In the episode of The Chosen we viewed last Wednesday, a clip showed Matthew working on the genealogy of Jesus. Those who watched will remember him recounting the non-Jewish members of Jesus' human ancestry. If you have known me for some time, you know how glad I am that the Holy Spirit-inspired writers of Scripture include lists of names. As in Romans 16, Paul writing through an amanuensis (a lit...  Read More

"Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you." (Romans 15:30-32, CSB...  Read More

HALLELUJAH!The group of Psalms that begins with: "Bless the LORD, all my inmost being! Bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, all my inmost being and forget not all His benefits/kindnesses!" (Psalm 103:1-2); ends with a singular: "Hallelujah!" (Psalm 106:48). Of course, Psalms 104 and 105 end with the same heart-felt exclamation and Psalm 106 even begins that way. Though you already know this, think...  Read More

The law of love, agape love, governs all we do. I am glad Romans 14 is included in the Scripture. It reminds me that followers of Jesus have convictions. Convictions matter, but they are just that. My convictions may not be the same as yours, for they grow out of my personal relationship with Jesus and those around me. Just as every child is unique and must be 'trained up in the way they should go...  Read More

"Clothe yourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Romans 13:14)This expression of Paul's is not uncommon in his writings. We know that his religious background includes an intimate understanding of the Torah and a zeal to defend and enforce it (check out the summary of his religious credentials in Philippians 3:5-6). He would have been intimately familiar with the involved religious apparel of prie...  Read More

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with all people." (Romans 12:18, TLV)Genuine agape-love (Romans 12:9) impacts all my living. Because of that, my concern will be the total well-being of others, their shalom, their peace. This is the outflow of loving one another deeply (Romans 12:10). These verses look and sound like proverbs. As such, I love the wisdom of Paul, they remin...  Read More