Studies
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Worry
Worry and how to conquer Read Matthew 6:25-32 (NRSV) What is worry? Consider these thoughts: Worry is putting question marks where God places periods. Worry is yesterday not letting go. Worry is the interest you pay on tomorrow’s troubles. Worry is a form of atheism, it assumes that there’s no God watching over us. Worry
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Paul on the fullness of Christ
Read Colossians 1:11-20 The letter to the Colossians about the fullness of Christ was penned by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae. In this opening, we find an almost overwhelming list of theological truths woven together to affirm the supremacy of Christ. He did this to encourage believers in their faith journey. The
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Paul on Idleness
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV) Paul instructs the Thessalonians to distance themselves from those whose idleness causes them to not following his teachings. The overall message highlights the balance between community support and individual diligence in faith. Proverbs 6:6-11 extols the virtues of hard work and warns against laziness. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12,
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Jesus, our Hope is Coming
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 Paul is addressing the Thessalonian believers’ concerns regarding the second coming of Jesus. He is emphasizing the need for them to not be easily misled by false teachings or signs. Paul was clear about the fact that people will say “this” or “that.” People of God have to know better
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Paul teaches how Jesus brings relief.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 In 1 Thessalonians, Paul goes to great lengths to demonstrate two great works of Jesus and God in the Thessalonian churches lives—their regeneration and their sanctification It appears that Paul wrote this second letter very soon after the first—perhaps even within a few weeks. Consider 2 Thessalonians as a sort of
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Jesus Teaches us to Pray with Humility
Read Luke 18:9-14 Jesus presents a sharp contrast between two men who go to the temple to pray. Before we can truly connect with this story, we must separate it from some cultural baggage that has surrounded it. Every time I read this, I catch myself thinking: “I’m glad that I’m not like that Pharisee –
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Jesus Teaches us to pray with persistence
Read Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge is a powerful lesson on the importance of prayer and faith. Jesus teaches us and his disciples about the need to continually seek God’s justice and not lose heart, even in the face of adversity. This is a parable we need these
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Jesus Heals 10 Lepers
Read Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV) Luke 17:11 reveals the Jesus’s unwavering march toward the cross and His intentional presence in places where division reigns. Jesus moves unflinchingly toward His sacrifice in Jerusalem while extending mercy to all, previewing the worldwide scope of His redeeming work. As He is making His final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus encounters ten
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Jesus and faith
Read Luke 17:5-10 Jesus in this passage challenges us to reexamine our faith, to embrace humility in our service, and to trust in the transformative power of even the smallest mustard seed of faith. Our worthiness comes from God’s grace, and our duty is to respond in faithfulness and obedience. How can we increase our
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Jesus Teaches Heaven is Real
Read Luke 16:19-31 Jesus teaches here that heaven and hell are both real, literal places. The Bible is clear that every person who has ever lived will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. Like the rich man in the story, multitudes today are complacent in their conviction that all is well with their soul.