Matthew offers us several beginnings regarding Jesus in the introductory portion of his gospel (1:1-4:16). There’s the beginning of the preaching concerning the kingdom Christ is bringing in the work of John the Baptist (3:1ff). Then there’s the beginning of Jesus’ public life marked by His baptism (3:13ff) and the beginning of His ministry inContinue reading “The Genesis Of Jesus”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Dealing Decisively With Sin
It can be a challenge to see sin for what it is—especially when it’s our sin. Sensitive people fight the tendency to make too much of their sin and see themselves as the chief of sinners while the less sensitive struggle not to trivialize their transgressions. For all of us, there’s the need for aContinue reading “Dealing Decisively With Sin”
Fear, Faith, And Focus
When I was growing up, we had a white Siamese cat named Charlie. I don’t know how much breeding goes into a white Siamese, but I know this—Charlie was thoroughly domesticated. He was a household cat with a capital “H.” Yet every once in a while, Charlie got the itch to see what was onContinue reading “Fear, Faith, And Focus”
Caesarea Philippi
Here’s some verse from Mark 8:27-35. Caesarea Philippi At Caesarea Philippi He asked them one day, how did others see Him—what did the they have to say? A prophet of some kind, a man to revere, but beyond that the people weren’t sure—it just wasn’t clear. He might have paused for a moment (the textContinue reading “Caesarea Philippi”
Working For The Lord
Can you guess what the following statistics (from Karl Thompson) have reference to? It’s something that occupies: 14 % of your total life, 21 % of your total waking hours, 23.3% of your life during the years you’re actually you’re doing this, 35% of your waking hours during those years you’re doing this, 50% ofContinue reading “Working For The Lord”
The Fellowship Of His Sufferings
As we read through the gospels, we come across a number of things that are said to be involved in following Jesus. Here are a few: being born again (John 3:3-5), loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40), receiving the kingdom like a childContinue reading “The Fellowship Of His Sufferings”
Worthy Of His Calling
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”
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)”
