The reality of spiritual warfare began in the Garden of Eden and continues to this day. We observe another chapter of this spiritual warfare when Barnabas and Paul were on a mission trip proclaiming the Gospel. Acts 14:5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. 6 When …
The encouragement of genuine faith is critical for every believer, especially during difficult seasons of ministry, as we see in the story of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.[1] This moment …
The Gospel is received and rejected in Pisidian Antioch. Paul’s first sermon had sparked curiosity, and by the second week, the synagogue was filled to overflowing. More than likely, the unusual turnout was due to an influx of curious Gentiles. The Jewish attendance would have been fairly constant. But the people’s response may not have …
Paul concluded his message in Pisidian Antioch with a sobering caution: Don’t miss what God is doing in your midst. Acts 13:40 Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you.[1] He then quoted Habakkuk, a prophet in the Old Testament who warned God’s people that judgment was coming, yet they refused to believe it. …
Forgiveness through Jesus is the heart of the Gospel and the message Paul preached. Paul delivered a clear and powerful message: Acts 13:38 “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.[1]This is not a distant promise or a complicated path, but a present reality. Forgiveness is …
We all need to practice granting grace to those who fail, because at some point in our own journey, we will also fail. There is a quiet yet weighty moment during Paul’s first mission trip. Acts 13:13 Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There …
The shift from “if you can” to “all things are possible” is the narrative in Mark 9:21–23, a raw, deeply human story. A father stands before Jesus, worn down by years of watching his son suffer. His words are not polished theology. They are a mixture of hope and hesitation. Mark 9:22Have mercy on us …
Obeying God’s guidance in transition means moving forward in faith even when we don’t understand God’s plan. 2 Corinthians 5:7For we live by believing and not by seeing.[1] As we journey through life and follow God’s guidance, we discover over time that He is always faithful and trustworthy. As God delivers the Israelites from Egypt, …
Can we believe the resurrection? The two disciples walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus had heard reports of Jesus’ resurrection. But were these reports true? Even today, we hear many things reported on, and some turn out to be false. We have learned to use discernment as we listen to the reported information. …
Our son had cut his finger on the playground, and it was sore and red. I went out and purchased a tube of antibiotic salve. A couple of days later, his finger looked worse, and I asked whether he had applied the salve. He had forgotten to use it. The salve was only effective when …