Scripture Reading — Acts 4:1-22They were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.— Acts 4:13When the Jewish religious leaders in our text for today saw two ordinary, unschooled men, Peter and John, speaking courageously and with certainty about the Scriptures, they knew some
Scripture Reading — Acts 3:1-10He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.— Acts 3:8Have you ever been allowed into a place that was off-limits? Think of a young sports player, hired by the team he or she has loved si
Scripture Reading — Acts 2:41-47They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship. . . .— Acts 2:42In our home we have a family picture on the wall above our fireplace. All of the smiling people in it are there because they were born into our family or they married into it.In our t
Scripture Reading — Acts 2:1-41Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. . . .— Acts 2:14Can God do anything good with me?We might ask this question when we feel as if we are beyond God’s help. We see our flaws and mistakes, and we wonder how God could even want to us
Scripture Reading — John 21:15-19Then [Jesus] said to [Peter], “Follow me!”— John 21:19Peter had made some hurtful mistakes. And our text for today shows how Jesus gently addressed them.Before Jesus was arrested and crucified, Peter had promised never to disown or abandon Jesus. He had even said, “I
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:16-17If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!— 2 Corinthians 5:17Tomorrow is Sunday, and many Christians throughout the world will attend a worship service at their church. Others may meet in homes or other private plac
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:16-17If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!— 2 Corinthians 5:17Chip had become an old man, and when he returned to the small town where he had grown up, hardly anyone recognized him.It wasn’t because he looked so diff
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:16-17If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!— 2 Corinthians 5:17When Jesus came back to life, the people who saw him required new eyes to see him clearly, truly.Mary saw only a gardener until Jesus spoke her name (John
Scripture Reading — John 20:19-23He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”— John 20:22Dead people don’t breathe. And they surely don’t breathe life that flows into others!Just a few days earlier, Jesus had “breathed his last” (Luke 23:46), and everyone around him had assumed that was
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:13-35Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.— Luke 24:31I often wish I could see better.I wish I could see Jesus face-to-face.I wish I could see God’s will for a decision I have to make.I wish I could see God’s power so cl
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 35:1-10; John 20:11-18He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”— John 20:15In Isaiah 35 God gives his people a vision of a fully restored creation. His glory will appear, and a desert will turn into a lush, blossoming garden. A “Way of Holin
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:1-8, 36-48“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you. . . .”— Luke 24:6I remember walking up to the Grand Canyon in Arizona for the very first time. I thought I knew what to expect since I had heard so much about the Grand Canyon. But then I stepped out of th
