Paul’s words in this verse inspire us to expand our expectations of what God can do through us. Take a moment to reflect on this promise: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” This is a profound promise!Paul encourages us to envision all that God could accomplish through us and then multiply that by infinity. Thi...  Read More

In this text, Paul is referring to the Macedonians who had been through a devastating war that left everyone penniless. The economy was shot. Nobody has anything, yet in this desperate setting they explode the modern notion of generosity. Out of “affliction, extreme poverty, beyond their means” they overflow in a wealth of generosity. They beg to take part. This is a radical notion of generosity t...  Read More

Do you remember learning multiplication in school? The beauty of multiplication is how it allows you to solve problems faster than simple addition. In Matthew 14, Jesus performs a miracle of multiplication that shows both His power and God’s desire to provide beyond what anyone expected. When a crowd of thousands followed Jesus and His disciples to a remote area, the disciples suggested sending th...  Read More

Boldness. It’s not a normal behavior for most of us. And although Peter had demonstrated some boldness in the past, his most recent acts involved fear, denying, abandoning Jesus at his lowest moment. And in this particular moment, he is standing before the same council that had Jesus crucified just weeks before, yet all the fear has drained out of him. This “uneducated, common man” has become bold...  Read More

“It's Personal.”  This text is famously known as The Great Commission. Jesus says here that He has given us “all authority in heaven and earth.” A “commission” in the armed forces is delegated by the Commander in Chief for a soldier to act on his behalf.  Based upon the resurrection, Jesus has become our Commander in Chief, and these are his marching orders.  But the question that we must all ask ...  Read More

“LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” Jesus called it a “new commandment.” The second part of the sentence defines just how completely we are to love one another: the way Jesus loved us. And how much did he love us? He laid down his very life for us!” “BY THIS, ALL PEOPLE WILL KNOW.”  People often ask, “what is the most important thing the church must do right now to help our neighbors trust Jesus for their salvati...  Read More