Luke 2:28-32. (NIV) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke’s narrative shows Simeon quoting two passages from Isaiah 42:6 and 46: 6, 9. These verses come from a part of Isaiah that envisions fu

Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. God approached Abram. Abram heard. This is no minor miracle in and of itself. The voice of God speaking, and mere humans being able to perceive, comprehend, and respond. In that encounter, God promised blessing to Abram. And for every sacrifice he made, God promised that he would provide ample return on the investment. Ag

Genesis 12. (CSB) The LORD said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you., 4 So Abram wen

Genesis 12. (CSB) The LORD said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you., 4 So Abram wen

Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB). All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age .” Perhaps you have seen or spoken with someone who is convinced that the world is ending soon--and maybe you agree with them! Here is some

Mark 16:15-16 (CSB). Then he said to them, “ Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Jesus charged his followers to take his story to the nations--in fact, to all creation! Consider the scope of the mission of the Kingdom of God: 8.2 Billion People (and counting). India and China lead the way with 1.4 Billion in population, each! Approximately 30% are be

Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB). All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” From the moment sin entered into the world, the Bible tells of the unfolding plan of God to redeem his creation. It has always been his d

Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB). All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We see that all authority has been given to Jesus. He has earned it through his death and resurrection. Acknowledging this authority in wo

Matthew 28:18 Jesus came near and said to them, “ All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth . 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (CSB) Ephesians 1:20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right

Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that

Scripture Reading Acts 16:6-10 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and