(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 2:13-46) All who supported Adonijah in his attempt to seize the throne after David were eventually put to death. Even Adonijah himself, who refused to abandon his pursuit of the kingdom, was put to death. Why? Because he attempted to strengthen his claim to the throne by asking to marry Abishag the […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 2:1-12) Grown up means that we have grown into maturity from childhood. Grown-up means that we are an adult. Being an adult means that we take on the responsibilities of a grown-up. As David’s life ends, he calls Solomon to show yourself a man, to be a grown-up. 2 “I am going […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 1:1-53) As we begin reading 1 Kings, we begin at the end of a great legacy in King David. It is a reminder that no matter how great a person may be, all humanity is still limited by flesh and blood and remains affected by the reality of sin in this world. […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 4:7-18) Why are church life and corporate Christian living so important? It is because through relationships we are able to fulfill Jesus’ command to love one another, and in loving one another, we learn to love God. It is also through the ups and downs of human relationships that we learn to let […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 4:1-6) What should our attitude towards Christ be as believers? In today’s Scripture, Paul shows us how there is a beautiful balance of devotion, dedication, and conviction, with thanksgiving and grace. 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. First we should be devoted. Paul here refers […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 3:18-25) Paul begins Colossians 3 speaking about the new self in Christ Jesus. In Colossians 3:1–2, Paul writes: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 3:1-17) 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 2:16-23) When we moved back to Taiwan in 2011, we spent some time visiting different churches to find a spiritual home here. At one point we were attending a young and growing church in Taipei. After attending the church for about 6-months, we learned about an unwritten policy that the church had regarding […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 2:11-15) Circumcision in the Old Testament was a covenant sign given to Abraham and his descendants. It was a physical act, performed on the male body by human hands, and was a visible sign of participation in God’s covenant. Circumcision was a physical sign that belonged to God’s covenant people and symbolized separation […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 2:1-10) Paul begins today’s Scripture writing, “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face.” Paul is addressing the church in Colossae, a church in Laodicea, and all those […]