Do you find it hard to love some people? Maybe there are people you really struggle with? Keep reading because there is hope! Because Jesus died and rose again, we can be free! Look at chapter 4:1-7. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul says, we can receive the full rights as sons and daughtersContinue reading “You can be set free to love – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 5”
Monthly Archives: March 2022
How Jesus sets us free – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 4
One of my favorite Bible verses is Galatians 2:20. Open a Bible and read Galatians 2:17-21, and take note especially of verse 20. See what Paul says in verse 20? The amazing truth is that by faith Christ Jesus can live in us!!! That’s a million times better than trying to keep the law! GodContinue reading “How Jesus sets us free – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 4”
How to be made right – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 3
I told a story in the preview post about how I was not right. I made the stupid decision to smack my head against a beam. Maybe you’ve done very dumb or very bad things as well. My guess is that just about all of have at one time or another. Do you need toContinue reading “How to be made right – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 3”
Grace, circumcision, and spies in church? – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 2
The church in the former Soviet Union had to be careful because the government sent spies into the church. In Communist China the same thing happens. Believe it or not, the early church faced a similar threat. What would you do if there were spies in your church? In the previous post, we jumped aheadContinue reading “Grace, circumcision, and spies in church? – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 2”
God wants you to be a rule-breaker? – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 1
Are you a rule-follower or a law-breaker? Sometimes following the rules is difficult. Take a look at this video, and you’ll see what I mean: Would it surprise you to hear me say that you God wants you to be rule-breakers? In fact, you need to be a rule-breaker to enter the Kingdom of God.Continue reading “God wants you to be a rule-breaker? – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 1”
The time my co-worker said, “What’s wrong with you? You’re not right.” – Galatians 1-5, Preview
As a line of blood trickled down my face, my co-worker looked at me, shaking his head saying, “What is wrong with you? You are not right!” But let me back up and tell you what led to that. My first job after graduating from college in 1996 was as a youth care worker atContinue reading “The time my co-worker said, “What’s wrong with you? You’re not right.” – Galatians 1-5, Preview”
God’s heart for human flourishing (or Why God cares about social justice) – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 5
Years ago, I learned a song when I was a teenager in youth group, and I found it very catchy and fun, but I had no idea what it meant. “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me, makes the lame to walk and the blind to see, opens prison doors, sets theContinue reading “God’s heart for human flourishing (or Why God cares about social justice) – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 5”
3 pitfalls of Evangelical Christian worship – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 4
In this week’s study of Ezekiel 45-48, we have been following a map to God’s heart. We now study chapter 46 which includes more detail about Israel’s sacrificial system. What do we learn in chapter 46 about God’s heart? The sacrificial system teaches us that God desires worship that is gathered, consistent, and orderly. InContinue reading “3 pitfalls of Evangelical Christian worship – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 4”
God’s heart for worship: participation and…atonement? – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 3
As we continue seeking for descriptions of God’s heart in Ezekiel 45-48, we notice that the next section, Ezekiel chapter 45, verses 13-25 is a retelling of the Jewish sacrificial system. What would that show us about God’s heart? That God wants us to sacrifice animals at a temple? No. Remember that famous saying ofContinue reading “God’s heart for worship: participation and…atonement? – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 3”
God’s heart to stop oppression – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 2
This week as we study Ezekiel 45-48, we are following these chapters as a map to God’s heart. In Ezekiel 45, verses 8-12, we see God’s heart very clearly in another way. Notice verse 8 where we read God say that the princes must not oppress the people. Who were the princes? God is referringContinue reading “God’s heart to stop oppression – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 