Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Ephesians 1:3 Before we were created, the Lord destined us to “praise His glory” (Eph 1:12). Our bodies are not ideal for thinking, working, or running. Our human limitations are obvious when we forget information, stumble over our words, stumble over our feet, or get tired. However, our bodies are tailor-made to praise God. From our renewed minds (see Rm 12:2), singing tongues, praying lips, open hearts, raised hands, to our dancing feet – we are created to praise God always and forever. Our greatest praise of God is...

“It is enough for the disciple to be like his Teacher.” –Matthew 10:25, RSV-CE In the original temptation, Adam and Eve were tempted to become like gods (Gn 3:5), knowing what was good and what was evil. They sinfully succumbed to that temptation, and soon it was not enough for them to have this knowledge. In a sense, Adam and Eve became their own “God.” They decided to be greater than their master (cp Mt 10:25). Jesus teaches: “It is enough for the disciple to be like his Teacher” (see Mt 10:25). Disciples imitate Jesus in His character and in...

“Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will turn against parents and have them put to death.” –Matthew 10:21 The Jewish Christians of the early Church often were rejected by their families when they became Christians and united themselves with Gentiles in the Body of Christ (see Eph 3:6). The Jewish Christians were sometimes betrayed by their family members, handed over to the authorities, and put to death. Thus, if Jewish Christians did not turn their backs on their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, and their very selves, they could not be disciples...

“Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord.” –Hosea 10:12 Most peoples of the Bible were agricultural. Like all farmers, they had a special kind of relationship with the ground. Hosea prophesied that if the people did not repent of their idolatry, the ground would be their death. The mountains would cover them and the hills fall on them (Hos 10:8; Rv 6:16). An unrepentant, idolatrous people would be buried in a spiritual landslide. However, if we repent and become disciples of Jesus, we will plow the ground and bear much fruit. If...