Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 CSB) I have often said that as we read the Bible, we should pay attention to repeated words and phrases because they show common themes in a sentence, paragraph, and book. In today’s Bible reading, “by…
Many of my family members are United Methodists. Many of my friends are United Methodists. Some of my “Facebook Friends” (whom I have never really met) are United Methodists. I was saved during revival services at a small country United Methodist Church. My number one reason for leaving the Denomination and not pursuing vocational ministry…
Today’s Bible reading is Acts 26. Paul addresses King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice (the Queen). He gives his defense for his zealous Jewish background and his experience of coming to Jesus, and he shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. Paul even gives Agrippa an opportunity to respond to the Gospel. Agrippa isn’t…
In today’s Bible reading from Acts 22, we see Paul telling his story of how he came to experience the risen Jesus as he was traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians. Essentially, he tells the same story as Dr. Luke did in Acts 9. Application Paul tells these complete strangers who he is, what led…
I want to point out an important point from today’s Bible reading, in Acts 17. In Acts 17:2-3, we see that Acts 17:2–3 (CSB) 2As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and…
In today’s Bible reading from Acts 16, Dr. Luke says some things that don’t sound right. Actually, based on what many of us have heard in church, it doesn’t sound biblical at all! It doesn’t fit! In Acts 16:6-7, Dr. Luke tells us, 6They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been…
