In Acts 14, the original P.B. and J. are stirring things up again. Paul, Barnabas, and Jesus. They are in the town of Iconium. Iconium sounds like something you take for an upset stomach. But it was a town, and the Holy Spirit, working through Paul and Barnabas, gave them power to work miracles. We…
I find the lives of the early Christians fascinating. In Acts 13, the prophets and teachers of the church in Antioch were fasting and worshiping the Lord. I wonder what our world would look like if members of the church gathered more often to worship, fast, and pray. It seems like we usually go to…
In studying Genesis 29, we learn that Jacob, on the run from his brother Esau, finds himself in the land of his Uncle Laban. He makes it to a well, and bam, Rachel shows up; we see God’s perfect timing again. It was customary in those days for a man to work to earn a…
Can you imagine overhearing a conversation that would change the course of history? There’s a lot of plotting, scheming, and deceit in Genesis 27. First, Isaac is old and blind, so he sends Esau out to hunt and bring him his favorite food. He wants to bless him as the firstborn son. I can’t imagine…
We see a pattern passed down from Abraham to his son Isaac in Genesis 26. Abraham lied about Sara being his sister, not his wife, to save his own life in Genesis 12:10-20 and 20:1-8. Then in Genesis 26, Isaac does the same thing; he’s afraid that the people in this foreign land he’s found…
In Acts 9, we learn that Saul (remember him, he was there when they stoned Stephen) was eager to imprison and punish any disciples of the Lord Jesus. He went on his way to Damascus, where he was to bring the disciples back and punish them. But a light from heaven fell on him, and…
Reading Genesis 22, we learn of Abraham’s extraordinary faith and obedience; The story challenges us to trust God in the most difficult circumstances. God tells Abraham to take his son, his only son, Isaac, up a mountain and sacrifice him. He loads the wood onto Isaac’s back; he’s carrying his knife and the fire, and…
In today’s reading from Genesis 21, Sarah, who was barren and struggled with infertility her entire life. Back then, there was a heavy social shame that came with having no kids; people often thought it was divine judgment. Suddenly, in her old age, she gives birth to Isaac at the very time God said it…
In today’s reading and studying of Genesis 19, the story of the destruction of Sodom is told. Earlier in chapter 18, God reveals to Abraham that their sin is so flagrant and in-your-face that it will be destroyed. The two Angels visit Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and decide to spend the night with him. After the…
God tells Abram that his name is El-Shaddai — God Almighty, which reminds me of my mom listening to that Amy Grant song in the 80’s. Then God makes a covenant with Abram and changes his name. The Mark of the Covenant was circumcision — Abraham and each male in his household had to be…