#Acts Reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41
 
#Peter proclaims #Jesus the Lord on #Pentecost. 
 
What must we do to be #saved?

#Gospel Reading: #Luke 24:13-35
 
#Jesus appeared to His #disciples in His #resurrection. 
 
What can we gain from Jesus' appearance to the disciples on the road to #Emmaus?

Why do Christians need to commend faithful Christians to one another at times?

We likewise will find times and opportunities in which we will commend Christians to other Christians and be commended in turn, and this is appropriate and right.

#Paul and the Macedonian Christians had sent them to encourage the preparation of the Corinthian Christians' #gift for the poor Christians in Judea. 

They should have no reason for concern regarding those three men. 

In the section we call 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, the Corinthians would have heard the commendation of Titus and two unnamed Christian brothers who were sent with him. 

We have good reason to believe #Titus would have delivered, and perhaps even read aloud, Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians to and before the Corinthian #Christians. 

If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ (2 Corinthians 8:23).

Must have missed a few things in catechism

What can we learn from how Paul commended Titus and his associates and encouraged the Corinthian Christians to give in 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5?

In 2 Corinthians 9:1-5, he likewise informed the Corinthian Christians of his boasts, and encouraged them to make good on them lest all involved be humiliated and ashamed. 

To this end he felt compelled to commend those he was sending to prepare to receive that gift in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24. 

#Paul had boasted about how the #Macedonian Christians had given #generously to the collection for the poor #Christians of Judea.

Paul had also boasted how the Corinthian Christians were also ready to #give. 

Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do (2 Corinthians 9:5).

The #Psalm: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
 
The Psalmist praised YHWH for His #provision. 
 
Why should people put their #trust in #God?

proper men's dress guy also does religious sociology well

always a grift, always shameless

Monday Miscellany 13 April 2026

Monday Miscellany!

This week:

- #Euodia and #Syntyche in #Philippians

- #Accountability and #shame in #2Corinthians

- #Bible readings

- #cat tax

Please read, share, and subscribe!

open.substack.com/pub/deverbov...

#Paul wanted #Euodia and #Syntyche to agree in the Lord. A lot of speculation has attended to this situation. What can we really know?

Agreement in the #Lord | #Philippians 4:2-3
https://www.deverbovitae.com/articles/agreementlord/

Why is it so important for Christian giving to be shared as equals and in reciprocity, a sharing in the grace of God?

Instead, we give as God has given us, recognizing the time will come when we will need to receive from others as God has given to them. 

We are equal in Christ, not greater or lesser than.

Christian giving should never be unctuous, patronizing, and presumptuous, vainly imagining we are always going to be the one with the largesse to bestow upon the lesser. 

Paul encouraged them to understand the matter in terms of #equality and #reciprocity: yes, at the moment, they abound and can meet the need of the Judean Christians.

But the time might come when they will be in need and their need might well be met by the abundance of the Judean Christians.

#Paul addressed possible apprehensions and reservations which might exist among the Corinthian #Christians regarding #giving.

They might worry about giving to others while they are in the midst of some affliction at the moment or perhaps in the face of affliction to come. 

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality (2 Corinthians 8:13-14).

New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 
 
#Peter provided #encouragement for #Christians in Asia Minor in distress. 
 
How can Peter speak of us being saved but yet looking forward to #salvation?

#Gospel Reading: #John 20:19-31
 
John recounted how #Jesus appeared to His #disciples in the #resurrection. 

Are we maybe too hard on "doubting #Thomas"?

Why should Christians give to others?

We must prove willing to become impoverished (to some degree or another) so others might be made richer (again, to some degree or another) if we would truly follow and exemplify Jesus the Christ.

The gift was not given to be hoarded but to be shared: Christians are called upon to participate in the grace of God by giving to others according to what God has given to them.