Acts 22.1-2 NLT “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defence.” When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. Paul faced intense hostility when he reached Jerusalem. People...
Acts 21.13 NLT Paul said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” There was no stopping Paul. He was absolutely determined to go to Jerus...
Acts 20.36-38 NLT 'When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again.' There was clearly a ...
Acts 20.28 NLT 'So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.' I suspect that most people would choose not to be compared ...
Acts 20.24 NLT 'But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.' What’s the purpose of your life? We all have t...
Acts 20.18-20 NLT “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from ...
Acts 19.11-12 NLT 'God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.' Isn’t this ...
Acts 18.9-10 NLT One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” Throughout the Bible...
1 Thessalonians 5.19-21 NLT 'Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.' It has been estimated that as many as 20 per cent of the paintings held by Britain’s major...
'Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.' On the face it we are looking at three impossible commands here. Being continually joyful, prayerful and thankful...
1 Thessalonians 5.14 NLT 'Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.' Although the leaders of the church in Thessalonica had a...
'Dear brothers and sisters, honour those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.' Leaders were appointed from the ...
1 Thessalonians 5.5-6 NLT 'You are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.' When I was in my teens, I did a fascinating s...
1 Thessalonians 4.15 and 18 NLT 'We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died... So encourage each other with these words.' The Thessalonian church l...
1 Thessalonians 4.11-12 NLT 'Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not ne...
