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
Leonard Ravenhill’s Why Revival Tarries (Bethany House, 2004) is a class book in revival, originally written in 1959, and reprinted many times since. I first read it over 25 years ago when I was more involved in the charismatic movement. Although I’m not there now, and this isn’t a book that ticks all my theological … More Why Revival Tarries?
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem … More Suffering before the cross (Mark 3:20-22)
‘But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they … More Who can forgive sins?
The best is yet to come 