Three times in the gospel of John, Jesus speaks of “the prince of this world” (12:31, 14:30, 16:11). Although we’re drawn to “prince,” it’s the word “world” that’s most important to understand. It is regularly used by John to refer to the system that is in opposition to God. When John speaks of the world as involving the lust of the flesh, the lustContinue reading “Let’s Live Like It!”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Real Work and Real Life
So what do we need to do to increase our spirituality and walk with the Lord? Believe. That’s what Christ told a group of Galileans who asked Him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (John 6:28). Jesus had earlier chided them for being interested in Him solely because of the meal He had providedContinue reading “Real Work and Real Life”
God Using His Words
What if there were no words? Parents wouldn’t be able to encourage their children to use your words. We would be unable to communicate with each other in the rich, substantive way that words make possible. Without words, our ability to process anything intellectually would be severely diminished. We wouldn’t be able to think our way through someContinue reading “God Using His Words”
Funeral for a Friend
The main difference between funerals in the first century and today has to do with our modern embalming practices. Nothing like this existed then so burial took place not after a few days after death, but a few hours. When it was determined that a person had died, their eyes would be closed, and theirContinue reading “Funeral for a Friend”
Finding Jesus
John 7 takes place in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles about six months before Jesus’ crucifixion. As John is prone to doing, he takes an event (like Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman or the feeding of the multitude) and details some of the ripples that emanated from it. In the seventh chapter, the eventContinue reading “Finding Jesus”
When A Little Water Gets In Your Boat
The familiar story of Jesus calming the storm is presented by Mark through a series of contrasts (4:35-41). 1) There is an initial contrast in the early actions of the story (Jesus is asleep while the disciples are afraid). 2) Then there is the contrast between their question (“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”)Continue reading “When A Little Water Gets In Your Boat”
Living Like It
Paul prefaces his teachings and instructions to the disciples at Thessalonica concerning the return of Jesus with these words in 1 4:13: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. And with that,Continue reading “Living Like It”
Surround Us Lord
We had six inches of snow from what the Weather Channel referred to as Winter Storm Fern during the last week of January. It went eastward through the central states before turning north and heading up to New England. School was out for a week here, so we had our grandsons (8, 10 & 12) over aContinue reading “Surround Us Lord”
Romans and the Wrath of God
Romans has a lot to say about the wrath of God. In fact, the word is found there more than in any NT book other than Revelation. No one is surprised wrath is discussed in Revelation—but Romans? Isn’t Romans the book about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What’s a book like that doing talkingContinue reading “Romans and the Wrath of God”
The Call to Holiness
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is a joy to read for anyone involved in the ministry of the word in any form. The disciples there had a passion for the Lord. They imitated those who had taught them and “welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering” (1:6, see also 2:13). They said soContinue reading “The Call to Holiness”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 