The Holy Spirit’s Presence

Article from the Illustrated Study Bible The book of Acts clearly highlights the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Before the coming of the Spirit, Jesus spoke of the Spirit’s influence on the growth of the church (1:8; see John 14:15‑17, 26; 15:26; 16:7‑15). The Spirit’s guidance was clear in the selection of Spirit- […]

The Holy Spirit Comes

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with […]

What Does the Bible Say About Being Lonely?

From the HelpFinder Bible In the lonely hours of the night, do you sometimes wrestle with God and your emotions, feeling desperately alone, rejected? Perhaps a best friend deserted you. Or the one you hoped to marry wants someone else. Or the one you did marry wants out. Maybe your child has turned against you, […]

Reader Question: Why Does the NLT Use “Justice” in Romans 5:6?

We had a reader ask us why the NLT uses the word “justice” instead of “righteousness” in Romans 5:6. Mark Norton, Bible Editorial Director and member of the NLT Bible Translation Committee, talks about this translation choice. This is a good question. The NLT translators used the term “justice” in Matthew 5:6 to translate the […]

God Loves You Reading Plan Day 6

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for […]

God Loves You Reading Plan: Day 3

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here […]

Hands-On Bible Activity about Patience

“But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love and mercy.” Nehemiah 9:17b, NLT From the Hands-On Bible The Israelites kept a little pattern going that went like this: Everything was OK They’d start worshiping false gods Things would go bad They’d ask God for […]

Worship Reading Plan: Day 4

“You and these treasures have been set apart as holy to the Lord.” Ezra 8:28 Devotional from the Beyond Suffering Bible Some responsibilities seem too weighty to carry and are therefore destined for failure. Imagine the daunting nature of Ezra’s task. King Artaxerxes had returned all of the valuables King Nebuchadnezzar had taken when he […]

Worship Reading Plan: Day 3

“Come, let us sing to the Lord!Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving.Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God,a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earthand the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs […]

Worship Reading Plan: Day 2

“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. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop […]