Christian Hedonism

1 John 1:3-4 “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete” (NIV). Observation: John the apostle was the...

Breathless

John 17:1 “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you’” (NIV). Observation: Jesus and His disciples had gathered for Passover where a long, far-ranging discussion had ensued....

Are We There Yet?

Deuteronomy 2:5 “Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on” (NIV).   Observation: Israel had begun their desert wanderings under God’s specific direction. In Deuteronomy 2:4, He had said they were about...

Welcome Molds

Song of Songs 8:6 “Place me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame” (NIV). Observation: The love depicted in Song of Songs has previously...

These Are Easy Things

2 Kings 3:18 “This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord.” Observation: The immediate context of this statement is Elisha’s confidence that it would be an easy thing for the Lord, without using wind or rain, to fill a desert valley with water for the men and...

The Strategy of Abandonment

2 Corinthians 2:1 “I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you” (NIV). Observation: Much of 2 Corinthians 1 and the beginning of the second chapter seem to be travelogue. Paul wrote in 1:15 about having tried to arrange his itinerary so as to...