June 2, 2024 Have you ever been unexpectedly hindered when just trying to get home? You have your intended destination. You know that if you can just get to where you’re going, it will be well with your soul! And then…life. We often get disrupted by outside forces that seem to just sweep us away like being carried away by a swift-moving current. When this happens (which honestly happens a lot!), it is a challenge to trust the Lord to get us where we think we need to go. And there’s the rub! For ...
Jun 03, 2024•38 min
May 26, 2024 Paul returns to a second, volatile hearing before the Sanhedrin at the request of the Roman tribune, which leads to a sharp confrontation with the high priest before it descends into a violent dispute about the resurrection of the dead, spirits, and angels between the Pharisee and Sadducee factions. This leads the tribune to have soldiers remove Paul to for his safety. That night, Paul receives a vision where the Lord stands by him and tells him to take courage because Paul is going...
May 28, 2024•57 min
May 19, 2024 This is the first of two instances where the apostle Paul will tell God's story of redeeming him in the first person. In this account Paul recalls his former life and upbringing, he tells of his Damascus road experience, and what the Lord was doing in his life up to a point. What should leap off the page to you is that Paul has zero desire to actually answer the accusations that have been thrown his way, rather he desires to explain why those accusations are even a thing and that st...
May 20, 2024•41 min
May 12, 2024 After agreeing to the Elders’ request to join four Jewish Christians in completing an OT Nazarite purification, for the purpose of calming irate Jews in Jerusalem, a riot was instigated in the Temple courts by some Jews from Asia, who shouted accusations about Paul, alleging Paul was guilty of various heresies. They grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the Temple court, and began beating him, intending to kill him. Paul was rescued by a Roman Commander and his troops, who carried him to...
May 15, 2024•43 min
May 5, 2024 Sometimes accusations are wrongfully made against us. This week’s text shows how the Apostle Paul was wrongfully accused by the Jewish community in Jerusalem of teaching that the Mosaic law was no longer to be followed. When Paul was made aware of these accusations, he stayed humble and abided by the church leader's wishes, yet did not go against any Christian doctrine. This example should encourage us to look for potential prejudices in our lives that we can pray for the Spirit to h...
May 06, 2024•26 min
April 28, 2024 As Paul arrived in Palestine at the end of his third missionary journey, he received stern warnings about what he would face if he entered Jerusalem. Fellow believers directed by the Spirit pleaded with him not to go. Yet, also being led by the Spirit, he pressed on to Jerusalem. This challenging passage contains much-needed truth for the Church today, particularly for counting the cost of our calling and for discerning the leading of God for ourselves and others. Acts 21:1-16...
Apr 29, 2024•38 min
April 21, 2024 Goodbyes are never easy, especially goodbyes that are permanent. The Apostle Paul gave and received numerous goodbyes throughout his ministry, yet the one that hit the hardest for him was his goodbye to the elders of the church in Ephesus. This passage is full of deep affection and care from Paul to this church and yet in it is also an incredibly loving warning to these elders. Paul encourages them to remain faithful because he himself will remain faithful to the Gospel. He calls ...
Apr 25, 2024•42 min
April 14, 2024 Acts 20:1-16 tells of Paul’s ministry in Philippi, Troas, and a pit stop in Asia before heading to Jerusalem. The passage shows us a glimpse of his pastoral and teaching ministry as he shared in Passover and taught the Scriptures diligently before he departed the area. (It was a killer Bible study!) Luke also provides the names of those throughout the Roman provinces who will travel with Paul back to Jerusalem including himself. This passage centers on the spiritual legacy we shou...
Apr 25, 2024•35 min
April 7, 2024 The Church has an Enemy, and the two are in constant opposition. People are a common weapon manipulated by Satan who are used to undermine the Church. Acts 19 gives readers a glimpse into the hardships brought against the Church by those opposed to Jesus. Yet, despite Satan’s efforts to use people for his ends, God’s purpose was not stopped. The Lord is the One who fights for His glory, His Word, and His Church. We can take heart in spiritual warfare knowing that our God remains in...
Apr 24, 2024•46 min
March 31, 2024 Christ Jesus has risen from the grave! Through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we have peace with God, freedom from the shackles of our sins, and the promise of eternal life. Because He lives, we too may live with resurrection power and hope. This is truly the greatest news there could ever be. Today, we celebrate and cheer for the One who has given us life by giving up His own and taking it up again! Luke 24:1-12
Apr 03, 2024•27 min
March 14, 2024 "Peace on earth!" was declared by angels at the announcement of His birth. "Peace in heaven!" was declared by people at the announcement of His entry. Jesus Christ is the rightful King of Peace on earth and in heaven. As the people temporarily sang His praise, Christ wept knowing what was in their hearts as well as the future destruction of Jerusalem. Despite the rejection, our King made the way of redemption, securing our peace with God forever. Jesus, our King of Peace has come ...
Mar 25, 2024•36 min
March 17, 2024 Acts 19 is the story of God working in incredible ways in the city of Ephesus. Acts 19:11-20 is one of the wildest stories though in the Bible, dudes are just trying to make a buck doing some tricks and yet the Lord has “concern for his holy name” as the prophet Ezekiel would say. So God exalts himself by not allowing these exorcists to misuse his name rather they run out “naked and wounded.” God will always exalt his name above sin and evil. He will always have the last word when...
Mar 18, 2024•44 min
March 10, 2024 Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Adventist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Episcopal, and Non-Denominational churches (just to name a few) are all around; each having its doctrinal and practical distinctives. Some even add cult groups such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness to the list of Christian denominations. How are we to know and test what is genuine Christianity and what is not? When Paul entered Ephesus he encountered a group of people who had a form of religion that was not genu...
Mar 11, 2024•39 min
March 3, 2024 The 2nd mission trip finished out, with Paul leaving Silas and Timithy to lead the church in Corinth, and leaving Aquila and Priscilla to start a church in Ephesus, while Paul set sail to return for a respite at his home church in Antioch. Paul didn’t stay long, and soon after began the 3rd mission trip, heading west back to Ephesus, encouraging the churches along the way. Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla stepped into the life of Apollos, a well-educated, articulate...
Mar 06, 2024•45 min
February 25, 2024 Paul’s ministry continues to Corinth where new ministry partners are found along with new believers and continued opposition to the Name of Christ. At the heart of Acts 18:1-17 is a vision Paul received from Jesus to not fear or be silent but to continue proclaiming the gospel trusting in God’s protection. God’s people are entrusted with the same message and called to the same work. We must not be silent because there are many around us God is calling to Himself. Acts 18:1-17...
Feb 26, 2024•41 min
February 18, 2024 Paul’s speech on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece is one of the most important sections in the book of Acts. With only Gentiles in his audience, Paul models presenting the good news of Jesus using words and images that would relate to his hearers. While the delivery method is different, the message is the same. All people everywhere are accountable to God to receive or reject Christ as the One who died and rose again to make us righteous before God. Acts 17:16-34
Feb 21, 2024•46 min
February 11, 2024 Having rushed out of Thessalonica due to persecution, Paul and his companions travel to Berea in Macedonia. Here, they start, as was their custom, by preaching in the local synagogue. Instead of jealousy, as they ran into in Thessalonica, the Bereans were much more noble and examined the Scriptures that Paul taught. This sets an example for us to examine God’s Word, test the teachings we hear with it, and allow God’s Word to examine us! Acts 17:10-15
Feb 13, 2024•37 min
February 4, 2024 The center point of this week’s passage is to establish the truth of the Christian faith based upon the evidence Paul and Luke provided the Thessalonians and the future readers of the book of Acts. The Christian faith is built upon the fulfilled promises and prophecies found in the Old Testament by Jesus and only Jesus. The Savior had to suffer for our sins and rise from the dead. Knowing the evidence will help all of us stand firm in the faith, especially during seasons of suff...
Feb 06, 2024•42 min
January 28, 2024 Paul and Silas continued to preach the Gospel in Philippi. While preaching in the streets, Paul exorcised a fortune-telling demon from a slave girl. The slave girl’s owners dragged Paul and Silas before the City Magistrates, who had them beaten with rods and thrown in jail. That night, God caused an earthquake, which opened the jail doors, and freed all the prisoners. The jailer was about to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped, but Paul stopped him. Paul and Silas s...
Jan 30, 2024•49 min
Januray 21, 2024 Acts 16:11-15 shares the account of the first believer in modern-day Europe, Lydia. Ironically, Lydia came from the very place that God prevented Paul from going in his previous travels. Having left Asia, she moved to Philippi in Macedonia as a seller of purple cloths. A devout, God-fearing woman, Lydia heard the good news about Jesus from the apostle Paul while praying with other women. We are told that God was the One who opened her heart to hear and believe. He continues to o...
Jan 22, 2024•40 min
January 7, 2024 Redirection is all part of living a life of faith. Living by faith by definition is a life trusting in God’s guidance. God is the One who directs and redirects His people by His Spirit. This creates a challenge for us when we seem to be certain of His plan for us and then that plan changes. This week’s passage, Acts 16:6-10, sheds light on the leading of God’s Spirit and what is required of us to follow His lead.
Jan 22, 2024•39 min
January 7, 2024 Spurgeon wrote, “I tremble for a church whose continuance depends upon the talent and cleverness of one man. If he is removed, the whole thing will collapse; this is a wretched business.” TBC cannot and will not be about one man. For our church to last and have a lasting impact beyond this generation, we must raise, equip, and make disciples of Jesus as we aim to grow in spiritual maturity. Acts 16:1-5
Jan 08, 2024•42 min
December 31, 2023 Our God is faithful! He is truly faithful for that is His nature. Our God can only be faithful and true. All we must do is to give prayerful pause, consider all His provisions in our lives and in our church. What do you find? God’s faithfulness remaining. In fact, His faithfulness is undefeated. May pause and reflection stir you to walk faithfully with the Lord. Psalm 86:1-17
Jan 02, 2024•44 min
December 24, 2023 Of all the ways God could announce the advent of His Son, God chose people. People! The ones who rejected and despised Him. The ones who were destined for His judgment and wrath. The ones who would eventually crucify the Son He sent. He chose people. He actually chose shepherds; those of humble standing and the last to be thought of as royal heralds. After the resurrection and ascension of Christ, God continues to send the humble to herald the advent of Christ our Savior and Lo...
Jan 02, 2024•42 min
December 17, 2023 The next major event we anticipate in God’s plan is Christ’s return! This wondrous mystery has been a subject of hope, debate, confusion, and excitement since the angels promised the disciples Christ would return just as He ascended. This week we will explore what we believe will happen when Christ again appears and those who are in Christ (dead or alive) meet Him in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Dec 18, 2023•44 min
December 10, 2023 Our Advent series is entitled “The Wondrous Mystery”. Two weeks ago, we focused on the mystery of Jesus Christ’s humility, how he stepped down into our condition as man in order to redeem his people. Last week, we moved to Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ purpose of coming to live among us and what his death accomplished for us. And this week, we concentrate on the revealed mystery of Jesus’ resurrection. Various Scriptures
Dec 11, 2023•29 min
December 3, 2023 Paul said in his letter to the church of Corinth, “I wished to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” For Paul and every believer in Jesus, the crucifixion is the apex moment that has completely altered the trajectory of the world. The cross is both offensive and beautiful at once. The cross offends mankind because it tells us that we are not good enough, and even worse, that we are broken to the core—sinners. The cross shows just how much the Triune God ...
Dec 04, 2023•46 min
November 26, 2023 God humbled Himself by coming in human likeness, taking on flesh, and living among those He created. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a true mystery. How can God put such limitations on Himself for a humanity that had rejected Him? We peer into the wondrous mystery of our Savior’s humility to step down into our condition to redeem a people for His very own. Philippians 2:1-11
Nov 27, 2023•43 min
November 19, 2023 In Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas are separated because of a sharp disagreement. This passage of Scripture shows us that even mature Christians will often disagree on 'judgment calls,' and sometimes need to separate or split up if the issue is serious enough. Separation among Christians should be done charitably. This passage encourages us to give sincere, immature Christians a second chance to mature. Acts 15:36-41
Nov 27, 2023•51 min
November 12, 2023 Acts 15 contains two scenarios of sharp disagreement between believers. The first (Acts 15:1-35) is a matter of right and wrong. The second (Acts 15:36-41) is a matter of preference. Both scenarios highlight the reality that every group of believers will have areas of disagreement. This week’s focus is on the right view of salvation for all people that lies at the root of our Christian faith. Acts 15:1-35
Nov 13, 2023•34 min
