Ephesus in the first century was a port city on the west of what is now Turkey. In a letter that Paul wrote to the believers in the congregations in Ephesus, he indicated to all of them that each of them was called by Messiah to serve Him, and that each one of them had been given a gift by […]
Disciples are formed through the effects of disciplines. Discipleship is one way of describing our influences on others’ lives as we impose our values, beliefs and habits on them. It can happen through a focused, ordered process, or simply as we lead those around us. We do it at times when we have no idea we are doing it. Some […]
Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues. One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. Who are […]
Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.” (Revelation 19:9 HCSB ©®) I’m wondering if believers in the United States learned anything new to invite people to in 2020. They couldn’t use their favorite invitation, which was “to church.” Even […]
Perhaps one reason believers in the first century were more effective than much of our ministry is would be that they were more interested in being effective than in being safe. After they were released, they went to their own fellowship and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they […]
One Saturday morning, Faye and Bryant and I got in the van to leave our home and go do something. I don’t remember what it was we were planning to do. I do remember that in order to do it, we would turn left out of our driveway. When I started the motor of the van, I felt that I […]
Prisca & Aquila – co-workers in Christ JesusMyriam – hard workerAndronicus & Junia – fellow prisoners, outstanding apostlesAmpliatus – dear friendUrbanus – co-worker in ChristStachys – dear friendApelles – approved in ChristTryphaena & Tryphosa – hard workers in the LordPersis – dear friendRufus – chosen in the LordMother of Rufus – my motherStephanas, Fortunatus & Achaicus – they refreshed my […]
How many times have you walked into a room, and stopped to try to remember why you walked into it? That is one reason you need to frequently ask for a refreshing of the peace of God. Jesus told His dinner guests on the night He was betrayed that He was leaving His peace with them. It would not be […]
Saeculum is a word that has various interpretations and applications. It began to be used as descriptive of an age, or an important period of time. In most early uses, it was used to mark a 100 year period that began with the birth of someone important or some other important event. More recent uses include marking an 80 to […]
When Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and met with Moses and Elijah in front of them there, Peter did not know what to say (Mark 9:6). Being Peter, he did not let not knowing what to say stop him from saying something. He declared that he thought it would be a good idea to build three […]