Return to Your First Love “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” — Revelation 2:4–5a (CSB) Background Decades after Paul’s ministry ended and the Ephesian riot faded, the church he helped … Continue reading Sacred Places: Ephesus
Sacred Places
Sacred Places: Ephesus
The Farewell at Miletus “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” — Acts 20:24 (KJV) Background Paul didn’t … Continue reading Sacred Places: Ephesus
Sacred Places: Ephesus
The Riot and the Remnant “Soon the whole city was in an uproar; they dragged Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions, into the theater, and the assembly was in confusion: some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” — Acts 19:29, 32 (NIV) Background … Continue reading Sacred Places: Ephesus
Sacred Places: Ephesus
Where the Spirit Confronts the Stronghold “God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, so that even face cloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.” — Acts 19:11–12 (CSB) Background By the time Paul returned to … Continue reading Sacred Places: Ephesus
The Sacred Places: Ephesus
Just Passing Through “They came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.” — Acts 18:19 (CSB) Background Ephesus was no ordinary city. It was one of the most powerful and influential cities in the Roman Empire—famous for its harbor, culture, commerce, and especially … Continue reading The Sacred Places: Ephesus
The Sacred Places: Bethlehem
The Shepherd’s Watch “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” — Luke 2:8–9 (NIV) Background Just outside Bethlehem, hills roll gently like waves frozen … Continue reading The Sacred Places: Bethlehem
Sacred Places: Bethlehem
The Fields of Boaz “So Ruth left and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She happened to be in the portion of land belonging to Boaz…” — Ruth 2:3 (CSB) Background Long before Bethlehem became known for a manger and a star, it was known for its fields. Fertile, sloping hills outside … Continue reading Sacred Places: Bethlehem
Sacred Places: Bethlehem
The House of Bread “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod…” — Matthew 2:1a (CSB) Background The name Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” Nestled just a few miles south of Jerusalem, it was a small, unassuming village—but one that held deep prophetic weight. Long before Jesus, this is where … Continue reading Sacred Places: Bethlehem
Truth in Bloom 