Self-evaluation is critical for every human being. More than that, balanced self-evaluation is a skill vitally needed today. We are (and probably should be) our own worst critics. But, at the same time, we may give ourselves “a free pass” too often. How do we find the balance? Unfortunately, especially for the many people that it affects, I am not the man that I should be. Likewise,…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 114)
So, once this time of COVID-19 self-quarantine is over, what will you do then? What will happen if at some point in the future you are confined to quarters again? Such is exactly what happened with the apostle Paul. After his two years as a Roman prisoner at end of the book of Acts (28:30), he was apparently released for a time…
It’s interesting how some folks try to use certain information in the Bible to prove a point that is not actually parallel. For example, during these times of quarantine, some have tried to justify worshiping from home by stating that the early church didn’t worship in church buildings but in homes. While the early church did worship in homes (Rom. 16:5, 14, 15; 1…
There are 377 steps from the main lobby of the Statue of Liberty up to the crown. Each step is essential in order to reach the crown. Some climbers pause occasionally to regain their energy, but then they must begin their ascent again, one step at a time, to reach the goal. In the Christian life, there are steps that are essential in our…
When you’re staring at the same four walls for weeks and weeks on end, it is easy to think about “what I want” and “what others need to do for me.” If any Bible character could have thought like that, maybe Paul could have when wrongfully imprisoned in Rome for “two whole years” (Acts 28:30), but he did just the opposite. Paul…
On his third missionary journey, Paul was hurrying to reach Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16; 18:21), perhaps so that he might find many souls in need of the gospel. As he got closer and closer to arriving in the city, his Christian friends tried to dissuade him from going there (21:4). In fact, when the prophet Agabus warned that he would…
There are a number of factors that motivate us to action. Some slam their brakes on at a yellow light because they fear getting a ticket. Some work extra hard on the job because they long for praise from their boss. Many factors drive us to action—fear, praise, love, hate, money, etc. What kind of motivating factor is faith? Does our faith move us to action? Paul…
So, what are you doing during your COVID-19 quarantine? Watching TV, playing games, reading a book? While your quarantine is but for a few weeks, the apostle Paul was “quarantined” as a Roman prisoner for two years. What do you suppose he was doing during that time? The book of Acts ends by telling us that Paul “received all who came to…