China is a conundrum. One look at China today reveals a society enthralled by capitalism. The signs of Western success are everywhere. Everyone wants to be like the status symbols of America. This goal of China will obliterate the ancient ways as farmland succumbs to bulldozers and skyscrapers. You can walk these streets and think you…
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 NASB Stand at the threshold – How about you? Do you think that a day in God’s courts is better than…
They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:7 NASB Every one of them – I hope that this phrase, “every one of them,” is in italics in your Bible. Why? Because it does not appear in the Hebrew text. The text simply reads, “They go from…
How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion! Psalm 84:5 NASB Highways to Zion – Would you prefer glossy or matte? Why do I ask? Because this verse is the “glossy” version. It adds “to Zion.” In other words, it glosses the word mesillot to…
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 2 Corinthians 1:8 NASB Despaired – If you read Paul’s statement in English, you think that there was a moment in…
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2 NASB The Three I’s Add/Take away – There can be no doubt that apostolic writers knew this dictum from Moses. There…
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB Haters of good – What is the good news? Oh, did you think it was, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?” Or perhaps you thought it was, “Jesus died to forgive my sins.” Think again. The…
Below is a picture of a church in China. Actually, this isn’t officially a “church.” It is a “fellowship,” conducted under the banner of a registered group in another city. Therefore it qualifies as an “underground” church. But it is patently out in the open, large, public, and clearly a church in every functional sense….
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB Brutal – The way of life in the wild is kill or be killed. If you want to witness this fact, take a trip to Botswana. From the bottom of the food chain to the top, life depends on death. We…
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB Without self-control – “Hello. My name is Skip and I’m an addict. I admit that I am powerless over _________.” Such is the typical introduction in a Twelve Step group. Paul would approve, but with one caveat. The word Paul chooses…
