The way to progress and joy in the faith is Christ. Obviously. But Paul is sharing with us some of the mystery of knowing Christ and having him in us. …
Thirteen years is a long time. Two or more of those years in prison: that’s a long time, too. A long time to let resentment grow, to be reshaped…
Near the end of Isaiah, God says, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for…
Well, okay . . . so that’s a lot. Scholars regard Paul’s two letters to the believers in Thessalonika as his earliest. The church there was concerned about the end,…
How are we supposed to do church? How are we supposed to be church? Those are good questions, even though we are nearly two thousand years into this. We have…
Paul and Silas, still in Philippi, encounter a girl, a slave girl. That wasn’t unusual. This slave girl is possessed; a spirit is in her, that, as spirits do, reveals…
Though you are small, I will bring forth great things from you (5:2). This is what God is saying. Encouragement for Bethlehem. Encouragement for Bethel. Words of encouragement for every…
Well, nobody likes to be called a dog. We tend to be very attached to our pets, yet no one likes to be called a dog. When will Jesus say…
There are places in the Bible where I read and say, “no, no, that’s too much!” Too hard. I feel like closing the book, right there; I don’t want to…
To be in the presence of Jesus is to be in the presence of salvation. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday. There is no special reason why. …