Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
1 Thessalonians 1:3 A labor of love is work done for the benefit of someone else, not for personal gain. Thus defined, the truest labor of love is Jesus' atonement for us, taking the penalty of sin on our behalf. The Apostle John focused on the love of God, giving us John 3:16, probably the… Continue reading Labor of love
1 Thessalonians 1:3 After reading Joel about the Day of the Lord, I thought I would turn to Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, a letter where he addressed the Day of the Lord 300 years after Joel did. I didn't get very far before I was struck by a new-to-me realization. In chapter 1, verse… Continue reading Work of faith
Joel 1:1-3:21 Joel's word from the Lord opens with a dire warning. I had to look up the context of the book and I learned that it was written after a massive natural disaster: locusts that consumed everything (insightforliving.org). Joel starts by telling the people to remember this disaster, and to prepare for even worse.… Continue reading Yet, even now
Galatians 6 Paul is adamant that the Galatians get his point: what you do doesn't save you, only Jesus. However, salvation is not an excuse to be useless; there is still good work that needs to be done. The work isn't the issue, but our reason for doing the work matters. If we participate in… Continue reading One last thing
There is a really cool percussive dance genre called Stepping. When I read Galatians 5 this morning, all I could imagine was a team of people using their whole bodies and their voices to create complex rhythms with a message. Stepping requires coordination, discipline, practice, unity, and commitment for the routine to have its full… Continue reading Keep in step
Why would anyone go back to something that doesn't work?Galatians 4 Why Jesus? Why did he relinquish his divine authority and be born as a human to live in an oppressed population under the Roman government? Paul says it plainly, " to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption… Continue reading Why go back?
One of the criticisms of the evangelical, mission-minded Church is that people go into other countries with the intent to share the gospel and then change the culture and social structure of that community. It is a legitimate critique. But Paul reprimanded the Apostles, naming Peter specifically, saying that forcing cultural change on new believers… Continue reading Jesus culture is multicultural
For the next few days I will ponder the book of Galatians. Paul opens this letter with his credentials. As a scholar, I understand the importance of leading with my resume. If people are going to pay attention to my scholarship, I have to demonstrate my expertise early. That demonstration is also tailored to the… Continue reading Galatians
January 21, 2020 There are some days when I don't have a solid plan for my Bible study. Having just finished Habakkuk, today was one of those days. Perhaps it was the recollection Dr. ML King's work during yesterday's holiday, but my eyes landed on Amos 5:24, "But let justice roll down like waters, and… Continue reading Let justice roll
January 20 Habakkuk listened to the Lord's plan for Judah in horror and confusion, but his knowledge of God's character helped him work out his response. Chapter 3 is Habakkuk wrapping his brain around the juxtaposition of mercy and judgment in the circumstances of imminent catastrophe in order to save. He plead with God for… Continue reading Joy is a choice
Defaulting to Grace 