Pretenders are all around us. The account of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:11-20 has always fascinated me...and reminded me that 'pretending' is very dangerous. Outside pretenders will always be there. However, the right kind of 'fear of God' was put into the hearts of the Ephesian Christians after they witnessed the scattering sons, naked and humiliated. It was then that they realized that p...  Read More

'...for I have many in this city' (Acts 18:10)The temptation to believe we are all alone may plague us when we are going through adversity nd open opposition. Just a reminder that the One Who has promised: "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) will often make His presence known through other persons. Again, these will often be able to identify with us in the challenges we face wit...  Read More

"For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds.The upright will see his face." (Psalm 11:7, CSB)."From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  For in him we...  Read More

A delightful video made its appearance in my newsfeeds today. A reporter was walking around telling people he would give them $50 if they could quote one Scripture verse. This beautiful and vibrant, mature lady quoted Isaiah 40:21-31without hesitation. Caught off guard, the reporter congratulated the lady and gave her the $50. To which she retorted: "Praise the Lord!" as she waved the bill in the ...  Read More

"Know that the LORD has set apartthe faithful for himself;the Lord will hear when I call to him." (Psalm 4:3, CSB).They were on their way to prayer when Paul and Silas encountered trouble (Acts 16:16). They confronted that demon 'in the name of Jesus Christ' (16:18). There is power in the Name! Of course, they were imprisoned...you know the story. There they prayed and praised Jesus, the Powerful ...  Read More

"On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer." (Acts 16:13, CSB). Had someone told Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke that there was a 'place of prayer' or was it such a common practice that their chance of finding one was great? Luke doesn't say. What he tells us without saying it, is that Philippi as big and important as it was to its reg...  Read More