Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) This verse is a precious comfort to Christian believers. How often we feel our weakness as we approach God! Do we dare approach him, the Holy … More Coming to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)
In my reading of Hebrews, I came across this note quoting Calvin’s Institutes: It was no ordinary blessing which the apostle intended to publish when he wrote: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by … More Jesus the final revelation
Hebrews shows us the sufficiency and superiority of Jesus Christ. It was written to believers with a background in Judaism who were being tempted to drift back into it along its outward rituals. So, the book is full of warnings, for example: This is not meant to make true believers doubt their salvation, but to … More Hebrews
Three times in Acts, we read about Paul’s conversion: Years ago, a dear older member of our church’s home group pointed out a progression in the description of Paul’s conversion: At each point, the account grows in brightness. It is as if, when Paul reflects on his conversion, his amazement increases and his wonder about … More How bright is your view of Jesus (Acts 9, 22, 26)?
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. … More Who in hell are you? Acts 19:11-16
All over the world, there are cities, towns and villages with little or no Christian witness. There are places of great sin and spiritual darkness. Many sound churches in these areas struggle, and members may sometimes wonder, “What is the point? Can my town/city ever be changed?” In Acts 18, Paul was in a city … More I have many people in this city (Acts 18:9-11)
In Acts 16, we see two different conversions. Firstly, Lydia. She is a wealthy woman, who is religious (described as “a worshipper of God”), but is not a believer in the Lord Jesus until Paul begins to share the word. There are a couple of things to notice: Secondly, there is the jailor. He is … More Different conversions; same gospel (Acts 16)
Christians pray. Why? There are many reasons. But do we expect him to answer? Do we believe he will answer. In Acts 12:12-17, Peter has been miraculously released from prison. The church in Jerusalem were doing the right thing while he was there – they were praying for him (v5), earnestly. Yet when the answer … More Praying and believing (Acts 12:12-17)
8 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men … More Suffering and the purposes of God (Acts 8:1-4)
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in … More Praying in times of trouble (Acts 4:23-31)
The best is yet to come 