Psalm: 25 Meditation: RevThe introduction to this book seems to say: look here, I have a message from God given to John the apostle for believers under persecution. Read and hear this message and take it to heart for it brings a blessing. This is a testimony of Christ, the most important witness. The intent …
Tag: persecution
Sunday, August 7
Psalm: 67 Meditation: 2 Cor.Sometimes it is difficult to witness in the face of opposition and stay true to God’s purpose for you. What actually is persecution? Can you name examples of how individuals suffer for their service to God? How does Paul respond in this story to criticism from other, so-called, believers? Gospel: …
Monday, July 11
Psalm: 25 Meditation: ActsThe persecution of the Early church had driven many Christians out of the Holy Land, as far north as the Roman Territories in modern day Turkey. At first they shared the Good News of the Lord with Jews only, but eventually the Good News spread to the Helenists (gentiles). A large number …
Friday, February 11
Psalm: 18 Meditation 2 Timothy: Paul’s rather grim assessment of people in the last days is nothing short of sobering. Vast swaths of the world are out seeking pleasure and all those other attributes listed here. The one exception I see is “holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power.” (v. 5) …
Monday, November 23
Psalm: 48 Meditation 1 Peter: In the 16th Chapter of Acts Paul receives a vision encouraging him to head toward Macedonia (Philippi, Berea, and ultimately to Athens and Corinth). At about the same time Peter reaches out to Bithynia, Pontus, Galatia and Cappadocia, all in the northern and Eastern Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). This letter …
Tuesday, October 13
Psalm: 10 Meditation Matthew: Jesus is describing what life will be like as a believer. He has told several prospective disciples that life will be hard perhaps to test their resolve, more likely to frighten the feint of heart. The same here. What Jesus says here hardly qualifies either as a pep talk nor a …
Thursday, September 17
Psalm: 71 Meditation Matthew: This passage is perhaps the third most known after the Lord’s Prayer and the Twenty-third Psalm. These pithy sayings are collectively called “The Beatitudes” because each begins with the word “blessed” or “happy”. These beatitudes strike one as progressive – like stages of the Christian walk. One will never feel blessed …
Sunday, September 6
Psalm: 63 Meditation Acts: “Judge for yourself whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” (v. 19) This same conclusion was arrived at by the midwives in ancient Egypt when Pharaoh decreed that all Hebrew male children shall be killed. That was a persecution. This was to become a persecution …
Sunday, April 5
Psalm: 24 Meditation 1 Timothy: Confession of faith is an on-going thing. Paul seeks to encourage Timothy yet at the same time, remind him that this Christian faith can often lead to persecution. To bring Timothy to the stark reality of the cost of discipleship, Paul reminds him of Jesus’ chat with Pilot – we …
Sunday, February 23
Psalm: 118 Meditation John: This last manifestation by God was not for Jesus as He said so Himself. Jesus knew why He had come and although He would have preferred otherwise, Jesus would have to satisfy Himself with His favorite standby: “Not My will but Thine be done.” As troubled as He was He could …
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