DID YOU KNOW The Christian life calls us to humility, but humility must not be confused with invisibility. Making much of God certainly requires making less of ourselves, yet we can misuse that truth as permission to remain silent when Christ should be confessed. Acts 9 presents a newly converted Paul who does not retreatContinue reading “Faith Was Never Meant to Hide”
Tag Archives: Christian witness
Faithful Before the Spotlight
DID YOU KNOW Did you know that Stephen’s powerful public witness began with quiet service to overlooked widows? When Stephen first appears in Acts 6, he is not standing before the Sanhedrin, preaching to a crowd, or performing signs and wonders. He is selected to help oversee the daily distribution of food to widows. ThisContinue reading “Faithful Before the Spotlight”
Pentecost Was Only the First Basket
DID YOU KNOW “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” —Acts 2:4 Beginnings awaken something within us. A new ministry, friendship, school year, or opportunity carries an energy that can be difficult to sustain once the unfamiliar becomes ordinary. ActsContinue reading “Pentecost Was Only the First Basket”
When the Messenger Refuses the Spotlight
In the Life of Christ There is something wonderfully refreshing about John the Baptist in Luke 3:15–20. The crowds are beginning to wonder whether John might actually be the Messiah. That would have been an intoxicating moment for almost anyone. Imagine people beginning to whisper that perhaps you are the person God has promised forContinue reading “When the Messenger Refuses the Spotlight”
The Light Was Never Meant to Stay Hidden
DID YOU KNOW There is a temptation among Christians to wait for the “right moment” to talk about what Christ has done. We imagine that one day the conversation will open perfectly, the circumstances will be ideal, our words will be polished, and we will feel completely ready. But Jesus never taught His followers toContinue reading “The Light Was Never Meant to Stay Hidden”
WHEN PEACE BECOMES PART OF YOUR ARMOR
On Second Thought “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” —1 Peter 3:15 When we picture spiritual warfare, we often imagine conflict, resistance, and dramaticContinue reading “WHEN PEACE BECOMES PART OF YOUR ARMOR”
A SMALL WORD THAT OPENS THE HEART
As the Day Begins “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” —Proverbs 15:23 We sometimes imagine that God’s greatest work must begin with something dramatic—a powerful sermon, an unmistakable miracle, or a crisis that brings us to our knees. Yet ProverbsContinue reading “A SMALL WORD THAT OPENS THE HEART”
A Voice That Refuses the Spotlight
In the Life of Christ “He said: ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’” John 1:23 There is something spiritually cleansing about meeting a man who knows who he is without needing to convince everyone that he is important. JohnContinue reading “A Voice That Refuses the Spotlight”
The Light Demands a Decision
In the Life of Christ “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” — John 1:6–8 John’s Gospel opensContinue reading “The Light Demands a Decision”
Raised to Stand
Faith That Produces Witness As the Day Begins “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses.” — Acts 2:32 There is a difference between believing something in theory and experiencing it in reality. Peter did not stand on the Day of Pentecost offering religious opinions or philosophical reflections. He stood as aContinue reading “Raised to Stand”