-
The incredible power of the crucifixion
The irony of Jesus’ crucifixion is often lost in a couple of poorly translated words. We often just don’t know what to do with the words in that context, so it ends up being that Jesus was crucified with a couple of thieves. Actually, Barabbas, along with the two crucified with Jesus, were probably terrorists. They threatened the Empire. Jesus…
-
Get your soul in gear
1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— (Ps. 103:1-2) We can speak to our souls. The deepest seat of our deepest emotions is like the “control center” of our being. And there are times we need to speak out and get it in gear. We can choose to recite the…
-
How to astonish the world as the church
As Jesus prayed for the church in John 17, he prayed a HIGH OCTANE prayer for us! We need to hear this call in our lives. As the church bears the Spirit, it also bears the “call of God to the world” because we are to live out the manifestation of the love and glory of God in the world.…
-
The root of discipleship
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2) Thoughts on discipleship come to mind every time I study John 15. “The growing disciple in whom the Father and Son live through the Spirit is…
-
Knowing it is well with my soul
13 A joyful heart brightens one’s face, but a troubled heart breaks the spirit. 14 An understanding heart seeks knowledge; but fools feed on folly. 15 All the days of the needy are hard, but a happy heart has a continual feast. (Prov. 15:13-15) These verse are good indicators in my own life to know if it is well with my soul. When…
-
The Political Jesus
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, it was a time the crowd decided to boldly make a play for his leadership. They laid out palms, as symbols of Jewish nationalism. They cried out for their King to save them… from the Roman oppression. Jesus wants our praise and celebration. “But too often we only see him through the issues…
-
Let us be willing to die for something different
I want to know the feeling of “dying” for something different. By that I mean having a desperation for something that is just more. A place where I get beyond the internet fascinations of whatever is being discussed in the moment… and the tirades… to the possible. Not the possible of what can be done in human terms, but what…
-
Jesus will always divide the house
As I work my way through John, and Gary Burge’s commentary in The NIV Application Commentary, I am struck by Burge’s notes on the alienation Jesus will create. Jesus will ALWAYS divide. We can make our claims about “if Jesus were here he would obviously take up MY view and thus all sides would have to agree with me,” but in…
-
Loving religion more than God
A sentence from Gary Burge’s commentary on John (The NIV Application Commentary) hits hard. It is a reflection on John 5 and Jesus’ accusation toward the religious leaders: They love the religious life, but they have forgotten how to love God. Ouch. A lot of things can be more of an, “Oh me!” rather than an “Amen!” God, help me!
-
Centering in on Success
7 “Be very brave and strong as you carefully obey all of the Instruction that Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t deviate even a bit from it, either to the right or left. Then you will have success wherever you go. 8 Never stop speaking about this Instruction scroll. Recite it day and night so you can carefully obey everything written in…
Category: Bible Study
