Acts 1:9-11 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand…
Clothed with Power from on High
Acts 1:4–5 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” We find ourselves still within…
There Is One Gospel: An Introduction to Acts
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing…
Are You Thirsty for God?
Please look with me if you would at this blessed psalm, Psalm 63. I want to read it in its entirety, though we’re just going to focus on the first part of Psalm 63, really just the first three verses. Psalm 63 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O…
The Preeminence of Love
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of…
Destroying Myths: The Pulpit / Pew Divide
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of…
Destroying Myths: Unity Necessitates Uniformity
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and…
The Barrage of the Mirage
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. ~ Proverbs 18:17 The Mirage. Something that appears to be real but is not in fact real at all. While I don’t live in a desert (too much humidity during the Texas summers) or even near one, everywhere I…
The Joyful Prophet, Habakkuk Part 7
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God…
The Fearful Prophet, Habakkuk Part 6
I want to open with an extended warning from the pen of A. W. Tozer: There is a strong tendency among religious teachers these days to disassociate anger from the divine character and to defend God by explaining away the Scriptures that relate it to Him. This is understandable, but in the light of the…