Women of the Bible: Mary and Martha

Most of us know the story of Mary and Martha, the one in which Martha got it wrong  while her sister got it right.

But the sisters’ story is more nuanced than it appears. It begins with hospitality.

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She (more…)

God Didn’t Kill Jesus

God killed Jesus. That’s what some people who stand in opposition to the gospel are saying. According to their teaching, this makes God a cosmic child abuser not worthy of their worship, assuming He is real.

But there are two serious flaws with their reasoning. 

First, Jesus is God. He always has been, and He always will be. 

In the beginning was the Word, (more…)

God Can Use You

Some people shy away from speaking about Jesus or doing anything in His name because they’re convinced God can’t use them. In their minds, they have nothing special to offer, or they feel discredited by their pasts. 

But Rahab, a prostitute living in the ancient city of Jericho, didn’t allow even her present sins to prevent her from doing what God had (more…)

Speaking Truth to Power

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You discern my thoughts from afar.—Psalm 139:1-2 (ESV)

Our society has clung to the idea of speaking truth to power in an effort to effect change. The term often is used in the face of perceived oppression or powerlessness. What if the powers to (more…)

The Beauty of Restoration

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)—Colossians 4:10 (NIV)

In Acts 13, we meet John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, Paul’s friend and partner in spreading the gospel. But our first impression of Mark isn’t a good one.

From Paphos, Paul and (more…)