Reading: Proverbs 29:18; Hosea 4:6 A Culture of Cliches America has a culture of cliches. We love snappy sayings and enduring epigrams. My observations tell me that Christians are often no different. We even use bible verses to create them. I say, “create them,” despite the fact that…
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Reading: Exodus 19:1-6 Last year I started a Bible study with a few men at the park where I run. It is somewhat inconsistent, with spurts of consistency based on either my schedule, the weather, and their sleep schedule. We began in Genesis and find ourselves in Exodus…
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Reading: Colossians 3:1-17 What picture does the New Testament paint of life in the community of God’s people? I don’t think we can overstate the value of Colossians 3 for shaping the kind of community Christ has called us to in the church. The Gospel is a key…
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Reading: 2 Chronicles 7 2 Chronicles 7:14 is often applied to America and our desperate need for “healing” from God. Undoubtedly our country is in desperate need of healing today, and God hears and answers prayer—a promise found all over the New Testament. So pray, pray, pray! However,…
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Reading: John 15:1-11 John 15 and Jesus’ description of Himself and the disciples as a vine and its branches is an amazing picture or metaphor of the relationship between Christ and His people. However, is it more than a metaphor? Does it communicate theological truth that goes beyond…
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Reading: Luke 1 A lot turns on God’s merciful compassion. In Luke 1:76-79, the merciful compassion of our God is the hinge upon which the forgiveness of our sins and the transformation of how we live turn. 76 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of…
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Reading: Mark 7:6-13 In my Bible reading plan, this section of Mark stretches from 7:1 – 8:21. It begins with the Pharisees arguing with Jesus about how the disciples are eating “bread” and ends with the Pharisees arguing with Jesus and asking for a sign (Mark 8:11) leading…
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Consequently, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and being built upon him and being made secure in the faith just as you were taught, being rich in expressions of gratitude. (Colossians 2:6-7 My translation1) Thanksgiving is a funny word. Not…
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Reading: Romans 8:18-27 Creation waits; creation was subjected to frustration; creation will be liberated into the freedom and glory of the children of God; creation groaning and in agony. Not only this, but we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan and wait. This enigmatic section of…
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Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:25 Many are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba. It is certainly one of the more unexpected stories in Scripture. Unexpected because of who David is. Unexpected because of how blind he was to his own sin. Unexpected because of how…
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Text: Genesis 1:26-28 In response to the release of video footage of Planned Parenthood executives negotiating the sale of organs from terminated babies, the pro-death movement has started a campaign, #ShoutYourAbortion. Fortunately, I don’t think they will have a high percentage turnout—given that many women have abortions under…
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“To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” ― Karl Barth What, then, is the nature of petitionary prayer? It is, in essence, rebellion—rebellion against the world in its fallenness, the absolute and undying refusal to accept as…
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It is not uncommon to hear believers in America declare (sometimes quite adamantly), “The church is not a building.” Many follow that with the idea that it is the people, which is largely true. It is also sometimes followed by a statement expressing that just getting together with…
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And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13) This last request may seem strange to our ears. For some it raises questions like, “Since God doesn’t tempt anyone with evil (James 1:13-14), then why do I need to pray that he…
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And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 Forgiveness is essential to real community. In order for there to be forgiveness, there also have to be offenses, or debts. This request clearly implies that forgiveness is to be received in the context…
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