Up until that hot August day at Edna’s in 2004, I had stayed busy, living my version of a “good” Christian life by trying to love God and others. I’d lived this way because deep down in my soul, I thought I had to earn God’s love by doing “good” things and avoiding evil ones. …
Author Archives: Jonathan Kobayashi
63207 7. New Covenant: Love Promises
As mentioned in the prior chapter, the New Covenant includes two parts: “[1] believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and [2] love one another as He gave us commandment (1 John 3:23). Throughout the New Testament we are repeatedly reminded of faith and love. Faith alone isn’t enough to life a full …
49909 No, I Did Not Receive Jesus
So, you are not ready to give the control of your life and believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord. We are all on a spiritual journey; so, we encourage you to keep going! Stay in this app and read other articles. Read the Bible, starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel …
38601 Overview: TaNaK / Old Testament
The Hebrew Scriptures are a three-part collection of scrolls known as the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, or “TaNaK” for short. Did you know that the arrangement of the Old Testament in Christian Bibles is not original? Along with all ancient Jews, Jesus encountered the Scriptures as a three-part collection of scrolls known as the Torah, …
38602 Overview: Genesis Ch. 1-11
God creates a good world and commissions humans to rule it, but they choose rebellion again and again. When God looks at the world he made, he declares it good. He installs humans as his partners in ruling creation, but the humans choose to do what is good in their own eyes, leading ultimately to …
38603 Overview: Genesis Ch. 12-50
God promises to bless the world through Abraham’s family, despite their repeated failure. God makes a promise to bless all nations through the family of Abraham. But with aging husbands, impatient matriarchs, deceptive brothers, and family betrayal, how will God’s promise prevail? God Calls Abraham In chapters 1-11, the book of Genesis recounts God’s good …
38604 Overview: Exodus Ch. 1 -18
God rescues the Israelites from slavery and confronts Pharaoh’s evil. How does God respond when his people cry out to him? The first part of the book of Exodus recounts a powerful confrontation between God and the injustice of Pharaoh. This section is a fast-paced narrative that leads to divine justice, rescue, and deliverance. Let …
38605 Overview: Exodus Ch. 19-40
God initiates a covenant with Israel despite their rebellion and promises his presence. At Mt. Sinai, God invites Israel into a covenant relationship. He desires to make them a nation of priests to be a blessing to the nations. But Israel immediately fails to trust God. Ascending the Mountain The first eighteen chapters of the …
38606 Overview: Leviticus
God graciously provides a way for people to live in his presence. God desires to live with Israel, but even Moses is unable to enter the Tabernacle. How can Israel, with all their moral corruption, become God’s covenant partners to bless the nations? Leviticus answers this question in three surprising ways. The Tabernacle God made …
38607 Overview: Numbers
Israel’s repeated rebellion in the wilderness is met by God’s justice and mercy. On their way to the promised land, Israel rebels against God again and again. God responds with short-term severity and long-term generosity that speaks to his covenant faithfulness. Wilderness Wanderings After centuries of living in foreign lands, the time comes for the …