“David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple …But it was Solomon who actually built it. However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands” (Acts 7:46-48)

June 10, 2012

Today’s OT and NT reading were both about the Temple. Here, Stephen gives his defense before the Sanhedrin before they have him stoned. He tried to turn them from man-made religion to God’s graceful provision in Jesus. But they wouldn’t listen.

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted” (Psalm 127:1)

June 9, 2012

Are you having trouble at your house? Marital woes? Parenting fatigue? Money worries? Ask God to help. There are too many factors beyond your control. Give God control. Give Him your spouse, your marriage, your kids, your money … Give God your house! Let Him build a family that lasts forever.

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:5)

June 8, 2012

Planting seed is hard work. You dig, you plant, then you wait to see if anything will come up. This season of working and waiting is difficult. Yet when you are faithful to plant good seed, one day the harvest comes. So don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. Stay faithful and wait. The harvest is coming.

“And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: ‘Jesus is the Messiah.'” (Acts 5:42)

June 7, 2012

When? Daily. Where? Large gatherings in the Temple and small groups in homes. What message? Jesus is the Christ!

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13)

June 6, 2012

Do others recognize you as one who has “been with Jesus?”

“No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24)

June 5, 2012

Worship means to ascribe worth to one who is worthy. It means to give what the recipient is worth. Worship should cost us something. Since Christ has saved us, He is worthy of our all. What have you budgeted for worship?

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this” (Acts 2:32)

June 4, 2012

The central truth of Christianity is the resurrection of Christ. This is the message that Peter preached at Pentecost that pierced the hearts of his hearers. Peter was an eye witness of this resurrected Christ. Our faith rests on the historical evidence of the resurrection.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)

June 3, 2012

Christ’s strategy for reaching the world with the gospel. Can you think of a more profound way to spend your life? I can’t.

‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said” (John 21:16)

June 2, 2012

Peter learned that loving Jesus means more than words. Singing love songs to Jesus is good. But the worship that Jesus calls us to means that our love for Him looks like love for His sheep. Jesus still asks, “Do you love me?”

“Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me'” (John 20:29)

June 1, 2012

Jesus commended Thomas for seeing and believing. He blesses us today even more for believing without seeing. Do you know this blessing of believing in Jesus?