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Introduction: Today we are starting a new series on the book of Acts.   So, as we begin, I have one question for you to think and discuss with the person beside you.   This question and how you answer it will inform how you read the book of Acts.   Do you see Acts as a book about the past or present? Is it possible that what God did in the book of Acts He wants to be happening in the church today?   It might look different, but what does a church look like that loves God and loves others empowered by the Holy Spirit today? I also want to draw your attention to the title of the book.   In my Bible (ESV), it says “The Acts of the Apostles”.   I want to share a quote from the book that I lead an adult class on several years ago, Jesus, Continued by J.D. Greear.   Greear writes, “New Testament scholars have pointed out that when later Christians gave a name to the book of Acts, they probably chose the wrong title. Rather than “The Acts of the Apostles,”...

My word for 2018 is abide.  I have this great picture over my fireplace made by a good friend that reminds me to abide each day.  My understanding of abide is to "be with Jesus." What does it mean to abide?  Here are some definitions to help us better understand the word.  The Greek word "meno" which is a verb means "to stay". It can also be translated as abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for.  Each week I will share a verse (or two) to help us better understand abiding. 5  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5)   29  but they urged him strongly, saying, “ Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. (Luke 24:29)   46  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me ...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 6  And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:6) 20  One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel , the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up (Luke 20:1)

Below are selected promises of God compiled by Kenneth Boa. Be reminded of who God is and remember He keeps His promises. The Lord God will give his Son the throne of David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end (1:32-33).  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,   to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (4:18-19) Just as Jesus showed compassion by laying his hands on lepers and delivering people from their afflictions, so he is personally concerned for each of us and ready to meet our needs (4-5; 12:22-34). When we hear Christ’s words and act on them, we are building on a foundation that well never be shaken (7:47-49). As children of God, we can rejoice that our names are written in heaven (10:20). We serve a seeking God who ...