Problems Under the Sun
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1) In Ecclesiastes 4, Solomon points out several challenges we face “under the sun:” oppression, greed, and loneliness. In fact, the book to this point […]
The Benefits of Place
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” (Galatians 5:22–23) That is one of the great Bible passages some of us learned at Sunday School – often set to music. Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit in […]
The Forgotten Man of Christmas
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) We’ve spent the last three weeks talking about God conceiving and delivering the miraculous in us, and Mary has been our example. But what about Joseph’s miracle? God worked in a […]
Delivering the Miraculous
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6–7) The tidings of comfort and joy we’re discussing is the […]
Who Is Counseling You?
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NIV84) In James’ letter to the church, he is picking up where some of the OT prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea left […]
Position Filled
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:13, CSB) I saw this job opening on monster.com: Position: Executive Assistant Necessary Requirements: Candidates must have an advanced degree in counseling and will be required to live on site. […]
Our Partner
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever…I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” (John 14:16; 18) One of the possible translations of the Greek word paraclete (translated “counselor” above) is “partner.” A partnership is the idea that two or […]
On Behalf of the Choir
“…for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Philippians 1:19) What is the secret to sustaining one’s spiritual strength in order to keep on keepin’ on when things get tough? The Apostle Paul describes it […]
Paraclete
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever…you know him, for he lives withy you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17) Jesus just told the disciples that he would be “leaving them” soon, and they were understandably upset. In his comfort to them, he […]
Authority and Power
The ekklesia had an inauspicious beginning: They were hiding in the upper room. True, they were praying, but I bet there was no small measure of fear in their group. Luke doesn’t mention their fear, but I think we can assume it was there. A conspiracy against this band of disciples reached the highest positions […]
Like a Tree
“He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:3, CSB) The Psalmist is talking about the happy, or blessed, person and uses this beautiful word picture to describe them. How can we be blessed and prosperous? […]
Streams of Living Water
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:38) I believe it was Shakespeare who made famous the phrase “too much of a good thing.” In ancient history, Greek explorers discovered a great lake in the Arabah wilderness. They named it Thalassa Thanatos, or […]
