Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Summary: As we look at the second half of Paul’s verse about peace, we discover the dangers that confront us and how incredibly important the peace of God is.
When Paul says “your hearts and your minds,” he is talking to you and me. Anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ is entitled to this peace that Paul talks about.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:7b – Safe Haven”
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: Jesus is more than a man. People who meet him face-to-face are looking into the eyes of the being who made everything.
In Part I, we looked at Jesus’ divine nature and the fact that he is God. Yet, somehow, Jesus is more. Other religions lay claim to stories about how the world was made, but only one man was ever said to have created the world. Jesus’ disciple, John, describes Jesus this way:
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part II — Creator”[My goal is] … that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love …
Summary: The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross bridges the gap between our hearts and our minds, drawing us together in love.
Perhaps the most powerful concept associated with Christianity is the power to connect hearts in love.
Intellectually, it doesn’t make any sense. There are so many things we like to argue about. Each of us has our reasoning. Each one has their own perspective.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:2b – Game Changer”Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Summary: When God enters, our lives become a battlefield between the Spirit and the flesh. With God’s help, we can choose life in the Spirit and crucify the flesh.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:24 – Choosing Life”For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
Summary: Teaching someone about things we can see is hard enough. Teaching people about invisible things is immensely more difficult.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:17a – Learning To Drive”Take the helmet of salvation …
Summary: What is the “helmet of salvation?” Where do we get it and why did Paul call it a “helmet?” These curious questions are the heart of today’s meditation.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:17a – Mindfulness”And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus …
Summary: When it comes to putting words on paper, Paul is no slouch. He is careful to say what he means. In this passage he says something very interesting. He says we are with Christ already.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:6 – Uplifted”… gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.
Summary: There is a weird aspect to being human that is hard for us to understand. Our spirit and our body are not one and the same. They have two separate agendas.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:3b – Two of Me”
… and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Summary: What happens when we get “bumped?” What sloshes out of our heart onto those around us? Today’s meditation looks at the importance of keeping our heart, soul, and mind focused on Jesus.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:2b Part V — The Bucket”