Today’s passage brings us to the end of this week’s look at familiar passages that are often misunderstood or misapplied. We began by looking at Philippians 4:13 (What ‘All Things’ Can We Do Through Christ?). Then, we considered Jesus’ call for us to love our enemies in Matthew 5:44 (“Love Your Enemy” – What Does That Look Like in Real Life?). We also reflected on Psalm 23 (Psalm 23 – Finding Peace As God Leads Us), and looked at John... Read more
This week, we’ve been looking at familiar passages that have often been misunderstood or misapplied. The “misunderstanding” may be that we miss some of the depth of a passage. That’s the focus of my reflection on Psalm 23 (Psalm 23 – Finding Peace As God Leads Us). “Misapplication” can mean that we don’t go deep enough (“Love Your Enemy” – What Does That Look Like In Real Life?). Other passages we’ve considered this week are Philippians 4:13 (What “All Things”... Read more
This week, we’re looking at familiar passages that have either been misinterpreted or construed in ways that cause us to miss part of their meaning. We started by looking at Philippians 4:13 (What “All Things” Can We Do Through Christ?). Then, we turned to Matthew 5:44 (“Love Your Enemy” – What Does That Look Like In Real Life?). Yesterday, we considered Psalm 23 and the ways that God leads us (Psalm 23 – Finding Peace as God Leads Us). Today,... Read more
This week, I’m looking at familiar passages to consider how we understand and interpret them. First, we looked at Philippians 4:13 (What “All Things” Can We Do Through Christ?). In short, “all things” has much more to do with endurance than performance, and the focus is on God’s will, not our desires. Next, we turned to Matthew 5:44 (“Love Your Enemy” – What Does That Look Like In Real Life?). It’s less important to identify our enemies than it is... Read more
This week, we’re reflecting on familiar passages that are often misunderstood or misapplied. Yesterday, we looked at Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (What “All Things” Can We Do Through Christ?) Today, we’re looking at Jesus’ call in the Sermon on the Mount to love our enemies. I can almost hear the responses: “That’s not practical! Back in Jesus’ day, things were different.” “Well, maybe I have to love them, but that doesn’t mean... Read more
What “All Things” Can We Do Through Christ? One of the great things about the Bible is that we can “grab onto” certain verses or passages. Nearly every believer has a “favorite verse” (if not more). But the Bible is not simply a list of disconnected adages (other than perhaps the book of Proverbs). The Bible is meant to be read in context. So this week, I’m going to take a look at some familiar passages and offer what may... Read more
In Luke 12, Jesus warns us to “be on guard against every form of greed.” What forms of greed are most dangerous to us? Scripture: Genesis, chapters 29-30; Luke, chapter 12 Luke 12:12-21 (NASB): Now someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “You there – who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over the two of you?” But He said to them, “Beware, and... Read more
In Luke 8, Jesus tells us that the light will make everything become evident – so we need to be careful how we listen. Scripture: Genesis, chapters 20-22; Luke, chapter 8 Luke 8:16-21 (NASB): “Now no one lights a lamp and covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor... Read more
In the midst of the noise of our culture, Jesus proclaims a countercultural message – a better way. What does this mean? Scripture: Genesis, chapters 15-17; Luke, chapter 6 Luke 6:20-30 (NASB): And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor; for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are... Read more
In Luke 3, John the Baptist calls people to repent because God’s Kingdom is at hand. He then challenges them to “produce fruits that are consistent with repentance.” What does this mean? Scripture: Genesis, chapters 6-8; Luke, chapter 3 Luke 3:1-6 (NASB): Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and... Read more
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