Browsed by
Month: April 2020

Wind and fire— both appropriately remind us of the Spirit’s work: wind for the breath of spiritual life He gives us; fire for the Gospel zeal He imparts.

Wind and fire— both appropriately remind us of the Spirit’s work: wind for the breath of spiritual life He gives us; fire for the Gospel zeal He imparts.

BibleGateway: Acts 2:1-13 ESV Text: Acts 2:1-13 Acts 2:1–13 (Listen) The Coming of the Holy Spirit 2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested1 on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to…

Read More Read More

Those who curse the Lord (such as Goliath did) will be judged by the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord will be safe.

Those who curse the Lord (such as Goliath did) will be judged by the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord will be safe.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 17:38-50 ESV Text: 1 Samuel 17:38-50 1 Samuel 17:38–50 (Listen) 38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then…

Read More Read More

David showed his faith in the Lord’s deliverance before he ever put his stone in the sling.

David showed his faith in the Lord’s deliverance before he ever put his stone in the sling.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 32-37 ESV Text: 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 32-37 1 Samuel 17:1–11 (Listen) David and Goliath 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one…

Read More Read More

The apostles’ preaching and teaching would make God’s ways known on earth, and His salvation among all the nations.

The apostles’ preaching and teaching would make God’s ways known on earth, and His salvation among all the nations.

BibleGateway: Psalm 67 ESV Text: Psalm 67 Psalm 67 (Listen) Make Your Face Shine upon Us To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. 67:1   May God be gracious to us and bless us    and make his face to shine upon us, Selah2   that your way may be known on earth,    your saving power among all nations.3   Let the peoples praise you, O God;    let all the peoples praise you! 4   Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,    for you judge the peoples with…

Read More Read More

Through the eleven apostles, Jesus called Matthias to take over the ministry of Judas.

Through the eleven apostles, Jesus called Matthias to take over the ministry of Judas.

BibleGateway: Acts 1:12-26 ESV Text: Acts 1:12-26 Acts 1:12–26 (Listen) Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these…

Read More Read More

Jesus gave many convincing proofs that He had risen from the dead, preparing His disciples to preach of His resurrection after He had ascended into heaven.

Jesus gave many convincing proofs that He had risen from the dead, preparing His disciples to preach of His resurrection after He had ascended into heaven.

BibleGateway: Acts 1:1-11 ESV Text: Acts 1:1-11 Acts 1:1–11 (Listen) The Promise of the Holy Spirit 1:1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the…

Read More Read More

The Lord often chooses those whom we do not expect to be His servants. Think of Saul (Paul), Matthew (a tax collector), Peter (a fisherman)— and you.

The Lord often chooses those whom we do not expect to be His servants. Think of Saul (Paul), Matthew (a tax collector), Peter (a fisherman)— and you.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 ESV Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 1 Samuel 16:1–13 (Listen) David Anointed King 16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And…

Read More Read More

When the Lord rejected Saul, his answer was, “But I did obey the LORD.” Saul tried to rationalize his sins of rebellion just like we sometimes try to rationalize ours.

When the Lord rejected Saul, his answer was, “But I did obey the LORD.” Saul tried to rationalize his sins of rebellion just like we sometimes try to rationalize ours.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 15:10-23 ESV Text: 1 Samuel 15:10-23 1 Samuel 15:10–23 (Listen) 10 The word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 “I regret1 that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the LORD all night. 12 And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a…

Read More Read More

Israel had sinned by demanding a king even though they had the Lord, yet because of who He is (rich in mercy) He forgave them and warned them to follow Him faithfully.

Israel had sinned by demanding a king even though they had the Lord, yet because of who He is (rich in mercy) He forgave them and warned them to follow Him faithfully.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 12:12-25 ESV Text: 1 Samuel 12:12-25 1 Samuel 12:12–25 (Listen) 12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king. 13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and…

Read More Read More

Jesus brings peace to us by His resurrection from the dead; peace with God, peace of conscience, peace in all circumstances.

Jesus brings peace to us by His resurrection from the dead; peace with God, peace of conscience, peace in all circumstances.

BibleGateway: Luke 24:36-49 ESV Text: Luke 24:36-49 Luke 24:36–49 (Listen) Jesus Appears to His Disciples 36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a…

Read More Read More