So, the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7 NIV During the time of Jesus’ ministry, scripture teaches of the twelve disciples hand selected by Jesus to follow and work with him. However,...
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 WEB James, the brother Jesus, wrote this epistle to the twelve tribes of Israel in dispersion from their homeland. The Israelites were scattered in various...
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:16-17 In each of Paul’s letters, he includes prayers for...
I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11 WEB John the Baptist received the title of his name from his practice of baptizing repentant sinners in...
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV When we consider the nineteenth verse of these two scriptures, these scriptures have a...
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26 NIV God’s creation reaches its pinnacle in...
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore. The first things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 WEB The revelation John received on the island of Patmos concerns events that are yet to come. As mature Christians...
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4 WEB With this statement, Paul continues his focus on unity in the church....
Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV Jeremiah wrote Lamentations in a time of great grief for the people of Israel. The book describes God’s judgment on the nation for...
Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 WEB As Paul begins to close his first letter to the Corinthians, he gives five commands to his readers. This is typical of good leadership. Paul is reminding the church of the...
Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7 WEB In chapter five of Matthew’s gospel, the author begins recounting Jesus’ sermon on the mount. The sermon continues here with Jesus’ teaching the attitude with which believers should pray....
Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 WEB As Jesus traveled into Judea beyond the Jordan River, multitudes of people met with him to receive his teaching. Some sought the Lord in sincerity, others were curious,...
