And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NASB Conformed – Paul’s term, syschematizesthe, is a word about shaping behavior. It’s not really about doctrines of dogma or…
Today at 5:45 AM South African time I will be traveling with 9 other readers to Sabi Sands near Krueger National Park where we will spend 5 days enjoying first-hand the wonders of His creation in Africa. Then I will stay behind while the group comes back to the USA on August 6. I will…
“Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and the LORD changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them?” Jeremiah 26:19 NASB Entreat – What does it mean to entreat someone? Even in English we have a difficult time expressing this thought succinctly. Certainly the concept…
One of the assignments I gave after a class on the history of the formation of the Christian Church at Louisiana Bible College was to write a paper on the question, “Should the Church survive?” Deb Dale’s response is insightful. I thought you would find it useful. Should the Church Survive? By Deb Dale, July…
holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Titus 1:9 NASB Holding fast – In the past we discovered that Hebrew has no word for possessing. In Hebrew, the basic thought pattern is about…
One of our community has passed on. Phyllis Muller’s mother, Charlotte, is closer to the ‘olam ha’a. Her journey continues in places we cannot go now. She leaves behind a wonderful daughter, Phyllis. Please offer prayers for Phyllis and Larry in this time of remembrance.
“There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing: a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; Proverbs 30:29-30 NIV Lion – In two days I hope that the small group of us who are venturing into the African bush to see and study God’s creation will…
but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, Titus 1:8 NASB Hospitable – Can you express the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself in one word? Paul can. That word is philoxenos. OK, it’s really two Greek words combined into one, but if you look carefully you can see why Paul fuses these together….
For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, Titus 1:7 NASB Not pugnacious – Pugnacious. A word I am sure you use every day. Right! We don’t have much problem understanding Paul’s requirement of a calm constitution (“not quick-tempered”) and we certainly…
For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, Titus 1:7 NASB Overseer – What characteristics accompany the “overseer” (Greek – episkopos), a term sometimes translated as “bishop”? Paul gives Titus a list, both negative and positive. We have discovered that people who…
