This week’s article in the ongoing series on “Gems from the Greek,” pastor Rick Renner focuses on the topic of spiritual warfare as described in Ephesians 6:12.

This week’s article in the ongoing series on “Gems from the Greek,” pastor Rick Renner focuses on the topic of spiritual warfare as described in Ephesians 6:12.
This insightful article parses out the meaning of Ephesians 1:4. From Sparkling Gems from the Greek………
John Stott was a big influence in my early Christian life, as back in the 70s and 80s practically everyone read his bestseller Basic Christianity. Here are some quotes from him that might serve to introduce this godly man to younger believers today. From Logos.com………………..
Another excerpt from a wonderful resource and website — the Theology of Work Bible and Theology of Work Project. In these 3 chapters, Paul’s determination and courage are on full display. Yet, Paul was emboldened by the same Holy Spirit who indwells us right now!
This article is part of a series that provides a commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians from a biblical counseling viewpoint. In this instance, the author shows how Paul sees contentment and gratitude as two sides of the same coin. From BradHambrick.com……………..
In disagreement and discord, we also follow Christ’s example of seeking peace, of being slow to anger and quick to listen. Additionally, concepts such as acceptance and tolerance—religious or otherwise—find significant support in the teachings of Jesus. These are important topics in contemporary life. Toleration of others is part of what was lost in the rise of secular morality, which coincided with an increase in negative attitudes toward Christian virtue in the academy and government. The fact that Christians are regularly thought to be close-minded, dogmatic, and intolerant is certainly justified in some cases. Yet this attitude is also highly ironic since the very tradition of tolerance in the Western context is accentuated in the Christocentric worldview. Just a simple count of the tolerant societies in the world today gives some clue as to the power of the applied moral teachings of Christ and their benefit to the world. If self-professed Christians are being aggressively and consistently intolerant, they are certainly not emulating the example of Christ or the traditions and teachings of Christianity. Much trouble and confusion about these matters can often be attributed simply to mislabeling. “Christians” are often not Christlike. However, this lamentable fact should not impugn Jesus or his teaching on tolerance.
From The Divine Conspiracy Continued: Fulfilling God’s Kingdom on Earth. Copyright © 2014 by Dallas Willard amd Gary Black Jr. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
In this article by author and Bible scholar Ann Spangler, she provides some ancient insights into the name for God as “Bridegroom, Husband.” From AnnSpangler.com…………………..
Nymphios, Aner — Bridegroom, Husband
This is the wrap-up to this fine series of articles on the Beatitudes. “We are to remember what to expect, we are to remember how to respond and we are to remember our purpose and function in the world. So, be salty and shine!” From PlaceforTruth.org……………………….
https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/lets-study-the-beatitudes-part-10-our-response
Continuing this excellent series on the Beatitudes, this article focuses on those who are persecuted for Jesus’ name. While Christians in the West are not often truly persecuted in terms of financial standing or physical safety, we should remember that the majority of our brothers and sisters in other countries do actually face these issues as followers of Jesus! From PlaceforTruth.org……………………..
https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/lets-study-the-beatitudes-part-9-persecution
In this next article in the series, the focus is on the blessings to be had for those who are peacemakers. From PlaceforTruth.org……………………
https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/lets-study-the-beatitudes-part-8-blessed-peacemakers