Philemon 23–25 (ESV) — 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. … Continue reading Accountability
Philemon 15–16 (ESV) — 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially … Continue reading Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Philemon 11–12 (ESV) — 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. Paul incorporates a play on words … Continue reading The Love of Family
Reading the Word Ecclesiastes 4:7–9 (ESV)7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun:8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, … Continue reading Riches Never Satisfy
Reading the Word “Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.” … Continue reading We Need Friends
Reading the Word “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, ESV) Understanding and Applying the Word An important observation to make in interpreting this proverb is that the first half and second … Continue reading We Need Others
Reading the Word 2 Timothy 3:14–17 (ESV) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Understanding and Applying the Word Heritage is important. The … Continue reading The Importance of Heritage
Reading the Word Luke 11:27–28 (ESV) 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Understanding and Applying the Word A woman commented that Jesus’ mother was surely blessed because she had Jesus as a son. We must be careful not to misunderstand what this woman was saying. Of course, children are a blessing to their parents. Mary was blessed … Continue reading Family Ties
Reading the Word Psalm 127:1–5 (ESV) 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills … Continue reading Unless the Lord Builds the House
Shaped by the Word 