OK, after my earlier reflection on talking with Jesus, I was doing some searching on the web, and I discovered that there is another way to “talk” with Jesus… sorta. A fully posable, “I Talk – Try Me” plastic Jesus. Just press the button, and Jesus will talk to you…. “The battery-powered, button-activated doll is…
talking things through with Jesus
An important part of following Jesus for me is talking things through with Jesus. Some people call this prayer, but that word doesn’t work for me. Something to do with how one-sided and self-centered prayer often is for many, including myself. But having a conversation with a close and trusted friend, talking things through with…
dangerous “christians”
SCRIPTURE: Jude 1 OBSERVATION: Jude is very worked up about these dangerous “christians”, loose living big talkers, boastful and smooth… but very dangerous. Jude’s language is poetic and pointed – God will not go easy on those who twist the truth for selfish gain, and mislead others from healthy, holy living. People who use religion as…
reading Jude
For those participating in the SOAP Bible Reading schedule, here is an introduction to the readings from Jude that begin today (Taken from GotQuestions.org). Author: Jude 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Jude as Jude, a brother of James. This likely refers to Jesus’ half-brother Jude, as Jesus also had a half-brother named James…
they will know we are Christians by…
SCRIPTURE: 2 John, 3 John OBSERVATION: John is writing to new communities of Jesus-followers, addressing concerns and encouraging them to stay true to the message of Jesus. Though persecution was a problem, a greater danger was coming from within: leaders and teachers who were not living in the way of Jesus (love, truth, grace, hospitality,…
reading 2 John/ 3 John
Background for Reading the Prophecy of 2 John, 3 John Taken from “How To Read The Bible Book by Book” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart [2 John] Content: “The elder” warns against false teachers who deny the incarnation of Christ. Author: The same author who wrote 1 John, who calls himself “the elder”; a…
be strong
SCRIPTURE: Haggai 2 OBSERVATION: There are 3 sections in the reading. (1) God encourages His people who are discouraged by how small the temple seems. God is with them, He will bring His glory to this little place. (2) The poisonous effect of sin and worldliness, it undermines our success and happiness. Sin is contagious and affects…
stirring my spirit
SCRIPTURE: Haggai 1 OBSERVATION: For God’s special community, the temple was the most important symbol of their relationship with God and the world. After God brought them back from exile to Israel, they started working on the city walls and the temple, but soon got distracted by building bigger and nicer homes. Better harvests meant better…
your kingdom come… in me too
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 14 OBSERVATION: This is a vision of the end of history, when the Lord returns and finally and fully restores His kingdom on earth. It is written in language that the Jews of the day would understand (the nations, the temple and its furnishings, the feast of Tabernacles, Jerusalem). I would not read this…
reading Haggai
Background for Reading the Prophecy of Haggai Taken from “How To Read The Bible Book by Book” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart Content: Four oracles encouraging God’s people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Prophet: Haggai, a postexilic prophet in Jerusalem and contemporary of Zechariah (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14). Date of prophetic activity: A four-month…