In the model prayer Jesus gave His disciples, we are told to pray that God will “lead us not into temptation.” This strikes many people as a little strange because it seems to suggest that without this petition, God would lead us into temptation—a conclusion that is clearly out of sync with God’s character (1 JohnContinue reading “Rescue From The Heart Of Darkness”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Pure In Heart, Powerful In Vision
What did Christ mean when He spoke of being pure in heart? (Matthew 5:8)? Was He saying that if and when our heart becomes morally pure enough, we’ll get to see our Father? Did He mean for us to grit our teeth, confess our present unworthiness, and resolve to become more pure—all the while realizing that we’ll neverContinue reading “Pure In Heart, Powerful In Vision”
Pondering The Parables
The parables of Jesus offer us yet another dimension of His teaching. But knowing what we know about Christ, should we really be surprised that He found so many creative ways to talk about the kingdom of heaven? After all, doesn’t the subject matter lend itself to the highest and most powerful expressions we know?Continue reading “Pondering The Parables”
People First
Joe South was from just down the road in Atlanta. That wasn’t his real name; it was Joseph Souter. Joe South was just the name he was known by professionally. He was a songwriter, singer, and a studio musician—probably in that order. Before Brook Benton, Glen Campbell or Al Green recorded Don’t It Make You WantContinue reading “People First”
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”
Morality And Righteousness
Morality is good but righteousness is excellent. I think that’s the essence of what Jesus is saying in the Sermon on the Mount when He tells His disciples that “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). The righteousnessContinue reading “Morality And Righteousness”
Meeting Jesus In The Dark Of The Night
The disciples had been rowing through the night but were only halfway across Lake Galilee. The boat was being “buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it” (Matthew 14:24). If you’ve ever been in a boat in those circumstances, you know rowing against a strong wind can be draining—especially at the end ofContinue reading “Meeting Jesus In The Dark Of The Night”
Matthew, The Scripture, And Jesus
Matthew has some important things to say in the early chapters of his gospel regarding Scripture and God. In chapter 2, he tells the familiar story of the Magi who have been following a star in search of “the One who has born the King of the Jews,” (v. 2). There’s much we don’t know—how did they know to followContinue reading “Matthew, The Scripture, And Jesus”
Matthew 24 And Loving In Adversity
There were three Jewish revolts against the Romans in the late first and early second centuries. There was the Bar-Kokhba Revolt (AD 132-136), the Kitos War (AD 115-117) and the first Jewish revolt (AD 66-73), often referred to as the Great Revolt. It is the Great Revolt (and specifically the destruction of Jerusalem in ADContinue reading “Matthew 24 And Loving In Adversity”
Love, Liberation, And Life
You can’t miss pride (I’m referring to the unhealthy kind). It’s obnoxious, outrageous and “the only disease that makes everyone sick except the one who has it.” It’s an easy thing to spot. Or is it? There’s another type of pride that is equally destructive. It is less obvious and subtle. It’s the quiet self-absorptionContinue reading “Love, Liberation, And Life”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 