Gary R Small

Each chapter of A Word from His Word focuses on a single word or phrase from a short biblical passage. Returning to this simple but effective approach will reinvigorate your daily time reading the Bible.Corinth was a major city in ancient Greece, bustling with traders. It was also characterized by a liberal culture unfamiliar with Christian ethics. Paul evangelized there in AD 52 and those who embraced his presentation of the gospel established a church.However, many of these new converts felt tempted to return to their prior lifestyles. Paul responds to the church's growing pains in this letter, 1 Corinthians, by presenting a call for believers to realign themselves with the message of the cross-a message which placed Christ first and insisted that all else take second place to His headship and leadership.The letter is a challenging read, even today, for it prompts us to reflect on whether we are Christ-centred or self-oriented. Although it prompts self-reflection, perhaps more importantly it encourages readers to ensure that they remain aligned with Christ. That is the prayer behind this edition of A Word from His Word-for readers to pursue God with the purity they had when they first believed.

Each chapter of A Word from His Word focuses on a single word or phrase from a short biblical passage. By returning to a simple but effective approach to Bible reading, your daily time will be invigorated.These letters were written by Paul after the end of Acts, and they were written in different circumstances for different needs. 1 Timothy was penned during a period of freedom for Paul while he was in Phillipi, surrounded by Christian believers at an exciting time of growth. He wrote to Timothy, who was tasked with organizing the church in Ephesus.In contrast, 2 Timothy was written under trying circumstances. Paul was being held in a dungeon in Rome. Although isolated, he wrote this last correspondence to affirm Timothy in his ministry in Ephesus.Today, they speak to church organization and personal affirmation. Together they present three characters: Paul, Timothy, and the Ephesian church. In the telling of the story, we are given lessons for both a corporate and personal application.Our prayer is that through this series of devotions you too would enjoy Paul's edifying lessons and benefit from his constructive, affirming words.

Each chapter of A Word from His Word focuses on a single word or phrase from a short biblical passage. By returning to a simple but effective approach to Bible reading, your daily times will be invigorated.1 and 2 Thessalonians were written by St. Paul, Silas, and Timothy while they were in Corinth on a missionary journey. Paul had briefly visited Thessalonica and was anxious to hear how the church had survived without his presence and teaching. Timothy had recently returned from Thessalonica with positive news: the church was alive, well, and thriving.However, the people's interest in spirituality had clouded the thinking of some and Paul was quick to refocus them on the truth they had originally been taught. Modern society, like that of ancient Thessalonica, is full of many beliefs and abstract spirituality. We can readily be deceived into adopting some of these abstractions into our lives and churches. Paul, Silas, and Timothy would encourage us to hold fast to the truth of the original gospel.We pray that as you read this edition of A Word from His Word, your own experience of Him will be recentred and renewed.

Each chapter of A Word from His Word focuses on a single word or phrase from a short biblical passage. By returning to a simple but effective approach to Bible reading, your daily times will be invigorated.Colossians was written by St. Paul and Timothy during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome. Paul had been locked up with another evangelist called Epaphras, who had brought the gospel to the Colossians. Paul watched Epaphras pray for the young church in Colossae, and decided to write and encourage them.Just as Paul wrote to Colossae, a place where he had not visited nor evangelized, he might as well be writing to our own churches. Churches where modern Christianity is just as vulnerable as the ancient church, to being over sophisticated by religious rules and traditions.Paul's message of encouragement, focus and avoiding distractions remains applicable even through the passage of time. We pray that as you read this edition of A Word from His Word, your own experience of Him will be recentred and renewed.

Galatians was written by St. Paul in response to a concern that the church was becoming too legalistic. He implores them to rekindle the experiences of their conversion and not be ignorant of the lessons from scripture. He also encourages them to grasp the promises God has given them. In doing this, Paul seeks to realign the church to the gospel rather than a law-based religion.As we reflect on the traditions of our churches or our lives, we might perceive similar susceptibilities. Paul's wisdom to the Galatians thus has relevance today and we can benefit from his teaching in order to remain focused on a Christ-filled, Spirit-led ministry.

Ephesians uniquely expresses the monumental changes that occurred in the aftermath of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It paints a vivid picture of the consequences of what Jesus accomplished, using God's palette of grace, blessing, and forgiveness to educate the early churches of Ephesus. It is hoped that A Word from His Word: Ephesians will inspire readers to study Paul's poignant letter with intentional hearts so that his message would reach this generation anew.