Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 6

Daily Readings in the Bible Proverbs 10-12

The book of Proverbs uses the words fool, fools, and foolish at least sixty-nine times. However, the foolish man theme is found in at least one hundred places in Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is not just about becoming wise, it is also about not becoming a fool. There are a myriad of admonishments for wise living, but on the other hand the writer places just as much emphasis on forsaking foolishness. Wisdom isn’t just about growing in knowledge, and information. Wisdom is applying what you have...

Daily Readings in the Bible Proverbs 7-9

The book of Proverbs is an invitation to wisdom. Wisdom is not demanding, or bothersome. Instead, Proverbs reveals that the personification of Wisdom is alluring. Wisdom isn’t inconvenient or irritating. Rather, wisdom is as gentle as a dove. Wisdom will not force itself upon you, alternatively, it calls us out and invites all.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street and in the markets she raises her voice. At the head of the noisy streets she cries out and at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:...

Daily Readings in the Bible Proverbs 4-6

“Just follow your heart.” Have you ever heard someone say that? Perhaps you’ve said it yourself. That is terrible advice. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t listen to, it’s your own heart.

The writer said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). The word “keep” in the Hebrew means to “guard,” or “protect.” We are to guard our heart with “all diligence.” In other words, you can’t let your guard down on your heart.

Before we go any further, we nee...

Studies in Colossians: The Fullness of the Godhead

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:8–10).

The Oneness of God

The doctrine of the Oneness of God begins in the Old Testament. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and ...

Studies in Colossians: The Colossian Heresy

Bible commentators believe that Epaphras started the church in Colossae. It’s likely he had been converted during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and returned to his hometown and planted the church (Acts 19:10; Col. 1:5-7; 4:12). Epaphras kept Paul informed about the well-being of the Colossian church. During one of his trips to visit Paul in prison, he informed the apostle of an encroaching threat.

Paul may not have planted the church in Colossae, but he certainly cared for it. Like any good pastor,...

Daily Readings in the Bible Proverbs 1-3

The book of Proverbs is not just a divine book filled with quips and maxims for life. The book of Proverbs was written and compiled with the objective that the reader can know wisdom and instruction; to understand words of insight, to gain instruction in righteousness, justice and equity. The proverbs are also are written to give prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the youth (Pro. 1:2-4).

Many of the proverbs are written from the vantage point of a father who seeks to instruct...

Studies in Colossians: Introduction

Writer

The apostle Paul identifies himself as the writer of the Colossian letter (Col. 1:1). Paul penned this epistle, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon, while he was imprisoned in Rome between AD 60-62 (Acts 27-28 Col. 4:3; 10, 18).

Audience

Colossae was located about 100 miles from Ephesus, and it neighbored the cities of Laodecia, and Hierapolis. Perhaps during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, Paul commissioned Epaphras to preach the gospel in Colossae, Laodecia, and Hierapolis (Col....

Daily Readings in the Bible Psalms 146-150

The Psalms begin with God blessing man, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps. 1:1) The conclusion of Psalms is a command for man to bless God (Ps. 150). Studying the Psalms we see an interesting flow in how it’s compiled. In the early sections of the Psalms we read psalms of sadness and lament. Followed by psalms of suffering, trouble and difficulty. We relate to those psalms because we identify with the pain of the human condition living in a fallen world. But...

Daily Readings in the Bible Psalms 140-145

One of Abraham’s characteristics that stood out to the Lord was that he would direct his children and family to keep the way of the Lord (Gen. 18:19). Being a person of faith means imparting the knowledge of God into the next generation. What good was Abraham’s faith if it was only for him? Others needed the same knowledge of the Holy as Abraham had.

The psalmist wrote, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). It is every biblical Chris...

Daily Readings in the Bible Psalms 133-139

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments” (Psalm 133:1–2).

It is nearly impossible to get everyone to agree on something if you get a group of people together. You don’t believe me? Just ask a group of two to three people what restaurant they want to go eat at. Ask another group what brand of car is best. You’re li...