We’ve had quite a long introduction to the passage we’re studying this week. Two whole posts here and here. We’ve learned that God is passionate about helping people become the kind of people that live in line with his heart. But how? By following laws? No. In those introductory posts we discussed Paul’s clear messageContinue reading “How to have victory in the inner battle of our sinful nature vs the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 3”
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
Hope for those who are groaning – Easter 2020, Romans 8, Part 3
I was groaning a lot when I did my taxes recently. I dread doing taxes because the tax forms can be so frustrating. My family has a number of unique circumstances that intensify the frustration. I am pastor, which means I get a housing allowance. My wife operated a business. I have education expenses. FinallyContinue reading “Hope for those who are groaning – Easter 2020, Romans 8, Part 3”
The Kingdom of God is within you – Mark 11, Part 4
What is the Kingdom of God? Jesus himself taught about it, almost from the very beginning of his ministry. As we continue studying the events of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry on the very first Palm Sunday, we’ve been following Mark’s account in Mark 11. Mark tells us that the people in the crowd, as Jesus rodeContinue reading “The Kingdom of God is within you – Mark 11, Part 4”
You can be set free to love – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 5
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”
How to have a deep experience with God – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 5
In the New Testament there are many ways the writers talk about God in us. As we studied in yesterday’s post, “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” is one way. There are others. All of the ways can be brought together under one heading, “Union with Christ.” Take for example what PaulContinue reading “How to have a deep experience with God – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 5”
How (and why) God wants you to care for your body – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 4
I love watching videos of chiropractors giving people adjustments, hearing the loud cracks. I don’t quite know why, but something in me finds it fascinating. After watching a variety of chiropractors use similar techniques, I asked my wife if I could give her an adjustment. She said, “No way!” I was kidding, kinda. I haveContinue reading “How (and why) God wants you to care for your body – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 4”
How evangelicals have given God a bad reputation and what we can do about it – Ezekiel 38 & 39, Part 5
Are there any ways in which we, though we claim to be Christians, are living in opposition to the way of Jesus? Are there any ways in which we are sullying his name and reputation? The more I walk through this life, the more I am concerned that there are many ways we evangelicals, especially,Continue reading “How evangelicals have given God a bad reputation and what we can do about it – Ezekiel 38 & 39, Part 5”
How to grow your relationship with the Holy Spirit – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 5
How can we be filled with the Spirit like the Christians in the early church, which we studied in the previous post. In those days, what was happening was precisely what the Apostle Paul described in 1 Corinthians chapters 3 and 6, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HolyContinue reading “How to grow your relationship with the Holy Spirit – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 5”
The filling of the Spirit – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 4
Nearly 600 years after the time of Ezekiel, Jesus taught his disciples about the soon-coming Spirit of God. In John 14, after telling his disciples that he was going to leave them, he promised that God would send another counselor to be with them, the Spirit of truth. Jesus said in John 14:17 that thoughContinue reading “The filling of the Spirit – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 4”
The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3
What does Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones mean? God explains it to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37, verses 11-14. How about that? The entire vision is symbolic. Ezekiel wasn’t at the scene of battle from years earlier. The vision of the valley of dry bones, God says, symbolizes the people of Israel, whoContinue reading “The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 