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”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
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”
When God Shows His Colors
The story of Noah begins the second cycle of the Genesis narrative (Brueggemann). In the first cycle, we see the creation of the world followed by rebellion—first through Adam and Eve, then by Cain, and finally Lamech (4:19ff). In the second cycle, we see rebellion (6:5ff) followed by re-creation, as God destroys the world inContinue reading “When God Shows His Colors”
Some Background on 1 Corinthians
Here’s what we know as it relates to Paul, Apollos, and the establishment and early years of the church at Corinth: 1. Paul started the church in Corinth somewhere around 50 AD (see Acts 18:1ff). After 18 months, he left for Ephesus where he didn’t stay long before heading to Jerusalem and Antioch (18:11,19-21). 2. Continue reading “Some Background on 1 Corinthians”
What Happened in the Garden?
It’s easy to look at Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree and think, “What’s the big deal? Their curiosity got the best of them and they messed up. That’s no reason to bring down the universe, is it? Who did they hurt? What is it about eating some fruit that justified theContinue reading “What Happened in the Garden?”
