When we dip ourselves in the waters of the fourth chapter of the book of Acts, we get a look at a church that was living out the resurrection. Here are some of the things we see: Some people were disturbed (v. 2) The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection while others thought it wasContinue reading “An Empty Tomb and a Risen Lord”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Happy Father’s Day from Mount Moriah
Imagine three things concerning Genesis 22: Abraham’s father (Terah), was still alive, Father’s Day was part of the Hebrew culture, and Abraham and Isaac’s trip to Moriah happened over the course of a Father’s Day weekend. If all of that were true, then Terah could have received a postcard from his son saying, “Happy Father’sContinue reading “Happy Father’s Day from Mount Moriah”
A Look at John’s Manger (2)
He was no mere tourist—He “made His dwelling among us,” (John 1: 4). The word translated “dwelling” is also used for the tabernacle in the wilderness and is meant to remind us of such. God didn’t desert His people in the wilderness! In fact, He was there in their midst the entire time. In theContinue reading “A Look at John’s Manger (2)”
Election Reflection
Well, how did the election go for you? Did your candidate(s) win? Even if things didn’t go well in terms of the outcome, isn’t it great to live in a country where we have the right to vote? You did vote, didn’t you? Of course you did. I don’t know if you went to aContinue reading “Election Reflection”
A Look at John’s Manger (1)
John’s nativity scene is much different than what we find in Luke’s account. There’s no trip to Bethlehem, shepherds in the field, or angels singing. It’s more theological than biographical. It consists of him telling us that “the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us,” (1:14). That’s a pretty impressive resume and youContinue reading “A Look at John’s Manger (1)”
A Great Plan for Life
Every spring at graduation, the years’ honorees hear an insidious untruth proclaimed over and over. It is delivered with the absolute best of intentions and from the purest of heart—but that will not change its—falsehood or its potential harmfulness. What am I speaking of? “You can be anything you want to be.” Those eight wordsContinue reading “A Great Plan for Life”
Aaahh, Joseph!
The angel tells Joseph that his beloved Mary is pregnant not by another man as he has supposed, but by the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 1:20). Matthew lines their situation up with Isaiah’s prophecy, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,” (1:23/Isaiah 7:14). Joseph has two things to do: accept MaryContinue reading “Aaahh, Joseph!”
Last Meals and Living Hope
Asleep at the Wheel is the name of a group that plays western swing music. Several years ago they recorded a song called Last Meal. It is a fictitious account of a man on death row about to be executed. However, before his execution can take place, the warden tells him he gets a lastContinue reading “Last Meals and Living Hope”
He Cares!
As the Jewish leaders plotted His death, Jesus withdrew to a presumably remote part of Lake Galilee (Mark 3:7). While the leaders may not have been up to pursuing Him at this time, the people of the area were—although for completely different reasons. Then, when news spread about “all He was doing” (v. 8), moreContinue reading “He Cares!”
Overcoming
If there is anything disciples should hold near and dear to their heart, it’s a message about overcoming. After all, it doesn’t always feel or seem as if we’re overcoming, does it? And there are times when we’re convinced it is anything but that. We feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and quite possibly, defeated. At such times,Continue reading “Overcoming”
