(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 2:11-21) We are reminded today as Paul opposes Peter that it isn’t enough that Peter was a disciple of Jesus, a friend of Jesus, by Jesus’ side during His ministry on earth, if he doesn’t live out the Gospel in his daily life. Gospel living isn’t just about the content we share, or […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:18-24, Galatians 2:1-10) For us to believe is a revelation from the Holy Spirit through people, Scripture, and in Paul’s experience a direct encounter with Jesus Himself. What is the key isn’t the vehicle that God’s revelation comes to us, but rather that the Holy Spirit uncovers the lid for us to understand […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:11-17) 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Revelation in the Greek means to uncover or unveil. It […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:1-10) As we read Paul’s letters in the New Testament, we must keep mind that Paul’s writings addressed different questions, issues, and challenges that the churches faced during his time. They were specific, problem solving, but also in God’s amazing and mysterious ways, transcend time and space. Although they are very personal letters […]
(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 48:30-35) What’s in a name? A name represents familiarity, memories, a way we identify with people, places, and things. The name of the city we grew up in reminds us of the good and unfortunately at times the bad as well. Our name, especially our surname, represents not only who we are, but […]
(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 47:13-23, EZEKIEL 48:1-29) 13 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph. 14 You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors, this land […]
(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 47:1-12) 1 The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He then brought me […]
(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 46:1-24) As we read Old Testament Scripture, we must remember that it represents both a physical reality and hope for Israel, a remembrance of their past and vision for the future, but is also symbolic of the hope we have as the church that goes beyond physical structures, land, and life, and crosses […]
(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 45:1-25) Israel’s princes were to lead the people and be examples of how to serve the Lord. However, as we read about the princes of Israel in our reading of the Kings, Chronicles, and the prophets, we often come across words like conspiracy, evil, rebellion, associated with them (ref. Hosea). There was so […]
(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 44:1-31) 15 “‘But the Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok and who guarded my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are […]