trust – Three Minute Bible

January 24, 2026January 26, 2026

1 Timothy 1:5d – The Headwaters of Love

Picture of three separate water streams forming one stream (Grok)

[The goal of this command is love, which comes from]… a sincere faith.

Summary: Wrapping up our discussion of Paul’s three reasons for his “command,” we come to the question of faith. What is it and why is it important?

Writing to Timothy about the need to “command” misguided believers in Jesus not to do certain things,* he says the goal is love (agapē). He then explains that there are three sources, three artesian springs if you will, where the headwaters of love spring from. The three sources are:

November 1, 2025November 3, 2025

Philippians 3:17a – Learning From Paul

Picture of an old textbook titled "HOW I DID IT" by Paul (Grok)

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters…

Summary: Reading about Paul’s life in the Book of Acts reveals a portrait of a man who is not only devoted to Jesus Christ but can maintain that devotion through every hardship.

As I read Paul’s words in this passage, my mind wanders to the question: “What was Paul like?”

What kind of person was he?

What, exactly, was the example that he set?

October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

Philippians 3:4b – It’s All About Jesus!

Picture: I giant cross surrounded by thousands of people (GROK)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in…

Summary: The opening words of Paul’s statement about why people put confidence in the flesh provide a jumping-off point for us to consider what the true meaning of the Gospel is.

Before we begin with today’s meditation, Thank you to all of you who took the time to write and share your thoughts. I deeply appreciate the encouragement and the feedback! God bless all of you! — Jeff

Looking at this passage, it is easy to get caught up in the larger picture of Paul’s thought. His full sentence reads:

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025

Philippians 2:24 – God’s-Eye View

King Uzziah opposes the priests in the Temple. (Grok)

And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Summary: Paul’s simple statement about his confidence in the Lord gives us a reason to have confidence in Jesus, too.

I have to admire Paul’s confidence.

Here he is, at least four years into an unjustified imprisonment, confident that he will be released soon.

April 11, 2024April 12, 2024

Galatians 3:25 – Into the Light

Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Summary: What does it mean to live in faith? How do we act when we are no longer under a guardian? These questions haunt everyone who strives to live a life of faith in Jesus.

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024

Galatians 3:15 – Covenants, Wills & Contracts

Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.

Summary: Paul refers to something that is common today, but he does it in a way that is not common. To sort this out, we need to unpack this verse.

March 15, 2024March 17, 2024

Galatians 3:7 – Blood Bond

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.

Summary: Paul points us to two things in this passage: one is faith, and the other is Abraham. There is a connection between the two that is as strong as a blood bond.

March 11, 2024March 12, 2024

Galatians 3:3 – Only Jesus

Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

Summary: Paul is very concerned about what is happening to the churches in Galatia.

March 2, 2024March 3, 2024

Galatians 2:21 – The Knife’s Edge

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Summary: Paul has led us up the mountainous trail of his logical reasoning for many verses. We are finally at the top of the mountain, where Paul presents us with a choice. We can jump off on one side or the other, but not both.

February 19, 2024February 19, 2024

Galatians 2:19 – Old Laws and New

If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

Summary: Keep up with Paul can be a challenge. In this passage he reflects on his personal journey with God’s law. The old covenant law is obsolete, and the “new law” is to trust in Jesus. If we try to mix the old with the new, we end up breaking the new law.