Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Who, being in very nature God…
Summary: Understanding the nature of God is a tall order. Perhaps the best we can do is to understand that we are not God and then learn to recognize who God is.
Imagine for a moment that you are a puppet. (You can be any kind of a puppet you would like to be!) You live in a world populated by puppets of all different types. Some are nice, others are mean. You know the world we live in.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:6a – Punch and Jesus”
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: The word “brother” carries a special meaning. A brother is different than a father. Understanding this difference helps us understand who Jesus is.
If our relationship with our human fathers is unique, so is our relationship with our mothers and siblings. The good father provides a sense that there are boundaries to how we behave. The boundaries may vary from father to father, but all good fathers provide this context even if they are not aware that they are doing it.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part V — Brother”
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”
… whether by life or by death.
Summary: This passage brings us to an interesting crossroads between one kind of “life and death” and another.
It is, perhaps, time to review Paul’s entire thought here:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:20d – Choosing Life”
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart …
Summary: Paul continues his introductory remarks by explaining why he feels so strongly about the Philippians.
Emotions are a tricky thing. As people, we are susceptible to being emotionally needy.
To some extent, everyone is emotionally needy before they meet Jesus. We all need to be reunited with our Father, God.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:7a – Emotional Need”… the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
Summary: Paul keeps working at his metaphor, adding layers of detail that help us understand how deep the Father’s love for us is.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:6b – Daddy”Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts …
Summary: In this passage, Paul gives us a different twist on what it means to have God’s Spirit in us.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:6a – The Spirit of His Son”The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Summary: Paul wants us to understand that God has never abandoned the human race. Our Father in heaven has made provisions for us until the time he has set for us.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:2 – Legal Limits”… for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Summary: When we talk about being clothed in Christ we might wonder what that is like. Fortunately, Jesus tells us a wonderful story about a father and his son.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:27 – Family Bonds”Did you receive the Spirit …?
Summary: Receiving a gift requires an act of acceptance. Accepting Jesus is the first step to receiving the Spirit.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:2b – Open House”