New Testament – Page 28 – Rising with the Son

A Time of Peace

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. (Acts 9:31 NIV) After a period of intense persecution, the whole Christian body finally enjoyed a time of peace. We find this consistent pattern throughout the Scriptures. No matter how much pain and trouble God’s people experienced, He also let them enjoyContinueContinue reading “A Time of Peace”

Give It Up

Later, Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, “You are now well. But don’t sin anymore or something worse might happen to you.” (John 5:14 CEV) Sin tied him up for thirty-eight years. His only hope was that as he sat by the pool in Bethesda, someone would help him get intoContinueContinue reading “Give It Up”

Getting Rid of Jesus?

The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were looking for a way to get rid of Jesus, because they were afraid of what the people might do. (Luke 22:2 CEV) Today, there are still people who try to get rid of Jesus. Besides taking God and prayer out of public schools,ContinueContinue reading “Getting Rid of Jesus?”

The Forty-Day Challenge

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2 NLT) “What’s the significance of the number forty in the Bible?” someone once asked me, as they began to recount its various occurrences inContinueContinue reading “The Forty-Day Challenge”

Pray with Simplicity

“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?” (Matthew 6:5 MSG) I’ve listened to people pray over the years. There have been prayers that have movedContinueContinue reading “Pray with Simplicity”

Take It Off

But Jesus told them: You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. (Luke 16:15 CEV) During a conversation with a friend once, she mentioned how difficult it is to tell what a person is really like because they’re always wearing a mask. I agreed with her, but concludedContinueContinue reading “Take It Off”

You Live and Learn

These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days. (1 Corinthians 10:11 CEV) Mistakes are inevitable. However, as unpleasant as they might be, they can actually teach us something, if we let them. As a family member wouldContinueContinue reading “You Live and Learn”

Know Your Real Boss

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT) A professed atheist once said that one of the things that he liked about Christianity was the idea of doing something with all your heart, but I don’t think he really knew why thatContinueContinue reading “Know Your Real Boss”

Warning Markers

These are all warning markers—DANGER!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fallContinueContinue reading “Warning Markers”

Onesimus

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. (Philemon 10-11 NLT) The name Onesimus means “useful.” In his letter toContinueContinue reading “Onesimus”