Tag: love
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Text Driven Tuesday: Ephesians 2
In Ephesians 2, after glorifying Christ as the one far above all rule and authority and power and dominion–noting that Jesus has all these in the present tense, Paul shares the Gospel. If we read Ephesians 1 before we read Ephesians 2, which seems to make perfect sense as a way to read, we see…
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The Unconditional Love of God in Ephesians 2
In Ephesians 2, after glorifying Christ as the one far above all rule and authority and power and dominion–noting that Jesus has all these in the present tense, Paul shares the Gospel. If we read Ephesians 1 before we read Ephesians 2, which seems to make perfect sense as a way to read, we see…
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Ministry Monday: Stop Casting New Vision
People don’t need us to cast a grand vision. They need us to be faithful. You’ve heard it before: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Great leaders stand on their podiums and at their pulpits to cast a grand vision about how things can be and how we will get there! I ask,…
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Stop Casting New Vision; A Reflection on Proverbs 29:18
People don’t need us to cast a grand vision. They need us to be faithful. You’ve heard it before: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Great leaders stand on their podiums and at their pulpits to cast a grand vision about how things can be and how we will get there! I ask,…
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Follow the Money; John 2:13-22
Jesus was not opposed to violence. He was opposed to injustice. It is unjust for any church or clergyman to interest themselves in making money because they will end up using people instead of ministering to them. Like the pyramids were built on the backs of slaves, so Saint Peter’s Basilica was built on the…
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God’s Generosity in Salvation: Reflecting on the Praise of Psalm 119
God’s Law is good. It facilitates blessing in our lives and prosperity, peace, justice, and equality for society. The Law does not exist apart from the promise of salvation for those who love God relationally. The Law tells us about God’s lovingkindness—His forgiveness by grace for those who love Him. The psalmist continues to reflect…
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Getting Back to Our Roots: Before Appointing New Pastors in 1 Timothy 1
Pastoral ministry is unique in this world. Many men are called to pastoral ministry. Because of the season my church family is in, I want to spend some time looking with fresh eyes at the pastoral letters in their context. In the First Century, things didn’t work like they do now. While we can see…
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Daily Devotional: Ephesians 4:25-32
Therefore, since we put on a new self in Christ and reject our natural entitled and self-absorbed ways, we lay aside falsehood and speak the truth to one another. The practice of falsehood is a selfish practice. We lie because we don’t want to be found out. We pretend to be righteous because we want…
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Daily Devotional: Ephesians 4:17-24
God provides His Spirit and gifts each believer. Each believer is trained for ministry in the context of a local church. So, we no longer walk like the Gentiles, or like unbelievers. Unbelievers walk in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, and are excluded from the life of God because of…
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Daily Devotional: Ephesians 4:7-16
After describing who God is and, consequently, what we are—one body—he now turns to show us what makes us individually important in the body of Christ. Δε, the first word in verse 7, can be translated “but” or “now.” Now, to each one of us grace was given. Christ determines the measure of grace each…