John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Life to the full. Full of what? Joy, peace, love, and well-being.A rich and satisfying life. One that overflows with goodness. That is what God wants for you and me. That is what sin has stolen from us and what the sacrifice on Calvary seeks to restore.   As we wrap our 100 days in the New Testament, we focus on the abundant life. Today’s top ten list consists of “Ten Passages of Scripture from the New Testament that Show Us How to Have Life to the Full.” These passages include Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:2; Acts 2:38; John 1:12; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; Luke 3:38; John 8:31-32; Matthew 5:3; Colossians 3:14-15; and John 14:13-14. Other scriptures referenced include Romans 10:13; Romans 6:23; John 10:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 1:3; and Matthew 7:7. ...

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (ESV). Unlike a thief, the Lord Jesus does not come for selfish reasons. He comes to give, not to get. He comes that people may have life in Him that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. We receive this abundant life the moment we accept Him as our Savior.   This abundant life is spiritual, not material. It is concerned with a relationship with God. It is a constant process of learning, practicing, and nurturing, as well as failing, recovering, adjusting, enduring, and overcoming.   Additional scriptures referenced include John 9:40; John 10:1-9, 11-18; John 14:6; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Matthew 8:20; John 17:3; Matthew 6:25-32; Philippians 4:19; Ecclesiastes 5:10-15; Philippians 4:11-12; 1 John 5:11-13; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Genesis 3:5; Matthew 5:20; John 6:47; Matthew 3:7; Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-23; and Colossians 3:2-3. ...

There are several men in the New Testament referred to as “Herod.” These Herods were part of a dynasty, a partly hereditary, partly appointed line of Idumean rulers over Israel during the days of the Roman Empire. Unlike other previous kings of Israel, the Herods were appointed by the Roman emperors and the senate. We discuss the four most prominent Herods: Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, Herod Agrippa I, and Agrippa II.   Scriptures referenced include Matthew 2:1-18; Luke 1:5; Acts 12; Acts 24; Acts 25; Acts 26. ...

Throughout the book of Acts, various questions are asked of or by the apostles. Today we explore several of these questions and reflect on answers – those given in the text and those we might consider giving if these were asked by or of us. Questions are taken from Acts 16:30-31; Acts 17:18-19; Acts 19:1-6; Acts 19:15; Acts 23:3; and Acts 26:27-28.   Additional scriptures referenced include Acts 19:11-14, 16-20; and Acts 23:1-2, 4-5. ...

The New Testament mentions several different Herods from Matthew 1 to Acts 26: Herod the Great was “king of the Jews” at Jesus’ birth and tried to have Him killed (Matthew 2). Herod Antipas was king during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. Antipas had John executed (Mark 6) and later declined to pass judgment on Jesus, sending Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:7–12). In Acts 4:27, Herod Antipas (simply called Herod) is mentioned as one of those guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus. Acts 12 speaks of Herod as a persecutor of the apostles, but this is a different Herod—Herod Agrippa I.   We explore the life of Herod Agrippa I and his untimely death. And we consider lessons that we can learn from his tragic tale. Additional scriptures referenced include Acts 12:1-12, 18-25; Proverbs 18:12; James 3:1; Deuteronomy 8:18; James 1:17; and John 15:5. ...

Since Old Testament times, there have been false prophets or false teachers who spread false messages while claiming to speak the Word of God. After Peter and John healed a lame man at the entrance to the temple, the religious leaders questioned them to ascertain the power behind this miracle.   Throughout the book of Acts and, indeed throughout the New Testament, there are people who claim to be followers of God, including those who may have tried to invoke the name of Jesus, but who turned out to be untrustworthy. We will identify ten such characters.   In today’s top ten list, we identify ten false disciples or teachers, from Ananias and Sapphira to Simon the Sorcerer to the orator, Tertullus and the false messiah, Theudas. Scriptures referenced include Acts 4:7; Acts 8:9-25; Acts 13:11; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:14; Acts 24:1-9; Acts 23:1-3; Acts 5:34-36; Mark 13:6; and 3 John. ...