Paul directs Timothy to one of the most important resources available to him for both strength and instruction; God’s Word.
Category Archives: Bible
Don’t Give Up! (5 Reasons to Endure)
Don’t’ Give Up. The encouragement to endure is an important and timely message for our day. Currently, the covid virus is surging again. Our politics are as divided as ever, hurricanes and fires strike our coastal areas, and there are several social problems within our communities. These things and the many other daily worries add stress to ourContinue reading “Don’t Give Up! (5 Reasons to Endure)”
Using the questions asked by Jesus for Spiritual Renewal
Something has to change. Today is the first Sunday in the new year, 2021. Today, most of us would like this year to be a different sort of year than last year (2020). As Christians, followers of Jesus, there are certain things we should be in prayer for as we start this new year. WeContinue reading “Using the questions asked by Jesus for Spiritual Renewal”
“Behold, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY.”
I have a Christmas story trick question for you. What were the shepherds commanded to do? They were commanded to do two things, and one was NOT to go and visit the Christ child. They did that on their own. Both commands are in Luke 2:10, which reads, “And the angel said to them, “FearContinue reading ““Behold, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY.””
The Sign of the Savior’s Birth (Luke 2:1-20)
Have you ever thought about how obscene was the power of Caesar Augustus? The description of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke begins with a man, the emperor of Rome, decreeing that a census is to be taken of people he has never seen, nor will ever meet. Luke 2:1-7 reads, “1 In thoseContinue reading “The Sign of the Savior’s Birth (Luke 2:1-20)”
The Gospel of Matthew’s Use of Prophecy to Describe the Messiah (Matthew 1-2)
Prophecy is often only viewed as an indicator or proof of Jesus being the Christ. The unique way Matthew uses prophecy also shows us what it means for Jesus to be the Christ. This study aims to look at the four prophecies that Matthew quotes as a means of understanding the meaning of Jesus’ Birth.
The Three Miracles of Christmas that Changed the World (Luke 1:26-38).
Why is Christmas so important? The Christmas season points to a historical event that has changed our world, the birth of Christ. Surrounding this birth are three miracles that define why Christmas is so important. These miracles point us to God’s remarkable work for you and me.
Crying Out and Giving Thanks to the Lord (Psalm 107)
This month, November 2020, is the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival to the New World’s shores. During the first year, their numbers go from 102 people in the new colony to only 53. They suffered much. Psalm 107 is the Psalm that gave direction to their lives both as they arrived in the New World and celebrated the first thanksgiving a year later. Psalm 107 teaches us to cry out to the Lord in our own stories of need and give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love.
Beholding the Glory of the Lord (Revelation 1:9-20)
The first command of the Book of Revelation is to “behold.” Revelation 1:7 reads, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” The command is the word Behold, which meansContinue reading “Beholding the Glory of the Lord (Revelation 1:9-20)”
The First Command of Revelation (Revelation 1:1-8)
“Which book of the Bible was written to encourage the church?” There are many books of scripture written to encourage people. Still, I think the most encouraging book in the Bible for God’s people in a time of chaos, persecution, and discouragement is the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is the final wordContinue reading “The First Command of Revelation (Revelation 1:1-8)”
The Heart of the Gospel (Galatians 6:11-18)
There is a saying that you have probably used at least once in your life; it goes like this, “It’s the thought that counts.” This saying is used when something not very good is done, but there is a recognized intention behind the effort that shifts the meaning of the act. A great example of this inContinue reading “The Heart of the Gospel (Galatians 6:11-18)”
Four Questions to ask your Soul (Galatians 6:1-10)
Several years ago, I read a book called Christianity Rediscovered, an Epistle to the Masai by Vincent Donovan. The book is about a missionary who went about the work of evangelism and church planting in a very different way among the Masai tribe of Kenya. What Donovan did was to go to a village andContinue reading “Four Questions to ask your Soul (Galatians 6:1-10)”
A Place of Refuge (Galatians 6:1-2)
“Brothers,if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2)” Whenever I teach the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, or Joshua, I likeContinue reading “A Place of Refuge (Galatians 6:1-2)”
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11)
Do you ever feel powerless in the world? There was a time in young David’s life when his whole world crashed down on him. He was a rising star, immensely successful and popular, so famous that the King himself (Saul) gave David his daughter to marry. I am sure that David felt that all wasContinue reading ““If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11)”
An Everyday Prayer of Faith and Thanksgiving. (Psalm 118)
One of the great Psalms of the Bible is Psalm 118. Several things make this Psalm exceptional. Psalm 118 talks about God’s steadfast love, it describes the Lord’s salvation, it is a Psalm that calls us to worship and give thanks, it is often quoted in the New Testament, and it is the Psalm theContinue reading “An Everyday Prayer of Faith and Thanksgiving. (Psalm 118)”
Keeping In Step with the Spirit of God. (Galatians 5:16-26)
“16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you wantContinue reading “Keeping In Step with the Spirit of God. (Galatians 5:16-26)”
The Identifying Marks of False and Faithful Teachers. (Galatians 5:7-12)
This morning, the passage that we come to in our study of Galatians is chapter 5, verses 7-12. Throughout the letter to the Galatians, Paul has talked about the false teachers who have come preaching a false gospel, a gospel that is Jesus plus. Jesus plus the law. Jesus plus your own righteousness. Jesus plusContinue reading “The Identifying Marks of False and Faithful Teachers. (Galatians 5:7-12)”
The Christian Ethic; Faith, Hope, and Love. (Galatians 5:1-6)
Galatians 5:1–6. “1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the wholeContinue reading “The Christian Ethic; Faith, Hope, and Love. (Galatians 5:1-6)”
Looking at the immensity of creation, do you matter? (Psalm 8)
Who are we? What does it mean to be a human? This is a question that is asked in Psalm 8 by the writer. Looking at the immensity of creation, do we matter? Psalm 8 begins by observing the majesty of God. It says “1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all theContinue reading “Looking at the immensity of creation, do you matter? (Psalm 8)”
When We Hide Behind A Mask
I hate wearing a mask to church. From the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, people attending church are required to wear a mask and keep socially distant. There were a few weeks that we thought the pandemic was getting better, and we rolled back the second service requirement on the masks only to return it after virusContinue reading “When We Hide Behind A Mask”
The Allegory of Two Women, Two Sons, Two Covenants, and Two Cities (Galatians 4:21-5:1)
In Galatians 4:21-5:1, Paul does something that he very rarely does; he uses allegory. Allegorical interpretation of scripture is not normative for Paul, and for that matter, should not be normative for us. An allegorical interpretation is when a story becomes a symbol that represents something else. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is an allegory by C.S.Continue reading “The Allegory of Two Women, Two Sons, Two Covenants, and Two Cities (Galatians 4:21-5:1)”
The Father’s Embrace through the Spirit. (Galatians 4:1-7)
“1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 ButContinue reading “The Father’s Embrace through the Spirit. (Galatians 4:1-7)”
Breaking Spiritual Quarantine
Are you inconvenienced yet? I spent a large chunk of my day today just talking to people who are isolated at home. Some have voiced missing others, some have talked about the fears they have for the survival of their business, others have talked about how hard it has been to go and get things. Being isolated orContinue reading “Breaking Spiritual Quarantine”
Near to the Brokenhearted
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ – As you know, I am not a user of social media. During this time of social isolation though, I feel that words of theological reflection may be helpful as you seek to make sense of the sickness, the panic, and the world at this time. My purpose is not toContinue reading “Near to the Brokenhearted”
The Riddle of Suffering and the Goodness of God
If God is good, why does he allow evil and suffering in this world? That is a question that many have asked and may be asking today. This is an ancient question that is often referred to as “the problem of evil” or the theological term of “theodicy.” The question sees a problem or inconsistence with the assumedContinue reading “The Riddle of Suffering and the Goodness of God”
Concerning the Word of Life 