Visiting the homebound, the hospitalized, those living in nursing homes, and the imprisoned is a privilege and a joy. Those in such circumstances are welcoming and happy to receive visitors. One of the challenges for them is dealing with isolation. Even with radio, television, and social media, it is easy to become out of touch with what is happening in the world if you can’t be part of it. Such was the case for John the Baptist.

Waves of the Aegean Sea lap the north shore of the Saronic Gulf in southeastern Greece. From Athens on the east end of the gulf to Cenchreae on the west, the apostle Paul had a 65-mile journey by sea or coastal road, which brought him to the Isthmus of Corinth, that low-lying neck of land that joins Attica (northeast) to the Peloponnese (southwest). High hills and cliffs line the route. But from Cenchreae to Corinth the ground is low enough that ancient merchants could draw their ships overland to the Gulf of Corinth, making that city rich from traders moving east and west. Corinth was a cosmopolitan city that attracted Asians, North Africans, and Westerners to its crowded markets. Along with their trade goods, they supplied a wealth of ideas to the wisdom-hungry Greeks.

As I am writing this blog, Christmas is still two months away. However, there are already signs of its coming. Recently, I did some shopping. Halloween has yet to pass and there are already Christmas items on the shelves. I love this time of year, not only because of the weather in Indiana but also because there is a wonderful succession of holidays leading to the celebration of Christmas. These holidays are signs leading to the birth of our Lord. The church has signs of its own. The weeks of Advent bring Scripture readings related to Jesus’ birth, and we light a new candle each week.

“The word of God increased,”—three times in the Book of Acts Luke uses this sentence to sum up a period of the history of the Early Church (6:7; 12:24; 19:20). These words are a telling expression of the biblical conception of the divine Word. Our Lord Himself compared the Word with a seed that is sown and sprouts and grows: “The seed is the word of God” (Lk 8:11; cf Col 1:6; 1Pt 1:23). The Word of the Lord is powerful and active; it “prevails mightily,” as Luke puts it in Ac 19:20. 

Can you remember the last time you purchased a piece of furniture or appliance, understanding that your purchase would require some assembly at home? You likely returned home from the store, opened the box, read and followed the instructions, and then came to one of two sad realizations: (1) you still had pieces left over or (2) you were missing a piece—maybe a screw, nut, or peg. Some of us are blessed with the ability to let good enough be good enough. Others struggle with the lack of completion.

When I am counseling couples before marriage, I encourage them to avoid discussing any important issues before 9:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. Most people are at their best in the 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. twelve-hour period. We think most clearly and are better at controlling our emotions. Too early in the morning or too late at night is when we tend to struggle. Additionally, I urge them to avoid such discussions when one or both are tired, sick, hungry, or stressed. When we are not at our best, we are more tempted to speak irresponsibly, using sarcasm, terse words, and even foul language. Speech is powerful, and it can remain in our consciousness for many years.

With the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension in heaven, the early church had its beginning. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the apostles, and the first evangelists, the Gospel spread and the kingdom grew. Despite this success, there were also obstacles and resistance from some early Jewish Christians, the Roman Empire, and other religious groups. Additionally, Christians practiced their faith in ways which others found quite strange. The nascent Christian congregations celebrated Holy Communion, the receiving of Jesus’ true body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. Those outside the Christian communities took offense at the idea of eating flesh and drinking blood—common practices otherwise associated with pagan or even satanic rituals.

Jesus Christ brought the Gospel (from older English, “Good-spel,” “good news”) to the world. He announced that in His person the kingdom of God was coming to mankind and that through faith in Him people might find new and eternal life. He was Himself the Good News, or Gospel.

Many teachings in the Bible are easy to understand and accept. Such teachings include the following: