August 23, 2015. Daily Reading: I Timothy 1-3. Background: This is the first letter (that we have) of Paul to his “child in the faith,” Timothy, likely written while Paul was in Macedonia (see Acts 19-20). Timothy had worked very closely with Paul, joining him on his second missionary journey and accompanying him on his…
Tag: salvation
Colossians 1-2: The preeminent Christ.
June 28, 2015. Daily Reading: Colossians 1-2. Background: Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae is unique in the sense that this was not a church that had been originally founded on one of his missionary journeys, nor was it one to which he had personally visited (see 1:7, 2:1). It could have been founded…
Psalm 69-71: Cries of despair and praise.
June 17, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 69-71. Background: Psalm 66-68. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 69 “Save me, O God!”: This psalm attributed to David is a cry of despair to the Lord when he was being afflicted by enemies that seemed to surround him at all times. The psalm itself could be split into three…
Psalm 60-62: God alone, our rock and shelter.
May 25, 2015. This week I am going to switch up Monday and Wednesday’s reading, as a heads up. I’m sorry to disappoint if the title made you think it was Wednesday already! ___________________________________________________________________ Daily Reading: Psalm 60-62. Background: Psalm 57-59. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 60 A plea in the time of war: What is…
Galatians 1-3: Rebuking the other gospel.
May 17, 2015. Daily Reading: Galatians 1-3. Background: This letter was written by Paul to the churches in Galatia with the apparent purpose of dealing with the differences between Jews and Gentiles in matters of fellowship and teachings, confronting the disputes that the Christians in Galatia were having over matters of the Mosaic Law and Gentile…
I Corinthians 14-16: Worship, the resurrection and salutations.
April 5, 2015. Daily Reading: I Corinthians 14-16. Background: I Corinthians 12-13. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 14 1. Prophecy verses speaking in tongues: The church in Corinth was a church in which many of the members were blessed with spiritual gifts. It seems that this blessing had lead to dispute and chaos in the assembly, which…
Psalm 36-38: Appeals to God.
April 1, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 36-38. Background: Psalm 33-35. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 36 Contrast between the wicked and righteousness: In this psalm, David gives a contrast between the wicked and the Lord’s righteousness, with an ending plea for the Lord to remember him as righteous. The psalm opens with a picture of the…
Isaiah 62-66: A strong conclusion.
March 27, 2014. Daily Reading: Isaiah 62-66. Background: Isaiah 56-61. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 62 Coming salvation: At this time, Israel was in captivity and had been in this situation for some time. Now, the oracle turns to the thoughts of God, and His arousal to take vengeance for Israel, laying His mighty hand against this…
Isaiah 51-55: The gospel according to Isaiah.
March 13, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 51-55. Background: Isaiah 45-50. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 51 Zion’s coming comfort: In chapter 51, the oracle calls to the righteous of the land, to the people of God, to proclaim the coming comfort that would come from the Lord. This call goes out to a people who might…
Isaiah 29-33: Downfall, complacency and hope.
February 13, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 29-33. Background: Isaiah 23-28. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 29 1. A spirit of deep sleep from the Lord: As with times before, this is yet another prophecy against Jerusalem for their disobedience and apostasy, foretelling of the calamity that was in store for them if they would not repent and…
Isaiah 23-28: The glory of the Lord.
February 6, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 23-28. Background: Isaiah 18-22. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 23 Destruction of the proud: The city of Tyre has a somewhat interesting history in relation to the children of Israel. The first time the city is mentioned in the bible (besides as a reference point when Joshua was portioning out the…
Isaiah 12-17: Oracles of destruction.
January 23, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 12-17. Background: Isaiah 6-11. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 12 Praising the Lord for His steadfast love and salvation: After oracles of the coming destruction and captivity and oracles of the Messiah, the prophet’s words turn to praise and honor for the Great King, Almighty, Lord of hosts. There is…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 