In Psalms, there is the principle I like to think of as the “I’ve been to church” principle. (Yes, I know disciples are “the church,” but there is also something to the idea of “coming together as a church” – 1 Corinthians 11:18 and I’m after something like that here). You’ve “been to church” when you’veContinue reading “I’ve Been to Church!”
Tag Archives: Bible study
Too Wonderful For Me
When Moses took his sandals off before God, did the desert sand burn his feet? Was there smoke from the bush and if so, did it fill his nostrils or cause his eyes to tear? Was the wind blowing that day? If it was important for us to know any of these things, we wouldContinue reading “Too Wonderful For Me”
Will God Reign in the Rain?
Chapters 1-4 of 1 Corinthians are a unit where Paul takes aim at the divisiveness and fragmentation of the church. This discord was reflected in the alliances they had formed over different teachers. It was all quite competitive—and equally unhealthy. We tend to align ourselves with someone or something because it reflects our own likesContinue reading “Will God Reign in the Rain?”
I Marvel at the Wisdom of my God
There was no shortage of wisdom at Corinth! Their philosophers, poets, statesmen, and orators were brimming over with it. There was the wisdom of their gods. Corinth was a seaport and only fifty miles from Athens so like them, they would have had a god for every occasion and just to be safe—they probably also hadContinue reading “I Marvel at the Wisdom of my God”
A Kingdom Divided Against Itself
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours. (1 Corinthians 1:2) Things had gotten sideways at Corinth. Not only had the disciples gone rogue in following different teachers, it appearsContinue reading “A Kingdom Divided Against Itself”
Romans Review
Here’s an acrostic of Romans to remind us about some of the big things we learn from Paul’s letter. The R in Romans is for rich. Romans doesn’t teach us this, but it’s certainly something we learn from spending time in the book. It is one of the richest books in Scripture. What makes it that way? Continue reading “Romans Review”
Let’s Work Together
The disciples at Rome were having trouble accepting each other (15:7). From what Paul says in 14:1ff, it’s clear that their challenges arose not from the kinds of things we’re used to hearing about causing church divisions (doctrinal issues, personality problems, or squabbles about preachers)—but rather over matters that flowed from their different cultures. AsContinue reading “Let’s Work Together”
Leaving Childhood
Most of us are familiar with the quote above. I think it says at least a couple of important things. One is that it reminds us of the important role emotions play in remembering something. Odors and music may bring to mind where we were when we first smelled the aroma or heard the song,Continue reading “Leaving Childhood”
Hidden in Plain Sight
It’s the person looking for glasses that are perched atop their head or someone searching for keys that are still in the door. Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” A familiar verse—so familiar that it contains somethingContinue reading “Hidden in Plain Sight”
This Is The Day
“This is the Day has become one of my favorite books! I read through it once, then went back and reread it, bringing the challenging questions into my reading. I’m now reading some from it daily, allowing it to strengthen my desire to live as God instructed through His Word….. one day at a time!Continue reading “This Is The Day”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 