Here’s some verse from Mark 8:27-35. Caesarea Philippi At Caesarea Philippi He asked them one day, how did others see Him—what did the they have to say? A prophet of some kind, a man to revere, but beyond that the people weren’t sure—it just wasn’t clear. He might have paused for a moment (the textContinue reading “Caesarea Philippi”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Working For The Lord
Can you guess what the following statistics (from Karl Thompson) have reference to? It’s something that occupies: If you said raising children, being at school, or being on your phone—that’s not it. If you said “work” you are right! Work has been around as long as people have. When God created Adam and Eve, HeContinue reading “Working For The Lord”
The Fellowship Of His Sufferings
As we read through the gospels, we come across a number of things that are said to be involved in following Jesus. Here are a few: There are more, but you get the idea. However, there are none that are more emphatic or grab our attention quite the way Jesus’ statement in Luke 9:23 does.Continue reading “The Fellowship Of His Sufferings”
Worthy Of His Calling
Part of Paul’s prayer for the disciples at Thessalonica is that “our God may make you worthy of His calling” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). He prays the same sort of thing for disciples everywhere (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10). Interestingly, this passage is singular in the sense that this is the only text where God’sContinue reading “Worthy Of His Calling”
This Is Our Savior!
John the Baptist was like a defensive end in football whose team was way ahead in the game. That means the other team had to abandon their running game because they needed lots of points in a hurry. Knowing that he didn’t have to defend against the run, John could put devote his focus andContinue reading “This Is Our Savior!”
Keeping Our Eyes on God
We’ve all heard, “You can’t have a relationship without rules.” And it’s true. Friendships, marriages, and families all need the framework, support, and structure of rules. Although we don’t normally think of it this way, a wedding ceremony is the formalizing of a covenant between the bride and the groom. They exchange vows to doContinue reading “Keeping Our Eyes on God”
I See Trouble On The Way (1)
This is the first post in a three-part look at an admittedly difficult text of Paul’s in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. It will make you appreciate Peter’s observation that Paul’s letters “contain some things that are hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). So God bless you for being here and I hope you’ll find some helpfulContinue reading “I See Trouble On The Way (1)”
Nothing Eclipses God!
The recent total eclipse got me thinking—not only about the event itself, but about the concept of an eclipse. They’ve been around as long as we have. To our distant ancestors, they were scary things. People in ancient China thought a cosmic dragon was trying to devour the sun. In response, they made as muchContinue reading “Nothing Eclipses God!”
Growing Off The Ground
Paul has some special things to say about the disciples at Thessalonica in his first letter to them. He spoke of their faith, hope and love (1:3), how they were a model to all believers (1:7), and how their faith in God had become known everywhere (1:9). But maybe the most amazing thing is thatContinue reading “Growing Off The Ground”
Paul’s Exit Strategy
Paul is in prison as he writes the church at Philippi. He might be in Rome (as traditionally thought), Caesarea, or even Ephesus (N.T. Wright). But wherever he is, he wishes the disciples at Philippi to know that “what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (1:12). The word for advance (prokope)Continue reading “Paul’s Exit Strategy”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 