Faithful to the End

As Paul writes to the church at Corinth, he explains his own method for enduring suffering and actually being renewed even while suffering. The trials, hardships and various forms of suffering in life all can be so overwhelming and difficult. Paul presents his own mindset about suffering and difficulties, while he ministers to these believers in Corinth. We must remember that our suffering and har...

As Jesus speaks to his disciples on the night before he would die, he instructs them about the Spirit, the helper, the Spirit of truth that he would send to them. Jesus begins with the conditional statement, "If you love me, you will keep my commands." This statement asserts the truth that genuine love for Jesus results in actions. This is not rigid or legalistic, but simply, knowing wha...

As Paul continues his explanation of the church and its function to the Ephesians, he emphasizes the maturity that is to happen as the church and engages and develops together. Paul calls them to develop discernment, so that they can avoid false teaching. Teaching is critical for believers, but false teaching is destructive and must be discerned and avoided. Instead, the church must be growing tog...

As the Teacher, Solomon, brings this book of wisdom to a close, he calls the reader to a faithful commitment to his Creator God. After again affirming the the  hevel  of life, he turns to offer a final word of wisdom. The word  hevel  has at least four senses throughout Ecclesiastes: transient, empty, ironic and frustrating, and each appears numerous times throughout the book. As Solomon concludes...

As Solomon, the Teacher, continues the wisdom offered in Ecclesiastes, he turns now to address the approach we should take to life, because it is hard, uncertain and often unfair. Here Solomon suggests that the best approach is with boldness and with joy. The challenge to be bold begins with pointed financial and life advice. Solomon encourages wise risk, because there are no guarantees in this un...

Our guest,  Dr. Rock LaGioia , explained and challenged us to cultivate healthy relationships. Healthy relationships demand real connection, we must go beyond the superficial. You also have to genuinely care for others. Finally, you respond to others, you must genuinely listen and engage. These specific traits were true of Paul in his ministry with the Corinthians, despite their response to Paul....

As Paul writes to the church at Ephesus, he explains the gifts that Christ has given to the church through his triumph over death and sin. Jesus ascended as a visible reminder of his triumph and provides gifts for the church as a tangible demonstration of his triumph. The purpose of these gifts is for the equipping of believers, to do the work of ministry with one another, which leads to the entir...

Wisdom, though limited, is essential to counteract the uncertainty & folly of life in our world. Real wisdom comes from God alone, through a relationship with Jesus. As Solomon writes Ecclesiastes, as the teacher (Qohelet), he expresses various aspects that everyone experiences in life. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon rehearses the frustration, futility, irony and fleeting nature of life. The...

As Paul continues his message to young pastor Timothy, he offers him a charge to motivate his work among the church at Ephesus. Paul reminds Timothy that he serves in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, and he will give account for his ministry. Paul charges Timothy to serve as God and Christ Jesus witness his labor. Paul gives Timothy five commands in verse 2. Paul also addresses the way that b...

As Paul continues in Romans, he turns to the issue of sin. Sin does not and must not reign in our lives, because we have been joined to Christ - we are in union with him. In verses 3-4, Paul uses baptism as a picture, a reminder of our union with Christ. Because we are in union with Christ, we are dead to sin, it no longer has the power in our lives. Paul calls these believers in Rome and us today...

As Paul continues to explain the process by which God transforms our life, he continues to build the case on the basis of the useful words of God. The word of God is profitable for teaching. Teaching leads to rebuke or reproof, as we learn the truths of God, they inform us of all the areas we fall short, the words of God show us our sin. At that point, we have a choice to make - obey and turn or c...

As the teacher, Solomon, continues his discussion of life's enigmas, he addresses one of its cruelest certainties - death. Death will come for all, no matter who you are or what you do. Life is better than death and Solomon calls us to lean into living, enjoy life, rejoice in the good gifts of God to you. The seeming injustices and enigmas of life cannot be fully understood in our mortality, s...

As Paul writes to young pastor Timothy to instruct him about false teaching and the church, he notes the inspiration of the word of God. Paul declares, All Scripture  is  God breathed out. This declaration of inspiration is critical, because Paul is not here making a point or teaching so much on the subject of inspiration. Paul is stating the truth of inspiration in order to express its practical...

In Deuteronomy 10, Moses answers the question - What does God require? This is directly linked to our worship, the manner in which we approach God, but also the manner in which we live our lives. All of our lives are worship. Worship is not a Sunday only event, our worship is lived out daily, as we fear God, walk in his ways, love him, serve him, and keep his commands and priorities for life and l...

As Paul addresses the believers in Corinth, he explains the marks of effective ministry. In the church, we have been called to effective ministry and Paul offers a clear explanation of what marks effective ministry. We observe the loving concern of Paul for the believers at Corinth. Eternal impacts also characterizes effective ministry. Finally, effective ministry is marked by a steadfast integrit...

After our discussion on the nature of the church, it is important to understand the essential elements of the church. What is the church supposed to do? What does a healthy church look like? How does a healthy church function? These essential qualities should be present in any church that is striving to be healthy. The early church displayed these characteristics in their gatherings together. We m...

Often we struggle with superiors or government officials and the decisions or choices they make that negatively impact us. Here, Solomon offers wise counsel for responding to leaders and governing officials, even when they make unwise decisions. This discussion naturally leads to the fairness we witness in life. Often the wicked don't get what it seems they deserve, judgment or at least the co...

As Paul writes to young pastor Timothy, who has been sent to Ephesus to care for the church there, Paul offers specific descriptions and pointed instruction for the church. Paul is specifically addressing the conduct or manner of living that should characterize believers in the life of the church. The community of believers must remember what they display to the world. Paul offers three descriptio...

As the teacher, Solomon, continues his instructions to his audience, he turns to the topics of loss, grief and fairness in the world. All of us have experienced loss at some level and the grief that accompanies it. It is important that we understand how to process that grief appropriately, not becoming angry or reactive, but in humility accepting the kind plan of God, even in loss and grief. Solom...

As we approach a New Year, it is important that we approach with a full confidence and trust in the Lord. He is able to carry us through yet another year. In Proverbs 3, Solomon challenges his son to trust Yahweh, to fear Yahweh and to honor Yahweh. Trusting the Lord suggests a commitment to rely on him alone for help and for protection, for care. We are so prone to lean on our own abilities, our...

As Paul concludes his admonitions to the church at Philippi, he calls them to think appropriately. Paul calls their thinking to be focused on specific characteristics that should define what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Paul here uses characteristics from the broader Greek culture, but applies them to the believers of Philippi and their thinking. Paul has repeatedly challenged the thinking...

In this  Teth  refrain of Psalm 119, the Psalmist calls us to see the goodness of Yahweh, even in the face of suffering. Yahweh is good, noted throughout this section of Psalm 119. The goodness of God is recorded for us throughout Scripture and the Psalmist reminds us that the goodness of God can be seen and understood as we engage the Word. Goodness is one of the attributes of God, it characteriz...

As John concludes the prologue to his gospel, he brings to a climax the incarnation of the Word taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. John returns to his use of the Word in verse 14, and then connects the grace and truth of the Word to the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. The incarnation of the Word must transform us by his grace and truth. Throughout the Gospel of John we see the truth t...

Light is a key element of Advent. Light is a focal point of Advent and the Christmas season. Light is a poignant reminder of light of the world – Jesus who came into the world to rescue, to deliver mankind from sin. Jesus is a light for the nations and glory for the nation of Israel. What makes Jesus the light to the nations? How is Jesus the glory of Israel? Isaiah answers these questions in his...

As John continues the prologue of his gospel, he offers us the first witness to make his case for Jesus, the Word, the Son of God come in the flesh. John informs us the in his coming - light has come. You must beleive in Jesus alone to receive him. Advent is a wonderful time each year to consider both the first Advent of Jesus, his birth in Bethlehem, but also, his second Advent - Jesus is coming...