BEGIN WITH THE END                               Philippians 1:3–11  He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I was often asked that question as a child. And the answers changed like the wind. A doctor. […]

THE POWER OF WEAKNESS           Acts 18:1–17; 2 Corinthians 11:22–28 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.(v 26) […]

GENUINE HUMILITY             Acts 18:1–17; 2 Corinthians 11:22–28 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, (v 25) We’d rather admire Paul for his strength in trials. We want to applaud his fierce determination against vicious persecution. If the […]

STOP AND SURRENDER        Acts 18:1–17; 2 Corinthians 11:22–28  Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. (v7) So much for Paul. How about you? Fast forward to the twenty-first century. Are you afflicted and burdened excessively? Do you feel as if you’re under such intense […]

ALL IN THE FAMILY                                            Acts 23:11–22 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” (v19) Not one assassin but forty of them! Forty determined terrorists, operating under cover of secrecy. All of them vowing, “We will not eat or drink […]

STRAIGHT THINKING                                                   Acts 23:11–22 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (v11) Have you ever felt the ground move under your feet? Do you know what it’s like to pitch from side to side in […]

GRACE LEADS YOU HOME                                          Acts 24:1–9 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. (v2) Long before my mother died, she and a neighbor friend compiled a book of God’s promises […]

MODERN-DAY HEROES                                      Acts 26:1–32 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. (v30) Momentarily forgetting the difference in rank and status, Paul now spoke face to face with Agrippa. He engaged him on his knowledge of the Scriptures. He then listened for Herod’s reply. It was a […]

STANDING TALL IN HIGH PLACES                     Acts 26:1–32  ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. (v16) Recently, I read a stirring speech delivered by the late Mother Theresa at the […]

ANCHOR OF STABILITY                                     Isaiah 43:1-13 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west (v5) The anchor of stability holds firm when your navigation system fails. It’s easy to lose your bearings in the storm. You can’t find your way through the circumstances you face. Life […]