Category: Thursday Thoughts
The vision’s purpose
Last week we saw a glimpse of God’s glory revealed in Ezekiel’s first vision. It was set in a cloud, representing God’s Holy presence. Four living creatures that resembled cherubim were the “characters” in Ezekiel’s story. He described their actions, “Each one [of the living creatures] went straight ahead. Wherever…
A Glimpse of Glory
It’s interesting that Ezekiel first described a supernatural vision of God’s glory before diving into a message of judgment, encouragement for exiles, and teaching about God’s character. Sometimes we learn by doing. During our 1 Peter study, we considered how to give glory to God. Ezekiel will help us better…
Seeking God
Advent Love
More than once in these advent posts, we’ve remembered the Greatest Gift, the reason we celebrate Christmas. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6) “’The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means…
Advent Joy
We light advent candles representing hope to peace, and add a candle for joy. Makes sense, especially when we remember joy originates from our internal state, rather than external circumstances. We often think of the psalmist’s words in a different context, but they apply here, in this conversation, in this…
Advent Peace
Advent Hope
Stand Firm in Faith and Hope
One of Peter’s themes in this letter (according to commentators) is suffering. We discovered he also wrote about glory.* The “family of believers” is a minor theme, reviewed toward the end of the letter. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout…
Shepherds of Hope
Last week we left off with Peter’s hopeful words about our Great Shepherd. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). This verse is in the context of instruction and guidance from Peter to leaders in the…