The Weight of Glory (3) Consequences not Calamities

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” 2 Corinthians 4:17 Affliction – What are afflictions?  Loss of job?  Illness?  Disability?  Accidents?  Natural disasters?  War?  Famine?  Neglect?  Abuse?  What things are on your “affliction” list?  My guess is that your list doesn’t include a single one…

The Weight of Glory (1) Clock-Time

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” 2 Corinthians 4:17 Momentary – The invisible reality of it all.  That’s the real problem, isn’t it?  Our present experience just seems so permanent.  We see heartache, persecution, disaster, despair and death and it just seems so permanent. …

Concrete Readiness

“And a second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”” Matthew 22:39 As – More psychological garbage has been perpetrated on the Christian community with this verse than just about any other.  How many times have you heard someone claim that you can’t love another until you love yourself?  How often have…

The Five Servants

“But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” Matthew 20:26 Servant – What’s your conception of “servant”?  Are you a waiter, a volunteer, an employee, an assistant, a butler or maid, a public official or a slave?  Did you think all “servants” were the same?  English is sloppy where Greek…

Why Are You There?

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God” Ephesians 1:1 Apostle – We are all familiar with Paul’s typical greeting.  Most of his letters begin like this one.  We know that Paul is an apostle.  But have we ever stopped to consider if Paul’s description of his choosing has anything to say…

Speaking Silence

“When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent” Psalm 4:4 Search – Do you want to know the secret to a great night’s sleep?  It’s not Posturpedic or Serta or Sleep Number.  It’s not The Tonight Show or a good novel.  It’s not even sex.  It’s damam.  The same Hebrew word…

Shalom on display

“Like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me” Psalm 131:2 NASB Rests – Imagery is everything.  What’s the difference between these two images:  “like a child rests” and “like a child that has stilled and quieted itself”?    The first leads us toward passive acceptance.  The second…

Umbrella Shifts

“And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified who delights in the prosperity of His servant”” Psalm 35:27 NASB Prosperity –  When you read this verse, do you see dollars floating down from heaven?  Doesn’t it say that God delights in our prosperity?  Does that mean that “good” Christians will be rewarded with wealth,…