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One of the most difficult things about training for a half-marathon isn’t necessarily the running itself, it’s the constant repetition of having to go…

We’ve been going through the Book of Acts here at the Pizza Ranch Support Center. In Acts 28:23-31 we find Paul finishing out the Book of Acts strong. He arrives in Rome, the place Jesus had said Paul would bear witness to him, calling together the leaders of the Jews to meet.

We’ve been going through the Book of Acts here at the Pizza Ranch Support Center. In (Acts 19:23-41) we see a “great commotion” that was created by a man named Demetrius. Demetrius was a silversmith who made idols and trinkets representing Diana, an Ephesian goddess, of the Temple of Diana. Because Christianity had grown so much in his part of the world, his livelihood was being threatened. He called a meeting with the other silversmiths, got everyone upset, and worked them up into an angry mob. Christians were then targeted and persecuted.

We’ve been going through the Book of Acts here at the Pizza Ranch Support Center. In Acts 15:36-41 we see a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, two great men of the Christian faith. They wanted to go back to visit the believers they had led to Christ on their first missionary journey to encourage and love on them in person. Barnabas wanted to take Mark along with them, but Paul was determined not to take him because he had left them in the middle of a prior trip. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.

We’ve been going through the Book of Acts here at the Pizza Ranch Support Center. In Acts 12:6-11 we see an angel being used to deliver Peter from captivity. He had been put in jail by Herod Agrippa, who intended to put him to death after the big feast. An amazing story of what prayer can do. Today we asked two questions:

Matthew 28: 16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What do we learn about our own standing with God from the 25 verse book of Philemon?

As you grow in your faith and the years continue to pass, the amount of times that you have heard some of the most famous Bible stories and verses continues to multiply. Among that list may be, the creation story, the parable of the Good Samaritan, Cain and Abel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Jesus walking on water… the list goes on. Among some of the most famous stories lies the Parable of the Talents. Many of you already understand the meaning and the premise of this story, but I have always enjoyed sermons, messages, or conversations that explain or elaborated on it in a way that completely opens it up in a new way to me.

Don't you just love a comeback story? I oftentimes think of the NFL's comeback players of the year. Typically the winning athlete endures some sort of physical or emotional adversity, and amidst the suffering- they embrace the challenge to overcome. These stories are inspiring and heartwarming. Today's scripture was James 1:2-12- Trials and Temptations. A few verses that stick out to me:

If you've been following along with us, we're making our way through the book of Acts in the Bible. Today we asked the question, "Have you ever believed in something to be true, so true that you'd defend it with all its worth, only to find out later that you were wrong?" This question involves deep-seeded beliefs that one might take to the grave. In Acts 9:43-10:48 we see a few examples of these types of beliefs being challenged in the early Christian church. Do these same beliefs challenge us today? 

Today's devotion picks up in Acts right after Saul, a man who had a dangerous reputation of persecuting Christians, becomes an example of a changed life. Saul gives his life to Christ and is immediately changed. He's filled with the Holy Spirit and begins telling others about Jesus. (Acts 9:17-31)

As we reflect on the festivities of Independence day, consider the words of America, the Beautiful and these Psalms: