Archive for June, 2006
Born in a manger.
Attended by shepherds.
Acknowledged by praising angels.
Circumcised on the eighth day.
He was recognized by Simeon, who said,
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
I didn’t realize it was understood [...]
The gospel of Luke gives us a historical background of Jesus’ journey on earth. In the beginning, Luke tells his readers that he has investigated and carefully wrote everything in consecutive order. During the next few weeks as we read Luke’s account, I think we need to keep our focus on the purpose [...]
4:9 Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, for she said, “I experienced pain when I gave birth to him.” 4:10 Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only you would greatly bless me and expand my territory! May your hand be with me! Keep me from [...]
You know, wouldn’t the Bible have been so much better if God had let us write it?
Take Philemon, for example. I’m sure we modern day humans could have done a much better job with this one. In our “improved” version, Paul would have said something like this:
I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who [...]
In the final chapter of Colossians, Paul again reminds the slave owners to treat their servants well, because they, too, have a Master.
He requests prayer that God will open a door for him to continue spreading the Gospel, “for which I am in chains”. In this way, we are slaves, as well.
Paul says, “Let [...]
7:1 The sovereign Lord showed me this: I saw him making locusts just as the crops planted late were beginning to sprout. (The crops planted late sprout after the royal harvest.) 7:2 When they had completely consumed the earth’s vegetation, I said,
“Sovereign Lord, forgive Israel!
How can Jacob survive?
He is too weak!”
7:3 The Lord decided not [...]
Whenever I am given the opportunity to speak to a congregation on a Sunday morning, I only have one goal. My goal is that they will walk away with some small tidbit that will start them down a path of continuous life change. Essentially, I am exhorting people to “keep seeking the things [...]
Colossians 2 begins with Paul’s statement of intention for the Colossians. His purposes are, to encourage them, and to assist with understanding of Christ. He hopes they will not be swayed by ‘fine-sounding’ arguments. He delights in how firm they are in their faith and with how ‘orderly’ they are. I [...]
Colossians starts out very similar to Paul’s other letters. The letter starts out with a greeting and a prayer for the people that he is writing. I always enjoy the prayers that Paul prayed for the churches. The prayers are always encouraging people to continue to strive to please Christ in everything [...]
(Yet again I’m on another business trip, and won’t be able to post on my usual day, so I’m writing this on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. Plus, Jennifer is in a super-secret location I believe, so I’m not sure if Philippians 3 will be covered, so I’ll make a token comment on that chapter just [...]
