Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[I eagerly expect and hope that…] that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,
Summary: Paul continues to set an example for us with his life and words.
Paul certainly has a way with words!
If you were going to exalt someone or something, how would you do that? For example, if you are a Muslim and you want to exalt Allah, you prostrate yourself in the direction of Mecca during prayer. This demonstrates respect with your body.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:20c – Doing What’s Right”Let the message of Christ dwell among you …
Summary: Reading the Bible is fun. Even the simplest little thing seems to open the door to endless insights about our God and his Word.
Each of these meditations is an invitation to join in our journey of exploration. We embrace God’s written Word at face value. We believe that God is real and that if he could make the world and everything in it, he could get a book published, too.
Coming at the Bible this way, we seek to avoid arguments about what people believe about the Bible, and instead, we look to understand and enjoy the message of Christ as it has been handed down over the centuries.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:16a – Got it? “
… which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage offer a tantalizing glimpse into the revelation he received about Jesus Christ and his Gospel.
This passage is one of the “Top Ten” most interesting passages in Colossians. The phrase “renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” suggests various meanings that stir the imagination.
What does Paul mean?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:10b – Strange Words”
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)”… 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.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:18d – The Blind Tour Guide”… 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.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:7a – Roots & Fruit”… 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.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:27c – Holy Hope”… 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?
Continue reading “Colossians 1:9c – Exploding Brains”… 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.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:5 – Jackson’s Burden”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.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:25 – The Ride of Our Lives”