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)
Our church Bible reading plan continues today with Acts 1. The traditional title of the book is “Acts of the Apostles.” Others have criticised this title and said that it is not so much the apostles who were doing things but the Holy Spirit. So, they say, the book should be called “Acts of the … More Acts
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” (Mark 16:7) Three days previously, Peter had denied his Lord three times (Mark 14:66-72). Jesus has been crucified and buried. Now, on the first day of the week, news begins … More And Peter (Mark 16:7)
Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Mark 13:5) “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ” (Mark 13:37) The sermon on the fall of Jerusalem and the time of the end can appear confusing. Different interpretations are held by genuine believers. It’s easy to dive into the details … More Watch out (Mark 13:5, 37)
29 ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’ (Mark … More The greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31)
“Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?” (Mark 8:17-18) In Mark 7:20-23 (looked at yesterday), Jesus spoke about … More How’s the heart?
20 He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.’ (Mark 7:20-23) These are heart-searching verses. It is … More What’s on the inside?
“He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables…’” (Mark 4:11) Why did Jesus teach in parables? It almost seems from these verses that he is trying to stop people believing! How is this fair? However, it is not … More Some thoughts on parables
The best is yet to come 