Knowing The Word

Weekday devotionals by The Rev. Reagan Cocke

Devotionals

Daily Devotionals

Romans 8:9-11, Part III (pleasing God)

According to Tom Wright: There is a strand of post-Reformation spirituality that is so anxious to avoid any appearance of works-righteousness that it shies away from any suggestion that anything we can do might actually please God. But if God’s spirit is at work within us, then of course we ought to please God. For Paul, the moral choices implied in verses 5 and 8 (flesh-minded vs. spirit-minded) are themselves part of the promise of resurrection itself. They are about the ne

30 minutes ago3 min read

Romans 8:9-11, Being in the Spirit Part II (the mind)

As we read these verses (9-11), we see that Christian living doesn’t just happen. It takes what we call “mental effort,” a concentrated exercise of the mind to focus on God’s way of being human. That is all right here in summary in verse 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. What we learn, by regular and disciplined practice, to think ab

1 day ago2 min read

Romans 8:9-11, Being in the Spirit Part I

Thus, Paul writes verses 9-11: 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. [Since it is the Spirit alone who brings one into relationship with Christ, there can be no relationship with him without the Spirit. This is where the “free will” argument disintegrates.] 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life

2 days ago2 min read

Romans 8:5-8, The Work of the Spirit

Tom Wright, Senior Research Fellow, Wycliffe Hall University of Oxford According to Tom Wright, "the first four verses of Romans 8 launch Paul’s exposition of the work of the Spirit. They form a platform for the rest of the chapter, and in particular for the rest of verses 5-11. Verses 1-4 have as their main theme the claim that “there is no condemnation for the Messiah’s people” because “the law’s proper verdict, giving life, is now fulfilled in them.” This life is the activ

3 days ago2 min read

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About Rev. Reagan

Reagan Winter Cocke was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He received a B. A. and a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he also met his wife Stephanie.

After a decade practicing architecture, Reagan answered the call to ordained ministry, attending Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford where he studied theology, graduating with distinction. He served as an assistant rector at Church of the Advent in Brownsville, TX, before coming to St. John the Divine in Houston, TX, where he has served for nearly two decades.

At St. John the Divine, Reagan has overseen ministries ranging from Adult Education to Prayer Ministry to the Contemporary Service. He currently oversees Youth, Children's, and Family Ministries. He leads several Bible studies and has written a number of devotionals for the congregation.

In his spare time, Reagan enjoys playing pickleball, painting, traveling, cooking, and entertaining alongside Stephanie. They have two children: Catherine, who lives in Austin, and Winston, who lives with them in Houston.

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Knowing the Word

weekday devotionals by The Rev. Reagan Cocke