I.“Live by the Spirit …” so counsels the former Pharisee, Paul. Do you hear this as an invitation or command? Let’s begin our hearing of this passage by paying close attention to the contrasts Paul sets up for us. II.Galatians … Continue reading
VII.Did you notice? Paul wrote, For in Christ Jesusneither circumcision nor uncircumcisioncounts for anything;the only thing that counts isfaith working through love. How do you hear Paul presenting more aspects of such a statement? VIII.Galatians 5:1-15 (New Revised Standard Version) … Continue reading
IV.Let’s think with Paul today about what could lead us to “ … submit again to a yoke of slavery.” V.Galatians 5:1-15 (New Revised Standard Version) For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit … Continue reading
I.Take a moment to consider how Paul begins, For freedom Christ has set us free.Stand firm, therefore, anddo not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Let that be your guide to reading this passage. Take some time to slowly … Continue reading
VIII.Returning to these words of Paul to a group of Jesus’ followers, take as your lens today “… and if you belong to Christ, then …” IX.Galatians 3:18-29 (New Revised Standard Version) For if the inheritance comes from the law, … Continue reading
V.Staying with the notion of freedom, notice, “… everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin…. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household …” VI.John 8:31-38 (New Revised Standard Version) Then Jesus said to the … Continue reading
I.Jesus suggests three things await those who “continue in my word,” (1) they are truly Jesus’ disciples; (2) they will know the truth; and (3) they will be free. Let’s start today by thinking about freedom. II.John 8:31-38 (New Revised … Continue reading
IV.As you read these Scripture passages, once again pay attention to who is identified and what they contribute to the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and the towns of Israel. V.Ezra 1:1-8 (New Revised Standard Version) In the first … Continue reading
I.WIth this reading in Ezra we begin reading a set of Scriptures that invite us to think about restoration, liberation, and freedom. And in the background of that is this remark from Ezra 1:11, … the exiles were brought up … Continue reading
This week’s Scripture can be read at –https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204%3A14-22&version=NRSV;MSG IV.Spend some time with the portions of Isaiah our Gospel text references – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto bring good news to the poor.He has … Continue reading