The apostles expected Jesus to soon set up His kingdom on earth.

... He says he's going away and coming again and they're confused. Jesus is preparing these guys, one lesson at a time, to be fishers of men, to forsake all for the gospel.

He takes Peter, James, and John to the top of a high mountain to pray, and then something amazing happens. 
Jesus is transfigured right before their eyes. Changed from inside out, His body glistens, and His clothing glows whiter than snow. But that's not all.

Luke 9:30-31 And behold, there talked with Him two men which were Moses and Elias who appeared in glory and spoke of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. They were discussing the cross.

Peter's fright didn't stop him from suggesting they make three tabernacles; one for Christ, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Then a voice came out of a cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son: hear Him." (Peter's face is surely red)
Jesus asked the disciples not to mention this. Why? Because they didn't comprehend it.

Peter became a great preacher. The three of them wrote books in the Bible, and John wrote end-time prophecy. Are you growing in Christ? Let Him use you.

No matter how starry-eyed, Christians should ask

...a few questions before marrying.

Is he/she spiritual?

What church will we attend?

What's their viewpoint on stewardship -- tithing?

Do we share common interest and backgrounds?

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? 

Abraham insisted that his son marry someone from his relatives instead of a pagan Canaanite. God led his servant to a beautiful lady, and she came back with him. Isaac and Rebekah got married the first day they met. Eventually they had twin boys. Isaac favored Esau, the older one, and Jacob was a Mama's boy. Now we have a divided home. Rebekah helps Jacob trick his father to get his blessing. Love grew cold in this marriage. It happens too often.

Married couples should be lovers, friends, and partners. When it's not, God can fix it.

If you want to get married and don't think a good Christian is out there, pray about it like I did.  

A piano student's first lesson excites me

...and the student every time. Here's the challenge: Tame awkward hands, name notes, number fingers, count beats, step and skip, dress the grand staff with treble and bass; and, by all means, don't forget the math -- bar lines measuring beats and half beats. Commitment is absolutely necessary to excel on the piano. If a student doesn't practice -- and I've had plenty -- they miss the pleasure of making music. They struggle.

A new born Christian is somewhat the same. In order to grow spiritually, they need discipling, prayer, Bible study, and commitment. The Apostle Paul called uncommited Christians carnal.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men?

The Lord is My Shepherd. Believers can only make that claim

...if they allow God to lead them. I shall not want is a profound pronouncement, indicating dependence and confidence.

Led through green pastures and beside still waters is pure peace and satisfaction. And then, aren't you glad God restores our souls. Oh my, where would we be without restoration. And if He didn't direct us, we'd go the wrong way. 

The valley of the shadow of death always reminds me of my 1997 cancer and God's comfort and assurance. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. He has my back covered. 

The goodness and mercy of my Shepherd is always with me. He's all I need. Now, let me tell you one thing for sure. I'm getting pretty homesick to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Phillip had been having wonderful services at Samaria.

...People are getting saved. An angel tells him to go to the desert to speak with an Ethiopian traveler, a eunich of great authority. Phillip finds the man reading Isaiah's writings about Christ, the coming Messiah and His sacrifice for sin.

Phillip preached Jesus. The man is saved, and when they come to water he is baptized. Have you believed or are you still lost and undone without Christ as your personal Savior? It's sad that people die and go to hell every day because they don't believe.

We need to preach Jesus, the one crucified, buried and risen, sitting at the right hand of the heavenly Father, making intercession for you and I; the One who is coming again.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

If seems impossible that anyone would hate Jesus Christ

...and His people, but that is exactly what the situation is today. Some of that hatred comes from religious people.

In the upper room Jesus talks to his disciples about them suffering persecution. In a few hours religious leaders will be crying out for their Messiah's blood. The disciples' hearts sadden as Jesus speaks of leaving them, but He promises to send a Comforter.

In the upper room, the three persons of the God-head are mentioned. Jesus, the Son will send the Spirit from the Father. Because the Holy Spirit is a person and is God, it means that the Christian has God indwelling his body! If we don't have the Holy Spirit within, we won't be able to serve the Lord in this present evil world. We are to walk in the Spirit, worship in the Spirit, and witness in the Spirit.

Yes, the disciples will suffer for Christ, but He gives them hope.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Cheer up.

Christ came into the world to seek and save the lost.

...Great blessings come to those who accept him as Saviour.

Isaiah 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness: that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Beauty of forgiveness for the ashes of condemnation: Sin brings man to the ash heap, but Christ forgives the believer.

Beauty of holiness for the ashes of self-effort: Self-righteousness is folly and as filthy rage in God's eyes.
The beauty of health for the ashes of sickness: Heaven will be free from disease and sickness.

The beauty of purposeful living for the ashes of a wasted life: The person who wastes his life fails to recognize the value of his soul to God.

The beauty of life for the ashes of death: Death is the inevitable reaper.  Christ will call his people out of the ashes of death in the resurrection.