… and God the Father
Summary: Paul is on a mission. He has to correct the thinking of people who are hundreds of miles away while he is a prisoner in Rome.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:1b – A Mission From God”Galatians 1:1a – God’s Treasures
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ …
Summary: Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with a provocative statement. He is not an apostle sent by other apostles. He didn’t come to the party as a “wanna-be” or a “me too.” Jesus chose Paul personally. He is a man on a mission.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:1a – God’s Treasures”Ephesians 6:24 – Undying Love
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Summary: God wants more than recognition and obedience. He wants our love, too. In this closing passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we find ourselves looking into the heart of our Lord Jesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:24 – Undying Love”1 Chronicles 16:34 – Tripping on Tryptophan
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Summary: Giving thanks can lead to celebrating, and celebrations can lead to too much food. Too much food leads to napping, and naps lead to taking a short break from Ephesians.
Continue reading “1 Chronicles 16:34 – Tripping on Tryptophan”Ephesians 6:23b – Ambassador for Christ
… and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary: Sometimes people say things they don’t mean. Paul was not like that. He represented Jesus to the Gentiles, and he took his work very seriously.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:23b – Ambassador for Christ”1 Chronicles 16:34 – Happy Thanksgiving!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Summary: This time of year is a great time to re-calibrate what we are thankful for.
Continue reading “1 Chronicles 16:34 – Happy Thanksgiving!”Ephesians 6:23a – The Peace of God
Peace to the brothers and sisters …
Summary: When Paul says “Peace to the brothers and sisters …” he means more than just a sixties vintage hippy dippy nice saying. He is transmitting the peace of God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:23a – The Peace of God”Ephesians 6:22 – Comfort
I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Summary: Why is Tychicus going to Ephesus? Paul has given him a mission. Knowing his mission helps us understand what was on Paul’s mind when he wrote his letter to Ephesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:22 – Comfort”Ephesians 6:21 – Details
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.
Summary: Paul leaves certain things out of his letter that he considers unimportant but that he knows will be of interest to the Ephesians. So he sends it with someone who can answer those questions, Tychicus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:21 – Details”Ephesians 6:19-20 – Prayer List
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Summary: Paul asks for the church at Ephesus to pray for him in specific ways. Today, Paul is with the Lord, but we can still pray in ways that honor his request.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:19-20 – Prayer List”