The precious name
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ ” (Acts 4:18-20)
Who are you going to listen to?
Matthew 5:21a and 22a “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago … But I tell you …”
Basketball and perseverance (part 2)
Last week I wrote about my 6-year-old son Zeke playing basketball. During his first couple practices, he experienced something new, hard, and uncomfortable. He even failed a little bit in catching and shooting the ball. I reminded him of what it means to persevere through hard times.
Empowered with courage
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
Balancing the checkbook and fulfilling the law
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Basketball and perseverance (part 1)
My son, Zeke, started playing basketball in January.
The teaching styles of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth was a Master Teacher. His study of Scripture and long hours of prayer, coupled with his reliance on the Holy Spirit, meant that he spoke the words of God in spirit and truth. He knew the God who spoke the Word, and he taught the heart behind the Word. How did Jesus teach? The Gospels record several times that hearers were “astonished” by his teaching. Using the English word astonished as an acrostic, let’s explore some of them.
Peale and positive thinking
In July 2022 there was a “blast from the past” on the Publishers Weekly Religion Nonfiction bestseller list. The number two title was Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking, a book originally published in 1952 that was celebrating its seventieth anniversary.
All people blessed
“Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ ” (Acts 4:24-25)
The call
Matthew 4:19 “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
