May 2
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texastwister added a text contribution The Bravery and Obedience of AnaniasHow striking that Ananias, despite his concerns and apprehensions about Saul, was obedient to go a present the good news to this very adversarial and very dangerous opponent! When I hesitate to speak up with those I see as unlikely to respond, I'm never in fear of my life -- just of rejection or ridicule. So how much more should I be willingly obedient to speak to anyone . So I have two prayers connected to this -- boldness for me and a softened heart for those I speak to. Read more »
Mar 23
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texastwister added a text contribution The Growing, Spreading, Permeating Kingdom** Note: I'm posting this for reflection and as a suggestion for further study, not advancing it as a solid exposition of the meaning of this passage. Before being ready to do that, I'd want to take a closer look at the Greek than my time or current skills allow, to see if my suppositions below have any support there. This is the output of my devotional reflection on the passage -- it rings true to my experience, but that is not adequate for an interpretive claim.** These two simple… Read more »
Jan 14
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texastwister added a text contribution A Puzzling ContrastI had always interpreted Mt 16:20 as Jesus' attempt to avoid provoking the Jewish leaders too soon (and hastening his death to before the time is ready). But, taken with v. 23, is He instead trying to prevent an increase in following by the masses from preventing his crucifixion? Guess I'm not sure what his intent was here. Anyone else have a clearer understanding? Read more »
Dec 16
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texastwister added a text contribution Affirmations in 1 John 1 & 2My attempt to summarize and clearly restate the affirmations in 1Jn 1-2: On 1Jn 1 * No one who continues to walk in darkness has fellowship with God (v.5). * Any such person who claims such a relationship lies (v.6). * Those who walk in the light (following Christ) have fellowship with each other and cleansing from sin (v.7). * If we say we're not guilty of sin, we're self-deceived (v.8). * If we admit we're guilty, Christ forgives and cleanses (v.9). * If we continue to maintai… Read more »
Dec 15
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texastwister added a text contribution How Should We Live in Light of His Coming?2 Peter 3:11-14 -- Knowing what we do of the promised return of our Lord and the coming judgment, how should we be living each day? * Holiness and Godliness * Mindful and anticipative of his return and the new creation. * Making the most of time/opportunities (cf. Ephesians 5:15-16) * At peace (w/ God, w/ man, or both?) * Flawless Read more »
Dec 9
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texastwister added a text contribution The Illusion of Control13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town* and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 You* do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like?* For you are a puff of smoke* that appears for a short time and then vanishes. 15 You ought to say instead,* “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is,* you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. -- James 4:13-16 New English Translatio… Read more »
Nov 25
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texastwister added a text contribution An Illustration of HolinessThis is a clear picture of the Biblical concept of holiness. We often think of it as meaning something akin to "righteousness", but the origins of the term lie in the concept of being "set apart". What was the problem with using space in the Temple for storage? That's not what it was intended for -- it was set apart for uses related to worship. Read more »
Oct 30
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texastwister added a text contribution Matthew 6:19 and my 401KI come to Matthew 6:19-21, one day after checking my 401K balance in the midst of the stock market losses of Fall 2008. It certainly highlights the impossibility of basing any real security on our financial holdings or other "earthly wealth". The reality is that NOTHING I have is safe from the unpredictability of life on this broken planet. Real security can only come from trusting God. I'm glad I have more than my sad excuse for a 43-year-old's 401K to trust in! Read more »
Oct 21
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texastwister added a text contribution Motives for RighteousnessDoes this passage imply that we SHOULD NOT give if others can see and know that we are doing so? No -- while it probably sets secret giving as a preferred method of giving, it is primarily directed toward our MOTIVE for giving, not a method. It's really about WHY we do what we do, not how (although the two concepts do tend to overlap.) Read more »
Sep 2
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texastwister added a text contribution Another reality all around usThis passage and others like it (Dan 10, for another example) give tantalizing glimpses of an unseen reality. There are forces stronger than we know -- both for good and for evil -- at work around us. Apart from divine revelation we may never see them, but we can trust that our God has the resources to help and can deploy them when it fits his purposes. Will we trust Him with what we cannot see? Read more »
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texastwister added a text contribution Even a lost tool matters to GodDare we ever think any honorable concern of ours is "too small" to warrant a request for God's intervention? These concerns matter to Him because they matter to us -- and like a father, eager to assist his children, He's ready for us to call on Him for help when we need it. Read more »