Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Now the overseer is to be … faithful to his wife…
Summary: As Paul begins to outline the qualities of an overseer, the first one he turns to is the marriage relationship in a man’s life.
This passage is an excellent example of how the Bible defines itself.
So far, Paul has told us that being an overseer is a noble calling and that an overseer must be “above reproach.” Now he begins to tell us what “above reproach” means.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 3:2b – Faithfulness”Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Summary: Paul is giving advice to married couples, and while it may sound like he is stating the obvious, a closer examination shows us more of what he means.
I feel like all I need to say for this meditation is, “Yeah, husband, lighten up!” But it is more complicated than that, isn’t it?
“Love” is a word that is horribly overused in our society. The Greeks used many different words to describe various kinds of love. All of them were different!
Continue reading “Colossians 3:19 – True Love”But the fruit of the Spirit is … faithfulness …
Summary: Faithfulness is a word best understood by looking at its opposite, unfaithfulness.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22h – Bride & Groom”Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Summary: “Me first” is a concept that goes back to the beginning of human history. It is the essence of our sinful nature rolled up into two words. Putting Christ first in our lives radically changes this concept, turning it upside down and inside out.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:21 – The Answer to Everything”In him we were also chosen, having been predestined …
Summary: Being “chosen” and “predestined” might sound like a contradiction, but only from a human point of view. God’s point of view of our lives is quite different.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:11a – The Predestined Choice”
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Summary: Weddings are an exciting time. They mark a point in life where everything changes. My prayer for the two people getting married today is that this change opens the door to an abundance of blessings from God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5: 21 — A Marriage Blessing”
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives…
Peter has instructed wives and now turns his attention to the husbands. He begins, “… in the same way….” In the same way as what?
To find the answer, we have to go back to Chapter 3, verse 1. Peter writes, “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands.” Wait a minute. In the same way as — what?
If we go back to Chapter 2, verse 21, we read: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (a) — The Cost of New”