Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—
Summary: Understanding Paul’s intent in this passage provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on what God wants us to do with our lives.
If we are correct in our analysis so far, Paul has instructed Timothy to command “certain people” who claim to be followers of Christ* to stop promoting “controversial speculations.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:4b – God’s Work”[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… having the same love…
Summary: Having the “same love” as Christ is a challenge. Understanding why helps us to focus our efforts on serving God’s will.
Paul’s sentences are famously long and convoluted. In this passage, he begins with a series of “if’s,” and then, when he reaches his “then,” he asks his readers to “make my joy complete by being like-minded.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2c – Two Kinds of Love”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”… may have power …
Summary: Roots are a metaphor for our relationship with God and his love for us. As we put down roots in love, we find the spiritual water and nutrients we need for life. More than that, we are strengthened with power.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:18a – Spiritual Potting Soil (Part II)”
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The Greek word translated as “loved” in this verse is “agapaō.” Unlike English where we use the word, “love” for a variety of purposes, agapaō has a very specific meaning. The Strong’s Concordance defines this word as, “to love (in a social or moral sense).” This is not a possessive love, or a casual love, or even an emotional love. Agapaō is caring for someone who is not worth caring for. Agapaō is being patient with someone who doesn’t understand what you are trying to tell them. Agapaō is valuing a relationship in spite of the million obstacles that tend to come between people. Differences in opinions, beliefs, moods, wants, needs, and yes, even smell all conspire to frustrate love.
Continue reading “Agapaō – John 13: 1b”