Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb (Matthew 28:1, ESV). Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons (Mark 16:9). But on the […]
Why Does the Date of Easter Change? Read More »
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (Romans 5:15, NIV) In 1972, at a scientific gathering, a researcher read a paper
The Resurrection Effect Read More »
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18a, ESV). With Israel, Gaza, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Biblical end-time scenarios now active, the hope of Jesus’ soon return, and the need to disciple all nations, has there ever been a more complicated moment in history? In the midst of this chaos, there
Praying for the Middle East Read More »
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you (Philippians 3:15, NASB1995). Throughout my ministry, I had to resist the temptation to compare myself to other pastors and ministries that seemed more successful. We can all easily fall into the
The Apostle Paul’s Perfect/Just Right Attitude Read More »
As we consider the Book of Revelation, we will take a break every now and then to discuss how to interpret Biblical prophecy. Today, we take a break to discuss: progressive understanding of prophecy. Some prophecies become clear as predicted events draw closer. This shouldn’t be a surprise because we live our lives with “progressive
Saturday’s Revelations on Revelation #5 Read More »
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV). I’ve been reading about friendship lately. One research paper opened with the anecdote
Why Don’t I Have Friends? Read More »
There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24b, ESV). Throughout my career as a pastor, I’ve heard this question too often: “I’m not sure that I have any friends.” I’ve heard this from both introverts and extroverts, from those who isolate themselves and, surprisingly, from the “life of the party” types.
Do I Have Friends? Read More »
And a young man followed him [Jesus], with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked (Mark 14:51-52, ESV). After Jesus was arrested, a young man following Jesus and the disciples was grabbed by his linen cloth (bed clothes), and being a
John Mark’s Middle of the Night Adventure Read More »
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12, ESV). Seventy years had passed since the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. Daniel knew this from reading the prophet Jeremiah, so he began praying
Persia/Iran/Israel: A Master Class for Prayer! Read More »
I memorized 1 Peter decades ago and recently reread chapter 1 during my 5:30 a.m. Bible reading time. Below are some notes I made… Note #1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1, ESV, emphasis added). Peter mentions
Notes from Reading 1 Peter 1:1-9 Read More »