Their ulterior motive was to reduce us to their brand of servitude. We didn’t give them the time of day. We were determined to preserve the truth of the Message for you. As for those who were considered important in the church, their reputation doesn’t concern me. God isn’t impressed with mere appearances, and neither …
Fourteen years after that first visit, Barnabas and I went up to Jerusalem and took Titus with us. I went to clarify with them what had been revealed to me. At that time I placed before them exactly what I was preaching to the non-Jews. I did this in private with the leaders, those held …
Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—-that’s what I had in mind for you. Jeremiah 1:5 Let’s Go To Arabia My sweet story-swapping sisters, how I love a good tale! A failure …
I’m sure that you’ve heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God’s church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my …
“Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God. Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—-forgiven. Isaiah 40:1-2 Climb a high mountain, Zion. You’re the preacher of good news. Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, …
I can’t believe how you waver—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing an alternative message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it’s completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are …
It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. …
I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him …
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-32;36 NIV We join our prayers today in intercession for men and women in our society who are trapped: …
We are on a journey from the here and now to His kingdom come. It sounds like a long road trip. Maybe we should pack snacks, plan our bathroom stops, and think up our best travel stories. However, the distance from the here and now and His kingdom come is only a short mindset shift. …
