Jude 1:1-25; II Peter 1-3 Both Jude and II Peter issue strong warnings against false teachers. My guess is that many of us are somewhat uncomfortable with the rather condemnatory language Jude and Peter use toward those who lead believers astray — these “rants” against the apostate. Yet such language is perfectly appropriate — necessary …
Author Archives: John S.
December 23 / I Peter
I Peter 1-5 This first letter of Peter is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I highly recommend spending a good deal of time here, reading this book slowly and repeatedly, meditating on what the Lord has to say to us through Peter, finding hope, contemplating what God has done for us in …
December 22 / Titus; II Timothy
Titus 1-3;II Timothy 1-4 Today we come to the end of Paul’s Epistles with two personal letters, one to Titus, and a second, final, letter to Timothy. Since the letter to Titus seems in many ways like a condensed version of I Timothy, I’m inclined to look more closely at II Timothy today in our …
December 21 / I Timothy
I Timothy 1-6 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. I Timothy 4:7-8 “Godliness” runs throughout this letter from …
December 20 / Ephesians 4:17-6:24
Ephesians 4:17-6:24 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 We do ourselves — and everyone else — a tremendous disservice when we forget who the real …
December 19 / Ephesians 1:1-4:16
Ephesians 1:1-4:16 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for …
December 18 / Philemon; Colossians
Philemon 1:1-25;Colossians 1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. …
December 17 / Acts 25-28
Acts 25-28 Today we come to the end of the book of Acts, with Paul held under house arrest in Rome, continuing to await judgment from the emperor (i.e., Nero) and continuing to proclaim the Gospel. As we proceed through the rest of Paul’s Epistles, let’s remember his situation, his imprisonment, and his hardships. Let’s …
December 16 / Philippians
Philippians 1-4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 I expect that this verse is quite familiar to most of us. We probably even have it memorized (whether on purpose or not) just from hearing it repeated often enough. This verse captures a major theme woven throughout this letter: joy …
December 15 / Acts 21:17-24:27
Acts 21:17-24:27 On his way to Jerusalem, Paul does not know exactly what is to befall him there, but he knows it is not to be pleasant. (Acts 20:22-23) He presses forward in obedience anyway. He is warned that the Jews in Jerusalem are to deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:10-11) …