Tag Archives: Faith

2014 Day 243 – Tim Keller: Interpreting the Bible

31 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in Reflection

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

I am starting to really enjoy listening to Tim Keller. In today’s reflection post, this short video talks about how Bible interpretation differs from one part to the other. Ultimately, I agree with Tim Keller that the Bible is not meant to be interpreted literally throughout. However, we must be careful to not say it is literal or not literal as a whole. It is through prayer and study we can know the difference. The important thing to remember is it is God inspired and it is His message to us.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2014 Day 170 – Revelation 1

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Today we will begin the somewhat tedious 22 day process of reading through the book of Revelation. While this is a difficult book to engage, it is a vital part of our theology and ultimately a book of hope and faith; the hope and faith that God is in control and no matter how hard life is for each of us, He is always with us. Revelation 1:17-18 says 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. God holds the keys to everything and evil only exists in His absence. God is in control and the victory for our lives has already been won when we choose to trust and follow Him.

2014 Day 163 – 1 John 2

12 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

When in doubt, follow what Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6 says, 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. To live as Jesus did we must obey His teaching and follow His example of obedience to God and serving people with love and kindness. When in doubt, follow what Jesus did. 

2014 Day 161 – Jude

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Today we read the single chapter book of Jude, who was the brother of Jesus and James. The book was written to remind the early church to stay vigilant in the faith and to oppose heresy. Jude’s message was meant to urge them to stay faithful in the truth. The key verse for this book is Jude 1:3, Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude wanted to emphasize the connection between true doctrine and and the importance of faith. As a believer, one can not live without the other.

2014 Day 160 – 2 Peter 3

09 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

We live in a time where instant gratification is almost a requirement. When we want something (food, drink, clothes, information) we want it immediately and, if possible, at the click of a button. So, when we ask God for something, it can almost seem like God is slow to act on our behalf. Just because God does not operate on our timetable does not mean He is slow. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God was patient for us and He continues to be patient enough to wait on others to come to Him. At the same time, we are not supposed to wait around for Him to act, we are to move in a direction and be willing to be redirected along the way.

2014 Day 156 – 2 Timothy 4

05 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

I love 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. My hope is when I reach the end of my life I can say the same thing. 

2014 Day 150 – Hebrews 12

30 Friday May 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

The very last verse in today’s reading is an incredibly powerful picture of God. Hebrews 12:29 says, for our “God is a consuming fire”. This is not the same thing as the flame from a candle; it is the light and heat from a raging fire that is all consuming and beyond our control. God is like a consuming fire and we cannot force Him to do anything, though He is a God of compassion and He ultimately wants us to experience His love fully.

2014 Day 149 – Hebrews 11

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Today we read the “Faith” chapter, which starts with one of the most powerful verses in the Bible, Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. The author gives numerous examples from throughout the scriptures of men and women who exemplified their commitment to God through their faith and subsequent actions. The author uses two words to describe faith: sure and certain. While we do not have evidence of deliverance, through faith we can be both sure of God’s character and certain He will deliver on His promises even when we don’t see them materializing yet.

2014 Day 109 – Ephesians 1

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Today we begin the book of Ephesians. This book is another letter written by Paul to the church at Ephesus and the main purpose of this letter was to encourage and strengthen believers their faith. As I was reading, and since tomorrow is Easter Sunday, Ephesians 1:7-8 stood out to me, 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. The events on Easter give us the redemption and forgiveness of our sins. But there is another part to this passage which was brought on by the resurrection and is mentioned in verse 8; wisdom and understanding, which can only come with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

2014 Day 106 – Acts 27

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Daily Reading

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Today we read about Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner. The story is one of the most suspenseful and interesting in the book of Acts. The use of the pronoun “we” in the first verse of the chapter stood out to me. This indicates Luke, the author of Acts, accompanied Paul on this journey and had a firsthand account of the events described in this chapter. The main theme to me in this chapter was Paul’s leadership. Even though he was a prisoner, he was still a leader in many ways. For starters he was able to warn the centurion who was able to keep the sailors from escaping in the middle of the storm. He was also an encourager to the men on the boat and reassured each of them of their survival. Ultimately, Paul showed us that we can be leaders and influencers even if we are in a position of weakness. As a prisoner, Paul’s status was among the lowest on the ship, but he was still able to lead and influence the positive outcome for everyone on the ship. No matter what our circumstances may be, God can use us for His glory if we simply trust and obey Him in all we do.