John Mark Hicks

Post #3 Carthage, North Africa, in 197 CE. Tertullian describes a gathering of believers in Jesus for his Roman audience. “We pray, too, for the emperors, for their ministers and for all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for the prevalence of peace, for the delay of the final consummation.” (Oramus etiam pro […]

Post #2. Carthage, North Africa, in 197 CE. Tertullian describes a gathering of believers in Jesus for his Roman audience. “We meet together as a gathering and congregation, marshalling our troops to surround God with prayerful supplications. This force is pleasing to God” (Coimus in coetum et congregationem, ut ad deum quasi manu facta precationibus […]

When we pray against evil (as Psalm 140 does), Psalm 141 reminds us that our lips (words), heart, and actions must be aligned with God’s way or agenda. Before we pray against evil, we must first orient ourselves to the way of God and seek it. Psalm 141 prays for God’s protection and guidance as […]

The focus of Paul’s prayer is not that the Ephesians would be filled with information (though Paul does want them to understand the mystery of Christ and live with wisdom) but that they might be filled with the fullness of God. He prays that through the Spirit strengthening their inner persons and Christ dwelling in […]

Ephesians has two lengthy prayers. The first is in Ephesians 1:15-19, and the second is Ephesians 3:14-19. The first is followed by teaching material about God’s exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God (1:20-23), and the second is followed by a doxology (3:20-21). Ephesians 1-3 begins with a doxology (1:3-14) and ends with […]

[An English version is available here.] Este salmo es el favorito de muchos. Los primeros dieciocho versículos son algunas de las descripciones más íntimas y elevadas de la relación Dios-humano en el Salterio. La mayoría lo encuentra reconfortante, incluso afirmativo. Pero luego nos golpea una sacudida cuando leemos el Salmo 139:19-22. ¿Qué tiene eso que […]

After the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father, one hundred and twenty disciples, including the mother of Jesus, were gathered together in one place (ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ). They were all devoted (προσκαρτεροῦντες) to praying and waiting for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14-15). On the day of Pentecost, they were all […]

Who is Darius the Mede? Daniel Prospers (6:1-3) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom, and over them three presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents […]

Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the opening prayer of the Psalter. Surrounded by many who claim God no longer listens to him, the Psalmist expresses confidence in Yahweh’s presence. God will answer him when he cries out and deliver him. Salvation comes from the Lord alone. Consequently, the Psalmist has no fear of […]

What is the theological heart of the dream narrative in Daniel 2? The Statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron & clay serve the greater theological point: God gives power and wisdom, and God takes it away (deposes kings). Kings who are supposed to image God, as God intended from the beginning for all […]