country: reserved

  1. Articles

    Putting It in Context

    [Disciples praying to the LORD after Peter and John were released from jail:] "You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?'" —Acts 4:25 NIV Key Thought The disciples proclaimed that what was happening...
  2. Articles

    Today's Verse - Acts 13:3 (KJV)

    And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. —Acts 13:3 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... While fasting is not widely practiced in many churches today, it was clearly something that was a part of the early church experience. Whether sponsored by our...
  3. Articles

    Spirit-Inspired Words

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!" —Acts 4:8 NIV Key Thought Not only did Jesus pour out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-33), but the Spirit continued to inspire Peter and others to speak the message of God's grace and...
  4. Articles

    Today's Verse - Acts 13:2 (KJV)

    As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. —Acts 13:2 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... When people genuinely worship, when they fast seeking his will, God calls them to service and mission...
  5. Articles

    I Will Pour Out My Spirit

    [Peter, on Pentecost, quoting God's promise from Joel 2:] "In [the last] days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants — men and women alike — and they will prophesy." —Acts 2:18 NLT Key Thought Luke emphasizes in Acts that the coming of the Holy Spirit wasn't to just a select few...
  6. Articles

    Today's Verse - Matthew 5:13 (KJV)

    Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. —Matthew 5:13 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus never wanted us to give up our moral...
  7. Articles

    Today's Verse - Luke 6:27 (KJV)

    But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you... —Luke 6:27 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus was the perfect example of this command in his life and death. Love has such redemptive, life-changing power. While not everyone responds, many do. While...
  8. Articles

    The Last Days Are Now

    [Peter, on Pentecost, quoting from Joel 2:] "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." —Acts 2:17 NIV Key Thought So much handwringing goes on to determine when...
  9. Articles

    Heaven’s Wildfire

    When the Feast of Pentecost came, [the apostles] were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force — no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they...
  10. Articles

    Today's Verse - 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

    The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... God wants all people brought to repentance so they can...
  11. Articles

    The Holy Spirit Spoke Long Ago

    [Not long after Jesus' ascension,] Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who...
  12. Articles

    Today's Verse - Proverbs 10:17 (KJV)

    He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. —Proverbs 10:17 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Discipline is not only important to us, but also to those who are influenced by our actions. So often we undervalue the impact of our personal decisions...
  13. Articles

    Today's Verse - 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

    But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. —1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and summer vacation. They imagine...
  14. Articles

    Filled with Joy

    Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ... —Luke 10:21 NLT Key Thought All too frequently, we pursue the wrong things hoping that they will make us happy. Real joy, however, comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we look at the life of Jesus and at the lives...
  15. Articles

    Focus of Ministry

    [Jesus, in the synagogue, reading from Isaiah:] "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's...
  16. Articles

    Today's Verse - James 3:13 (KJV)

    Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. —James 3:13 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Wisdom isn't shown by our "book learning," smart comments, or arrogance. No, true wisdom is shown by the godly...
  17. Articles

    Pentecost and the Promised Spirit

    [The LORD said:] "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." —Joel 2:28-29 NIV Key Thought Throughout the...
  18. Articles

    Today's Verse - Proverbs 3:7 (KJV)

    Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. —Proverbs 3:7 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Let's keep this simple. First, we need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life, even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant. Second, the LORD our God...
  19. Articles

    Creator and Sustainer

    When you send your Spirit, [all creatures] are created, and you renew the face of the ground. —Psalm 104:30 NIV Key Thought Psalm 104 praises God as creator and sustainer of the earth. One of the dimensions of his providential care has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit...
  20. Articles

    Today's Verse - Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)

    Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Most of us don't like being scrutinized and tested. But God knows us through and through. He has...
Back
Top Bottom