Serving Christ in México
In the second chapter of Hosea we read of Israel’s shocking unfaithfulness in allegory form. Meanwhile in Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable about a son who shockingly leaves his family in disgrace. These initial similarities beckon us to camp out in these passages and discover more.
Continue reading “The Prodigals”
This is the fourth of a four-part series on the Spirit of God in the book of Acts
Part One – Part Two – Part Three
From Ephesus Paul presses on to Jerusalem. In both the cities of Tyre and Caesarea Paul is warned by fellow believers not to go to Jerusalem. In the preceding chapter, Luke mentions that Paul had also been warned “in every town” of the chains and suffering that awaited him in Jerusalem. Even though it is the Holy Spirit warning him, Paul resolves to forge ahead and finish the work set before him. It seems the Spirit is not forbidding Paul to travel back to Jerusalem, rather, he is making him fully aware of what lies in his path. This view is supported by the end result of Paul’s Jerusalem visit which accords with God’s plan for Paul: a visit with Caeser in Rome.
Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 4”
This is the third of a four-part series on the Spirit of God in the book of Acts
Paul’s vision of gospel advance is as large as his knowledge of the known world. This vision, together with the guidance of the Spirit will bring Paul to the epicenter of the Empire and before the world power.
Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 3”
This is part two of a four-part series on the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts
Zealous and pious Paul did not stand a chance against the Holy Spirit. The brilliant reality of Jesus struck Paul blind and upon receiving his sight back in Damascus he is filled with the Spirit. The effect of Paul’s dramatic conversion brings peace to the church and as it increased in number the believers were “encouraged by the Holy Spirit.”
Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 2”
This is the first of a four-part series on the Spirit of God in the book of Acts
The book of Acts is a thrilling account of gospel advance in the years following the ascension and session of Jesus.
After Jesus’ short, but powerful ministry on earth he departed to take up his rightful place at the right hand of God the Father. While on earth, Jesus had declared and demonstrated his righteous reign as king and saviour of the world, yet there was still much work to do. Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 1”
Let us run with endurance…
– Hebrews 12:1
The Christian life is not a one-time decision for Christ or a profession of faith. Rather, it is a holding fast until the end. It is a persistence; a continual turning to God and pleading before his throne of grace. Any faithful reader of God’s Word will understand this basic truth. As we follow Jesus and seek to shape our lives according to his, there can be no delusion that we have arrived and only need to maintain the status quo. Continue reading “Not A One-Time Thing”
Mark 15:1-15
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.
As the sun slowly crept over the horizon on the morning after Jesus’ trial, Barabbas was bound as a prisoner with a bleak future in front of him. Perhaps he was hoping against hope that he would benefit from the governors custom of releasing a prisoner at the Feast. Or maybe he had given up hope and was trembling at the thought of being hung on a wooden cross. Whatever was going through his mind, surely he was not expecting to find freedom at the expense of his Messiah. Continue reading “Barabbas and the Great Exchange”
I will take you to be my wife in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.
~ Hosea 2:20
Grace is not simply getting what you do not deserve, rather, it is getting the good you do not deserve instead of the bad that you do deserve. It is receiving honour and favour when you deserve shame and disdain. It is receiving freedom and life when you deserve bondage and death. Countless times in the history of God’s people we see this definition of grace being unpacked and put on display. The opening chapters of the prophet Hosea are just one example of this. Continue reading “Grace on Display”
May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may he make his face shine upon us
The opening words of Psalm 67 echo the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6 and are thus familiar to many of us. Over the centuries these words, originating in the tabernacle worship of ancient Israel, have been used countless times as part of the Christian worship service. Perhaps as you read this verse you imagined yourself standing amongst the congregation and hearing the preacher pronounce the Aaronic benediction with uplifted hands.
Hosea 6:1-3
His appearance is as sure as the dawn.
Have you ever awoken from a night of sleep and looked outside to make sure a new day had arrived? Have you ever worried whether the darkness of the night would persist and the light of day would fail to appear? Continue reading “Do You Doubt The Dawn?”
The Rabbi's Burrito 