Grace …
Summary: What a word means depends to some extent on its context. The usage tells us what the author or speaker intends it to mean.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:3a – From Grump to Grace”Galatians 1:2b – Three Groups
To the churches in Galatia:
Summary: The churches in Galatia have become a battlefield, and they don’t even know it.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:2b – Three Groups”Galatians 1:2a – Correction
… and all the brothers and sisters with me,
Summary: Paul continues to add layers of authority to his message.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:2a – Correction”Galatians 1:1c – When Jesus Returned
… who raised him from the dead—
Summary: When Jesus his raised from the dead, he is not raised up as he was, that is as a mortal. Instead, he is raised immortal and imperishable.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:1c – When Jesus Returned”Galatians 1:1b – A Mission From God
… 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!”