Category Archives: Opening the Bible

Our Sins Were There

When Paul is proclaiming matters of “first importance” in 1 Corinthians 15, he begins with the bedrock truth that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures” (v. 3). Jesus’ death was for all sin and that includes ours. Even though our sins were committed centuries after His death, they nonetheless made HisContinue reading “Our Sins Were There”

Where God is Leading Us

 . . . On the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.  (2 Thessalonians 1:10) We now know that in the first three years of a newborn’s life, their brain is developing at warp speed. Their brain makes over a million neural connections each ____________Continue reading “Where God is Leading Us”

Jesus, John and Mary

“Here is your son” (v. 26), Jesus said to His mother. In contrast to Pilate’s abdication of his responsibility to Jesus and justice (“Here is the man” – v. 5, “Here is your king” – v. 14), Christ took control regarding His mother’s care. It’s an interesting situation we don’t know as much about asContinue reading “Jesus, John and Mary”

How to Eat an Elephant

Do you remember the riddle, “How do you eat an elephant?” In case you don’t, the answer is, “One bite at a time.”  Now I’ve never heard of anyone actually eating elephant, but that’s not really the point of the riddle—it’s aimed at helping us see that the way to tackle any big, daunting project is by breakingContinue reading “How to Eat an Elephant”

This is the Lord We Need!

John has a way of relating staggeringly immense truths in a ridiculously succinct manner. “The word was with God, and The Word was God” (1:1)—the diversity and unity of the Godhead in ten words. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (1:4)—the spiritual and moral illumination that Jesus’ lifeContinue reading “This is the Lord We Need!”

Revelation and the Back of the Bible

Have you ever wondered why the books of the Bible are in the order they are?  The location of some books is a no brainer. After all, it would be hard for Genesis to be anywhere other than at the beginning, right? The Gospels being located at the start of the New Testament make similarContinue reading “Revelation and the Back of the Bible”

Useful!

Based on data from people applying for Social Security cards for their children a few years ago, the most popular baby names for boys were: Liam, Noah, Oliver, Elijah, James, William, Benjamin, Lucas, Henry, and Theodore. But no Onesimus. That’s too bad. Although it’s a little long at four consonants (you’d probably have to comeContinue reading “Useful!”

Re-Release of The Thrill of Hope

If you have started Revelation a time or two but were unable to gain the traction needed to see it through to the end, The Thrill of Hope can help. It won’t make Revelation easy (nothing can do that), but it will make it easier. It is an entry-level look at Revelation that puts the book inContinue reading “Re-Release of The Thrill of Hope”

Taking Jesus at His Word

We’re not sure where the story found in John 7:53-8:11 belongs. This is why in most translations it is set in italics, bracketed, or even put into a footnote. Textual authorities tell us that it’s not in the two earliest manuscripts we have of John which date back to the beginning of the third century.Continue reading “Taking Jesus at His Word”