THE BOOK OF ACTS – WORDS TO LIVE BY

WORDS TO LIVE BY “‘I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – WATCH YOUR CONNECTION

WATCH YOUR CONNECTION “‘And so this is goodbye. You’re not going to see me again, nor I you, you whom I have gone among for so long proclaiming the news of God’s inaugurated kingdom. I’ve done my best for you, given you my all, held nothing back of God’s will for you. “Now it’s up to you. Be on your …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – YOUR JERUSALEM

YOUR JERUSALEM “But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I’m completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won’t be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – STUCK ON JESUS

STUCK ON JESUS “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the leaders of the congregation. When they arrived, he said, ‘You know that from day one of my arrival in Asia I was with you totally– laying my life on the line, serving the Master no matter what, putting up with no end of scheming by Jews who wanted to …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – SMOOTH SAILING

SMOOTH SAILING                                                                                        “In the meantime, the rest of us had gone on ahead to the ship and …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – A WALKING MIRACLE

A WALKING MIRACLE! “They went on ahead and waited for us in Troas. Meanwhile we stayed in Philippi for Passover Week and then set sail. Within five days we were again in Troas and stayed a week.  We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master’s Supper. Paul addressed the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – MURDEROUS ENVY

CHAPTER 20 MURDEROUS ENVY “When things were back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his goodbyes, he left for Macedonia. Travelling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. “Then he came …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – A PATHETIC HOAX

A PATHETIC HOAX! “Finally, the town clerk got the mob quieted down and said, ‘Fellow citizens, is there anyone anywhere that doesn’t know that our dear city Ephesus is protector of glorious Artemis and her sacred stone image that fell straight out of heaven? Since this is beyond contradiction, you had better get hold of yourselves. This is conduct unworthy …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE PRICE OF STUPIDITY

THE PRICE OF STUPIDITY  “That set them off in a frenzy. They ran into the street yelling, ‘Great Artemis of the Ephesians! Great Artemis of the Ephesians!’ They put the whole city in an uproar, stampeding into the stadium and, grabbing two of Paul’s associates on the way, the Macedonian, Gaius and Aristarchus. Paul wanted to go in too, but …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – WHO IS LYING?

WHO IS LYING? “After all this had come to a head, Paul decided it was time to move on to Macedonia and Achaia provinces, and from there to Jerusalem. Then he said, ‘I’m off to Rome. I’ve got to see Rome!’ He sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, on to Macedonia while he stayed a while and wrapped …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – OUT OF THE WOODWORK

OUT OF THE WOODWORK “It was soon news all over Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks. The realisation spread that God was in and behind this. Curiosity about Paul developed into reverence for the Master Jesus. Many of those who thus believed came out of the closet and made a clean break with their secret sorceries. All kinds of witches …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – MESSING WITH DEMONS

MESSING WITH DEMONS “Some itinerant Jewish exorcists who happened to be in town at the time tried their hand at what they assumed to be Paul’s “game”. They pronounced the name of the Master Jesus over victims of evil spirits, saying, ‘I command you by the name of the Jesus preached by Paul,’ The seven sons of a certain Sceva, …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – TAKE THAT, DIANA!

TAKE THAT, DIANA! “Paul then went straight to the meeting place. He had the run of the place for three months, doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them. But then resistance began to form as some of them began spreading evil rumours through the congregation about the Christian way of …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – DUNKED INTO JESUS

DUNKED INTO JESUS “‘We’ve never even heard of that — a Holy Spirit? God within us?’ “‘How were you baptised then?’ asked Paul. “‘In John’s baptism.’ “‘That explains it,’ said Paul.’ John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – GOD INSIDE YOU

CHAPTER 19 GOD INSIDE YOU “Now it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way through the mountains, came to Ephesus and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace Him …Continue reading →