Through the Bible for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples

The author of Hebrews was writing followers of Jesus who were facing tremendous persecution. He or she wanted to remind them why following Jesus was worth the suffering. Jesus is the heir of all things, and the Creator of all things. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ NIV The author of Hebrews then quotes several passages from the Hebrew Scriptures which emphasize the uniqueness of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, the One ruling over heaven and earth. We also discover that angels worship him, and “all angels [are] ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ NIV #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Crucifixion #Ascension #Angels #Hebrews

We need to listen to the message of Jesus rather than drift away. “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” God made humans in His image and gave us the responsibility to co-labor, co-rule with Him. However, our sin keeps us from fully living out our calling, but Jesus fulfilled what we have not. “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬, ‭9‬, ‭14‬-‭15‬, ‭17‬-‭18‬ NIV #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Crucifixion #Hebrews

The author of Hebrews was writing followers of Jesus who were facing tremendous persecution. He or she wanted to remind them why following Jesus was worth the suffering. Jesus is the heir of all things, and the Creator of all things. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ NIV The author of Hebrews then quotes several passages from the Hebrew Scriptures which emphasize the uniqueness of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, the One ruling over heaven and earth. We also discover that angels worship him, and “all angels [are] ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ NIV #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Crucifixion #Ascension #Angels #Hebrews

Paul wrote Philemon about his former slave Onesimus. More than likely Onesimus had run away from Philemon, a crime punishable by death. While in prison, Paul led Onesimus to faith in Christ. Paul sent him back and asked Philemon to give Onesimus his freedom as a fellow brother in Christ. The Scriptures reveal God as the One who frees the enslaved. N.T. Wright calls this brief letter “a ticking time bomb” for the abolition of slavery. All are invited into the Kingdom of God regardless of their station in life. Slavery 2,000 years ago was prevalent with 80% of the Roman world enslaved. For some this was the only way to have a place to live or food to eat. Onesimus whose name means “Useful” delivered this letter to Philemon. Paul invited Philemon to do something extremely counter cultural and more in line with the heart of God who created all human beings in His image. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Philemon #abolitionists #endslavery

Paul reminds Titus of the importance of living differently from the rest of the world. We honor and pray for our authorities. We are productive and caring for each other. All of us fall short of the life God has for us, but He offers to rescue all of us. This offer is not because of the good things we have done but because of His mercy and kindness. He renews us and makes us new by giving us His Spirit when we surrender our lives to follow Him. We become part of a new community, a new version of humanity #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus

Paul reminds Titus to spend time with those who are older and those who are younger. There should be healthy interaction between all the generations. All are welcome and all have a part to play. The secret to move broken people to become spiritual leaders is grace. It’s God’s unconditional love that helps us say “no” to those things which are destructive. We should be so overwhelmed with God’s love that we desire to become more like Jesus out of gratitude for all He has done for us. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus

Paul encouraged Titus to straighten out the church in Crete where there were many who were rebellious and teaching Gentiles needed to become Jewish before they could follow Jesus. His goal was to raise up spiritual leaders who have healthy families, were blameless, not given to drunkenness, and living a transformed life so that they could help bring about transformation among those around them. #NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus

Paul left Titus in Crete in order to appoint elders - spiritually mature servant leaders in the church. The challenge was that he was working with people who were referred to as “liars, evil brutes, and last gluttons.” In other words, Titus’ goal was to help lead broken people to become trustworthy leaders. Discover how to do this through this letter from Paul. #NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus

In what may be his last letter, Paul encourages Timothy that he can be faithful to do what he is called to do in spite of the opposition and those abandoning their mission. Paul writes that “God will safely deliver me into his heavenly kingdom.” We like the idea of God safely delivering us from our challenging circumstances, but that is not promised to us. Believers in Christ need to have a bigger perspective as this life is not all that there is. God does promise us that we will never be out of his presence. #NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy

Paul warns Timothy that he will be persecuted because he is seeking to live a godly life. He reminds Timothy of the great faith of his mother and grandmother and the wonderful times they had together on the journey they experienced planting churches. There will be tough days when people who claim to be followers of Jesus try to tempt others away from the ways of Jesus. Timothy is not alone though. He has the Spirit of God and the Scriptures to help him teach, rebuke, correct, and train others in the right ways to live. We have the resources we need to live a transformed life. #NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy