Genesis 17: 15-21….Ishmael v Isaac!

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then AbrahamContinue reading “Genesis 17: 15-21….Ishmael v Isaac!”

Genesis 17: 9-14….The promise signed.

And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of yourContinue reading “Genesis 17: 9-14….The promise signed.”

Genesis 17: 1-8….The repeat of an earlier given promise!

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant isContinue reading “Genesis 17: 1-8….The repeat of an earlier given promise!”

Acts 12: 12-17…. Seeing ghosts!

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did notContinue reading “Acts 12: 12-17…. Seeing ghosts!”

Acts 12: 6-11…..An escape just in time.

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on theContinue reading “Acts 12: 6-11…..An escape just in time.”

Acts 12: 1-5…..Violence!

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him,Continue reading “Acts 12: 1-5…..Violence!”

Acts 11: 27-30…. Concerned Giving.

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to sendContinue reading “Acts 11: 27-30…. Concerned Giving.”

Acts 11: 19-26…..A major step outwards for the church.

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.Continue reading “Acts 11: 19-26…..A major step outwards for the church.”

Acts 11: 11-18……Be Careful not to oppose God

And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angelContinue reading “Acts 11: 11-18……Be Careful not to oppose God”

Acts 11: 1-10……You can’t please everyone!

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I wasContinue reading “Acts 11: 1-10……You can’t please everyone!”