Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Summary: Understanding Paul’s thought about setting our minds on “things above” requires that we first understand what he means by “above.”
If this sounds like a repetition of the last verse, it is … kinda. Paul repeats his thought, but instead of saying, “set your hearts on things above,” here he says, “set your minds on things above.”
There is a difference!
Continue reading “Colossians 3:2 – Things Above (Part II)”… the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven …
Summary: Paul’s discussion about the source of “faith and love” causes us to wonder about this place called heaven.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:5a – A Different Kind of Real”… and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Summary: Are we really involved in what happens in the “heavenly realms?” According to Paul, we are. The question is, “How?”
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:12c – Heavenly Struggles”And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Summary: At first glance, this passage in the Lord’s Prayer looks simple and unassuming. Looking closer, we find that it masks a dark reality.
Continue reading “Matthew 6:12 – The Way to Heaven”… on earth as it is in heaven.
Summary: Jesus compares earth and heaven in a way that only he can. It is a teaching moment that illuminates who Jesus is as well as where he is from.
Continue reading “Matthew 6:10 – Boloney!”I know that this man was caught up into paradise …
Summary: There are places we cannot go on our own. Sometimes we have to be lifted up by others if we are going to get there. God sent the Lord Jesus so that we might all be lifted up to heaven.
Continue reading “2 Corinthians 12:3 — Heaven Is Real”I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.
Summary: In today’s passage Paul makes an offhand comment about the “third heaven.” Pondering what he means opens the door of our understanding wider when we consider the meaning of “heaven.”
Continue reading “2 Corinthians 12:2 — The Third Heaven”… until heaven and earth disappear
Summary: Understanding the Lord’s Prayer begins with understanding the words Jesus used.
Continue reading “Matthew 5:18 — Two Kinds of Heaven”
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
Summary: There was a reason that Jesus took three disciples up the mountain to witness his transfiguration.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:18 — The Real Deal”
…and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Summary: Sometimes we make simple things complicated by focusing on the wrong thing. Paul explains the foundation for Peter’s seven step plan. The goal is to honor our Lord in this life and the next.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:11 — Touchdown”