Tag Archives: sanctification

More and More

Was Paul never satisfied? Give him an inch and did he want a mile? Hadn’t they done enough already? Apparently not. Reading the first section of 1 Thessalonians 4 this morning and a twice repeated phrase catches my attention. Chewing … Continue reading

Posted in 1Thessalonians | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Terms of Salvation

The Bible says he was “a great man”, that he was “a mighty man of valor”. He was the commander of the army of the king of Syria. But for the many battles he had won, there was one in … Continue reading

Posted in 2Kings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Big Ask

Talk about praying big prayers! Talking about going for broke on the ask! Then, you’re talking about Ephesians 3:14-21. Chewing on Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers. And Paul swings for the fence. He prays first that they be “strengthened … Continue reading

Posted in Ephesians | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The A,B,C’s and Slavery

Continuing to work my way through Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He’s frustrated with his children in the faith (4:19). Having been saved by grace they are being persuaded to now rely on their good works. Having known redemption from … Continue reading

Posted in Galatians | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Love Never Fails

I’d like to say that a lot has changed in the last two years. And it has. But if I’m honest, not as much as I’d like — at least when it comes to me. After my readings this morning, … Continue reading

Posted in 1Corinthians | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Full

Acts 6 this morning. And I’ve got Stephen on the mind. What grabs me is that he was full. “Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we … Continue reading

Posted in Acts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Being Kept, Being Sanctified

Soon they would be soloing. Their three-year apprenticeship would give way to their life’s calling. But the world had changed a lot over the three years since they first met Jesus. Actually, it wasn’t the world that had changed, it … Continue reading

Posted in John | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

To Serve is to Gain

Okay, giving myself a bit of freedom this morning to springboard from the primary context to make a wider application. Taking a specific observation and suggesting a broader principle. That serving others, while benefiting others, benefits the server as well. … Continue reading

Posted in 1Timothy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

He Will Surely Do It

If I’m parsing it up right, my last reading in 1Thessalonians starts with sixteen charges to this body of believers. Sure, a couple of them are more along the line of “asks”, but the clear majority are commands and imperatives. … Continue reading

Posted in 1Thessalonians | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s Always a Benefit

Nobody’s looking for troubles. To avoid sorrow and suffering, if it were possible, might well be on everyone’s to do list. Hardship and hurt aren’t things we pencil into our calendars — rarely are they predictable, never do they wait … Continue reading

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment