Bart Byl on Numbers 11:24-30.

The wilderness. The Empty Quarter. The only thing standing between the children of Israel and the Jordan River that marks the boundary of the Promised Land. It should be easy, but unfortunately the people can't stop complaining and accusing God and longing for the old land of slavery. In the midst of judgment, God pours out his Spirit on the elders gathered around the temple — and even on two men within the camp, prompting Moses's heartfelt cry, "If only all of God's people were prophets!"

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Bart Byl on Acts 1:1-11.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus promises the disciples that he will pour out the promised Holy Spirit from his place of exaltation. The church now is empowered and authorized for mission. Our task is not to stand gaping into the empt sky, but to descend from the mountaintop and serve God’s purposes in our world.

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Bart Byl on 2 Kings 6:8-23.

The King of Aram is furious that Elisha is revealing top-secret conversations with his military planning team. He sends a special forces operation to capture the prophet. When Elisha's servant sees the desperate situation, he panics. But Elisha prays that God would open his servant's eyes to see the heavenly horses and chariots of fire that are surrounding them. We, too, need these eyes of faith, to see that we are far safer than we realize.

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Bart Byl on Ezekiel 1.

The date: July 31, 593 B.C. The place: beside Kebar Canal in the middle of Babylon. Ezekiel, the exile prophet, receives a stunning vision of God's glory. It turns out God is not tied down the temple in Jerusalem. He is sovereign everywhere. What matters to more to us: present circumstances (however distressing) or the divine glory?

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Bart Byl on Matthew 28.

Early on Easter Sunday, Mary of Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb and discover it's empty! An angel sitting cheerily on the stone tells them that Jesus is risen, and they must run and tell the disciples. The eleven go to Galilee to meet Jesus on the mountain — not the high mountain from which the devil tempted Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world, but the mountain of his triumph. It's here, clothed with all authority in heaven and on earth, that Jesus commission the disciples to be his witnesses to the world, strengthened by his promise to be with them — and with us — always, even to the end of the world.

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Bart Byl on Matthew 21:1-11.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus requisitions a couple of donkeys — and a handful of Old Testament prophecies — to reveal himself as Israel's true king. But he's not the violent man of blood the people want. He's the King of Peace, who comes to suffer with and for his people. And days later, he will be leaving the city, crowned with thorns, to be enthroned on the cross.

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Bart Byl on Colossians 3:5-17.

Series: The Fruit of the Spirit

An artist doesn't impose their will on their material. They listen to it, entering into a conversation with it, figuring out what it wants to do. That's what gentleness is. We're called to that same responsiveness and openness towards others, respecting their integrity as those who share in God's image, being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives. After all, we're all broken people who require careful handling.

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Bart Byl on Hebrews 10:19-39.

Series: The Fruit of the Spirit

When we see others abandon Christ, it should fill us with a holy fear. The sin I am indulging could be the beginning of the road to apostasy. Our Master calls us to lifelong personal allegiance. We can't summon up perseverance from within ourselves, though. Our faithfulness must be grounded the One who promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

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Bart Byl on Psalm 15.

Series: The Fruit of the Spirit

Goodness is no bland, shapeless quality. A good man or woman is a person with a core of iron, who stands for what is right and true in the midst of evil. Why? Because they live under God's holy eye and are longing to be in his holy presence. This is the kind of person God wants to live with on his holy mountain.

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Bart Byl on Ephesians 4:17-32.

Series: The Fruit of the Spirit

Kindness is being sensitive to the needs of others and meeting those needs. It’s the very opposite of our old life before meeting Jesus. Now we learn to be others-focussed. That means telling the truth, working hard to help others, speaking words that build people up, and forgiving others when they sin against us. We express kindness because we’ve experienced God’s unlimited kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

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