Holy Spirit – Three Minute Bible

January 10, 2025January 10, 2025

Colossians 2:18d – The Blind Tour Guide

… they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

Summary: In this passage, Paul returns to the basic principle of spiritual life: We have to be born again by the power of Jesus Christ to have any hope of understanding spiritual things.

As we begin this meditation, we should review where we are.

Most of chapter two has been about the dangers of false teachings. Paul wants us to remain focused on the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and not be distracted by anything.

December 11, 2024December 12, 2024

Colossians 2:7a – Roots & Fruit

… rooted and built up in him …

Summary: As Paul continues his thought about living our lives in Christ, he leans on metaphors that have a rich history in the Bible.

Paul is writing about the Christian life. He begins by saying, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…” And then he adds, “rooted and built up in him.”

Essentially, Paul is mixing metaphors here. To be “rooted” is a reference to a metaphor used to describe life in Christ as being part of a plant (John 15:1-8). All plants have roots. It is the root that anchors the plant in the soil while at the same time pulling life-giving water and nutrients from the soil.

November 20, 2024November 20, 2024

Colossians 1:27c – Holy Hope

… the hope of glory.

Summary: Words are the foundation of language, yet they can be slippery and deceptive. Understanding the context and the intent behind the words helps us understand the message we were intended to receive.

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024

Colossians 1:9c – Exploding Brains

… through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

Summary: Getting God’s wisdom and understanding sounds good, but how much can we really handle?

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024

Galatians 6:5 – Jackson’s Burden

… for each one should carry their own load.

Summary: Just a few verses ago Paul told us to “carry each other’s burdens.” Now he says “each one should carry their own load.” We need to untangle his words to understand their meanings.

August 5, 2024August 6, 2024

Galatians 5:25 – The Ride of Our Lives

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Summary: Paul’s simple encouragement to “live by the Spirit” opens the door to wonderment as we consider what he means.

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024

Galatians 5:22c – Letting God be God

But the fruit of the Spirit is … joy

Summary: When God comes to live in us, surprising things happen!

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024

Galatians 5:22b – Apple Sauce

But the fruit of the Spirit is … love …

Summary: Paul begins describing how the Spirit of God changes us by describing those changes as “fruit.”

June 29, 2024June 30, 2024

Galatians 5:16 – Holding Hands

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Summary: Walking by the Spirit is easier than it sounds. We just need to make sure we are hanging onto God’s hand.

June 11, 2024June 12, 2024

Galatians 5:4b – A Place Called Grace

… you have fallen away from grace.

Summary: Falling away from grace doesn’t sound so scary until we realize that God’s grace is essential for true life in the flesh and eternal life in the spirit.