 |
Home | Mission Statement | Video Gallery | Audio Gallery | Photo Gallery | Daily Manna | Testimonies | | Links | Contact us |
 |
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things Phil 4:8 |
 |
| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Monday, July 28, 2025
Today's Passage : Today's Passage:The Nature of the Holy Spirit BibleVerse:1 Thessalonians 2:13 "And so we thank God every day for you, our brothers and sisters, who not only heard God’s word with your ears, but also took it into your hearts, where it could accomplish its great work." Message:
Although we promised a close study of 1 Thessalonians, we don’t propose to go through it one verse at a time! The verse divisions have messed us up, because an entirely new section begins after verse 13; 2:14 begins a significant and controversial section, too long to combine with verse 13; so we want to start verse 14 in its own lesson.
Why are the chapters and verses of the Bible sometimes so illogical? And why don’t we change them?
The chapters were put into place by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1227 A.D. And the verses were added by a French book printer in 1551! These divisions are now (figuratively) set in stone, even though they might not reflect the optimal organization of thoughts and themes. They remain unchanged because it is more important that we have a reliable reference over centuries of translation and commentary, than meaningful divisions. But my point is: don’t rely on Bible chapter and verse numbers to organize the material.
Luckily, there is plenty to say about verse 13, especially the idea of taking the word into our hearts. “Word” has multiple meanings throughout the Bible, and its use constantly shifts among them. In fact, always, when we hear “God’s word,” we must consider several connected concepts simultaneously. First, of course, word means word. Paul taught the Thessalonians by speaking (and writing) to them. Word of God or God’s word, in the literal sense, refers to the primary definition of “word”, a unit in a system of sound or writing subject to a set of grammatical and syntactical rules, so that it conveys meaning.
St. John Evangelist
(St.) John the Evangelist
French Bible, 1435
But the words used by Paul have special significance. They not only communicate ideas, but they do so with an authority above that of any other communication. They are inspired (meaning, literally, “breathed out”) by God Himself. Paul spells out this distinction, saying that the Thessalonians accepted that Paul’s gospel message were not only Paul’s words, but also God’s, meriting a different attitude. (Also, see 2 Timothy 3:16.)
Easy enough, at least in principle. Most Christians seem to understand the concept of the inspired Word of God, even if they do not believe in it.
The Gospel of John added an entire dimension, though, in one sentence (John 1:1). He equated “word” with the Greek philosophical concept of a formative power in the universe — the “logos” — and then informed us that this Word, this logos, was Christ. While logos is translated “Word”, it has little to do with writing or speaking. It is a spiritual entity which existed before time and created the universe; and then, It (or He) became incarnate as a man, Jesus, destined to die in atonement for the sins of humanity.
When Paul says that the Thessalonians took the word into their hearts, etc., he thus is saying not only that the Thessalonians heard a communication, and not only that they credited the communication as divine; but also, that a spirit identified with Christ came to dwell within them. Christ literally lives within them, giving them power and knowledge beyond the verbal communication of Paul’s preaching. Verse 13 is actually the earliest mention in the epistles of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit being fulfilled in human beings.
Meditation : “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” ~ Mark 9:35 Prayer : God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and Spirit of God amidst us, direct our way unto you. Make us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you; to the end we may establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before you, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Amen. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
