gloryunveiled

Mark’s Hidden Gems: Tax Collectors or Gift Givers?

Has the name Levi the son of Alphaeus caused you to marvel at Jesus Christ? Who? He’s better known as Matthew. Recently I’ve been plying the waters of Mark’s Gospel, stunned by spectacular gems hidden in the seabeds of masterfully crafted literary designs. Mark’s buried treasure in this Levi son of Alphaeus is super cool!Continue reading “Mark’s Hidden Gems: Tax Collectors or Gift Givers?”

Sweat for the True Bread

God delights to turn curses into blessings! Even in severe judgments He remembers tender mercies. Mercy triumphs over judgment (Jas 2:13)! We can see His shining heart of mercy right from the earliest glimmers of His relating to mankind. Adam and Eve’s terrible tragedy plunged the whole human race into chaos, darkness, and ruin forContinue reading “Sweat for the True Bread”

The Right Hand of Faith

Faith. In the Bible faith is never defined, only described. What about Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”? “See, there faith is defined.” Even that is a description. Faith cannot be defined because the object of faith, God, is so infinitely vast that it takesContinue reading “The Right Hand of Faith”

The Apostle of Love’s Cherry Tree Pt. 2 – Bound with Gravesclothes

The apostle of love’s cherry tree is my playful pun on John’s “cherry picking” of six words clustered around raising Lazarus from the dead. So far we’ve tasted the first cherry. John’s cherry picked words surprise us. They lead us along a path into God’s heart we might not otherwise take. They serve as aContinue reading “The Apostle of Love’s Cherry Tree Pt. 2 – Bound with Gravesclothes”

The Apostle of Love’s Cherry Tree Pt. 1 – Lord, He Stinketh

My earliest recollections of being in a church was when I was in third or fourth grade. A school friend of mine, Ray, invited me to a summer vacation Bible school in my then hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. It was in a little white Baptist church within walking distance of Grandma and Grandpa’s house. InsideContinue reading “The Apostle of Love’s Cherry Tree Pt. 1 – Lord, He Stinketh”

Eating of the Tree of Life Today

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5). Volumes has been said about maintaining our first love with Jesus. This is a good thing! But what does this mean?Continue reading “Eating of the Tree of Life Today”

Giving Treasures to Jesus by Following

There’s a popular song nowadays among many churches whose melody and lyrics I enjoy worshiping the Lord with, but one particular line gives me heartburn. It goes like this: So I throw up my hands And praise You again and again ‘Cause all that I have is a Hallelujah, hallelujah And I know it’s notContinue reading “Giving Treasures to Jesus by Following”

The Future-Present Tree of Life

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit eachContinue reading “The Future-Present Tree of Life”

Jesus Son of Multiplication

No name is more wondrous, more amazing, more astounding, or more fascinating than the name “Jesus”! Recently I’ve been reacquainted with Jesus not as a brand new name announced in lowly Nazareth but as the rebirth of an ancient name, “Joshua,” for that is its meaning in Greek. The Greek Septuagint translation of “Joshua” sonContinue reading “Jesus Son of Multiplication”

Leviticus 14’s Love Story Grand Finale: The Gospels’ Grand Reveal Pt. 2

The cleansed leper starring in Leviticus 14’s unexpected love story has a face. Mark expertly integrated the gospel-drenched symbols of this remarkable play to reveal a flesh and blood person. It’s Mary of Bethany, the one who broke her alabaster jar of precious nard upon the Lord Jesus. She epitomizes a bride who loves JesusContinue reading “Leviticus 14’s Love Story Grand Finale: The Gospels’ Grand Reveal Pt. 2”