Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: It is important to understand who it is who is teaching us the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus is more than an itinerant rabbi; he also happens to be a king.
In the Book of Revelation, John describes Jesus this way:
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part III – King”
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: Jesus is more than a man. People who meet him face-to-face are looking into the eyes of the being who made everything.
In Part I, we looked at Jesus’ divine nature and the fact that he is God. Yet, somehow, Jesus is more. Other religions lay claim to stories about how the world was made, but only one man was ever said to have created the world. Jesus’ disciple, John, describes Jesus this way:
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part II — Creator”
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: The weird truth about Jesus is that he also happens to be God.
There are many “teachers” out there, but not all teachings are true. So, who is Jesus, and why should we listen to his teachings?
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part I”
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
Summary: Learning about God is a tricky business. It is easy to fall into the trap of depending on someone else’s description of God rather than listening to God directly.
Dear Readers: The next few days will be hectic for me at home, so we are reposting a few meditations from our series on the Lord’s Prayer. I will still be checking for comments. I hope to see you here!
Several months ago, I felt the Spirit pointing me towards the prayer in Matthew 6: 9-13. It is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer,” and is one that I learned as a child. Being raised as a Lutheran, we said the prayer every Sunday in church.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 1-2 — Finding Jesus”
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Summary: Paul’s thoughts are sometimes complex. In this meditation, we take a 30,000-foot view of Paul’s thoughts in his passage in hopes of seeing the “bigger picture.”
If you have read this blog for any length of time, you are probably shocked to see a meditation that is based on two entire verses at once. Never fear! We will, no doubt, dissect this in future meditations. However, given the complexity of Paul’s thought here, I thought it best to begin with an overview.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-2 – Paul’s Request”
… since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Summary: The NIV’s use of the word “struggle” prompts us to examine Paul’s intent more closely.
Struggle? What struggle?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:30 – Struggles”
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…
Summary: Understanding the suffering Paul asks us to do for Christ requires that we look past our own pride and love as Christ loves.
I don’t know about you, but the idea of suffering has never appealed to me. Of course, there are different kinds of suffering. The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 is a good illustration of this.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:29 – Suffering for Jesus”
This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Summary: The Bible often mentions signs and wonders meaning miraculous events. The kind of “sign” Paul refers to in this passage is a bit different. Paul considers it a proof of things to come.
Generally speaking, Paul’s words about the Gospel are instructional. Yet, now and then, he makes an undeniably clear statement about good and bad, right and wrong.
In this passage, Paul makes such a statement.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:28b – Things to Come”
… without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage touch on a nerve that everyone has experience with: fear.
To get the context for this passage, let’s step back and take a look at Paul’s entire thought:
“… I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:26a – Fighting Fear”
… striving together as one for the faith of the gospel…
Summary: “Striving together” suggests a coordinated effort between people. On closer examination, we discover that a loose association of believers can also “strive together.”
When was the last time you found yourself “striving together” with anyone? Do you remember? What were you striving for?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:27c – A Point of Focus”