III John 1:1-14 So if I come… (v. 10a). Scholars have suggested that John was the leader of the church at Ephesus and very probably in a position not unlike our bishops today, also overseeing other churches in Asia Minor. This character, Diotrephes stands out in today’s reading – harsh, autocratic, dictatorial – yet seemingly …
Author Archives: Fred
December 14 / II John 1:1-13
II John 1:1-13 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (v. 12) Very likely John wrote these words simply to reflect his warmth toward this lady (or …
December 13 / I John 5:1-21
I John 5:1-21 Echo! Echo! Yesterday Archbishop Beach quoted two verses from yesterday’s reading. The first had to do with his first point, Jesus’ love for us shown in His incarnation: In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might …
December 12 / I John 4:1-21
I John 4:1-21 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (v. 1) This verse caught my eye today – “…test the spirits to see whether they are from God”. I was trying to think of …
December 11 / I John 3:1-24
I John 3:1-24 The word “brother” appears eight times in today’s reading, plus three times in yesterday’s reading. No doubt, John is referring to “the brethren” – his (our) brothers and sisters in Christ. But I also read it as my own brothers. I have five brothers from my yours-mine-and-ours family: two full brothers, one …
December 10 / I John 2:1-29
I John 2:1-29 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (v. 16) I can’t say that this entire verse is well known, but certainly those three items that are offset by dashes …
December 9 / I John 1:1-10
I John 1:1-10 Sin. My Study Bible pointed out that the word “sin” and its variations occurs 27 times in this epistle. Today we have it five times in these few verses (7b-10). As we read on we will see that John uses “sin” as both a noun and a verb – as a noun …
December 8 / Hebrews 13:1-25
Hebrews 13:1-25 The author of Hebrews mentions our Christian leaders three times in today’s reading: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. … Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls … Greet all your leaders and all the saints. (vv. 7, 17a, …
December 7 / Hebrews 12:1-29
Hebrews 12:1-29 Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (vv. 3-4) These would be great verses to remember when we are tempted by those couple of …
December 6 / Hebrews 11:23-40
Hebrews 11:23-40 In verses 33 through 38 our author leaves nameless those many Israelites who gained victories (10 notations), trusting in the power of God and the faith of the leaders whom they served. He also lists trials that they endured (8 notations) and adds two verses (vv. 37b-38) of people who chose to isolate …