It has been a while since I last posted. I have been speaking non-stop at camps for the past three weeks, but finally, I could carve out some time to record a podcast while speaking at Trout Creek in Oregon. This week's episode is a sad one. Ananias and Saphira are found lying to God and paying the ultimate price with their lives. But we also meet a new character in the story of Acts, a character introduced for the first time, but one that will play a significant role in the story of the growth of the church moving forward. His name is Barnabas. Hear his story and that of Ananias and Saphira i ..read more

Jesus. Some people use it as a swear word, others use it only at Christmas or Easter, while others use it when talking about the man they worship and serve. In today's story, we will look at the power of the name of Jesus. In today's story, we meet a man who was healed simply because of the name of Jesus. And we will also learn the importance of talking and sharing His name. There is immense power for a Christian to simply talk about Jesus and to boldly proclaim Him as Lord. So, who was the man who was healed, how did it happen, and what kind of power can be found in Jesus' name? Listen to fin ..read more

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem after He left. To wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. And so, as we turn to Acts chapter two, that is exactly what we find: the disciples waiting and praying, and praying. And then they are still waiting when they find themselves in the middle of the Feast of Pentecost. And then it happens. One of the most glorious events during one of the most glorious Jewish festivals of the season. What was that event? Listen to this week's podcast to find out ..read more

We are going to tell the story of the birth of the church. From its early days in Jerusalem to its final expansion through the work of the Apostle Paul, we see it all unfold in the book of Acts. The whole book is the story of the early church, and we will follow the adventure of the gospel spreading forth as we tell the story found in the book of Acts. First, we begin with an ending of sorts: the end of Jesus' time here on earth and His ascension to be with His Father. But before He left, He left the apostles with a mission: to spread the gospel's good news and make disciples. Listen to part o ..read more

At last, we have arrived at the end of Matthew's story. However, this is just the beginning of a greater and more marvelous story. Matthew concludes his account of Jesus' life with the starting call of the ongoing, unending tale of God's glorious love for us who acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Jesus calls all His followers to go out and make more disciples, but what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? How can one know if they are truly a disciple? To find the answers, let's turn to Matthew 28 and follow along ..read more

The Bible sometimes has peculiar little-known stories that many people skip over on the way to the really important stuff. One such story is found in Matthew 27. It's a story I like to call the time Jesus met some Zombies. But they weren't Zombies, no these were people coming out of graves, but they weren't half dead, half alive monsters. No, they were resurrected saints proclaiming the victory of Jesus over death. Who were they? And what story am I talking about? Turn to Matthew 27 to find out ..read more

We now come to Friday of Jesus' last week on earth. It is one of the saddest stories in the Bible and one full of hope because of what Jesus accomplished. This is a story of two Marys and their devotion to Jesus. This is a story of betrayal, abandonment, and denial. But it is also a story of hope, loyalty, and spiritual power. It is the end of one story and the beginning of a more glorious one. Read on and learn more about Jesus's death and burial and how all the disciples abandoned Him except for two women named Mary. Turn to Matthew 26 - 28 to follow along ..read more

Jesus had just spent the evening celebrating the Passover meal with the disciples. Jesus introduced the New Covenant and gave His disciples a new perspective on the Passover meal. A new perspective that they were to do from now on "in remembrance of Him." But now, as they began to ascend the Mount of Olives, I believe the burden of what He was about to bear on the cross became real to Him. Maybe it's too real. And this is where Jesus finds a quiet place to beg His Father to take this cup of wrath from Him. Will the Father do it? Listen to this week's episode to find out. Turn to Matthew 26 to ..read more

The disciples are eating the Last Supper in the upper room. They are enjoying their time together as they reflect upon Yahweh's faithfulness in leading the people of Israel out of Egypt. But then Jesus makes an announcement: one of them sitting right there will betray Him. The disciples look at each other in fear and begin shouting: is it I, Lord? But there was one who was silent, plotting and scheming, and was glad to be rid of this imposter Messiah. Who it was and what happened next, listen to todays episode to find out ..read more

We are coming down to the end of Jesus' earthly ministry. We are in the middle of passion week. It's Wednesday. But I wonder if the knowledge of what He is about to go through on Friday begins to weigh on His shoulders and begins to color everything that He sees and tastes. Remember, Jesus is 100% God, but He was also 100% man and lived and felt the things any human would feel during His time on earth. And I cannot imagine the feelings He must have felt knowing what He was about to go through. But I think one caring soul did sense the deep sorrow that Jesus was feeling, and she did something a ..read more