Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Whatever is lovely …think about such things.
Summary: Paul’s use of words continues to challenge translators and readers alike.
What do you think of when you hear the word “lovely?”
If you look up this verse in all the available English translations, you will find that most of them use the word “lovely” just like the NIV does. A few use other words like “right,” or “commendable.”
Continue reading “Philippians 4:8e – Things That Are Lovely”
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight …
Summary: Paul’s prayer is an interesting one. We don’t normally associate love with knowledge and insight.
Have you ever wondered what Paul prayed about? Today’s passage gives us the answer.
Paul isn’t asking for the Philippians to have love or to be able to love; they already have that. He is specifically asking that the love they already have multiplies and grows “more and more” in two specific ways: in knowledge and “depth of insight.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:9 – Godly Love”… bearing fruit in every good work …
Summary: Living in two worlds can be confusing if we don’t know there is a difference between our inner world and the outer world.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:10c – Two Worlds”For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Summary: Following the Law is like following God and doing everything he does just like he does it.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:10 – His Name is Jesus”Therefore do not be partners with them.
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage are not popular in today’s world. Yet they are in the Bible, and they are consistent with the rest of God’s teachings. We are wise if we take Paul seriously on this point.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:7 – Godly and Ungodly”All of us also lived among them at one time …
Summary: Paul has a confession to make: He, too, was a person who was “dead” in his sins before Jesus found him. He knows he is no better than anyone else and because of that, he has compassion for you and me.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:3a – All of Us”
You ought to live holy and godly lives …
Summary: Where have you been and where are you going? This is the question posed by today’s passage. Peter encourages us to live apart from the world’s values and honor God with our lives.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:11b — A Walk in the Woods”
…if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials …
Summary: “Why do people suffer?” is a question that has plagued humanity since the first campfire. The next question is, “Will God save me?” Somewhere in here is a question about godliness.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:9a — Good versus Godly”
… has given us everything we need for a godly life …
Summary: What is a godly life? It is a question we should spend some time thinking about. Jesus is God, so we know that we should be like him, but are we to be like him in every way?
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:3b — A Godly Life”