Category: Bible Study

THE SEARCH FOR TRUE LOVE

“By obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a genuine love.” –1 Peter 1:22 We all want “genuine love,” true love, love that will last forever. Yet we all find that what we thought was love often proves not to be the real thing. Human beings are deceived about love probably more than about any other aspect of life. We can have genuine, true love only in Christ, Who is Love (see 1 Jn 4:16). We are prepared to give true love by being purified, especially in the context of obeying the Lord in being true, that is,...

PRIVILEGED TO SUFFER

“Peter was moved to say to Him, ‘We have put aside everything to follow You!’ ” –Mark 10:28 Like Peter, we are moved by selfishness, pride, and insecurity to tell the Lord about the sacrifices we’ve made to follow Him. We hope the Lord will “pat us on the back” and reward us. The Lord is willing to talk about the subject of sacrifice. However, He may bring up sacrifices we haven’t made. This gives the impression that we have not reached the pinnacle of sacrifice but have barely begun to sacrifice. Next, the Lord may bring up the subject...

ALL OR NOTHING

“A man came running up, knelt down before Him and asked, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?’ ” –Mark 10:17 The young rich man was brought up by good God-fearing parents. He had kept all the commandments from his youth (Mk 10:20). He only needed to do one more thing. But he had to do that, or he would never enter God’s kingdom. “Jesus looked at him with love and told him, ‘There is one thing more you must do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor; you will then have...

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL LIFE

“Make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name ‘of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ ” –Matthew 28:19 As Christians, we not only believe in Three Persons in one God, but are baptized into, immersed into these Three Persons (Mt 28:19). When we wake up in the morning, the first word on our lips is in praise of the name of Jesus. Because Jesus is the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6), we soon are thanking the Father for giving us another day, providing breakfast for us, and creating us. Because...

I WILL PRAY FOR YOU

“He must pray.” –James 5:1 Many years ago today I was ordained a priest. Because of God’s grace and mercy and because of your love and prayers, my priesthood has been greatly blessed beyond anything I could have ever imagined (see Eph 3:20). Therefore, I thank the Lord and “sing a hymn of praise” (Jas 5:13). I also thank you for countless acts of love and especially for your prayers. I pray for all those who read One Bread, One Body, although I don’t personally know many of you. Even if you don’t know me, I hope that many of...