Two Reactions to Miracles The people of the nearby town who are told of this miracle have two ways to respond: First, in awe of Jesus’ power and authority, they could turn to him and follow him. Second, out of fear of the unknown and the uncomfortable, they could reject Jesus and push him away. […]
The Church in Thyatira: Sexual Immorality Today’s passage: Revelation 2:18–29 Focus verse: “By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20) We hear of the city of Thyatira once in the book of Acts. It’s the home of Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, […]
The Church in Pergamum: Repent Today’s passage: Revelation 2:12–17 Focus verse: “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you.” (Revelation 2:14) As with the church in Smyrna, the Bible tells us nothing more about the church in Pergamum. But like the church in Ephesus, Jesus’s message to them offers both affirmation and correction. Despite living […]
The Bible tells us that Adam has many sons and daughters, but it only lists three sons by name. They are Cain, Abel, and Seth. Most people know about Cain and Abel, with Cain killing Abel out of jealousy. He then flees his family to live in the land of Nod. As a result, Adam […]
Embrace the Old Testament Characters Some Christians dismiss the Old Testament. They argue that since Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), what it says doesn’t matter to them or their faith practices today. Other Christians embrace the Old Testament, putting it on an equal footing with the New Testament. They […]
Do Not Be Afraid Today’s passage: Revelation 1:9–20 Focus verse: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid.” (Revelation 1:17) The apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos for telling others about Jesus, connects with God on a […]
The Alpha and the Omega Today’s passage: Revelation 1:4–8 Focus verse: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) Having worked our way through John’s short prologue to his book, we move forward with excitement about what we’ll encounter next. […]
The Revelation of Jesus Today’s passage: Revelation 1:1–3 Focus verse: The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. (Revelation 1:1) We think of the book of Revelation as John’s revelation, but, in fact, it is Jesus’s. John is only the recipient. This revelation comes from Jesus. Father […]
Discover What to Do on Sunday When it comes to what we do and don’t do on Sunday, there are different interpretations of what’s permissible and what’s not. These range from Sunday being a set apart day to being a day like any other, with the freedom to do whatever we want. Here are some […]
We Must Welcome All Who Follow Jesus Most Christians spend time with believers who think like they think, who act like they act, and who share a common perspective. I get this. It makes sense. It’s comfortable. Yet this limits their understanding of God and in living their faith to the fullest. Instead, they need […]