Today's passage reveals that God has "made known to us the mystery of his will." He did this willingly, with delight. This mystery is focused in Christ, just like the rest of God's...
A few days ago, we considered the fact that, in Christ, God has revealed the "mystery of his will" (The Mystery Revealed, Part 1, Part 2). Yet, even as we celebrated the fact of God's revelation,...
When we hear the word "mystery," you might be inclined to think of a book or movie that is based around a secret. The story gives us clues to the secret, but it...
I love a good mystery. This is true ever since I was a boy, when I devoured every one of the Hardy Boys mystery stories. (And when I ran out of the Hardy...
In an earlier reflection, I explained that the eulogy in Ephesians 1:3-14 is actually one long sentence in Greek, comprising 202 words. This is one of the most complex sentences in the whole Bible,...
Today, we return to the Letter to the Ephesians. If you've joined the Daily Reflections in the last month, I should explain that I began a close study of Ephesians in June, the...
The more we allow God's Word to shape our relationship with him, the more we reflect upon the wonder of the cross...
I didn't really learn English grammar until I was in tenth grade. My English teacher, Mr. Bottaro, was a stickler for correct...
Mention the word "predestination" among Christians and you're likely to get strong, diverse responses. For some in the Calvinist/Reformed tradition, you'll get a cheer, because predestination is...
I thought about my son, Nathan, before he was born. I also prayed for him well before I knew that "he" was...
In more than a thousand reflections, I have never before printed such a large portion of the biblical text. Usually, as you know, I focus on one or perhaps two verses. But, today...
In common English, we use the word "saint" in several different senses.
As a pastor, I have often had people come to talk with me about finding God's will for their lives. Usually, they...
Transcript John was a goal-setter—and he’d set his cap on a position in the London branch. Besides excellent work, he’d built relationships…gained strong experience. Sure enough, in a few short years a promotion...
There is a type of person in this world who can have long serious discussions about what zombies represent in horror movies...
Whenever people live or work together, they need to practice forgiveness because we humans are imperfect. No group can function long before...
In 1814 an American lawyer, held on a Royal Navy vessel, viewed Britain’s assault on Baltimore.
"When the fullness of time had come, God . . . " ...
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound"—so begins one of the world's best-loved hymns. The song-writer's story is also amazing. In the mid-1700s, John Newton was an embittered man and captain of a...
