Every one of us knows what it feels like when hope starts slipping away…The diagnosis that changes everything. The relationship that seems beyond repair. The dream that feels like it's dying. The sudden loss that leaves us empty and brokenhearted. In those moments, death seems to have the final word. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we'll encounter four extraordinary moments when Jesus interrupted death's plans and brought unexpected life.
As you read the book of Acts, you witness a church that was constantly growing and expanding. The early church was a church on the move, advancing the kingdom of God throughout the world. Each advancement in Acts serves as a picture of what happens when ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, move toward God’s call in their everyday lives. It's a narrative of individuals who, despite uncertainties, responded to God's call with generosity and action. The collective church was so focused and unified on their mission, that they saw everything they had as a means by which to advance the gospel.
The first few weeks of January can lay a foundation for the spiritual discipline of prayer for the entire year. Our new study series, "Handle With Prayer," encourages us to make prayer a daily practice in our lives in 2025. A new year can offer challenges, unplanned detours, and difficult decisions. But we don't have to face them alone! Perhaps the most effective warning label for this new year should read: Handle with prayer.
What does our faith give us? Victory! The Greek word for victory in this verse is nike. It is properly pronounced 'nee-kay', but in our sports-obsessed culture, the only acceptable translation is NIKE. Our faith is NIKE! It is victory for us! I don't know about NIKE shoes or clothing, but there is one thing I do know that will help us in life, and that is the victory gear that is our faith in Jesus Christ.
