “being out of shape”. The one is healthy while the other is not.
THE UNKNOWING OF THE ALTAR OF GOD Acts 17:22-34 ar-e-op’-a-gus (Areios pagos; Acts 17:19,22. Mars’ Hill, 17:22 the King James Version): A sort of spur jutting out from the western end of the Acropolis and separated from it by a very short saddle. Traces of old steps cut in the rock are still to be … [Read more…]
Picking up where we left off last week, we have Jesus in our story today at the same Colonnade that Peter and John would heal the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. I think we need to pay attention to these two stories, because the mood of the crowd had changed little over the months in this area.
To set the scene for this passage, place yourself on your way to church. As you make your way to the entrance, walking with you and a person carrying a person who is crippled, a person you know because you know his story and how he was born that way, and that person is sat down right at the entrance of the church to beg.
I struck a chord last week with some of you when I made the statement that the spirit of the Anti-Christ is within us. Naturally, we don’t like this idea. However, as Jesus was talking to the Jews in his day, he tells them the exact same thing, “you belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire.”
The sign of Jonah is a direct reference towards the death and resurrection of Jesus, but it is also so much more.
“These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.