Category Archives: integrity
Abraham: Beersheba
Genesis 21:22-34. It would be 1000 years before the Philistines would be major players in the conflict over the Holy Land. But Abraham meets up with king Abimelech and his commanding general and established a covenant with them. Abraham attested … Continue reading
one day in the future
Revelation 18. Babylon is a combination of the human and the demonic – of church and state – of trade and sorcery and deception. The great system and all tied to it will be destroyed in a single day. God’s … Continue reading
authenticity: spotting fakes
Jude. Jude wrote on a similar topic as John’s letters. His concern was that the church had opened its doors to false Christians, who had infiltrated it. He likened them to: Cain, who killed his brother out of jealousy (11). … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, discernment, discipleship, genuineness, integrity, ministry
Tagged Jude
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disciples: holiness and defilement
Mark 7:1-8:26. Disciples of Christ must seek for true holiness, and not settle for the mere appearance of holiness. Those who were considered super-spiritual in 1st century Judaism were those whose religion was based on ritual, taboos, or ancestral lineage. … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, genuineness, holiness, humility, integrity
Tagged Mark 7, Mark 8
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death, taxes, and heaven’s king
Matthew 17. A few disciples got a preview of Christ in his coming glory on the mount of transfiguration. They heard the voice of the Father himself say “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, genuineness, gospel, integrity, witness
Tagged Matthew 17
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Israel and heaven’s king
Matthew 15. Jesus and his disciples were in the middle of a concerted campaign to reach “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” with the gospel. They are proclaiming his message, and he is backing up their words with … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, ethnic Israel, faith, genuineness, integrity
Tagged Matthew 15
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mission: insist on good works
Titus 3:1-8a. Paul is the champion of salvation by grace, apart from works. He teaches that in this text when he says that God “saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own … Continue reading
mission: facilitate order
Titus 1:5-16. The Cretans were not known for their honesty and trustworthiness. They were likely to fall for false teachings, and Paul warned Titus that the island had “many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers” (10). Titus was tasked … Continue reading
mission: manage the ministry
1 Timothy 5:1-6:2. As a missionary, tasked with the role of developing the churches in Ephesus, Timothy had the responsibility to see to it that the various ministries were staffed. Paul gives him instructions on how to honor those who … Continue reading
Posted in church, integrity, leadership, ministry, missions, trust, wisdom, witness
Tagged 1 Timothy 5, 1 Timothy 6
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mission: display godly behavior
1 Timothy 3. Paul’s reason for giving qualification lists in this chapter is not simply administrative. He wants the churches to display proper conduct. The body of believers is the household (family) of God, the church of the living God, … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, family, holiness, integrity, ministry, self-control, works
Tagged 1 Timothy 3
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Devotions 