Why people flocked to John
Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were flocking to [John], and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. (Matthew 3:5-6) Why did people flock to John? Some came out of curiosity, to be sure, perhaps even many or most of them. Yet, even […]
Jesus’ first ministry: the WONDERS (Luke 4:42)
When it was day, [Jesus] went out and made His way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them. (Luke 4:42) The people were astounded at the miracles Jesus did. When He healed, it was authentic. When He cast out demons, […]
Defending Jesus (Luke 4:29-30)
[The people] got up, drove Him out of town and brought Him to the edge of the hill their town was built on, intending to hurl Him over the cliff. But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way. (Luke 4:29-30) Jesus has no need of a bodyguard. He is not helpless […]
Prepare the Way (Luke 3:4b)
Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight. (Luke 3:4b) John’s job was to ready the masses to receive the Messiah. His task was to “make His paths straight,” not because Jesus wasn’t able to find His own way into people’s hearts, but because people always have barriers that prevent a clear view of […]
God has put his trust in you
God’s Hope for Your Heart from 1 Thessalonians 2 GOD HAS PUT HIS TRUST IN YOU Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4) It is the richest treasure in all creation, the greatest […]
Jesus trusts you to be His witness
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 26 JESUS TRUSTS YOU TO BE HIS WITNESS “I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen Me and to those in which I will appear to you.” (Acts 26:16) Paul’s conversion was rather unique. […]
God has given you a story to share
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 22 GOD HAS GIVEN YOU A STORY TO SHARE And [Ananias] said [to Paul], “The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from His mouth; for you will be a witness for Him to everyone […]
God has prepared a harvest for you
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 18 GOD HAS PREPARED A HARVEST FOR YOU And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this […]
God chose you to be a deliverer
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 16 GOD CHOSE YOU TO BE A DELIVERER About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were […]
The Holy Spirit is your boldness
God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 14 THE HOLY SPIRIT IS YOUR BOLDNESS But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on […]
