In this week’s study of
Ephesians chapter 2, we are first plunged to the depths of the darkness of
human nature before being raised by the grace and mercy of the Father into the
light of his love by two of the simplest, yet most profound words of the
gospel: ‘But God.’ In this we will see the past, present, and future realities
of all who place their faith in Christ for salvation. We each have individual stories, but once it’s
boiled down, we who are in Christ share the same basic history and are headed
together on the same path toward the same glorious destination.
Grateful...
"All of life is business with God." -John Calvin
Friday, March 24, 2017
Monday, March 13, 2017
To The Praise of His Glory
This week we begin our study of the book of Ephesians
with a hard gallop through the entire first chapter. Hopefully the truths in this precious chapter
will be written large enough to read as we pass by. There are deep wells of doctrine and encouragement
to be found here, and we will pause for refreshment as we come to them. So, giddy-up and hang on!
Friday, March 03, 2017
Covenant Renewal
We have come, at last, to the final chapter of the book
of Joshua. What a journey it has
been! We have walked alongside Joshua as
he has followed the Lord in leading the people of Israel into their promised
inheritance. There have been many
battles along the way, most with the inhabitants of the land who needed to be
driven out; some with their own disobedience and the idolatry which so often
lurked just beneath the surface of their obedience. Yet through it all we have seen the
faithfulness of the Lord to fulfill his promises and settle the people in the
land that he promised to their forefathers.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Unpacking
Last week I went with two women, Jana and Kathy, from our church to
Atlanta to attend the Presbyterian Church in America’s Leadership Training
conference for women in ministry (PCALT).
We flew together, leaving the San Antonio airport at 7 am on Thursday
and returning at 6 pm on Saturday. What
happened in between departure and return is still dancing through my brain like
a Cuban wedding—nonstop, energetic, all over the place, and beautiful.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Joshua Exhorts the Israelites
Joshua chapter 23 is Joshua’s “farewell address” to Israel. By some estimates there has been a twenty to
twenty-three-year interval between the end of the previous chapter and this
speech by Joshua. The conquest is long
over and the people of Israel have settled into their new homes and lands. By now there are young adults living in
Israel who were not alive, or at least old enough to participate, during the
conquest. Joshua led them from before
they crossed the Jordan river, throughout the battles of the conquest, and into
the first years of peacetime occupation of the land of their inheritance. As he approaches the end of his life we see
what is uppermost in his heart: exhorting the people of the Lord to continue to
walk in obedience to their God.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Straining forward and Pressing On Toward the Goal
Self-discipline.
These words can just suck the motivation right out of me. Why is such a positive concept cast in my
mind in such a negative hue? Discipline
which comes from outside one’s self can be painful and unwelcome, but even that
sort of discipline is usually aiming for a good end. So it is with self-discipline. When I must employ self-discipline, it is for
a desirable goal.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Going Home
Chapter 22 of Joshua opens with an air of solemnity. The conquest is won, the allotment of lands is
complete, and now the time is come for the warriors from the tribes of Reuben,
Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return to their families and possessions
on the East side of the Jordan River.
The first four verses of the chapter parallel and show the fulfillment
of a passage from the first chapter of Joshua, where Joshua addresses these
warriors before entering the land.
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