A Different Cloth

No one serving as a soldier tangles with the affairs of this life, so that he might please the one enlisting him.  2 Timothy 2:4 Tangles – You’re in the army now!  If you’re committed to following the Messiah, you made a voluntary decision to join His ranks.  That decision has some very big implications. …

An Epidemic of Loneliness

My friend, Soo-Inn Tan, from Singapore, writes a weekly post.  Today’s edition had something very important to say to all of us who understand the liberty and renewal of Jesus.  The results of the studies that he cites only tell us just how terrible it is to be one of the lost.  He says: I…

Context, Context, Context

Let a woman learn in silence, in all subjection.  But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence.  1 Timothy 2:11-12 A Woman – The universal law of real estate is simple:  location, location, location.  There is a comparable universal law in biblical…

Schizophrenia

Let your women be silent in the churches, for it is not allowed to them to speak, but let them be submissive, as also the law says.  1 Corinthians 14:34 The Law – Some weeks ago, one reader wrote, “Perhaps at some point you could give a clear explanation as to what the thorough explanation…

Firm Footing

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good reputation  Philippians 4:8 True – True is not correct.  I don’t mean that this isn’t the right translation.  It is.  The Greek word, alethia, means “true.”  But the…

Competitive Advantage

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good reputation  Philippians 4:8 Whatever – In the end, it’s the little things that count.  That’s particularly true when it comes to character.  Character is the focus of Paul’s…

Tithes and Offerings

They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed, but each with his own gift, according to the blessing that the LORD your God has bestowed upon you.  Deuteronomy 16:16-17  According To – “What does God expect concerning the tithe?”  This seems to be a perennial question once we determine to be more obedient to God’s…

What Lies Beneath (2)

and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, compassionate, gracious, long-suffering and great in goodness  Exodus 34:6 Long-Suffering – Every word matters.  That’s the approach taken by the rabbis, and it’s the same approach that we must take if we want to truly mine the Scriptures.  That’s why it just isn’t adequate to stick with an English translation. …

Super-Superlative

and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, compassionate, gracious, long-suffering and great in goodness  Exodus 34:6 YHWH, YHWH – Do you remember doubled giving (nathan used twice – March 12)?  Did you know that Isaiah uses shalom shalom to speak of “perfect” peace?  In Hebrew, doubling the word calls attention to the superlative form.  So, what happens…