Today and tonight, the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will be at work in people who are related to your future. For some readers, this may include a spouse. For some, a coworker in a business or other ministry. Some will include people who will be driving while you are driving, or cooking food that you will eat […]
One night, Jesus prayed through the night to discern which of His disciples would be the first of His apostles (Luke 6:12-16). He trained them to lead the ekklesia that He told them He was building. He prophesied over them that they would each rule over a tribe of Israel in His Kingdom. Even Judas. On the night before his […]
When Jesus took His disciples north of Israel to Caesarea Philippi, He took them to one of several places on the planet where there was a cave from which water flowed or a very deep lake that the Greeks called a Gate of Hades (Matthew 16:13-20). It is still there, and is still called a Gate of Hades. There is […]
It would probably be good to read this every morning: This is My command: love one another as I have loved you.(John 15:12 HCSB ©®) When we decide to love each other the way Jesus loves us, life will take a leap into new awesomeness for us all.
How should we decide what we read in Scripture that should be considered “commands of Scripture” to us? Most of the people I hear using that phrase seem to have been taught which commands apply to us and which ones don’t. Everything that is recorded of Jesus commanding someone to do something can’t be an instruction to us. He spoke […]
Do not equate rest and peace with sleeping at the end of the day, and do not equate the Kingdom with going to heaven when you die. As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give […]
Preserving: our reputation, our estate, our opinion, our status, our control, instead of our integrity, our King’s authority, our King’s honor, our allegiance to our King, might be indication of a conflict of kingdoms. Lead us to find our provision and protection and guidance and identities by being absolutely devoted in our love for You and our obedience […]
How many people agape you? Most of the people who would say, “I love you,” are saying that they have what Greeks would call “eros.” It is a desire for something that brings us pleasure. Another possibility is “phileo.” That is a tribal or familial love. If I only love my troublesome little brother because he is family, that is […]
The work of priests was drastically transformed when Jesus imparted the ministry of Melchizedek to His servants. He ended the priestly work of the sons of Aaron when He offered His own blood at Passover. He made possible the fulfillment of the desire of His Father from Exodus 19, that His people would be a kingdom of priests. By their […]
The fact that there is very little systematic theology in the Scriptures we call the New Testament should maybe seem to us as a bush that is burning but not consumed, drawing us to turn aside and discover something mysterious. Theologians have tried to make up the gap by answering all the questions and explaining all the mysteries, but they […]