Meditations And Reflections On The Word

While I do not think that birthdays are explicitly prohibited by the bible I do think that it's interesting to note that in the only two mentions of birthdays in the bible, a man was effectively sentenced to death on that same day. First, in the story of Joseph, we see that on Pharaoh's birthday...

This will also be short. Much of this letter warns against false brothers who bring false doctrines, they step outside their authority, "relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones." (Jude 8 English Standard Version). Even the archangel Michael...

Again, this will be short. In this letter John talks about the treatment of the brothers by Gaius and blesses him. (3 John 1:2) We should be hospitable to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, and if possible (at least from my reading of what John is implying) not accept anything...

This will be short. In this epistle John asks the "elect lady and her children" (2 John 1:1 English Standard Version) to continue to abide in love and do the commandments. They should also not allow anyone in their homes nor give any greeting to false brothers or sisters who do not carry the...

This epistle from John provides a rich amount of advice, particularly concerning how to discern the Christian from the antichrist. Notes on the First Book of John "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to...

Peter continues to exhort the Church to build it up in best practices. Notes on the Second Book of Peter "[M]ake every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness...

In this epistle Peter provides a lot of good advice for the Church as to how it can grow in Christ and maintain good relations within itself. Notes on the First Book of Peter "Though you have not seen [Christ], you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with...

The Lord's brother covers a variety of topics but focuses particularly on issues relating to the rich and the dangers of the tongue. There is a lot of fruitful advice here that is not emphasized as much in the other epistles. Notes on the Book of James "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you...

In this part Paul describes how it is that the Lord Jesus Christ serves as a priest for us, provides a veritable hall of fame of the faithful and encourages and instructs the Hebrews in proper conduct. Notes on the Book of Hebrews Chapters 9-13 "For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the...

We continue this study of the Book of Hebrews with Paul's discussion of Christ as divine Son and as a Priest of Melchizedek. Notes on the Book of Hebrews Chapters 5-8 "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save...

We continue the study of the epistles with the Book of Hebrews, wherein Paul discusses the unique nature of the Christ. Notes on Chapters 1-4 of Hebrews "[Jesus Christ] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his...

This will be short because this is a short epistle. Paul writes a letter to Philemon, a Christian, asking him to forgive Onesimus, a slave who is helping Paul and who ran away from Philemon and appears to have wronged Philemon in some other manner as well, and to free Onesimus from slavery. Paul...

In this letter from Paul to Titus, who is in Crete, Paul provides guidelines to Titus as to how the local church leadership and populace should conduct themselves. Notes on the Book of Titus Qualifications for elders: possessing a good reputation, having one wife, and believing, well-behaved...

In this letter to Timothy Paul appears to know that his death is coming soon so he is giving some further instructions to his protégé before he passes on (although from the letter Paul appears to expect to see Timothy in the flesh before Paul is to be put to death). Notes on the Second Book of...

In this letter to Timothy Paul is providing his protégé with the guidance he needs to fulfill his role as a church leader and the prophecy that has been spoken over him. Notes on the First Book of Timothy Stay away from myths that promote speculations. (1 Timothy 1:4) "The aim of our charge...

In this letter Paul (and Silvanus and Timothy) writes to the Thessalonians about the coming of the antichrist, which will precede the coming of Christ. Notes on the Second Book of Thessalonians The afflictions and persecutions we face are evidence of God's approval of us as citizens of the...

This first epistle to the Thessalonians varies in its subject matter but I think one key takeaway is to expect afflictions if you are a Christian and to not let them turn your from Christ. Notes on the First Book of Thessalonians Paul, a true shepherd and apostle, speaks not to please men but...

I continue my study of the epistles with Paul (and Timothy)'s letter to the Colossians. This letter discusses aspects of the nature of Christ and warns against false doctrines, amongst other things. Notes on the Book of Colossians To please the Lord we must have the full knowledge of his will...

This is a pretty diverse epistle in terms of content, containing discussion of Paul's imprisonment and varied advice on the conduct of a Christian. Notes on the Book of Philippians "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."...

Please find the second part of my notes on Ephesians below. Notes on the Book of Ephesians - Chapters 4-6 We should be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with our brothers in love to maintain unity in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:2-3). The "Unity" Proclamation: "There is one body and one...