Bible Study – Apprentice 2 Jesus

Do I really believe these things or not?

Matthew 13:1–9 (NIV): That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer wentContinue reading “Do I really believe these things or not?”

A study in contrasts

I am beginning a deeper dive into 1 Timothy and doing an overview of the letter. It brings out a certain contrast I see in our current context. Kingdom living: There is bad behavior around you. Contrast that with good behavior. Christian Nationalism: There is bad behavior… therefore we must ELIMINATE THE THREAT!

The reminder of gratitude and service

Luke 17:1-10 is a challenge to my pride. Verse 5, the disciples are so challenged they call out: “Increase our faith!” (This is something we think we need in our day… more faith.) Jesus’s response lets them (and us) know the true power of the Kingdom: we don’t need “more faith.” We need faith inContinue reading “The reminder of gratitude and service”

Living in the power of the Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. — Acts 1:8 The POWER has always been about “experience” in Pentecostal terms. But power is so much more. It is powerContinue reading “Living in the power of the Spirit”

Citizenship

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20, NRSV) A beautiful note from NT Wright on this verse. We have so much to learn! ‘We are citizens of heaven,’ Paul declares in verse 20. At once many modern Christians misunderstand whatContinue reading “Citizenship”

The Daily Rhythms of My Life

For a good portion of this year, my daily spiritual routine had me in an older practice. I sensed a leading from the Spirit to return to a practice of walking a little more deeply in Scripture like I did for years when I was first in ministry.

My personal question: What am I seeing?

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send outContinue reading “My personal question: What am I seeing?”

The power of the Sermon on the Mount

Since reading Dallas Willard’s book, The Divine Conspiracy, about 20 years ago, the Sermon on the Mount has been more influential in my living and study and mindset than any other portion of Scripture, with the possible exception of Ephesians. Can you tell I get something out of it? This is the fascination and wonderContinue reading “The power of the Sermon on the Mount”

The oddities of the story of Balaam

The story begins in Numbers 22. The more I read it, the funnier it gets. The more I read it, the more serious an indictment it becomes.

Walking with God

My journey has me in the Pentateuch right now and I am doing a subset study I call “they walked with God” based on a sermon I had three years ago. I knew I was just scratching the surface, so I am back to it now. I am looking at Adam, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham.Continue reading “Walking with God”