risingwiththeson

From Timid to Bold

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT) It seems that lack of confidence was a serious problem for young Timothy (see 1 Corinthians 16:10-11; 1 Timothy 4:12),[i] so Paul wrote to remind him that “God has not given us aContinueContinue reading “From Timid to Bold”

Test Everything

I am as concerned about you as God is. You were like a virgin bride I had chosen only for Christ. But now I fear that you will be tricked, just as Eve was tricked by that lying snake. I am afraid that you might stop thinking about Christ in an honest and sincere way.ContinueContinue reading “Test Everything”

Who Are Your Friends?

Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. (1 Corinthians 15:33 CEV) Who are your friends? The truth is we’re prone to be influenced by the people that we associate with. In First Corinthians chapter fifteen, Paul warned the Christians in Corinth against the bad company of the false teachers, who had infiltrated their ranksContinueContinue reading “Who Are Your Friends?”

God’s Messengers

But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. (Acts 27:11 NLT) Earlier, Paul had warned the men on the boat that the voyage was going to be disastrous and bring great loss to the ship and cargo, and to their own lives, butContinueContinue reading “God’s Messengers”

It Is What It Is

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39 NLT) As I sat there listening to the discussion, I couldn’t help but join in. And while some good points were raised, I still wasn’t quite convinced that the gift of speaking in tongues was forContinueContinue reading “It Is What It Is”

Know Your Rights

When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” (Acts 22:25 NLT) While not everyone could obtain Roman citizenship in the ancient world, the apostle Paul did, and he took advantage of it. TheContinueContinue reading “Know Your Rights”

Who is Your God?

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they yelled out in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have turned into humans and have come down to us!” … The temple of Zeus was near the entrance to the city. Its priest and the crowds wanted to offer a sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul. SoContinueContinue reading “Who is Your God?”

Do You Understand What You’re Reading?

Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31 NLT) When a family member started to readContinueContinue reading “Do You Understand What You’re Reading?”

Not of the World

I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t… They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. (John 17:14, 16 CEV) Twice in His prayer, Jesus emphasizes the fact that His followers “don’t belong to this world,”ContinueContinue reading “Not of the World”

Will You Follow Him?

Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him. (Matthew 20:34 NLT) After having their request granted, these formerly blind men could have chosen to go their own way, but instead they followed Jesus. It’s sad how after having their prayers answered, many people walk away fromContinueContinue reading “Will You Follow Him?”