Would you die for Jesus? That’s a pretty intense question, isn’t it? What does it mean to be committed to Jesus? Even if in our lifetime we’re never faced with death for the cause of Christ, what does it mean to have the attitude and intention that we would be that committed to him? HowContinue reading “Can we know if we are truly committed to Christ and his mission? – Acts 21, Part 2”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Is it true that, “when Christ calls us, he bids us come and die”? – Acts 21, Part 1
I recently watched a few episodes of Netflix’s series Greatest Events of World War 2 in Color. The series is actual footage from World War 2, but the footage, which was originally in black and white, has been colorized. If you’ve ever watched black and white newsreel of events in World War 2 it canContinue reading “Is it true that, “when Christ calls us, he bids us come and die”? – Acts 21, Part 1″
Two important principles for leaders – Acts 20, Part 4
Leaders, I encourage you to pay special attention to this post. As you’ll see it is specifically about leaders in the church, but I think the principles apply broadly to leadership in any venue. So does that mean you can skip this post if you’re not a leader? Actually, this post is not just forContinue reading “Two important principles for leaders – Acts 20, Part 4”
What makes life worth living – Acts 20, Part 3
What makes life worth living for you? Think about that. Is it spending time with your family? Is it enjoying vacation? A hobby? Maybe you’re working for the weekend? For some people it is getting outside and being in nature, gardening, hiking, or some other sport. What makes life worth living? What makes lives worthwhileContinue reading “What makes life worth living – Acts 20, Part 3”
Three essentials for Christians – Acts 20, Part 2
My family recently spent a week at a state park. Along with our extended family, we rented cabins, and while the cabins had electricity, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, we had to bring pretty much everything else we needed. Pots, pans, utensils, bedding, toiletries, etc. Because our vehicles have only so much room to transport peopleContinue reading “Three essentials for Christians – Acts 20, Part 2”
What is needed to help people grow as followers of Jesus – Acts 18, Part 4
Are you a pastor, a small group leader, a Bible study teacher, seeking to help people grow as followers of Jesus? Or maybe you are a parent, or a grandparent, and you would love to help your kids or grandkids better follow Jesus. I’ve preached countless sermons and had numerous conversations with people, many timesContinue reading “What is needed to help people grow as followers of Jesus – Acts 18, Part 4”
Why is it so hard to talk about religion? – Acts 17, Part 1
How do you feel talking about Jesus or about religion? Do you find it easy or difficult to talk with others about these topics? When it come to talking about Jesus, I had a bit of a reality check this week. As a pastor, you can imagine that I talk about Jesus a lot, butContinue reading “Why is it so hard to talk about religion? – Acts 17, Part 1”
How to have hope even when it seems all is lost – Acts 16, Part 4
Have you ever lost hope? You might know the feeling, either from something in real life when disaster has struck, or maybe you had one of those vivid nightmares that seem totally real, and you wake up, sweating, heart racing, so thankful it was just a dream. The loss of hope can cause us toContinue reading “How to have hope even when it seems all is lost – Acts 16, Part 4”
How should Christians respond when our world falls apart? – Acts 16, Part 1
It’s been quite a year already, hasn’t it? And we’re not even halfway through! We started the year in political turmoil with a presidential impeachment hearing and the normal increased intensity of election year debates. Then Covid-19 hit, and we were in quarantine, including a near total shutdown of the country, for months. Then multipleContinue reading “How should Christians respond when our world falls apart? – Acts 16, Part 1”
“Christians must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Really?) – Acts 14, Part 4
How do you like the quote in the title? Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about it. In the previous post we looked at the question of whether or not Jesus is okay with various levels of commitment to him. As we study Acts, it seems that a guy like the Apostle Paul was radically committed toContinue reading ““Christians must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Really?) – Acts 14, Part 4″
Engaging Scripture 