Focal Passage: Luke 24:44-53 As Luke begins to draw his gospel account and letter to Theophilus to an end, he reiterates the fact that Jesus was the Christ by reminding his readers, and Theophilus, of Jesus’ words to His disciples. That everything had now been fulfilled that had been promised in Scripture. That He was the long-awaited Messiah of God who fulfilled everything that was written about Him in the
Focal Passage: John 20:1-17 Surprises can be fun! When my youngest son was 16, my wife and I found a very large, tanklike, very old car for him for Christmas. He really had no idea it was coming. We purchased it. We had it worked on. Then we hid it for a few days until Christmas. His siblings hinted about it. Christmas morning came. He opened his gift —
Focal Passage: Luke 24:1-8, 38-43 The resurrection of Jesus is where all the facts, truth and revelation come together completing the mission, ministry and identity of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. It is where all the prophecies about His Messiah are fulfilled, verified, and validated. It is where our hope becomes a reality. Everything we believe, everything we preach, everything we hope for rests on the truth of
Focal Passage: Genesis 28:10-22 Memorials are everywhere. When you cross over a bridge, you often find a name attached to the bridge and you can’t help but wonder about the story of that person. Perhaps when you pass a stadium and see a statue of a revered athlete, you remember a specific moment or championship. Or, when walking in a park you find a monument honoring a leader or war
Focal Passage: Luke 23:32-49 In our study this week we come to the most tragic and cataclysmic event in human history. One might say this world has seen a lot of tragedy, wars, earthquakes and natural disasters, famine, pestilence and plagues. Some would argue that the pandemic our world experienced surely ranks among one of the most tragic events mankind has ever faced because of its global impact on humanity.
Focal Passage: Genesis 27:18-30 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). These words of Isaiah have never been more true than when reading the account of Jacob, the heel-catcher, second-born, twin child of Isaac and Rebekah, who
Focal Passage: Luke 9:18-26 Luke’s account of Jesus’ mission and ministry varies a little from the other accounts in the Gospels. While the other Gospels follow a chronological path of events, Luke takes a slightly different approach. We see him more interested in the theology than the chronology. So, some of his accounts may not appear to follow in linear progression. He presents the same events with same details but
Focal Passage: Genesis 24:12-20, 24-27 No one is exempt from having a moment of great uncertainty in life. Decisions need to be made that will impact the direction or even the trajectory of the future. Unsure of a direction, a person of faith turns to prayer for guidance and direction, usually with great emotion, urgency and even a little hope. Imagine that exact moment, but this time, another person steps
Focal Passage: Luke 6:17-23, 27-31 As we begin to unwrap Luke 6:17-23 we have to acknowledge the similitude between this passage, which scholars refer to as, “The Sermon on the Plain”, to Matthew 5, which is referred to as, “The Sermon on the Mount”. There are many similarities, but there are many differences as well. One such difference is topographical references given in each. In Matthew 5:1, it says
Focal Passage: Genesis 22:1-14 Substitute: someone standing in the place of someone else, such as a substitute teacher or perhaps a teammate coming in off the bench in a game. Or, maybe changing the recipe with different ingredients when you don’t have a needed item in your kitchen. Or, perhaps getting a generic prescription filled. Substitute appears to mean second best, a fill in, or not as good. If we
Focal Passage: Luke 24:44-53 As Luke begins to draw his gospel account and letter to Theophilus to an end, he reiterates the fact that Jesus
Focal Passage: John 20:1-17 Surprises can be fun! When my youngest son was 16, my wife and I found a very large, tanklike, very old
Focal Passage: Luke 24:1-8, 38-43 The resurrection of Jesus is where all the facts, truth and revelation come together completing the mission, ministry and identity
Focal Passage: Genesis 28:10-22 Memorials are everywhere. When you cross over a bridge, you often find a name attached to the bridge and you can’t
Focal Passage: Luke 23:32-49 In our study this week we come to the most tragic and cataclysmic event in human history. One might say this
Focal Passage: Genesis 27:18-30 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher
Focal Passage: Luke 9:18-26 Luke’s account of Jesus’ mission and ministry varies a little from the other accounts in the Gospels. While the other Gospels
Focal Passage: Genesis 24:12-20, 24-27 No one is exempt from having a moment of great uncertainty in life. Decisions need to be made that will
Focal Passage: Luke 6:17-23, 27-31 As we begin to unwrap Luke 6:17-23 we have to acknowledge the similitude between this passage, which scholars refer to
Focal Passage: Genesis 22:1-14 Substitute: someone standing in the place of someone else, such as a substitute teacher or perhaps a teammate coming in off
