Daily Thoughts From God's Word

Following up on yesterday’s thoughts – “Kind of a must-be-holy-but-we’re-not-holy-but-we-have-the-righteousness-of-another-which-means-no-one-can-make-any-successful-charge-against-us thing.” – God has given gifts and, also, one another to help us become more and more like Christ – in dealing with enemies, in loving others, in submitting to the authorities, etc. – and, especially, we have the example of Christ himself.  The gospel, the Savior, the fellowship of the church, sp

Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (12:1).  We are to live lives of holiness.  We are new creatures with a new and holy Lord. Our problem is that, even as children of God, our lives do not always reflect this reality.  That’s why it’s such good news that this entreaty is set on the foundation already laid out in the letter, i.e., th

Now, that which Paul himself has experienced – forgiveness of his sins and a right relationship with God and eternal life – he wants Israel to experience:  “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (9:3).  The covenants are theirs.  And the promises.  And the Christ.  And all other things.   Israel has a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (10:2), and Paul’s “heart's desire an

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1).  I just have to wonder, have many sweeter words ever, I...

Coming from Acts into Romans (the one being largely historical, the other largely theological), one understands why Paul does what he...

Imprisoned in Rome, people began to come to Paul in ever greater numbers (28:23).  For two years, Paul was there “and welcomed all who...

How about a bit of recap of Paul’s ministry to this point?  Paul has been arrested at the temple, and he is allowed to speak to the...

“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were...

Of Paul’s ministry, Luke writes,  “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily” (16:5).  That’s a...

The Jerusalem Council is so real world.  Luke tells us the unvarnished truth of what is going on in the early churches.  There’s a...

Thrown into prison by Herod, miraculously freed by God, and returned to the disciples, Peter “described to them how the Lord had brought...

Peter and Cornelius.  This story is full of so many lessons:  God’s salvation is for the whole world, not just for Jews.  The gospel is...

“And the high priest said, ‘Are these things so?’  And Stephen said . . .” (7:1).  Stephen stood up.  He spoke.  And how he spoke! ...

Luke gives us a report on the man at the temple healed by Peter and John:  “And all the people saw him walking and praising God . . . And...

As Jesus ascended to heaven, and the disciples looked into heaven, two men in white robes stood beside them and asked, “Men of Galilee,...