Paul directs Timothy to one of the most important resources available to him for both strength and instruction; God’s Word.
Tag 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 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)”
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)”
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”
Answering Love’s Question (Galatians 4:12-20)
What does it mean to love? This is one of the questions that I ask a bride and groom who come to me and ask me to perform their wedding ceremony. Other questions include, “why do you desire to get married when in today’s world, the norm is not to marry?” And, “why do you seek toContinue reading “Answering Love’s Question (Galatians 4:12-20)”
The Steadfast Love of God; Trusting God in Times of Great Uncertainty. (A Study of Psalm 52)
David is on the run. Saul, the king, is out to kill him. The First place he runs to is the old prophet Samuel, but Samuel himself is afraid of Saul and David is unable to stay there. He runs next to the priests, hoping that he may find shelter and sanctuary there with them, but he isContinue reading “The Steadfast Love of God; Trusting God in Times of Great Uncertainty. (A Study of Psalm 52)”
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”
Concerning the Word of Life 