“two things” 2 cor 12

When he was little, one of our boys used to always get our attention by saying, “I have two questions!”  Then he would go on to make two statements.  Paul’s life and ministry made two statements.
First of all, he wanted to exalt Christ rather than himself.  That is why he could write “Therefore I will [...]

Read Full Post »

“Christ-Centered Leadership” 1 Cor. 11

Paul’s strength as a minister of the gospel was demonstrated in what he was willing to endure in order to present people as “a pure virgin” to one husband, namely Jesus.  Paul was focused on this one goal and endured all kinds of dangers and hardships in order to accomplish it.  The proclamation of the gospel of [...]

Read Full Post »

“Enough Comfort to go around” 2 Corinthians 1

I’ll be the first to confess that when times get tough I look to see where my comfort will come from.  Over the years, it has become evident that the only true comfort comes from God through Christ. In him we find security, strength to stand and a seal of hope, guaranteeing what is to [...]

Read Full Post »

“Stay inside the gospel”

This morning I ran across this paragraph in the little booklet “The Gospel Primer.”  It fits well with Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians to “…continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel…” (Colossians 1:23)
“The gospel serves as the means by which God daily constructs me into what He wants me [...]

Read Full Post »

“How It’s Done” 1 Thessalonians 2

How things are done can be as important as what is done.  In reminding the Thessalonians of his ministry among them, Paul spends just as much time talking about how he worked among them as he did talking about what he did.
Paul says that he worked among them “like a mother caring for her little [...]

Read Full Post »

“Christ in You–the Deposit” Col. 1:24-29; Ephesians 1:11-14

I was reading the two passages for today and scratching my head.  I couldn’t quite remember why I had put them together in the first place.
Then I saw a connection.  In the Colossians passage, Paul talks about a “mystery” which is “Christ in you.” Now what does that mean?
I think the Ephesians passage helps interpret [...]

Read Full Post »

“Not just ‘from’ but also ‘to’” Hebrews 8&9

It is good to be reminded that we have not only been saved from something, we’ve been saved to something.  God has cleansed “our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (9:14) We have been saved from sin to serve Him.
Serving God is what we do while [...]

Read Full Post »

“Intercessor” Hebrews 7&8

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25)
Jesus is currently at the right hand of the Father in heaven interceding for us.  This is really good news.  In this context, Christ’s work of intercession is that of a priest.  [...]

Read Full Post »

“Hope as an Anchor” Hebrews 5&6

Sailing on an aircraft carrier gives you an appreciation for the usefulness and necessity of an anchor.  As you can imagine, the largest ships man has ever put in the water have large anchors.  Sailing to ports around the Mediterranean, we put those anchors to use quite often, as the ship was too big to [...]

Read Full Post »

“if” Hebrews 3&4

There is an “if” attached to the gospel of grace.  This “if” is very, very important.  It doesn’t add works to the gospel.  It doesn’t take away from the truth that it is God’s initiative and generosity that saves us.  This “if” shouldn’t add an iota of fear to our lives.  The “if” of the [...]

Read Full Post »