“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV) Someone reading this has a secret they carry alone. You have rehearsed how you…
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (NIV) What happens when your faith feels weaker than it should? Some days confidence comes easy, and other days it…
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (NIV) Light feels like a threat when you are hiding something. Most of…
“‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.” John 1:39 (NIV) Come and see was never meant to end…
“‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.” John 1:46 (NIV) Nathanael dismissed Jesus before he ever met Him. Nazareth carried no reputation worth mentioning in first century Galilee. One sentence was enough for Nathanael to write the whole…
“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).” John 1:42 (NIV) Simon walked in expecting to be introduced as Andrew’s brother. Instead Jesus looks straight at…
“I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:48 (NIV) Nathanael thought he was alone under that tree. He was not hiding from anyone, just sitting quietly with his own thoughts. No…
“Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’” John 1:38 (NIV) We ask questions we already know how to answer. Jesus turns and asks two men a simple, direct question. “What do you want?” is not…
“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (NIV) Most people assume courage is a decision made under pressure. We picture Peter and John gritting their teeth to speak bravely. But look…
“But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!’” Acts 4:19 (NIV) One small phrase here changes how we should read this verse. Peter and John did…