Hitchhiker’s Guide (30)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9  NASB Confess – What is confession?  The Greek (homologéō) gives us an answer.  It is “to speak the same thing.”  To confess is to agree with God’s assessment of…

Hitchhiker’s Guide (29): Gentiles

I will sow her for Myself in the land.  I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”  Hosea 2:23  NASB You are my God – Who is a Gentile?  Before you answer with the…

Hitchhiker’s Guide (28)

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.   2 Timothy 2:15 Make every effort – What is the role of Torah in our quest for righteousness?  Is it just a rule book, an instruction manual, or the voice…

Who Says?

And Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, just as you have sworn to her.”  Joshua 6:22 NASB As you have sworn – Without the context you won’t see the judicial problem this verse…

The Invention of Heresy

For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 1 Corinthians 11:19  NASB Factions – Paul uses the Greek term haíresis a few times in his letters.  Today we think he’s writing about false doctrines.  We transliterate the Greek as heresy, by which we mean something…

The Decline of the West

he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”  Daniel 4:30  NIV I have built – Nebuchadnezzar lacked the humility of recognizing that God is the true builder—and destroyer.  Thinking that he was the author and finisher of his…

Roman Kosher

Just some Roman versions of what to eat.  Every culture has its own food laws, right?  These just happen to be from Caesar.      

Following the Path of the Righteous

‘The right course which a man should choose for himself is that which he feels to be honorable to himself, and which also brings honor from mankind.”   Pirke Avot 2.1 Honor – Let’s Review.  Do you remember what each of these is about? Step number 1:  Think about it!  “What shall we answer for ourselves…

Hitchhiker’s Guide (27)

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.  Psalm 101:5  NASB 1995 Slanders – Many years ago I had what appeared to be the fully-satisfied life.  Long before a crisis started me on the path of writing Today’s Word, I…