Purposeful

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.1 Timothy 1:3-4  NASB Administration– In the ESV this verse reads: “nor to devote themselves…

Where It Belongs

Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17b NASB The ground – Let’s clear up a common misunderstanding. God does not curse Adam and the woman. Human beings are not cursed because of Adam’s deliberate disobedience. Augustine’s idea that Adam’s disobedience resulted…

Who Are You? (1)

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…

The Men’s Group Trinity

Then King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” And they came into the king’s presence.  1 Kings 1:32  NASB Prophet, Priest, King – There are only a few verses in the Bible that include all three words “prophet,” priest,” and “king.”  In fact, more…

Accounting Principles

To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.  Matthew 25:15 NASB Gave – God might not be a policeman but He is an accountant.  Of course, He is also advocate, prosecutor, judge and jury (actually, there is no…

A Timeshare View of History

One of the most ingenious inventions of modern real estate economics is the timeshare.  Timeshares are designed to provide a slice of unreality for anyone who has a reasonable credit line.  What most people could never hope to afford completely, they can pretend to afford in slices.  A timeshare is my one week of affluence. …