6/16/24 – Dwindling Discipleship?

Question: “What is the cause of the decline in Christianity in America, and what are we to do about it?”   ——–While you might find this question to be a two-parter, it is actually a three-part question, as we must determine if there is actually a decline in ‘Christianity’ in America, or is it more a

9/30/23 – Promise Perfect

2 Samuel 22:31a God’s way is perfect.  All the Lord’s promises prove true… ——- By now, you know that 2 Samuel covers the time of David’s reign, and we know that David was often beset by enemies that he could not best by himself.  This verse is one of those quotes in Scripture that prove

6/9/23 – Blindly Existing?

Isaiah 42:16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. ——–

2/14/23 – Willing Will

>>> A point of privilege. I began these lectio writings when a friend told me I had become his ‘pastor’. To me, he was better grounded as a Christian than I was, and that made me wonder how he could make such a statement. It made me want to be better in my own faith,

2/11/23 – Infinite Resource

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ——- I was surprised to find I have never written on this verse, as it is the epitome of what Jesus came to point us toward.  In other words, this

1/31/23 – Testimony “Placement”

Revelation 1:9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. ——— I think you know some background on the

11/21/22 – Love Glory

1 Corinthians 10:31b …whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ——— This section of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is about freedom from the law in Christ.  Paul talks about all things being lawful under Christ, but not all things are helpful.  Nor are all things able to build up.  Paul is

11/8/22 – Worthlessly Unprofitable

Titus 3:9 (ESV) But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ——- This is Paul reminding his protege that there are things that a leader of the flock must do, and be seen to be doing.  It is evident that Paul often reminded church leaders of

10/28/22 – Just LOVE

So, in doing all things in love, don’t omit yourself.

10/25/22 – Long Suffering

James 5:10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ——- Suffering in waiting is not a new phenomenon.  We have spoken several times about the timing of God, or what seems to be no time to God.  

10/16/22 – Love Duty

Matthew 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ——— We often look at strictly scripture by itself rather than as in Context. Or maybe what I should say, we look at Scripture without context. We see today’s verse in Matthew and maybe you know

10/7/22 – Sincerely Yours

Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ——– The writer is starting this section of the letter by likening the young church to a body with many parts – each with their own task.  We find that the idea of a church is similar to that of

10/4/22 – Responsible Provision

1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ——— Timothy is giving a lesson in responsibility to a culture that seems to forget women and children were unable to care for themselves in that society, since

9/29/22 – Spirit “Foolishness”?

1 Corinthians 2:14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ——- As is often the case, in this letter to the Corinthians, Paul is quick to point out any

9/14/22 – PICK ME!

Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” ——– This is a hard chapter to read.  If we use strick temporal understanding, it seems Isaiah is being sent to block understanding of God.  I

9/13/22 – Circumstantial Contentment

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ——– It probably is not a surprise that Paul’s reference to need is about support of his mission.  Paul notes that the church at Philippi was the only church under Paul’s tutelage that

9/1/22 – Inexhaustible Command

1 Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love. ——— This is the ending and closing of the first letter to the Corinthians, so you might understand that Paul is wrapping up his thoughts and leaving what is most important in the final paragraphs.  I am not sure that Paul edited his writings, rewriting them and moving

8/29/22 – Storied Grace

Revelation 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. ——- I guess you know this is the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, and this is the last line.  It is a farewell meant to be the greatest of salutations – it is paradoxical in its reverse intent. 

6/15/22 – Path Haziness

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ——- This section of Peter’s letter is addressed to the leaders of the church, and their responsibility to the flock.  It is all about being able to separate themselves from the temporal world and its temptations and translating this separateness while

6/12/22 – Hopeful Silence

Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. ——– Yes, we are back in David’s ‘songbook’ with him singing God’s praises for steadfast support and love.  It is a rather short psalm, and it revolves around God being the only sure thing.  Interestingly enough, there isn’t

5/20/22 – Unretirement Plan

Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ——- Paul is talking to the church at Philippi about where they need to place their ‘marker’ for support and

5/13/22 – Inwardly Outward

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ——– It would do you well to read the

5/7/22 – Unbalanced Privilege?

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. —— This is the section of the letter to Romans where Paul asks the readers to submit their bodies as a living sacrifice to Christ and His mission.  We

1/22/22 – Intangible Place

Luke 17:20-21 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” ——- This is

1/17/22 – Crushingly Perplexed

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ——- This is a wonderful section of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.  It starts out explaining how those saved by Christ act differently than those who are not, and specifically he talks about the new believers