July 4, 2020. Historically I have written posts inspired by the fourth of July on the topic of freedom. But this year feels different. There is so much tension in our society right now and the two main causes of this tension are each have deep roots in the lack of freedom. The country that…
Tag: sin
Genesis Three: The Fall.
October 9, 2016. Last week we began a series of four lessons that I am teaching for a class out of the book of Genesis. Though each lesson will not be necessarily related to one another, the first two big concepts that I believe we can pull from the book of Genesis often go hand…
Are you an idolator?
September 25, 2016. “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the…
Paul’s thorn.
August 7, 2016. “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” (II Corinthians 12:7) Paul’s thorn in the flesh was mentioned, somewhat in passing, in a lesson…
Revelation 1-5: The revelation of Jesus Christ.
January 11, 2016. Reading: Revelation 1-5. Background: The book of Revelation holds a very unique position amongst Christian thought and theology. The book is a letter containing the revelation that the apostle John was given to send to the seven churches in Asia minor, probably near the end of the first century (though some argue that…
Deuteronomy 26-28: Blessings and Curses.
January 4, 2016. Reading: Deuteronomy 26-28. Background: Deuteronomy 23-25. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 26 The offering of first fruits and tithes: This chapter focuses on the offerings that would be made by the people when they entered into the land that the Lord was giving them. They would come into the land and offer these…
Psalm 139-141: God and man.
December 23, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 139-141. Background: Psalm 136-138. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 139 God’s intimate knowledge of man: This psalm, attributed to David, is one that is fairly popular. It is a beautiful psalm that speaks to the knowledge of God and his intimate relationship with man. If anyone ever wondered if the…
I John 1-5: Walking in the Light.
December 6, 2015. Daily Reading: I John 1-5. Background: The first of three letters that have been persevered, I John is attributed to the Apostle John, author of the gospel that bears his name. The letter is written to what would seem to be believers that the aged apostle held in his care, who he…
James 4-5: Drawing near to God.
November 8, 2015. Daily Reading: James 4-5. Background: James 1-3. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 4 Drawing near to God: In this chapter James deals with the ever present threat of worldliness, offering practical wisdom to fight against the desires of the flesh. Notice how James doesn’t lay the blame on worldliness, however, but rather on…
Acts 5-6: The expansion of the gospel.
November 7, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 5-6. Background: Acts 1-4. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 5 1. Lying to God: At the beginning of this chapter, Luke tells a story that was sure to have set a precedent of truthfulness in the early church, teaching the disciples a lesson in pride, attention and lying. We too…
II Chronicles 11-15: Rehoboam, Abijah and Asa.
October 27, 2015. Daily Reading: II Chronicles 11-15. Background: II Chronicles 6-10. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 11 Rehoboam: As the kingdom was divided in the previous chapter because of Rehoboam’s folly, we find him at the beginning of the chapter mounting an army to take back the tribes of Israel who were in rebellion against…
Psalm 102-104: On praising the Lord.
September 30, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 105-107. Background: Psalm 102-104. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 105 Praising the Lord through history: This is a psalm of praise to the Lord, telling of His mighty works. The audience is are called to worship Him in the first stanza and sing of His works, that they might be known amongst…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 